VEHICLE USER INTERFACE ASSEMBLY, VEHICLE DRIVE SYSTEM, AND ELECTRIC ASSISTED BICYCLE

Abstract

To provide a user interface (UI) assembly which can continue to use a cradle and a user interface device even if unintended external force acts on an operation part.SOLUTION: A UI assembly has a UI device 40, a cradle 60, and an operation member 50 having an operation part 51c operated by a user. The cradle 60 is formed with a first engagement part 61a. The operation member 50 is formed separately from the UI device 40, and is attachable / detachable to / from the UI device 40. The operation member 50 has a second engagement part 51a. The second engagement part 51a is engaged with the first engagement part 61a, and is operable together with the operation part 51c so as to restrict separation between the UI device 40 and the cradle 60, and to eliminate engagement between the first engagement part 61a and the second engagement part 51a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle user interface assembly, a vehicle drive system, and an electric assist bicycle. [Background technology]

[0002] Some electrically assisted bicycles have a display that shows the vehicle speed, cadence, remaining battery power, etc., and a cradle that supports the display, with the display being detachable from the cradle. When the display is attached to the cradle, a claw portion formed on one of the display or cradle hooks onto the other, locking the display to the cradle. In conventional bicycles, the part operated by the user to separate the display from the cradle (hereinafter referred to as the operation portion) is formed integrally with the cradle. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of such a structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2013-525167 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The operating unit for separating the display from the cradle has a leaf spring portion. When the user moves the operating unit, this leaf spring portion deforms and the engagement of the claw portion is released. If the user operates it carelessly or if an unintended external force acts on the leaf spring portion, the operating unit may not move properly. In a conventional structure, the operating unit is formed integrally with the cradle, so when such a malfunction occurs, the entire cradle must be replaced with a new one even if there is no malfunction in other parts of the cradle (e.g., buttons, electrical contacts, wiring, etc.). [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (1) A user interface assembly for a vehicle proposed in the present disclosure includes a user interface (UI) device, a cradle attached to a vehicle for supporting the UI device, and an operation member having an operation portion for a user to operate. A first engagement portion is formed on one of the UI device and the cradle. The operation member is formed separately from the other of the UI device and the cradle and is detachable from the other. The operation member has a second engagement portion, which engages with the first engagement portion to restrict separation of the UI device and the cradle and can move together with the operation portion to release the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

[0006] With this user interface assembly, if an unintended external force acts on the operating member and causes the operating section or second engagement section to no longer function properly, only the operating member can be replaced with a new one, while the cradle and UI device can be used as is.

[0007] (2) In the user interface assembly described in (1), the one of the UI device and the cradle may be the cradle, and the other of the UI device and the cradle may be the UI device. In this way, the UI device can be removed from the cradle by holding the UI device with one hand and operating an operation unit.

[0008] (3) In the user interface assembly described in (2), the UI device may be slidable in a first direction relative to the cradle, and the operation part of the operation member may be movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In this way, the UI device can be held by fingers that press the operation part in the second direction, and the UI device can be more smoothly removed from the cradle.

[0009] (4) In the user interface assembly described in (1), the UI device and the cradle may be provided with contacts for establishing an electrical connection therebetween. The operation member may be disposed to avoid the position of the contacts. This eliminates the need to form electrical contacts on the operation member, thereby simplifying the structure of the operation member.

[0010] (5) The user interface assembly described in (1) may further include a mechanism for allowing removal of the operation member from the other of the UI device and the cradle. The mechanism may be exposed on an outer surface of the other of the UI device and the cradle.

[0011] (6) In the user interface assembly described in (5), the mechanism may include a screw.

[0012] (7) In the user interface assembly described in (5), the mechanism may include a snap fit, which allows an operating member to be easily attached to the UI device or the cradle.

[0013] (8) In the user interface assembly described in (1), the other of the UI device and the cradle may have a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The operation unit may be provided on the first side and not on the second side. This makes it easier to secure space inside the UI device or the cradle.

[0014] In the user interface assembly described in (9) or (8), the first side surface may be a surface facing toward the left of the vehicle. This makes it easier for a user to recognize the position of the operating member when standing on the left side of the vehicle.

[0015] (10) In the user interface assembly described in (1), the other of the UI device and the cradle is the UI device, the operation member has an elastic portion supporting the operation portion and the second engagement portion, and the elastic portion may extend along a side surface of the UI device. This makes it easy to ensure a sufficient length for the elastic portion.

[0016] (11) In the user interface assembly described in (1), the other of the UI device and the cradle may have a first side surface, an opening may be formed in the first side surface, and the operation unit may be fitted into the opening. This can prevent the operation member from being conspicuous. Also, the operation member can be protected.

[0017] (12) In the user interface assembly described in (1), the other of the UI device and the cradle may be the UI device, the UI device may have a first side surface, an opening may be formed in the first side surface, and the operation unit may be fitted into the opening. This can prevent the operation member from being conspicuous. In addition, when carrying the UI device, the operation member can be protected and an unintended external force can be prevented from acting on the operation member.

[0018] (13) In the user interface assembly described in (1), the operating portion of the operating member may be located on the front or rear side of the UI device.

[0019] In the user interface assembly described in (14)(1), the UI device may have a display, and the operation portion may be movable in a direction intersecting a surface of the display.

[0020] (15) The drive system proposed in this disclosure includes the user interface assembly described in (1), an electric motor, a control device that controls the electric motor, and a battery that supplies power to the electric motor.

[0021] (16) The electric-assisted bicycle proposed in this disclosure has a drive system described in (15). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an electric-assisted bicycle as an example of a vehicle proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a user interface assembly. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a side view of the user interface assembly shown in FIG. 2A. [Diagram 3] 2B is a perspective view showing a state in which the UI device and the cradle shown in FIG. 2A are separated. [Figure 4A] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the UI device and the operation member are separated, and in this figure, the bottom surfaces of these are shown. [Figure 4B] 4B is a bottom view of the operation member and the UI device shown in FIG. 4A in a combined state. [Diagram 5] 2C is a diagram for explaining the movement of an operating member when the UI device is attached to a cradle, using a cross section taken along line VV shown in FIG. 2B. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 5, illustrating the movement of the operating member when the UI device is removed from the cradle. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another example of a user interface assembly. [Figure 8A] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the UI device and the operation member shown in FIG. [Figure 8B] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the UI device and the operation member shown in FIG.7 are combined together, and in this drawing, the bottom surfaces of these are shown. [Figure 9] 8B is a perspective view showing the upper side of the operating member shown in FIG. 8A. [Figure 10] 8 is a diagram for explaining the movement of an operating member when the UI device shown in FIG. 7 is attached to a cradle. [Figure 11]8 is a diagram for explaining the movement of an operating member when the UI device shown in FIG. 7 is removed from a cradle. [Figure 12] 8 is a diagram for explaining the movement of an operation member when the operation member is attached to the UI device shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 13] 8 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the operation member when the operation member is removed from the UI device shown in FIG. 7. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The following describes a user interface (UI) assembly proposed in this disclosure, a drive system having the UI assembly, and a vehicle having the drive system.

[0024] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electric power-assisted bicycle 10, which is an example of a vehicle proposed in this disclosure. In Fig. 1, thick solid lines represent the transmission of power, and thin solid lines represent electrical signals and currents. Hereinafter, the electric power-assisted bicycle 10 will be simply referred to as a bicycle.

[0025] In the following description, the directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 2A are referred to as upward and downward, respectively, the directions indicated by X1 and X2 are referred to as rightward and leftward, respectively, and the directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 are referred to as forward and backward, respectively.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, bicycle 10 has electric motor 14 and reduction gear 21. Electric motor 14 is driven by power supplied from battery 15, and outputs assist force (assist torque) that assists the rider in driving rear wheel 4 (pedaling action 6). The power (assist force) output from electric motor 14 is transmitted to resultant force transmission mechanism 22 via reduction gear 21.

[0027] The bicycle 10 has a crankshaft 7. Pedals 6 are attached via crank arms to the left and right ends of the crankshaft 7. Force applied to the crankshaft 7 through the pedals 6 is transmitted to a resultant force transmission mechanism 22.

[0028] The resultant force transmission mechanism 22 may be composed of a shaft, a rotating member (such as a gear or a sprocket) provided on the shaft, a power transmission member (for example, a chain, a shaft, or a belt), etc. Both the force applied to the crankshaft 7 and the power output from the electric motor 14 are input to the resultant force transmission mechanism 22. The power combined by the resultant force transmission mechanism 22 is transmitted to the rear wheel 4. The power combined by the resultant force transmission mechanism 22 may be input to the rear wheel 4 via a speed change mechanism whose gear ratio can be changed by the driver's operation.

[0029] 1, the bicycle 10 has a sensor group 31 having a plurality of sensors. The sensor group 31 has, for example, a pedal force sensor 31A for detecting the pedal force applied by the rider to the pedal 6, and a rotation sensor 31B for outputting a signal at a frequency according to the bicycle speed. The bicycle 10 may also have a pedal rotation sensor for outputting a signal at a frequency according to the rotation speed of the pedal 6. The battery 15 may have an ammeter for detecting the current output by the battery 15.

[0030] [Control device] As shown in Figure 1, the drive system of the bicycle 10 has a control device 30 that controls the electric motor 14. The control device 30 includes a storage device 30a that stores programs and maps related to the control of the electric motor 14. The storage device 30a includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read Only Memory (ROM). The control device 30 has one or more microprocessors that execute the programs.

[0031] The control device 30 calculates the speed of the bicycle 10 and calculates the distance traveled by the bicycle 10 based on the signal from the rotation sensor 31B. The control device 30 also detects the pedaling force based on the output of the pedaling force sensor 31A. The control device 30 controls the electric motor 14 based on the pedaling force and the speed. Specifically, the control device 30 calculates a command value for the current to be supplied to the electric motor 14 and outputs this to the motor drive device 13. The motor drive device 13 uses the battery 15 to supply the electric motor 14 with a current according to the command value. The control device 30 may have, as control modes for the electric motor 14, a strong mode in which the assist force is relatively large and a weak mode in which the assist force is relatively small. A plurality of pieces of information related to the state and control of the bicycle 10 are displayed on a display 40a described below.

[0032] The drive system of the bicycle 10 is made up of this control device 30, the electric motor 14, the battery 15, and a UI assembly Sd, which will be described later.

[0033] [User Interface Assembly According to First Embodiment] 2A, the bicycle 10 has a handlebar 9 at its front. The handlebar 9 is supported by a handlebar stem 8. The bicycle 10 has a user interface (UI) assembly Sd attached to the handlebar 9. The UI assembly Sd has a UI device 40 and a cradle 60.

[0034] 2A, the bicycle 10 may also have a switch unit 70. The switch unit 70 may have, for example, input buttons 71A and 71B for switching control modes (for example, strong mode and weak mode, etc.). This switch unit 70 may also be attached to the handlebar 9. The switch unit 70 may be attached at a position separate from the UI assembly Sd.

[0035] [UI device] As shown in FIG. 2A, the UI device 40 has a display 40a. The display 40a may be, for example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. The display 40a may have a touch sensor for detecting the position of a user's finger. The UI device 40 has a housing 41 that houses the display 40a. The housing 41 may also house a battery (for example, a button battery or a coin battery) and a drive circuit for the display 40a.

[0036] The display 40a may display, for example, the current time, cadence, remaining charge of the battery 15 (battery charge), the speed of the bicycle 10, the distance traveled (trip meter), the total distance traveled (odometer), and the control mode.

[0037] The UI device 40 may be electrically connected to the control device 30 via the cradle 60. The UI device 40 may receive information to be displayed by the UI device 40, such as a mileage or a cadence, from the control device 30. For example, the control device 30 may calculate the remaining battery charge based on the current supplied from the battery 15 to the electric motor 14, or calculate the speed of the bicycle 10 based on the output signal of the rotation sensor 31B. The control device 30 may then transmit the calculated information to the UI device 40. Alternatively, the UI device 40 may calculate information (values) to be displayed. For example, the UI device 40 may have a timer. The current time displayed by the display 40a may be calculated based on the output of this timer.

[0038] The UI device 40 may have one or more light emitting units (e.g., light emitting diodes) that indicate the status (e.g., remaining battery power) of the bicycle 10 instead of or in addition to the display 40a. The UI device 40 may have buttons for inputting user instructions to the control device 30 instead of or in addition to the display 40a.

[0039] [Cradle] As shown in FIG. 2A, the cradle 60 is supported by the handle 9. The cradle 60 may be located at the center of the handle 9 in the left-right direction. The UI device 40 is supported by the cradle 60 when in use. As shown in FIG. 3, the cradle 60 may have, for example, a stage 61 to which the UI device 40 is attached, and a clamp portion 62 extending from the stage 61. The upper ends of the clamp portion 62 are connected to, for example, the right and left parts of the stage 61, respectively. The clamp portion 62 may extend downward from the stage 61. The clamp portion 62 may have, at its lower end, a holder portion 62a that holds the handle 9.

[0040] The structure of the cradle 60 is not limited to the example described here. For example, the clamp portion 62 may extend from the center of the stage 61 in the left-right direction toward the handle 9, or may extend from only one of the right and left portions of the stage 61 toward the handle 9.

[0041] The stage 61 may have a circuit board and electric wires. The stage 61 may also be provided with a connector for electrically connecting to other electronic devices (for example, a mobile terminal owned by the user). The stage 61 has a housing 61n that houses the circuit board and the like. The housing 61n and the clamping portion 62 may be integrally formed, or may be fixed to each other by a fastener such as a screw as shown in FIG. 3. The housing 61n and the clamping portion 62 may be made of resin or metal.

[0042] 3, the cradle 60 may have input buttons 64A and 64B. The input buttons 64A and 64B may be disposed, for example, on the rear surface of the stage 61. The input buttons 64A and 64B may be, for example, a power button for the control device 30 or a button for turning on / off a headlight (not shown).

[0043] [Detachable structure] The UI device 40 is detachable from the cradle 60 (more specifically, the stage 61). As shown in FIG. 3, the UI device 40 may be slid forward from the cradle 60 and removed.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 3, the stage 61 may have a guide portion 61b extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 4A, the housing 41 of the UI device 40 may have a guided portion 41b extending in the front-rear direction. When the guided portion 41b is caught in the guide portion 61b, it is slidable along the guide portion 61b, and is restricted from being separated upward from the guide portion 61b.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, two guide parts 61b that are separated in the left-right direction may be formed on the stage 61. The two guide parts 61b may have, for example, convex parts that protrude upward from the upper surface of the stage 61 and protrude outward in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 4A, two guided parts 41b that are separated in the left-right direction may be formed on the lower surface of the housing 41. The two guide parts 61b are fitted inside the two guided parts 41b. Grooves that catch the convex parts (convex parts that protrude outward in the left-right direction) formed on the guide parts 61b may be formed inside the two guided parts 41b. This catch guides the guided parts 41b in the front-rear direction and restricts upward separation from the guide parts 61b. Contrary to the example described here, grooves may be formed as the guide parts 61b and convex parts may be formed as the guided parts 41b.

[0046] Furthermore, the removal direction of the UI device 40 does not have to be the forward direction. The UI device 40 may be removable from the stage 61 backward, to the right, or to the left. As yet another example, the UI device 40 may be rotatable with respect to the stage 61 (rotating around a center line perpendicular to the upper surface of the stage 61). And, the UI device 40 may be removable upward from the stage 61 by rotating it with respect to the stage 61.

[0047] [Engagement part and operation part] As shown in FIG. 3, a first engagement portion 61a is formed on the stage 61. As shown in FIG. 4A, the UI assembly Sd has an operation member 50. The operation member 50 is formed separately from the UI device 40 and is detachable from the UI device 40. The operation member 50 is formed with a second engagement portion 51a for engaging with the first engagement portion 61a. The engagement of the engagement portions 61a and 51a fixes the UI device 40 to the cradle 60. That is, the engagement of the engagement portions 61a and 51a restricts the UI device 40 from being separated forward from the cradle 60. Furthermore, the release of the engagement of the engagement portions 61a and 51a allows the UI device 40 to be separated from the cradle 60. Meanwhile, the position of the first engagement portion 61a is fixed on the stage 61.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 4A, the operating member 50 may have a movable part 51. The movable part 51 may have an elastic part 51b including, for example, a leaf spring, and may be connected to a base part 52 of the operating member 50 via this elastic part 51b. An operating part 51c for a user to operate, and a second engaging part 51a may be formed on the movable part 51. The operating part 51c can move together with the second engaging part 51a so as to release the engagement between the first engaging part 61a and the second engaging part 51a (see Fig. 6).

[0049] In this way, the second engagement portion 51a is formed on the operation member 50 formed separately from the UI device 40. With this, if a malfunction occurs, such as the operation member 50 no longer functioning properly due to, for example, an unintended external force acting on the elastic portion 51b, the UI device 40 and the cradle 60 can be used as is by simply replacing the operation member 50 with a new one.

[0050] Furthermore, the operation member 50 is attached to the UI device 40, not to the cradle 60. Therefore, the user can smoothly remove the UI device 40 from the cradle 60. For example, while holding the UI device 40 in his / her right hand, the user can operate the operation unit 51c with his / her right hand to disengage the engagement units 51a and 61a, and remove the UI device 40 from the cradle 60. At this time, the user can freely use his / her left hand.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4A, the elastic portion 51b may extend rearward from the base portion 52. The operation portion 51c and the second engagement portion 51a may be formed at the rear of the elastic portion 51b. The operation portion 51c and the second engagement portion 51a are separated in the left-right direction. In other words, a recess that opens rearward is formed between them. As will be described later, when the UI device 40 is attached to the cradle 60, the first engagement portion 61a of the cradle 60 is disposed between the operation portion 51c and the second engagement portion 51a. The second engagement portion 51a is located inside the operation portion 51c (closer to the center of the UI device 40). In the example shown in the figure, the second engagement portion 51a is located to the right of the operation portion 51c. The second engagement portion 51a may have a claw portion 51d at its rear end. The claw portion 51d protrudes toward the operation portion 51c.

[0052] The elastic portion 51b may extend along the edge of the display 40a (see FIG. 3). This makes it easy to ensure the length of the elastic portion 51b. In the example shown in the figure, the elastic portion 51b extends along the left edge of the display 40a. The operating portion 51c and the second engagement portion 51a can move in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the display 40a, specifically in the left-right direction, due to the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 51b.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 3, the operation unit 51c has an exposed surface 51e (the left surface in the example shown in the figure) that is exposed on the outer surface of the UI device 40. When the user presses the exposed surface 51e, the operation unit 51c and the second engagement unit 51a move to the right due to elastic deformation of the elastic unit 51b (see Fig. 6). When the force pressing the operation unit 51c is released, the operation unit 51c and the second engagement unit 51a return to their initial positions. The exposed surface 51e may be formed with or processed into an uneven pattern that functions as a slip-proofing for fingers.

[0054] The shape of the operating member 50 is not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, the elastic portion 51b may extend forward from the base portion 52. In this case, the second engagement portion 51a and the operating portion 51c may be formed in the front portion of the elastic portion 51b.

[0055] [Movement of operating parts when attaching or detaching UI devices] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the operating member 50 when the UI device 40 is attached to the cradle 60. As shown in FIG.

[0056] As shown in (a) of the figure, when the UI device 40 is brought closer to the cradle 60, the operating member 50 moves backward along the stage 61. Then, the left and right guided portions 41b are fitted into the guide portions 61b, and the UI device 40 is moved along the guide portions 61b. Then, as shown in (b), the claw portion 51d formed at the tip of the second engagement portion 51a interferes with the first engagement portion 61a, and the elastic portion 51b is elastically deformed. The first engagement portion 61a is fixed to the stage 61, and the position of the first engagement portion 61a does not change. When the elastic portion 51b is elastically deformed, the second engagement portion 51a moves, and the claw portion 51d passes over the first engagement portion 61a. The rear side of the claw portion 51d and the front side of the first engagement portion 61a are formed with slopes that are inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the UI device 40 and cause such elastic deformation.

[0057] When the claw portion 51d passes over the first engagement portion 61a, the second engagement portion 51a engages with the first engagement portion 61a as shown in (c) of Fig. 5. The front surface of the claw portion 51d (the surface facing the first engagement portion 61a in the state (c)) and the rear surface of the first engagement portion 61a (the surface facing the claw portion 51d in the state (c)) are substantially perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction of the UI device 40 (the front-rear direction in the example of Fig. 5). Therefore, the forward movement of the UI device 40 and the operating member 50 relative to the cradle 60 is restricted by the first engagement portion 61a.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the operating member 50 when the UI device 40 is removed from the cradle 60. As shown in FIG.

[0059] As shown in (a) and (b) of the same figure, the user presses the exposed surface 51e of the operation member 50 (the left surface exposed from the left side surface 41c of the housing 41). This causes the elastic portion 51b to elastically deform, and the operation portion 51c moves to the right together with the second engagement portion 51a. This causes the engagement between the claw portion 51d and the first engagement portion 61a to be released, as shown in (c) of Fig. 6, and the UI device 40 and the operation member 50 are allowed to move forward.

[0060] In this way, the UI device 40 can slide forward when being removed from the cradle 60. The operation portion 51c of the operation member 50 can be pushed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction. In the example shown in the figure, the operation portion 51c can move rightward about the base of the elastic portion 51b. This allows the UI device 40 to be gripped by the finger (e.g., thumb) that presses the operation portion 51c, so that the UI device 40 can be smoothly removed from the cradle 60.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 2B, the operation unit 51c may intersect with a line C40 passing through the center (center of the length L40) in the front-rear direction of the UI device 40. This allows a user to smoothly place a finger (e.g., a thumb) on the operation unit 51c when holding the UI device 40. As shown in Fig. 2B, the operation unit 51c may be offset forward with respect to the line C40.

[0062] 4A, the operating member 50 may have a stopper portion 53 extending rearward from the base portion 52. The stopper portion 53 is located on the inner side (closer to the center of the UI device 40) of the movable portion 51. As shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 6, when the operating portion 51c is pressed and the operating portion 51c and the second engaging portion 51a move inward, the stopper portion 53 comes into contact with the second engaging portion 51a and restricts excessive deformation of the movable portion 51.

[0063] [Operation component mounting structure] 4A, the UI device 40 has an opening 41d on its side surface 41c. The opening 41d is formed, for example, on the left side surface 41c of the housing 41. The operation member 50 is fitted into this opening 41d and attached to the UI device 40. The UI device 40 has an accommodation chamber 41e that accommodates the operation member 50. When the operation member 50 is disposed in the accommodation chamber 41e, the left surface (the exposed surface 51e described above) of the operation portion 51c is exposed from the opening 41d.

[0064] According to the structure in which the operating member 50 is disposed in the accommodation chamber 41e in this manner, it is possible to reduce the exposed portion of the operating member 50. As a result, the operating member 50 can be protected by the housing 41. As a result, it is possible to prevent unintended external forces from acting on the operating member 50, for example, when a user carries the operating member 50 in a bag.

[0065] 4A and 4B, the housing 41 may have a protective portion 41f that constitutes a lower wall of the accommodation chamber 41e. The protective portion 41f covers the lower side of the operation member 50. More specifically, the protective portion 41f covers the lower side of the movable portion 51 of the operation member 50. This makes it possible to effectively prevent unintended external forces from acting on the movable portion 51. Note that not only the lower side of the operation member 50 but also the upper side is covered by a part of the UI device 40 (for example, a portion accommodating the display 40a).

[0066] The protective portion 41f may be molded integrally with other portions of the housing 41 using resin. For example, the housing 41 may have an upper housing 41A (see FIG. 2B) and a lower housing 41B (see FIG. 2B) that are combined in the vertical direction. An accommodation chamber for accommodating the display 40a, a circuit board, and the like may be formed inside them. In this case, the protective portion 41f may be molded integrally with the lower housing 41B. Alternatively, the protective portion 41f may be molded separately from other portions of the housing 41 and attached to the other portions of the housing 41 by fasteners such as screws or adhesive.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 4B, a recess 41g may be formed in the protective portion 41f. The recess 41g is open toward the rear side (i.e., in the direction in which the UI device 40 is attached to the cradle 60). A first engagement portion 61a formed on the cradle 60 enters the recess 41g. As shown in Fig. 4B, in a bottom view of the housing 41, the claw portion 51d of the second engagement portion 51a is exposed inside the recess 41g. Meanwhile, the elastic portion 51b and the operation portion 51c are covered by the protective portion 41f.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4A, the operation member 50 has a base 52. The movable portion 51 extends from the base 52. A screw hole 52a is formed in the base 52. A mounting hole 41h is formed in the protective portion 41f of the housing 41. When the operation member 50 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 41e of the UI device 40, a screw 81 can be fitted into the screw hole 52a and the mounting hole 41h in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the operation member 50 into the opening 41d. In the example shown in the figure, the screw 81 can be inserted into the screw hole 52a and the mounting hole 41h from the lower side of the housing 41. This mounting structure can prevent the screw 81 from being noticeable. Unlike the example shown in the figure, the screw 81 may be inserted into a hole formed in the side surface 41c of the housing 41 or a hole formed in the upper surface of the housing 41 to fix the operation member 50 to the UI device 40.

[0069] Removing the screw 81 allows the operation member 50 to be removed from the UI device 40. As shown in FIG. 4B, the screw 81 is exposed on the outer surface of the UI device 40 (the lower surface of the protective portion 41f). Therefore, the user can access the screw 81 from outside the UI device 40 using a tool (specifically, a hexagonal screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, or the like). That is, the user can access the screw 81 and remove the operation member 50 without opening the housing 41.

[0070] The mechanism for attaching the operating member 50 to the housing 41 is not limited to the one using the screw 81 described here. For example, as described later, the operating member 50 may be attached to the housing 41 by a snap fit. In this case, the snap fit may be accessible from the outside of the housing 41 using a tool to release the snap fit.

[0071] In this way, the mechanism for attaching the operation member 50 to the UI device 40, i.e., the screw 81 or the snap fit, can be accessed from the outside using a tool. The operation member 50 can be removed from the UI device 40 by using the tool. On the other hand, no tools are required to attach or detach the UI device 40 to or from the cradle 60. The user can attach the UI device 40 to the cradle 60 simply by sliding the UI device 40 along the guide portion 61b. Also, the UI device 40 can be slid forward and removed from the cradle 60 simply by operating the operation portion 51c of the operation member 50.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the elastic portion 51b of the operation member 50 extends along the side surface 41c of the UI device 40. The side surface 41c is a surface along the edge of the display 40a. In the example shown in the figure, the elastic portion 51b is arranged along the left side surface 41c where the exposed surface 51e is exposed. This arrangement of the elastic portion 51b makes it easy to ensure an appropriate length of the elastic portion 51b. In particular, the width of the UI device 40 in the front-rear direction (length L40 in FIG. 2B) is larger than the width of the UI device 40 in the left-right direction. The elastic portion 51b is arranged along the side surface 41c that defines the width of the UI device 40 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, it is easier to ensure an appropriate length of the elastic portion 51b.

[0073] Unlike the examples shown in these figures, when the elastic portion 51b extends from the side surface 41c of the UI device 40 toward the center of the UI device 40 (the center of the display 40a), extending the elastic portion 51b leads to a reduction in the space inside the housing 41. In contrast, in the examples shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the elastic portion 51b is disposed along the side surface 41c of the UI device 40, so that a reduction in the space inside the housing 41 can be suppressed.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of contacts 63 are provided on the upper surface of the stage 61. In the example shown in the figure, four contacts 63 are provided. A plurality of contacts 43 are also provided on the lower surface of the UI device 40, as shown in FIG. 4A. The positions of the contacts 43 correspond to the positions of the contacts 63. When the UI device 40 is attached to the cradle 60, the plurality of contacts 43 are electrically connected to the contacts 63, respectively. An electric wire for electrically connecting the control device 30 and the UI device 40 is passed through the inside of the cradle 60. A terminal of this electric wire may have the contact 63. The contacts 43 and 63 may include, for example, a contact for transmitting and receiving a signal (information to be displayed on the display 40a) and a contact for supplying power from the battery 15 to the UI device 40.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 3, the contact 63 may be formed between the left and right guiding portions 61b. As shown in Fig. 4A, the contact 43 may be formed between the left and right guided portions 41b. As described above, the guide portion 61b and the guided portion 41b are hooked together so as to prevent the UI device 40 and the stage 61 from being separated in the up-down direction. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned positions of the contacts 43 and 63, the connection stability of the contacts 43 and 63 can be improved.

[0076] 4A, the UI device 40 may have a cover 44 in front of the contacts 43. The cover 44 may be, for example, a cover for a battery included in the UI device 40.

[0077] The operation member 50 may be disposed so as to avoid the positions of the multiple contacts 43. In this way, the contacts 43 of the UI device 40 and the contacts 63 of the cradle 60 are in direct contact with each other, so there is no need to form electrical contacts on the operation member 50. As a result, the structure of the operation member 50 can be simplified.

[0078] In the example shown in the figure, the operation member 50 is disposed on the left side of the multiple contacts 43. That is, the accommodation chamber 41e is formed on the left side of the contacts 43. The operation member 50 is not provided on the right part of the UI device 40. In other words, the operation member 50 is disposed only on the left side of the multiple contacts 43, and not on the right side. According to this structure, it is easier to secure space in the housing 41 compared to a structure in which the operation members 50 are disposed on the left and right sides of the housing 41, for example. As a result, the degree of freedom in the layout of the components in the housing 41 can be secured.

[0079] In addition, the operation unit 51c of the operation member 50 is provided on the left side surface 41c of the housing 41. When the user gets off the bicycle 10, the user often stands on the left side of the bicycle 10 rather than on the right side. Therefore, by providing the operation unit 51c on the left side surface 41c of the UI device 40, the user can easily view the operation unit 51c. In addition, when the user operates the operation unit 51c with his or her right hand, it is easy to press the operation unit 51c with the thumb.

[0080] In the UI device 40, the arrangement of the operation member 50 is not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, the operation member 50 may be provided on the front surface of the UI device 40. In this case, the operation portion 51c and the second engagement portion 51a may be movable in the front-rear direction by elastic deformation of the elastic portion 51b. Then, the engagement between the second engagement portion 51a and the first engagement portion 61a may be released by pressing the front surface (exposed surface) of the operation portion 51c. In this case, the UI device 40 may be removable from the stage 61 to the left or right.

[0081] As yet another example, the operation member 50 may be provided on the right side surface of the UI device 40. In this case, the operation portion 51c and the second engagement portion 51a may be able to move in the left-right direction by elastic deformation of the elastic portion 51b.

[0082] As yet another example, the UI assembly Sb may have an operation member 50 on each of the left side surface 41c and the right side surface of the UI device 40. In this case, left and right first engagement portions 61a that engage with the left and right second engagement portions 51a, respectively, may be formed on the stage 61. By pressing the operation portions 51c of the left and right operation members 50 inward, the engagement between the second engagement portions 51a and the first engagement portions 61a may be released.

[0083] As yet another example, the operation member 50 may be attached to the UI device 40 and may be slidable relative to the UI device 40. For example, the operation member 50 may be slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the UI device 40. The operation member 50 may be disposed such that its operation portion 51c is exposed on the left side surface 41c of the UI device 40. In this case, for example, by sliding the operation member 50 forward, the engagement between the second engagement portion of the operation member 50 and the first engagement portion 61a formed on the cradle 60 may be released. Then, the UI device 40 may be detachable to the left from the cradle 60.

[0084] [User Interface Assembly According to Second Embodiment] 7 to 13 are diagrams showing other examples of the UI assembly proposed in the present disclosure. In these figures, the UI assembly Sd has a UI device 140 and a cradle 160. The UI assembly also has an operation member 150 (see Figs. 8A and 8B). The following description will focus on differences from the UI device 40, cradle 60, and operation member 50 described thus far. Items not described for the example shown in Fig. 7 etc. may be the same as the examples described with reference to Figs. 2A to 6.

[0085] [Installing and Removing UI Devices] The UI device 140 is detachable from the cradle 160 (more specifically, the stage 161). As shown in FIG. 7, the UI device 140 may be detachable forward from the cradle 160. The stage 161 may have a guide portion 161b extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 8A, the UI device 140 may have a guided portion 141b extending in the front-rear direction. The guided portion 141b is slidable along the guide portion 161b while being caught by the guide portion 161b, and is restricted from being separated upward from the guide portion 161b.

[0086] 8A and 8B, the operation member 150 is formed separately from the UI device 140 and attached to the front side of the UI device 140. Unlike the above-mentioned operation member 50, the operation member 150 is attached to the UI device 140 by a snap fit. The mechanism for attaching the operation member 150 to the UI device 140 will be described in detail later.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8A, the operating member 150 has a lower movable part 151. The lower movable part 151 has an elastic part 151b extending forward from a base part 151d. The elastic part 151b is elastically deformable in the up-down direction with the base part 151d as a center. The operating part 151c is formed at the forefront of the lower movable part 151 and is bent upward with respect to the elastic part 151b. The operating part 151c is exposed at the front side surface 141c of the UI device 140. The operating part 151c can move in the up-down direction, i.e., in a direction intersecting with the surface of the display 40a, by the elastic deformation of the elastic part 151b.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 7, a first engagement portion 161a is formed on the stage 161 of the cradle 160. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 8A, a second engagement portion 151a is formed on the operating member 150. The second engagement portion 151a is formed on the lower surface of the elastic portion 151b.

[0089] [Movement of operating parts when attaching or detaching UI devices] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the operating member 150 when the UI device 140 is attached to the cradle 160. As shown in FIG.

[0090] As shown in (a) of the same figure, when the UI device 140 is brought closer to the cradle 160, the operation member 150 moves backward along the stage 161. Then, as shown in (b), the second engagement portion 151a interferes with the first engagement portion 161a, and the elastic portion 151b elastically deforms around the base portion 151d, and is lifted up as a whole. When the elastic portion 151b elastically deforms in this way, the second engagement portion 151a climbs over the first engagement portion 161a. The second engagement portion 151a and the first engagement portion 161a are formed with slopes that are inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the UI device 140 and cause such elastic deformation.

[0091] When the second engagement portion 151a climbs over the first engagement portion 161a, the second engagement portion 151a engages with the first engagement portion 161a as shown in (c) of Fig. 10. The front surface of the second engagement portion 151a (the surface facing the first engagement portion 161a in the state (c)) and the rear surface of the first engagement portion 161a (the surface facing the second engagement portion 151a in the state (c)) are substantially perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction of the UI device 140, that is, the front-rear direction. Therefore, the forward movement of the UI device 140 and the operating member 150 relative to the cradle 160 is restricted by the first engagement portion 161a.

[0092] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the operating member 150 when the UI device 140 is removed from the cradle 160. As shown in FIG.

[0093] As shown in (a) and (b) of the same figure, the user pushes the operating portion 151c of the operating member 150 upward. Then, the elastic portion 151b is elastically deformed, and the second engagement portion 151a is pulled upward. As a result, as shown in (c), the engagement between the second engagement portion 151a and the first engagement portion 161a is released, and the operating member 150 is allowed to move forward.

[0094] In this way, the operation unit 151c of the operation member 150 can be pressed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the UI device 140. In the example shown in the figure, the operation unit 151c can move upward around the base of the elastic portion 151b. This allows the UI device 140 to be held using the finger pressing the operation unit 151c, so that the UI device 140 can be smoothly removed from the cradle 160. For example, when sliding the UI device 140 forward, the user can hold the UI device 140 with the thumb, middle finger, and index finger. At this time, the operation unit 151c can be pressed with the index finger.

[0095] 7 and the like, the lower movable part 151 of the operation member 150 disposed on the front surface of the UI device 140 may be movable in the front-rear direction. When the user presses the front surface (exposed surface) of the operation part 151c, the engagement between the second engagement part 151a and the first engagement part 161a formed on the stage 161 may be released. In this case, the UI device 140 may be removable from the cradle 160 (to the left or right).

[0096] [Operating parts] 4A and the like, the operation member 150 is formed separately from the UI device 140 and is detachable from the UI device 140. The operation member 150 is attached to the UI device 140 by snap-fitting.

[0097] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, a third engagement portion 141d is formed on the lower surface of the UI device 140 (the lower surface of the housing 141). The third engagement portion 141d may be, for example, a convex portion (claw portion) protruding downward. The lower surface of the UI device 140 may be formed with an accommodating recess 141a into which the operating member 150 is fitted. The third engagement portion 141d may be formed on the inner surface (the surface facing downward) of the accommodating recess 141a. Meanwhile, the operating member 150 has an upper movable portion 154 for engaging with the third engagement portion 141d, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0098] The upper movable part 154 is located above the elastic part 151b having the second engagement part 151a that engages with the cradle 160. The upper movable part 154 may have an elastic part 154a extending forward from the fixed part 152, and a fourth engagement part 154b formed at the front end of the elastic part 154a. The fourth engagement part 154b is movable up and down by elastic deformation of the elastic part 154a. An engagement hole 154c may be formed in the fourth engagement part 154b. Then, the engagement hole 154c and the third engagement part 141d engage with each other, and the operating member 150 is attached to the UI device 140.

[0099] Contrary to the example shown in the figure, a recess may be formed as the third engagement portion 141d on the lower surface of the UI device 140. On the other hand, a protrusion that fits into the third engagement portion 141d may be formed as the fourth engagement portion 154b on the operation member 150.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 8A, a guide portion 141f extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the bottom surface of the UI device 140 (the bottom surface of the housing 141). In the example shown in the figure, grooves are formed as the guide portion 141f on the right inner surface and the left inner surface of the storage recess 141a. Meanwhile, a guided portion 152a is formed on the fixed portion 152 of the operating member 150. In the example shown in the figure, the right edge and the left edge of the fixed portion 152 protrude to the right and left, respectively, and function as the guided portion 152a. The guided portion 152a is fitted into the guide portion 141f and is movable in the front-rear direction. As a result, the movement of the operating member 150 relative to the UI device 140 is restricted in the front-rear direction.

[0101] Contrary to the example shown in the figure, grooves extending in the front-rear direction may be formed as guided portions 152a on the left and right side surfaces of the operation member 150. On the other hand, the UI device 140 may be formed as the guide portion 141f with a protrusion that fits into the guided portion 152a.

[0102] [Removing and attaching the operating parts] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the operation member 150 when the operation member 150 is attached to the UI device 140. As shown in FIG.

[0103] As shown in (a) of the same figure, the operating member 150 is fitted into the accommodation recess 141a of the UI device 140 from the front side. At this time, the guided portion 152a is fitted into the guide portion 141f, and the operating member 150 is moved backward along the guide portion 141f. Then, as shown in (b), the third engaging portion 141d formed on the UI device 140 interferes with the fourth engaging portion 154b formed on the operating member 150, and the elastic portion 154a elastically deforms downward. When the elastic portion 154a elastically deforms in this way, the fourth engaging portion 154b overcomes the third engaging portion 141d. The third engaging portion 141d and the fourth engaging portion 154b have slopes formed therein that are inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the operating member 150 and cause such elastic deformation.

[0104] 12(c), when the fourth engagement portion 154b passes over the third engagement portion 141d, the third engagement portion 141d fits into an engagement hole 154c formed in the fourth engagement portion 154b. The inner surface of the engagement hole 154c (the surface facing forward in the state of (c)) and the rear surface of the third engagement portion 141d are substantially perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction of the operating member 150, i.e., the front-rear direction. Therefore, the forward movement of the operating member 150 is restricted by the third engagement portion 141d.

[0105] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the operation member 150 when the operation member 150 is detached from the UI device 140. As shown in FIG.

[0106] As shown in (a) and (b) of the same figure, the user uses a tool T to push down the fourth engagement portion 154b of the operation member 150. The tool T is, for example, a screwdriver or the like, which can be engaged with the front end of the fourth engagement portion 154b. As shown in Figs. 9 and 13, the operation portion 151c formed on the lower movable portion 151 extends upward, and its uppermost portion may be located in front of the fourth engagement portion 154b. This makes it possible to prevent an unintended external force from acting on the fourth engagement portion 154b and pushing it down. In order to access the front end of the fourth engagement portion 154b with the tool T, it may be necessary to push down the operation portion 151c.

[0107] The elastic portion 154a of the upper movable portion 154 may have higher rigidity than the elastic portion 151b of the lower movable portion 151. In other words, the force required for elastic deformation of the elastic portion 154a may be greater than the force required for elastic deformation of the elastic portion 151b. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the fourth engagement portion 154b from being lowered by an unintended external force. In the example shown in the figure, the elastic portion 154a is shorter than the elastic portion 151b, so the force required for elastic deformation of the elastic portion 154a is relatively greater.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 9, a slope may be formed on an upper edge 154d of the front end of the fourth engagement portion 154b. Due to this slope, a recess is formed between the upper edge 154d and the front edge of the accommodation recess 141a of the UI device 40, as shown in Fig. 13(a), and the tip of the tool T can be fitted into this recess.

[0109] When the fourth engagement portion 154b is pressed down by the tool T, the position of the fourth engagement portion 154b is lowered by the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 154a. As a result, as shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 13, the engagement between the third engagement portion 141d and the fourth engagement portion 154b is released, and the operation member 150 is allowed to slide forward.

[0110] Thus, in the example described in FIG. 7 and the like, a snap fit is configured by the upper movable portion 154 and the third engagement portion 141d. The snap fit can be accessed from the outside using a tool T. The use of the tool T enables the operation member 150 to be removed from the UI device 140. On the other hand, no tools are required to attach or detach the UI device 140 to or from the cradle 160. The user can attach the UI device 140 to the cradle 160 simply by sliding the UI device 140 along the guide portion 161b. Also, the user can slide the UI device 140 forward and remove it forward from the cradle 160 simply by operating the operation portion 151c of the operation member 150.

[0111] [summary] As described above, the UI assembly Sd proposed in the present disclosure includes the UI device 40 / 140, the cradle 60 / 160 attached to the bicycle 10 for supporting the UI device 40 / 140, and the operation member 50 / 150 having the first engagement portion 61a / 161a provided on the cradle 60 / 160 and the operation portion 51c / 151c operated by the user. The operation member 50 / 150 is formed separately from the UI device 40 / 140 and is detachable from the UI device 40 / 140. The operation member 50 / 150 has the second engagement portion 51a / 151a. The second engagement portions 51a / 151a engage with the first engagement portions 61a / 161a to prevent separation of the UI devices 40 / 140 from the cradles 60 / 160, and can move together with the operating portions 51c / 151c to release the engagement between the first engagement portions 61a / 161a and the second engagement portions 51a / 151a.

[0112] According to this UI assembly Sd, if an unintended external force acts on the operating member 50 / 150 and causes the operating portion 51c / 151c or the second engagement portion 51a / 151a to no longer move properly, only the operating member 50 / 150 can be replaced with a new one, and the cradle 60 / 160 and the UI device 40 / 140 can be used as is.

[0113] In addition, the operation members 50 / 150 are detachable from the UI devices 40 / 140, not from the cradles 60 / 160. This allows the UI devices 40 / 140 to be removed from the cradles 60 / 160 by holding the UI devices 40 / 140 in one hand and operating the operation units 51c / 151c.

[0114] 4A etc., the UI device 40 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the cradle 60, and the operation portion 51c of the operation member 50 is movable in the left-right direction. This allows the UI device 40 to be held by the finger pressing the operation portion 51c, so that the UI device 40 can be removed from the cradle 60 more smoothly.

[0115] The UI devices 40 / 140 and the cradles 60 / 160 are provided with contacts 43 / 63 for establishing an electrical connection therebetween. The operating members 50 / 150 are arranged to avoid the positions of the contacts 43 / 63. This eliminates the need to form electrical contacts on the operating members 50 / 150, thereby simplifying the structure of the operating members 50 / 150.

[0116] The mechanisms that allow the operation members 50 / 150 to be removed from the UI devices 40 / 140, i.e., the screws 81 and snap fits (upper movable portions 154 and third engagement portions 141d), are exposed on the outer surfaces of the UI devices 40 / 140. This makes it easy to replace the operation members 50 / 150.

[0117] The UI device 40 has a left side surface 41c and a right side surface. The operation unit 51c is provided on the left side surface 41c, but not on the right side surface. This makes it easier to secure space inside the UI device 40.

[0118] The operating member 50 is provided on the left side surface 41c of the UI device 40. This makes it easier for the user to recognize the position of the operating member 50 when standing on the left side of the bicycle 10.

[0119] The operating member 50 has an elastic portion 51b that supports the operating portion 51c and the second engagement portion 51a. The elastic portion 51b extends along the side surface 41c of the UI device 40. This makes it easy to ensure that the elastic portion 51b has a sufficient length.

[0120] An opening 41d is formed in the side surface 41c of the UI device 40, and the operation member 50 is fitted in the opening 41d. This can prevent the operation member 50 from being conspicuous. In addition, when the UI device 40 is carried, the operation member 50 can be protected and the operation member 50 can be prevented from being subjected to an unintended external force.

[0121] In the example shown in FIG. 7 etc., the operation portion 151c of the operation member 150 is located on the front side of the UI device 140.

[0122] In the example shown in FIG. 7 etc., the operation unit 151c can move in a direction intersecting with the surface of the display 40a of the UI device 140.

[0123] The drive system proposed in this disclosure includes the UI assembly Sd described in (1), a control device 30 that controls the electric motor 14, and a battery 15 that supplies power to the electric motor 14.

[0124] The power-assisted bicycle 10 proposed in this disclosure includes the UI assembly Sd described in (1), an electric motor 14, a control device 30 that controls the electric motor 14, and a battery 15 that supplies power to the electric motor 14.

[0125] [Other variations] It should be noted that the UI assembly proposed in this disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

[0126] For example, the operating members 50 / 150 may be formed separately from the cradles 60 / 160 and may be detachable from the cradles 60 / 160. The operating members 50 / 150 may be attached to the cradles 60 / 160 by a mechanism that is externally accessible with a tool, such as a screw or a snap fit.

[0127] In this case, an opening may be formed in the cradle 60, and the operating member 50 may be fitted into this opening. In this way, the movable part 51 of the operating member 50 can be protected inside the cradle 60.

[0128] Furthermore, the vehicles to which the UI assembly Sd proposed in this disclosure is applicable are not limited to electric assist bicycles, but may be applied, for example, to electric two-wheeled vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles powered by engines, three-wheeled vehicles (e.g., All Terrain Vehicles), and four-wheeled vehicles (e.g., Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles). [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 10: Electrically assisted bicycle, 4: Rear wheel, 6: Pedal, 7: Crankshaft, 8: Handle stem, 9: Handle, 13: Motor drive device, 14: Electric motor, 15: Battery, 21: Speed ​​reducer, 22: Resultant force transmission mechanism, 30: Control device, 30a: Storage device, 31: Sensor group, 31A: Pedal force sensor, 31B: Rotation sensor, 40: User interface (UI) device, 40a: Display, 41: Housing, 4 1A: upper housing, 41B: lower housing, 41b: guided portion, 41c: side surface, 41d: opening, 41e: accommodation chamber, 41f: protective portion, 41g: recess, 41h: mounting hole, 43: contact, 44: cover, 50: operating member, 51: movable portion, 51a: second engaging portion, 51b: elastic portion, 51c: operating portion, 51d: claw portion, 51e: exposed surface, 52: base portion, 52a: screw hole, 53: stopper portion, 60: cradle, 61: stay , 61a: first engagement portion, 61b: guide portion, 61n: housing, 62: clamp portion, 62a: holder portion, 63: contact, 64A-64B: input button, 70: switch unit, 71A-71B: button, 81: screw, 140: UI device, 141: housing, 141a: receiving recess, 141b: guided portion, 141c: front side surface, 141d: third engagement portion, 141f: third engagement portion, 141f: guide portion, 150: operating member, 151: lower movable part, 151a: second engagement part, 151b: elastic part, 151c: operating part, 151d: base, 152: fixed part, 152a: guided part, 154: upper movable part, 154a: elastic part, 154b: fourth engagement part, 154c: engagement hole, 154d: upper edge, 160: cradle, 161: stage, 161a: first engagement part, 161b: guide part, Sb: user interface (UI) assembly.

Claims

1. A user interface (UI) device having contacts; a cradle for supporting the UI device, the cradle being mounted to the vehicle and having contacts for establishing an electrical connection with the contacts of the UI device; an operating member having an operating portion for a user to operate; having a first engagement portion is formed on one of the UI device and the cradle; the operation member is formed separately from the other of the UI device and the cradle and is detachable from the other of the UI device and the cradle; the operation member has a second engagement portion, the second engagement portion is engaged with the first engagement portion to restrict separation between the UI device and the cradle, and is movable together with the operation portion to release the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion; the cradle and the UI device each have a guide portion and a guided portion that are hooked to each other; the other of the UI device and the cradle has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; The operation unit is provided on the first side surface and is not provided on the second side surface, The operating member is disposed so as to avoid the position of the contact point. A vehicle user interface assembly.

2. A user interface (UI) device having contacts; a cradle for supporting the UI device, the cradle being mounted to the vehicle and having contacts for establishing an electrical connection with the contacts of the UI device; an operating member having an operating portion for a user to operate; having a first engagement portion is formed on one of the UI device and the cradle; the operation member is formed separately from the other of the UI device and the cradle and is detachable from the other of the UI device and the cradle; the operation member has a second engagement portion, the second engagement portion is engaged with the first engagement portion to restrict separation between the UI device and the cradle, and is movable together with the operation portion to release the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion; the cradle and the UI device each have a guide portion and a guided portion that are hooked to each other; the other of the UI device and the cradle is the UI device; The UI device has a first side, An opening is formed in the first side, The operating portion is fitted into the opening, The operating member is disposed so as to avoid the position of the contact point. A vehicle user interface assembly.

3. A user interface (UI) device; a cradle mounted to a vehicle for supporting the UI device; an operating member having an operating portion for a user to operate; having a first engagement portion is formed on one of the UI device and the cradle; the operation member is formed separately from the other of the UI device and the cradle and is detachable from the other of the UI device and the cradle; the operation member has a second engagement portion, the second engagement portion is engaged with the first engagement portion to restrict separation between the UI device and the cradle, and is movable together with the operation portion to release the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion; the cradle and the UI device each have a guide portion and a guided portion that are hooked to each other; The operating member is a base portion fixed to the other of the UI device and the cradle when the operation member is attached to the other of the UI device and the cradle; a movable portion having an elastic portion extending from the base portion, the second engagement portion, and the operation portion; A vehicle user interface assembly.

4. the one of the UI device and the cradle is the cradle; The other of the UI device and the cradle is the UI device.

4. A vehicle user interface assembly as recited in claim 3.

5. the UI device is slidable in a first direction relative to the cradle; The operating portion of the operating member can be moved in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

5. The vehicle user interface assembly of claim 4.

6. the UI device and the cradle are provided with contacts for establishing an electrical connection therebetween; The operating member is disposed so as to avoid the position of the contact point.

4. A vehicle user interface assembly as recited in claim 3.

7. a mechanism for allowing removal of the operation member from the other of the UI device and the cradle; The mechanism is exposed on an exterior surface of the other of the UI device and the cradle. A vehicle user interface assembly according to any preceding claim.

8. The mechanism includes a screw.

8. A vehicle user interface assembly as recited in claim 7.

9. The mechanism includes a snap fit.

8. A vehicle user interface assembly as recited in claim 7.

10. The first side surface faces the left direction of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle user interface assembly according to claim 1 or 2.

11. the other of the UI device and the cradle is the UI device; the operating member has an elastic portion supporting the operating portion and the second engagement portion, The elastic portion extends along a side surface of the UI device.

3. A vehicle user interface assembly according to claim 1 or 2.

12. the other of the UI device and the cradle has a first side; The first side has an opening formed therein, The operating member is fitted into the opening.

4. A vehicle user interface assembly as recited in claim 3.

13. The operation portion of the operation member is located on the front side or the rear side of the UI device.

4. A vehicle user interface assembly as recited in claim 3.

14. The UI device has a display; The operating unit can move in a direction intersecting with the surface of the display. A vehicle user interface assembly according to any preceding claim.

15. A user interface assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3; An electric motor; A control device for controlling the electric motor; a battery for supplying power to the electric motor; A drive system for a vehicle having the same.

16. An electrically assisted bicycle comprising a drive system according to claim 15.

Images