Small mobility

Abstract

To provide a small mobility in which the risk of runaway caused by switching of a traveling mode is effectively suppressed.SOLUTION: Provided is a small-sized mobility 1 having a first mode and a second mode as travel modes, the second mode having a higher maximum speed than the first mode, the small-sized mobility 1 including a first sensor 11 configured to detect that a driver is in the small-sized mobility 1 and a second sensor 12 configured to detect that the driver is holding a steering wheel, the small-sized mobility 1 being capable of switching the travel mode from the first mode to the second mode on condition that the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 are in a detection state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to compact mobility. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electric scooters have been known that have two driving modes with different maximum speeds, called a small, low-speed mode and a sidewalk driving mode (see Patent Document 1). The electric scooter in Patent Document 1 can change the driving mode depending on the current location, traffic volume, road gradient, and weather, and can also change the maximum speed only when the electric scooter reaches a predetermined speed, for example, when it is stopped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-42590 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the electric scooter described in Patent Document 1, if the driving speed satisfies certain conditions, for example, if the electric scooter is moving even slightly, it is possible to change to a driving mode with a higher maximum speed even if the rider is not on the scooter and is holding the handlebars. Therefore, there is a risk that the vehicle will start moving at high speed due to an incorrect operation while the rider is off the scooter.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a small mobility vehicle that effectively reduces the risk of runaway driving caused by switching driving modes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides the following small mobility.

[0007] [1] A compact mobility having a first mode and a second mode having a higher maximum speed than the first mode as driving modes, the compact mobility having a first sensor that detects whether a driver is riding in the vehicle and a second sensor that detects whether the driver is gripping the handlebars, and capable of switching the driving mode from the first mode to the second mode on the condition that the first sensor and the second sensor are in a detection state. [2] The compact mobility described in [1] above, wherein the driving mode can be switched from the second mode to the first mode on the condition that the first sensor is in a non-detecting state. [3] A compact mobility vehicle as described in [1] or [2] above, which is capable of switching the driving mode on the condition that the vehicle is in a stopped state. [4] The compact mobility described in [1] or [2] above, wherein the driving mode is set to the first mode when the vehicle power supply is turned on. [5] The compact mobility described in [1] or [2] above, wherein the driving mode is set to the first mode when an operation to turn off the vehicle power supply is performed. [6] The small mobility described in [1] or [2] above, which is capable of accelerating on the condition that the first sensor and the second sensor are in a detection state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small mobility vehicle in which the risk of runaway driving caused by switching of driving modes is effectively reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams of a compact mobility according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a small mobility vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations related to the safety functions of the small mobility according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations in which the driving mode is set to the first mode when the vehicle power source is turned on. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations in which the driving mode is set to the first mode when an operation to turn off the vehicle power supply is performed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations when the driver performs an acceleration operation when starting to drive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The small mobility 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a small mobility such as an electric kick scooter, electric scooter, or electric cart that does not have a passenger compartment (i.e., it does not have doors and either or both of the left and right sides of the driver's riding position are open).

[0011] 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams of a compact mobility 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1(a) and 1(b) respectively show the configurations of a compact mobility 1 without a seat and a compact mobility 1 with a seat.

[0012] The small mobility 1 has two driving modes: a first mode and a second mode with a higher maximum speed than the first mode. The first mode is a driving mode for traveling on sidewalks, with the maximum speed set to a speed suitable for traveling on sidewalks (e.g., 6 km / h). The second mode is a driving mode for traveling on roads, with the maximum speed set to a speed suitable for traveling on roads (e.g., 20 km / h).

[0013] The small mobility 1 is provided with a first sensor 11 that detects that a driver is riding on the small mobility 1, and a second sensor 12 that detects that the driver is gripping a handle 14 of the small mobility 1.

[0014] The first sensor 11 may be, for example, a contact sensor for detecting a contact state such as a contact switch or a piezoelectric element, or a weight sensor for detecting weight such as a strain gauge or a load cell.

[0015] In the example shown in Fig. 1(a), the first sensor 11 is installed on the step surface 13 and detects that the driver's feet are placed on the step surface 13. In the example shown in Fig. 1(b), the first sensor 11 is installed on the seat surface 15 and detects that the driver is seated on the seat surface 15.

[0016] As illustrated in Figures 1(a) and (b), the first sensor 11 is installed so as to receive vertical force from a driver riding in the small mobility 1, and can detect that a driver is riding in the small mobility 1 based on the contact information, displacement information, etc. that it acquires.

[0017] The second sensor 12 may be, for example, a contact sensor such as a contact switch or a piezoelectric element.

[0018] The second sensor 12 is installed on the surface of the steering wheel 14, for example, as shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), and detects that the driver is gripping the steering wheel 14 based on the contact information it acquires, etc.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the small mobility 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a configuration related to safety functions specific to the small mobility 1.

[0020] In addition to the first sensor 11 and second sensor 12 described above, the small mobility 1 is equipped with an operation unit 17 for switching driving modes by the driver's operation, a display unit 18 for displaying information related to the driving mode, a speedometer 19 for measuring the driving speed of the small mobility 1, a starting device 20 for starting the small mobility 1, a driving unit 21 such as a motor for driving the drive wheels 16, and a battery 22 as a power source.

[0021] The control unit 10 is a microcomputer that includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to stored programs, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for operating the control unit 10. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like.

[0022] The control unit 10 receives a detection signal transmitted from the first sensor 11, and when the first sensor 11 is in a detection state, determines that the driver is riding in the small mobility 1, and when the first sensor 11 is in a non-detection state, determines that the driver is not riding in the small mobility 1. In other words, the control unit 10 can use the first sensor 11 to determine the driver's boarding / alighting state (whether the driver is riding in or alighting from the small mobility 1).

[0023] Furthermore, the control unit 10 receives a detection signal transmitted from the second sensor 12, and when the second sensor 12 is in a detection state, determines that the driver is gripping the handlebars 14 of the compact mobility 1, and when the second sensor 12 is in a non-detection state, determines that the driver is not gripping the handlebars 14. In other words, the control unit 10 can use the second sensor 12 to determine whether or not the driver is gripping the handlebars 14.

[0024] The control unit 10 can change the traveling speed of the small mobility 1 in response to the driver's accelerator operation, etc., by means of controlling the operation of the drive unit 21. At this time, the control unit 10 changes the traveling speed within the range permitted in the traveling mode selected at that time (for example, in the first mode, within a range of 6 km / h or less).

[0025] The control unit 10 can perform control for safety function operation (for example, control of the driving mode) on each part of the small mobility 1 based on signals transmitted from the first sensor 11, the second sensor 12, the operation unit 17, the speedometer 19, the activation device 20, etc. At that time, the control unit 10 can perform control to execute or reject instructions from the driver input from the operation unit 17, etc., for safety function operation. Examples of the operation of the safety functions in the small mobility 1 will be described later.

[0026] The display unit 18 is a display device such as a monitor or indicator, and displays the currently selected driving mode (for example, the first mode or the second mode) based on an instruction signal sent from the control unit 10. The display unit 18 may also display whether or not the driving mode can be switched (for example, displaying that switching is not possible). The display unit 18 is installed, for example, near the handlebars 14.

[0027] Furthermore, when the driving mode cannot be switched, the display unit 18 may display the reason (for example, no one is getting on, no one is getting off, no one is stopped, etc.) By informing the driver of the reason why the driving mode cannot be switched, the driver's driving manners can be improved.

[0028] Furthermore, the display unit 18 may display information other than the driving mode, such as the driving speed and the remaining battery charge, together with the driving mode. In this case, for example, the control unit 10 transmits a signal to the display unit 18 instructing it to display the driving speed or the remaining battery charge, based on the driving speed information contained in the signal transmitted from the speedometer 19 or the remaining battery charge information contained in the signal transmitted from the battery 22.

[0029] The operation unit 17 may be an independent switch or a switch displayed on a touch panel. For example, a single touch panel may serve as both the operation unit 17 and the display unit 18. The operation unit 17 is installed, for example, near the handle 14.

[0030] The activation device 20 is a device for turning on the power supply of the small mobility 1, such as an on / off switch.

[0031] Battery 22 is typically a single battery that serves as both a power source for devices for safety functions such as the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 and a power source for driving, but it may also include multiple batteries such as a battery for devices for safety functions and a battery for driving.

[0032] An example of the operation of the safety functions in the small mobility 1 will be described below.

[0033] In the compact mobility 1, the driving mode can be switched from the first mode to the second mode on the condition that the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 are in a detection state, i.e., the driver is in a state where he is holding the handlebars 14. This makes it possible to prevent the compact mobility 1 from suddenly starting due to, for example, an erroneous operation when the driver is not in the vehicle but is holding the handlebars 14.

[0034] Furthermore, it is preferable that the driving mode of the compact mobility 1 can be changed only when the vehicle is stopped, i.e., the driving mode cannot be changed when the vehicle is moving. In this case, it is not possible to change the driving mode when the accelerator is operated, which effectively prevents, for example, sudden acceleration and driving in an area where driving in the selected driving mode is prohibited (for example, driving on a sidewalk in the second mode).

[0035] The fact that the small mobility vehicle 1 is in a stopped state can be determined from the traveling speed of the small mobility vehicle 1 measured by the speedometer 19, for example.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferable that the compact mobility 1 be able to switch the driving mode from the second mode to the first mode on the condition that the first sensor 11 is in a non-detecting state, i.e., the driver has dismounted. In this case, since it is not possible to switch the driving mode from the second mode to the first mode while the driver is in the vehicle, it is possible to effectively prevent, for example, when moving onto a sidewalk while traveling on a roadway, the vehicle from entering the sidewalk without having sufficiently decelerated to a speed at which it is possible to travel on the sidewalk.

[0037] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations, including the above operations, relating to the safety functions of the small mobility vehicle 1. The flow of operations exemplified in Fig. 3 will be described below.

[0038] When the process of switching the driving mode is started by the driver's input to the operation unit 17, first, a signal including information on the driving speed is sent from the speedometer 19 to the control unit 10 in response to a request from the control unit 10 (step a1).

[0039] Then, the control unit 10 determines whether the running speed is 0 km / h (step a2), and if it determines that the running speed is not 0 km / h, that is, that the vehicle is in a running state, the control unit 10 ends the process without changing the running mode. At this time, for example, the control unit 10 transmits and receives a control signal that disables switching of the running mode, thereby preventing switching of the running mode.

[0040] On the other hand, if it is determined in step a2 that the driving speed is 0 km / h, i.e., the vehicle is in a stopped state, the control unit 10 checks the driving mode selected at that time (step a3) and determines whether the driving mode is the second mode or not (step a4).

[0041] If it is determined in step a4 that the driving mode is the second mode, a signal including the sensor detection information is transmitted from the first sensor 11 to the control unit 10 in response to a request from the control unit 10 or the like (step a5).

[0042] Then, the control unit 10 determines whether the first sensor 11 is in a non-detecting state (step a6), and if it is determined that the first sensor 11 is in a non-detecting state, i.e., the driver has dismounted, the control unit 10 changes the driving mode from the second mode to the first mode (step a7).

[0043] On the other hand, if it is determined in step a6 that the first sensor 11 is in a detection state, i.e., that the driver is in the vehicle, the control unit 10 ends the process without changing the driving mode from the second mode to the first mode. At this time, for example, the control unit 10 transmits and receives a control signal that disables switching of the driving mode, thereby preventing switching of the driving mode.

[0044] If it is determined in step a4 that the driving mode is not the second mode, i.e., the first mode, signals including sensor detection information are transmitted from the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 to the control unit 10 in response to a request from the control unit 10 or the like (step a8).

[0045] Then, the control unit 10 determines whether both the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 are in a detection state (step a9), and if it is determined that both sensors are in a detection state, i.e., the driver is holding the handlebars 14 and riding the vehicle, the control unit 10 changes the driving mode from the first mode to the second mode (step a10).

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined in step a9 that at least one of the sensors is in a non-detection state, i.e., that the driver is not gripping the handlebars 14 and riding the vehicle, the control unit 10 ends the process without changing the driving mode from the first mode to the second mode. At this time, for example, a control signal that disables switching of the driving mode is transmitted and received within the control unit 10, thereby preventing switching of the driving mode.

[0047] Furthermore, when the driver starts driving the compact mobility 1, it is preferable that the driving mode automatically starts in the first mode to prevent sudden acceleration, etc. For this purpose, it is preferable that the driving mode of the compact mobility 1 be set to the first mode when the vehicle power supply of the compact mobility 1 is turned on.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations in which the driving mode is set to the first mode when the vehicle power source is turned on.

[0049] When the vehicle power supply is turned on by the driver operating the starting device 20, the control unit 10 first checks the driving mode selected at that time (step b1), and determines whether the driving mode is the second mode or not (step b2).

[0050] Then, in step b2, if it is determined that the driving mode is the second mode, the control unit 10 changes the driving mode from the second mode to the first mode (step b3), and puts the vehicle into a state in which it can accept accelerator operation by the driver, etc.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined in step b2 that the driving mode is not the second mode, i.e., the first mode, the control unit 10 does not change the driving mode and makes the vehicle ready to accept accelerator operation by the driver. At this time, for example, a control signal that disables switching of the driving mode is transmitted and received within the control unit 10, thereby preventing switching of the driving mode.

[0052] In addition, in order for driving to automatically start in the first mode when the driver starts driving, when the driver performs an operation to turn off the vehicle power of the small mobility 1, it is preferable that the vehicle power be turned off after the driving mode is set to the first mode.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations in which the driving mode is set to the first mode when an operation to turn off the vehicle power supply is performed.

[0054] When an instruction to turn off the vehicle power supply is input by the driver operating the starting device 20, the control unit 10 first checks the driving mode selected at that time (step c1), and determines whether the driving mode is the second mode or not (step c2).

[0055] Then, if it is determined in step c2 that the driving mode is the second mode, the control unit 10 changes the driving mode from the second mode to the first mode (step c3), and turns off the vehicle power supply.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined in step c2 that the driving mode is not the second mode, i.e., the first mode, the control unit 10 turns off the vehicle power supply without changing the driving mode. At this time, for example, the control unit 10 transmits and receives a control signal that disables switching of the driving mode, thereby preventing switching of the driving mode.

[0057] Furthermore, in the small mobility 1, when the driver starts driving, it is preferable that acceleration be possible provided that the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 are in a detection state, in order to prevent the driver from starting off in an unintended state.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations when the driver performs an acceleration operation when starting to drive.

[0059] When the driver operates the accelerator while the small mobility 1 is stopped, first, in response to a request from the control unit 10, signals including sensor detection information are sent from the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 to the control unit 10 (step d1).

[0060] As described above, it is possible to determine whether the compact mobility 1 is in a stopped state from the traveling speed of the compact mobility 1 measured by the speedometer 19, for example.

[0061] Then, the control unit 10 determines whether both the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 12 are in a detection state (step d2), and if it is determined that both sensors are in a detection state, i.e., the driver is holding the handlebars 14 and riding the vehicle, the control unit 10 controls the drive unit 21 to accelerate the small mobility 1 in accordance with the driver's accelerator operation (step d3).

[0062] On the other hand, if it is determined in step d2 that at least one of the sensors is in a non-detection state, i.e., that the driver is not gripping the handlebars 14 and riding the vehicle, the control unit 10 ends the process without accelerating the compact mobility 1. At this time, for example, the control unit 10 transmits and receives a control signal that disables switching of the driving mode, thereby preventing switching of the driving mode.

[0063] (Effects of the embodiment) The compact mobility 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above can effectively reduce the risk of runaway driving caused by switching driving modes, such as sudden acceleration without a driver on board holding the handlebars 14, or entering the sidewalk when moving from the roadway to the sidewalk without having slowed down enough to a speed at which the vehicle can travel on the sidewalk.

[0064] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiments can be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. It should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Small mobility 10 Control Unit 11 First Sensor 12 Second Sensor

Claims

1. A small mobility vehicle having a first mode and a second mode having a higher maximum speed than the first mode as driving modes, a first sensor for detecting the presence of a driver; a second sensor that detects that the driver is gripping the steering wheel; Equipped with The driving mode can be switched from the first mode to the second mode on the condition that the first sensor and the second sensor are in a detection state. Small mobility.

2. The driving mode can be switched from the second mode to the first mode on the condition that the first sensor is in a non-detecting state. The compact mobility device according to claim 1.

3. The driving mode can be switched on the condition that the vehicle is in a stopped state. The compact mobility vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When a vehicle power source is turned on, the driving mode is set to the first mode. The compact mobility vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When an operation to turn off a vehicle power source is performed, the driving mode is set to the first mode. The compact mobility vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

6. Acceleration is possible on the condition that the first sensor and the second sensor are in a detection state. The compact mobility vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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