Drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and battery holding device for a human-powered vehicle

The drive unit for human-powered vehicles, featuring a holder attachment portion that can be attached at multiple positions, addresses the inefficiency of arranging battery and drive units close together, enhancing space utilization and attachment ease.

JP7688077B2Active Publication Date: 2025-06-03SHIMANO INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023125667
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-08-01
Publication Date
2025-06-03
Estimated Expiration
2039-02-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing drive units for human-powered vehicles do not allow for efficient arrangement of battery units and drive units close to each other, leading to space inefficiencies and potential obstructions during attachment.

Method used

A drive unit with a base portion containing a crankshaft and a holder attachment portion that can be attached at multiple positions in a predetermined linear direction, allowing for flexible placement of a battery unit and minimizing obstructions during frame attachment.

Benefits of technology

Enables closer proximity of battery units and drive units, improves space utilization, and facilitates easier attachment by reducing the likelihood of the holder attachment portion being an obstacle.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a drive unit for a man power driven vehicle which enables a battery unit and a drive unit for a man power driven vehicle to be easily arranged close to each other, and to provide a battery holding device for the man power driven vehicle.SOLUTION: A drive unit is a drive unit for a man power driven vehicle and includes: a base part provided with a crank shaft; and a holder attachment part which is provided at the base part and configured so that a battery holder capable of holding a battery unit can be attached at multiple positions in a predetermined linear direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and a battery holding device for a human-powered vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, the battery unit for a human-powered vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and a battery holding device for a human-powered vehicle that can be arranged with the battery unit and the drive unit for a human-powered vehicle close to each other.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A drive unit according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, and includes a base portion provided with a crankshaft, and a holder attachment portion provided on the base portion and configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction and capable of holding a battery unit. According to the drive unit on the first side, since the holder attachment portion is included in the drive unit, it is easy to arrange the battery unit and the drive unit close to each other. According to the drive unit on the first side, since the holder attachment portion is configured to be able to attach the battery holder at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit, etc. in the predetermined linear direction.

[0006] In the drive unit on the second side according to the first side of the present disclosure, the holder attachment portion includes at least one of a male screw portion, a female screw portion, and a long hole extending in the predetermined linear direction. According to the drive unit on the second side, the battery holder can be preferably attached to the base portion by using at least one of the male screw portion, the female screw portion, and the long hole.

[0007] In the drive unit on the third side according to the first or second side of the present disclosure, the drive unit further includes a frame attachment portion provided on the base portion and attachable to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, and the holder attachment portion and the frame attachment portion are arranged at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft extends. According to the drive unit on the third side, when attaching the frame attachment portion to the frame, the holder attachment portion is less likely to be an obstacle, and the drive unit can be preferably attached to the frame by the frame attachment portion.

[0008] The drive unit according to the fourth side of the present disclosure is a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, and includes a base portion provided with a crankshaft, a holder attachment portion provided on the base portion and configured to be detachable from a battery holder capable of holding a battery unit, and a frame attachment portion provided on the base portion and attachable to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, and the holder attachment portion and the frame attachment portion are arranged at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft extends. According to the drive unit on the fourth side, since the holder mounting portion is included in the drive unit, it is easy to arrange the battery unit and the drive unit close to each other. According to the drive unit on the fourth side, when attaching the frame mounting portion to the frame, the holder mounting portion is less likely to be an obstacle, and the drive unit can be suitably attached to the frame by the frame mounting portion.

[0009] In the drive unit on the fifth side according to the fourth side of the present disclosure, the holder mounting portion includes at least one of a male screw portion, a female screw portion, and a long hole. According to the drive unit on the fifth side, the battery holder can be suitably attached to the base portion using at least one of a male screw portion, a female screw portion, and a long hole.

[0010] In the drive unit on the sixth side according to the second or fifth side of the present disclosure, the holder mounting portion includes the long hole and the male screw portion inserted into the long hole. According to the drive unit on the sixth side, using the long hole and the male screw portion, the battery holder can be movably attached to the base portion with respect to the drive unit.

[0011] In the drive unit on the seventh side according to any one of the fourth to sixth sides of the present disclosure, the holder mounting portion is configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction for the battery holder. According to the drive unit on the seventh side, since the holder mounting portion is configured to be attachable to the battery holder at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit in the predetermined linear direction.

[0012] In the drive unit on the eighth side according to any one of the first to third sides of the present disclosure, the holder mounting portion is configured to be immovable in the predetermined linear direction. According to the drive unit on the eighth side, the holder mounting portion can be stably provided on the base portion.

[0013] In the drive unit according to any one of the first, third, seventh, and eighth aspects of the present disclosure, the base portion includes a flat portion parallel to the predetermined linear direction, and the holder attachment portion is provided on the flat portion. According to the drive unit of the ninth aspect, the holder attachment portion can be stably provided on the base portion.

[0014] In the drive unit of the tenth aspect according to any one of the first to third and seventh to ninth aspects of the present disclosure, the predetermined linear direction includes a direction intersecting the direction in which the crankshaft extends. According to the drive unit of the tenth aspect, since the holder attachment portion is configured to be able to attach the battery holder at a plurality of positions in the direction intersecting the direction in which the crankshaft extends, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit, etc. in the direction intersecting the direction in which the crankshaft extends.

[0015] In the drive unit of the eleventh aspect according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the predetermined linear direction is orthogonal to the direction in which the crankshaft extends. According to the drive unit of the eleventh aspect, since the holder attachment portion is configured to be able to attach the battery holder at a plurality of positions in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the crankshaft extends, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit, etc. in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the crankshaft extends.

[0016] In the drive unit of the twelfth aspect according to the tenth or eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in a state of being attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, the predetermined linear direction is along the longitudinal direction of the frame of the human-powered vehicle. According to the drive unit of the 12th aspect, since the holder mounting portion is configured to be able to mount the battery holder at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the frame, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit in the longitudinal direction of the frame.

[0017] In the drive unit of the 13th aspect according to the 12th aspect of the present disclosure, the frame of the human-powered vehicle includes a downtube, and the predetermined linear direction is along the extending direction of the downtube. According to the drive unit of the 13th aspect, since the holder mounting portion is configured to be able to mount the battery holder at a plurality of positions in the extending direction of the downtube, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit in the extending direction of the downtube.

[0018] In the drive unit of the 14th aspect according to any one of the 1st to 3rd and 7th aspects of the present disclosure, the predetermined linear direction includes a direction parallel to the extending direction of the crankshaft. According to the drive unit of the 14th aspect, since the battery holder is configured to be mountable at a plurality of positions in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the crankshaft, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the crankshaft.

[0019] In the drive unit of the 15th aspect according to any one of the 1st to 13th aspects of the present disclosure, at least a part of the holder mounting portion is integrally formed with the base portion. According to the drive unit of the 15th aspect, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0020] In the drive unit of the 16th aspect according to any one of the 1st to 15th aspects of the present disclosure, the base portion includes a recess, and at least a part of the holder mounting portion is provided in the recess. According to the drive unit of the 16th side surface, it is easy to form the holder attachment part and the base part into an integral shape.

[0021] In the drive unit of the 17th side surface according to any one of the 1st to 16th side surfaces of the present disclosure, the battery holder is further included. According to the drive unit of the 17th side surface, it is easy to arrange the battery unit and the drive unit close to each other by the drive unit including the battery holder.

[0022] In the drive unit of the 18th side surface according to the 17th side surface of the present disclosure, the battery unit has a first end portion and a second end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the battery holder is configured to hold the first end portion. According to the drive unit of the 18th side surface, the first end portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery unit can be preferably held.

[0023] In the drive unit of the 19th side surface according to the 17th or 18th side surface of the present disclosure, the battery holder further includes a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the battery unit in the predetermined linear direction. According to the drive unit of the 19th side surface, the battery unit can be stably attached to the base portion.

[0024] In the drive unit of the 20th side surface according to any one of the 1st to 19th side surfaces of the present disclosure, it further includes a motor provided on the base portion and applying a driving force to the human-powered vehicle. According to the drive unit of the 20th side surface, it is easy to arrange the battery unit and the drive unit close to each other in the drive unit including the motor.

[0025] The battery holding device according to the 21st side surface of the present disclosure is a battery holding device configured to hold a battery unit for a human-powered vehicle, and includes a battery holder configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction to the drive unit for the human-powered vehicle provided with a crankshaft. According to the battery holding device on the 21st side, since the battery holder is configured to be attachable to the drive unit, it is easy to arrange the battery unit and the drive unit close to each other. According to the battery holding device on the 21st side, since the battery holder is configured to be attachable to the drive unit at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit in the predetermined linear direction.

[0026] The battery holding device according to the 22nd aspect of the present disclosure is a battery holding device configured to hold a battery unit for a human-powered vehicle, and includes a frame attachment portion attachable to the frame of the human-powered vehicle and a crankshaft, and a battery holder configured to be detachable from a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle provided with the crankshaft, wherein the battery holder and the frame attachment portion are configured to be attached to the drive unit at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft extends. According to the battery holding device on the 22nd side, since the battery holder is configured to be attachable to the drive unit, it is easy to arrange the battery unit and the drive unit close to each other. According to the drive unit on the 22nd side, when attaching the frame attachment portion to the frame, the holder attachment portion is less likely to be an obstacle, and the drive unit can be preferably attached to the frame by the frame attachment portion.

[0027] In the battery holding device on the 23rd side according to the 22nd aspect of the present disclosure, the battery holder is configured to be attachable to the drive unit provided with the crankshaft at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction. According to the battery holding device on the 23rd side, since the battery holder is configured to be attachable to the drive unit at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction, the battery unit can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the dimensional tolerance of the battery unit or the type of the battery unit in the predetermined linear direction.

[0028] In the battery holding device of the 24th aspect according to the 21st or 23rd aspect of the present disclosure, the battery holder includes a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the battery unit in the predetermined linear direction. According to the battery holding device of the 24th aspect, the battery unit can be stably attached to the base portion.

[0029] In the battery holding device of the 25th aspect according to any one of the 21st, 23rd, and 24th aspects of the present disclosure, the battery holder includes a long hole extending in the predetermined linear direction, and a male screw portion inserted into the long hole and coupled to the female screw portion of the drive unit. According to the battery holding device of the 25th aspect, the battery holder can be movably attached to the drive unit using the long hole and the male screw portion.

[0030] In the battery holding device of the 26th aspect according to any one of the 21st to 25th aspects of the present disclosure, the battery unit has a first end portion and a second end portion in the longitudinal direction, The battery holder is configured to hold the first end portion. According to the battery holding device of the 26th aspect, the first end portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery unit can be preferably held.

Advantages of the Invention

[0031] The drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and the battery holding device for a human-powered vehicle according to the present disclosure can easily arrange the battery unit and the drive unit close to each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] As used herein, the expression "at least one" means "one or more" of the desired options. As an example, when the number of options is two, the expression "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "both of the two options". As another example, when the number of options is three or more, the expression "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "any combination of two or more options".

[0034] (First Embodiment) With reference to FIGS. 1 - 22, the drive unit 80 for a human - powered vehicle and the battery holding device 70 for a human - powered vehicle according to the first embodiment will be described. The human - powered vehicle 10 is a vehicle that can be driven by at least human - driving force. The number of wheels of the human - powered vehicle 10 is not limited, and includes, for example, a unicycle and a vehicle having three or more wheels. The human - powered vehicle 10 includes various types of bicycles such as mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes, cargo bikes, and recumbent bikes, as well as electric bicycles (E - bikes). Electric bicycles include electric - assist bicycles that assist in propelling the vehicle by an electric motor. Hereinafter, in the embodiment, the human - powered vehicle 10 will be described as a bicycle.

[0035] The human - powered vehicle 10 includes a crank 12 and a wheel 14. The wheel 14 includes a drive wheel 14A. The human - powered vehicle 10 further includes a frame 16. A human - powered driving force is input to the crank 12. The crank 12 includes a crankshaft 88 rotatable with respect to the frame 16 and crank arms 12B respectively provided at axial ends of the crankshaft 88. A pedal 18 is connected to each crank arm 12B. The drive wheel 14A is driven by the rotation of the crank 12. The drive wheel 14A is supported by the frame 16. The crank 12 and the drive wheel 14A are connected by a drive mechanism 20. The drive mechanism 20 includes a first rotating body 22 coupled to the crankshaft 88. The crankshaft 88 and the first rotating body 22 may be coupled via a first one - way clutch. The first one - way clutch is configured to rotate the first rotating body 22 forward when the crank 12 rotates forward and not to rotate the first rotating body 22 backward when the crank 12 rotates backward. The first one - way clutch may be omitted. In this case, the crankshaft 88 and the first rotating body 22 rotate integrally. The first rotating body 22 includes a sprocket, a pulley, or a bevel gear. In the present embodiment, the first rotating body 22 includes a plurality of sprockets. The first rotating body 22 includes, for example, two sprockets. When the first rotating body 22 includes a plurality of sprockets, a front derailleur is provided on the human - powered vehicle 10. The drive mechanism 20 further includes a second rotating body 24 and a connecting member 26. The connecting member 26 transmits the rotational force of the first rotating body 22 to the second rotating body 24. The connecting member 26 includes, for example, a chain, a belt, or a shaft.

[0036] The second rotating body 24 is connected to the drive wheel 14A. The second rotating body 24 includes a sprocket, a pulley, or a bevel gear. Preferably, a second one-way clutch is provided between the second rotating body 24 and the drive wheel 14A. The second one-way clutch is configured to rotate the drive wheel 14A forward when the second rotating body 24 rotates forward and not to rotate the drive wheel 14A backward when the second rotating body 24 rotates backward. In the present embodiment, the second rotating body 24 includes a plurality of sprockets. The second rotating body 24 includes, for example, 7 to 13 sprockets. When the second rotating body 24 includes a plurality of sprockets, a rear derailleur is provided on the human-powered vehicle 10.

[0037] The wheels 14 include front wheels and rear wheels. The front wheels are attached to the frame 16 via front forks 28. A handlebar 30 is connected to the front fork 28 via a stem 32. In the following embodiments, the rear wheel will be described as the drive wheel 14A, but the front wheel may be the drive wheel 14A.

[0038] The frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10 includes a down tube 16A. The frame 16 further includes a head tube 16B, a top tube 16C, a seat tube 16D, seat stays 16E, and chain stays 16F.

[0039] The human-powered vehicle 10 includes a battery unit 40 for a human-powered vehicle. The battery unit 40 includes one or more battery elements 42. The battery element 42 includes a rechargeable battery. The battery unit 40 supplies power to the drive unit 80. The battery unit 40 is preferably communicably connected to a control unit provided in the drive unit 80 by wire or wirelessly. The battery unit 40 can communicate with the control unit by, for example, power line communication (PLC) or CAN (Controller Area Network). The battery unit 40 includes an electrical connector 94 for electrically connecting to a control unit provided in the drive unit 80.

[0040] The battery unit 40 can be inserted into the frame 16 of the human - powered vehicle 10 along the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. The battery unit 40 includes a housing 46 that houses battery elements 42 and extends along the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16, and a third restricting portion 48 that can restrict the movement of the housing 46 in the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. The battery unit 40 is configured to be at least partially accommodated in a battery accommodation space 16S formed inside the down - tube 16A. The shape of the housing 46 is not particularly limited as long as it can be guided by the guide portion 86 and can be held by the battery holder 72. The shape of the housing 46 may be, for example, substantially polygonal prism - shaped, substantially cylindrical - shaped, or substantially elliptical prism - shaped.

[0041] The battery unit 40 is configured to be movable along the guide direction G within the battery accommodation space 16S. The battery unit 40 is inserted into the battery accommodation space 16S through an opening 16P provided at an end of the down - tube 16A that is connected to the seat tube 16D and the chain stay 16F. The guide direction G includes a first guide direction G1 for moving the battery unit 40 to attach the battery unit 40 to the battery holder 72 and a second guide direction G2 for moving the battery unit 40 to remove the battery unit 40 from the battery holder 72. The first guide direction G1 is a direction from the opening 16P toward an end of the down - tube 16A that is connected to the head tube 16B. The second guide direction G2 is a direction from an end of the down - tube 16A that is connected to the head tube 16B toward the opening 16P.

[0042] The human - powered vehicle 10 includes a drive system 60 for a human - powered vehicle. The drive system 60 is configured to be able to hold the battery unit 40. The drive system 60 includes a drive unit 80 for a human - powered vehicle and a second restricting portion 62 provided on the frame 16 of the human - powered vehicle 10, which restricts the movement of the battery unit 40 together with the drive unit 80. The battery unit 40 has a first end portion 40A and a second end portion 40B in the longitudinal direction B. In a state where the battery unit 40 is accommodated in the battery accommodation space 16S, the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40 extends along the down - tube 16A, and the first end portion 40A is located on the opening 16P side of the down - tube 16A. The drive unit 80 is configured to hold the first end portion 40A of the battery unit 40. The second restricting portion 62 contacts the second end portion 40B and restricts the movement of the battery unit 40 in the first guide direction G1. The second restricting portion 62 is provided in the internal space of the frame 16. The second restricting portion 62 is provided on the frame 16 so as to penetrate, for example, the internal space of the frame 16. In one example, the second restricting portion 62 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second restricting portion 62 may be formed by, for example, a bolt 62A. In this case, a through - hole 17A through which the bolt 62A passes and an internal thread portion 17B to which the bolt 62A is coupled are formed in the frame 16. Instead of forming the internal thread portion 17B in the frame 16, the bolt 62A may be fixed to the frame 16 by passing the bolt 62A through the frame 16 and sandwiching the frame 16 between the head of the bolt 62A and a nut. The second restricting portion 62 may be constituted by a part of the frame 16.

[0043] The drive unit 80 includes a base portion 82, a frame attachment portion 84, and a guide portion 86. A crankshaft 88 is provided on the base portion 82. The frame attachment portion 84 is provided on the base portion 82 and can be attached to the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The frame attachment portion 84 is preferably provided on the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 82. The frame attachment portion 84 includes a hole 84A. The drive unit 80 is attached to the frame 16 by inserting a bolt 85 into the hole 84A and screwing it into the female screw portion of the frame 16. The frame attachment portion 84 may include a female screw portion, and the drive unit 80 may be attached to the frame 16 by inserting the bolt 85 into a hole in the frame 16 and screwing it into the female screw portion of the frame attachment portion 84.

[0044] The drive unit 80 preferably further includes a motor 90 provided on the base portion 82 for applying a driving force to the human-powered vehicle 10. The drive unit 80 preferably further includes a crankshaft 88. The drive unit 80 preferably further includes an output portion 92. The output portion 92 preferably has a rotation center axis that is equal to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. A first rotating body 22 is attached to an end portion of the output portion 92. The output portion 92 includes a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft of the output portion 92 has the crankshaft 88 inserted therein and surrounds a part of the crankshaft 88. The output portion 92 is supported by the base portion 82 via a first bearing. The crankshaft 88 is supported by the base portion 82 via a second bearing and supported by the output portion 92 via a third bearing. The output portion 92 is connected to the crankshaft 88. The output portion 92 and the crankshaft 88 may be directly connected or may be connected via another member therebetween. The output portion 92 and the crankshaft 88 may be connected via, for example, a one-way clutch.

[0045] The drive unit 80 preferably further includes a drive circuit for the motor 90 and a control unit for controlling the motor 90. The drive circuit and the control unit are preferably provided on the base portion 82. The drive circuit may be included in the control unit. The drive circuit and the control unit are provided on the same circuit board. The control unit includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit may include one or more microcomputers. The control unit may further include a storage unit. Various control programs and information used for various control processes are stored in the storage unit. The storage unit includes, for example, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The drive circuit includes an inverter circuit. The drive circuit controls the power supplied from the battery unit 40 to the motor 90. The drive circuit is communicably connected to the control unit by wire or wirelessly. The drive circuit drives the motor 90 in response to a control signal from the control unit. The motor 90 is configured to apply a propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle 10. The motor 90 includes an electric motor. The motor 90 is provided so as to transmit rotation to a power transmission path of the human-powered driving force including from the pedal to the rear wheel, or to the front wheel. In the present embodiment, the motor 90 is configured to transmit rotation to the output portion 92. A first one-way clutch is preferably provided in the power transmission path between the motor 90 and the output portion 92 so that the motor 90 does not rotate by the rotational force of the crank 12 when the crankshaft 88 is rotated in the forward direction of the human-powered vehicle 10. The drive unit 80 is preferably provided with a speed reducer that decelerates and outputs the rotation of the motor 90.

[0046] The drive unit 80 preferably further includes a torque sensor. The torque sensor is used to detect the input driving force. The torque sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the torque of the input driving force input to the crankshaft 88. When, for example, a first one-way clutch is provided in the power transmission path, the torque sensor is preferably provided upstream of the first one-way clutch. The torque sensor includes, for example, a strain sensor or a magnetostrictive sensor. When the torque sensor includes a strain sensor, the strain sensor is disposed, for example, on a member between the crankshaft 88 and the output portion 92 or on the output portion 92. When the torque sensor includes a magnetostrictive sensor, a magnetostrictive element is formed on a member between the crankshaft 88 and the output portion 92 or on the outer peripheral surface of the output portion 92, and a magnetostrictive sensor is disposed on the outer periphery of the magnetostrictive element. The torque sensor is configured to be communicable with the control unit of the motor 90 by wireless communication or by wire. The base portion 82 includes, for example, a housing, and a part of the crankshaft 88, the drive circuit of the motor 90, the control unit of the motor 90, the torque sensor, a part of the motor 90, and the speed reducer are preferably disposed within the housing.

[0047] The guide portion 86 is provided on the base portion 82. In a state where the frame attachment portion 84 is attached to the frame 16, the guide portion 86 is configured to guide the battery unit 40 in a guide direction G along the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16 such that at least a part of the battery unit 40 is disposed inside the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10. In a state where the frame attachment portion 84 is attached to the frame 16, the guide portion 86 is preferably configured to guide the battery unit 40 in a guide direction G along the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16 such that more than half of the battery unit 40 is disposed inside the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The guide portion 86 is preferably configured to prevent the battery unit 40 from moving in a direction intersecting the guide direction G.

[0048] The rotation central axis C2 of the motor 90 is preferably parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. With respect to the first plane P1 including the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and the rotation central axis C2 of the motor 90, the angle DY formed by the second plane P2 including the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and parallel to the guide direction G is preferably 0 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. With respect to the first plane P1 including the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and the rotation central axis C2 of the motor 90, the angle DX formed by the second plane P2 including the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and parallel to the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40 is preferably 0 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

[0049] When the frame attachment portion 84 is attached to the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10 and all the wheels 14 of the human-powered vehicle 10 are in contact with the horizontal ground, the rotation central axis C2 of the motor 90 is preferably vertically above the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88, or is arranged above Y1 from the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and in front X1 of the human-powered vehicle 10, and the battery holder 72 is arranged in front X1 of the human-powered vehicle 10 from the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88.

[0050] The drive system 60 further includes a battery holding device 70. The battery holding device 70 is configured to hold the battery unit 40. The battery holding device 70 includes a battery holder 72. The battery holder 72 is provided on the base portion 82 and is configured to be able to hold the battery unit 40. The battery holder 72 may be configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction on the base portion 82 of the drive unit 80. The second regulating portion 62 may be included in the battery holding device 70.

[0051] The drive unit 80 preferably further includes a battery holder 72. The drive unit 80 is preferably provided on the base portion 82 and further includes a battery holder 72 capable of holding the battery unit 40. The battery holder 72 is configured to hold the first end portion 40A of the battery unit 40. The battery holder 72 may be disposed outside the frame 16, at least a part thereof may be disposed in the battery accommodation space 16S, or the whole thereof may be disposed in the battery accommodation space 16S. The battery holder 72 is preferably configured to hold the first end portion 40A of the battery unit 40 when the battery unit 40 is accommodated in the battery accommodation space 16S of the frame 16. The battery holder 72 has an accommodation space 72S in which at least a part of the battery unit 40 is disposed. The accommodation space 72S penetrates the battery holder 72 in the guide direction G when the battery unit 40 is disposed in the accommodation space 72S. The accommodation space 72S penetrates the battery holder 72 in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40 when the battery unit 40 is disposed in the accommodation space 72S.

[0052] The guide portion 86 is configured to prevent the battery unit 40 from moving in a direction intersecting the guide direction G. The guide portion 86 preferably includes at least one of a concave portion and a convex portion extending in the guide direction G. The guide portion 86 is preferably configured to be engageable with a guide portion engaging portion 46A provided on the housing 46 of the battery unit 40. The guide portion engaging portion 46A preferably includes at least one of a convex portion and a concave portion complementary to the shape of the guide portion 86. At least one of the concave portion and the convex portion included in the guide portion 86 extends in the guide direction G. At least one of the convex portion and the concave portion included in the guide portion engaging portion 46A extends in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40. The guide portion engaging portion 46A is preferably formed from the first end portion 40A to the second end portion 40B of the battery unit 40. The guide portion 86 may include a convex portion, and the guide portion engaging portion 46A may include a concave portion, or the guide portion 86 may include a concave portion, and the guide portion engaging portion 46A may include a convex portion. The battery unit 40 is configured to be movable along the guide direction G in a state where the guide portion engaging portion 46A is engaged with the guide portion 86. When the user attaches the battery unit 40 to the frame 16, the user engages a portion formed at the second end portion 40B of the guide portion engaging portion 46A with the guide portion 86 and moves the battery unit 40 in the first guide direction G1. When the user removes the battery unit 40 from the frame 16, the user slides the guide portion engaging portion 46A along the guide portion 86 and moves the battery unit 40 in the second guide direction G2.

[0053] The base portion 82 may be formed of metal, may be formed of synthetic resin, or may be formed of both metal and synthetic resin. The battery holder 72 may be formed of metal, may be formed of synthetic resin, or may be formed of both metal and synthetic resin. The guide portion 86 may be formed of metal, may be formed of synthetic resin, or may be formed of both metal and synthetic resin. The synthetic resin may include a fiber-reinforced resin.

[0054] The battery holder 72 can be configured in various shapes. The battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N shown in FIGS. 3 to 13 are an example of the battery holder 72. In FIGS. 3 to 13, the drive unit 80 and the battery unit 40 are schematically illustrated. The battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N are configured to be detachable from the base portion 82. The drive unit 80 includes a base portion 82 and a holder attachment portion 98. The holder attachment portion 98 is configured to be able to attach the battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction. The battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N are configured to be detachable from the drive unit 80 provided with a frame attachment portion 84 attachable to the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10 and a crankshaft 88. The battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N and the frame attachment portion 84 are configured to be attached to the drive unit 80 at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends.

[0055] The holder attachment portion 98 and the frame attachment portion 84 are arranged at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends. The base portion 82 preferably includes a planar portion 82A parallel to a predetermined linear direction. The holder attachment portion 98 is provided on the planar portion 82A. The planar portion 82A is formed, for example, at both end portions 82B and 82C of the base portion 82 in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The planar portion 82A may be formed, for example, at an intermediate portion 82D connecting both end portions 82B and 82C of the base portion 82 in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The planar portion 82A may be formed, for example, at both end portions 82B and 82C of the base portion 82 in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and at an intermediate portion 82D connecting between both end portions 82B and 82C, respectively. The base portion 82 preferably includes a recess 82E, and more preferably, at least a part of the holder attachment portion 98 is provided in the recess 82E. The inner wall surface of the recess 82E is included in the planar portion 82A. The holder attachment portion 98 is preferably provided near the opening 16P of the frame 16. At least a part of the frame attachment portion 84 is preferably provided above Y1 of the human-powered vehicle 10 than the holder attachment portion 98.

[0056] The holder attachment portion 98 includes at least one of a male screw portion, a female screw portion, and a long hole extending in a predetermined linear direction. In one example, the holder attachment portion 98 includes a long hole 98A and a male screw portion 98B inserted into the long hole 98A. In this case, the holder attachment portion 98 preferably further includes a female screw portion 98C formed in the base portion 82. The female screw portion 98C is preferably provided at both end portions 82B and 82C of the base portion 82 in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88, and extends in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The female screw portion 98C may be provided at at least one of both end portions 82B and 82C and the intermediate portion 82D of the base portion 82, and may extend in a direction intersecting with the direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. At least a part of the holder attachment portion 98 is preferably provided on the battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N. For example, the battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N include a long hole 98A extending in a predetermined linear direction and a male screw portion 98B inserted into the long hole 98A and coupled to the female screw portion 98C provided on the drive unit 80. The long hole 98A is formed at a position corresponding to the female screw portion 98C. The battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N include a contact portion 75 that contacts the base portion 82. The contact portion 75 preferably contacts both end portions 82B and 82C of the base portion 82 in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 from the outside. The long hole 98A is provided in the contact portion 75. The contact portion 75 is preferably provided in the recess 82E. At least a part of the holder attachment portion 98 is preferably integrally formed with the base portion 82. For example, the female screw portion 98C is integrally formed with the base portion 82. At least a part of the holder attachment portion 98 and the base portion 82 are formed so as to have a one-piece structure. The base portion 82 may be configured to include a plurality of members. In this case, a part of the base portion 82 and at least a part of the holder attachment portion 98 are integrally formed.

[0057] The battery holder 72 shown in Fig. 4 is configured to be attachable to a drive unit 80 provided with a crankshaft 88 at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction. The predetermined linear direction may include a direction intersecting the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends. The predetermined linear direction preferably intersects the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends. In a state of being attached to the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10, the predetermined linear direction preferably follows the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The predetermined linear direction preferably follows the direction in which the downtube 16A extends. The predetermined linear direction preferably equals the guide direction G. The structure of the holder attachment portion 98 shown in Fig. 4 is applicable not only to the battery holder 72E but also to the battery holders 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N. The battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N are preferably configured to be movable along the guide direction G.

[0058] The holder attachment portion 98 may be configured to be immovable in the predetermined linear direction. The battery holder 72 shown in Fig. 5 may not include the elongated hole 98A. The battery holder 72 shown in Fig. 5 includes a plurality of holes 98D arranged in the guide direction G instead of the elongated hole 98A. In this case, by inserting the male screw portion 98B into a predetermined hole 98D among the plurality of holes 98D, the position in the guide direction G of the battery holder 72 with respect to the drive unit 80 and the frame 16 can be adjusted. The battery holder 72 in Fig. 5 may be configured to be attachable at one position in the predetermined linear direction. The structure of the holder attachment portion 98 shown in Fig. 5 is applicable not only to the battery holder 72E but also to the battery holders 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N.

[0059] The battery holders 72E in FIG. 3, the battery holders 72F in FIG. 6, the battery holders 72G in FIG. 7, and the battery holders 72H in FIG. 8 form an accommodation space 72S together with the outer surface of the base portion 82. The battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H include base connection portions 75A respectively provided at both end portions 82B, 82C of the base portion 82 in a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88, and a pair of wall portions 75B, 75C respectively protruding from the base connection portions 75A. The battery holders 72E, 72F, 72G further include cover portions 75D respectively connected to the end portions of the pair of wall portions 75B, 75C on the side opposite to the base portion 82. A part of the contact portion 75 is provided on the base connection portion 75A. The base connection portion 75A is, for example, parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and extends in the guide direction G. The pair of wall portions 75B, 75C respectively extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and in the guide direction G. The cover portion 75D is arranged so as to face the base portion 82 and the base connection portion 75A in a state where the battery unit 40 is not arranged in the accommodation space 72S. In the guide direction G, the lengths of the pair of wall portions 75B, 75C are equal to the length of the cover portion 75D. The cover portion 75D is configured to be separated from the base portion 82, for example, as it goes toward the central portion in the direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The pair of wall portions 75B, 75C and the cover portion 75D can have various shapes according to the shape of the battery unit 40. A holder attachment portion 98 is provided at the end portion of the pair of wall portions 75B, 75C on the base portion 82 side. The guide portions 86 are not provided on the battery holder 72E and the battery holder 72H. The guide portions 86 are provided on the battery holder 72F and the battery holder 72G. In the battery holder 72H in FIG. 8, when viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88, the pair of wall portions 75B, 75C preferably extend to a position where the battery unit 40 is hidden in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the crankshaft 88 and the guide direction G. Preferably, the base connection portion 75A and the pair of wall portions 75B, 75C are integrally formed. Preferably, the base connection portion 75A, the pair of wall portions 75B, 75C and the cover portion 75D are integrally formed.

[0060] A base portion 82 where a battery holder 72E in FIG. 3 is provided, and a base portion 82 where a battery holder 72H in FIG. 8 is provided are provided with a guide portion 86. The guide portion 86, together with the base portion 82 and the battery holder 72E or the battery holder 72H, forms an accommodation space 72S. The guide portion 86 is provided in a region including the central portion of the base portion 82 in a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The guide portion 86 shown in FIG. 3 includes one protrusion 86A. The protrusion 86A is formed in a T shape in a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the guide direction G. In the guide portion 86 of FIG. 3, the guide portion 86 may include a plurality of protrusions 86A. In this case, the plurality of protrusions 86A are arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The guide portion 86 is formed integrally with the base portion 82.

[0061] The guide portion 86 provided in the battery holder 72F in FIG. 6 is provided on a pair of wall portions 75B and 75C, respectively. In FIG. 6, the guide portion 86 includes a pair of protrusions 86B that respectively protrude from the opposing surfaces of the pair of wall portions 75B and 75C. The pair of protrusions 86B extend, for example, in the guide direction G. The pair of protrusions 86B may be formed over between both ends of the pair of wall portions 75B and 75C in the guide direction G. The cross section of the pair of protrusions 86B in a direction perpendicular to the guide direction G is formed in a rectangular shape in FIG. 6, but may be in any shape as long as it can guide the battery unit 40. The pair of protrusions 86B are preferably arranged at opposing positions in a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 in a state where the battery unit 40 is not arranged in the accommodation space 72S.

[0062] The guide portion 86 provided in the battery holder 72G of FIG. 7 is provided in the cover portion 75D. The guide portion 86 is provided in a region including the central portion of the cover portion 75D in a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. In FIG. 5, the guide portion 86 includes one protrusion 86C. The cross section of the protrusion 86C in a direction perpendicular to the guide direction G is formed in a T shape. In the guide portion 86 of FIG. 5, the guide portion 86 may include a plurality of protrusions 86C. In this case, the plurality of protrusions 86C are arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The battery holder 72E of FIG. 3, the battery holder 72F of FIG. 6, and the battery holder 72G of FIG. 7 include a pair of wall portions 75B and 75C like the battery holder 72H of FIG. 8, and the cover portion 75D may be omitted.

[0063] The battery holder 72J of FIG. 9, the battery holder 72K of FIG. 10, the battery holder 72L of FIG. 11, the battery holder 72M of FIG. 12, and the battery holder 72N of FIG. 13 each include a base connection portion 77A connected to the base portion 82 and a pair of wall portions 77B and 77C respectively protruding from both ends of the base connection portion 77A in a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88.

[0064] The battery holders 72J in FIG. 9, the battery holder 72K in FIG. 10, the battery holder 72L in FIG. 11, and the battery holder 72N in FIG. 13 each include a cover portion 77D connected to an end portion of a pair of wall portions 77B and 77C opposite to the base connection portion 77A. The base connection portion 77A includes a first base connection portion 77E having the same configuration as the battery holder 72E, and a second base connection portion 77F connecting the pair of first base connection portions 77E. The second base connection portion 77F is preferably configured to abut on the intermediate portion 82D of the base portion 82. A part of the base portion 82 is disposed in the space formed by the first base connection portion 77E and the second base connection portion 77F. The intermediate portion 82D of the base portion where the battery holders 72J, 72K, 72L, and 72N are provided preferably has a flat portion 82A. The shapes of the pair of wall portions 77B and 77C are the same as the shapes of the pair of wall portions 75B and 75C. The cover portion 77D has the same shape as the cover portion 75D. Preferably, the base connection portion 77A and the pair of wall portions 77B and 77C are integrally formed. Preferably, the base connection portion 77A, the pair of wall portions 77B and 77C, and the cover portion 77D of the battery holders 72J, 72K, 72L, and 72N are integrally formed. The pair of wall portions 77B and 77C of the battery holder 72M in FIG. 12 are formed in the same manner as the pair of wall portions 75B and 75C of the battery holder 72H in FIG. 8.

[0065] The guide portions 86 provided in the battery holder 72J in FIG. 9 and the battery holder 72M in FIG. 12 are provided in the base connection portion 77A. The guide portion 86 is provided in a region including the central portion of the base connection portion 77A in a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The guide portions 86 shown in FIGS. 9 and 12 have the same shape as the guide portion 86 shown in FIG. 3. The guide portions 86 in FIGS. 9 and 12 are integrally formed with the battery holders 72J and 72M.

[0066] The guide portion 86 provided in the battery holder 72K in FIG. 10 is provided in the pair of wall portions 77B and 77C. The guide portion 86 shown in FIG. 10 has the same structure as the guide portion 86 shown in FIG. 6.

[0067] The guide portion 86 provided in the battery holder 72L of FIG. 11 is provided in the cover portion 77D. The guide portion 86 is provided in a region including the central portion of the cover portion 77D in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The guide portion 86 shown in FIG. 11 has the same shape as the guide portion 86 shown in FIG. 7.

[0068] The battery holder 72J of FIG. 9 and the battery holder 72K of FIG. 10 include a pair of wall portions 77B and 77C, and the cover portion 77D may be omitted as in the battery holder 72M of FIG. 12.

[0069] In the battery holder 72N of FIG. 13, the guide portion 86 is formed by at least one of the base connection portion 77A, the pair of wall portions 77B and 77C, and the cover portion 77D. In the battery holder 72N of FIG. 13, for example, the guide portion 86 is constituted by the base connection portion 77A and the cover portion 77D. In the battery holder 72N, a concave portion 83A may be provided in one of the portion of the base connection portion 77A facing the base portion 82 and the portion of the base portion 82 facing the base connection portion 77A, and a convex portion 83B complementary to the concave portion 83A may be provided in the other. The battery holder 72N is configured to be movable along the concave portion 83A or the convex portion 83B of the base portion 82. The concave portion 83A and the convex portion 83B preferably extend in a predetermined linear direction. The concave portion 83A and the convex portion 83B are preferably configured to prevent the battery holder 72N from moving in a direction intersecting the predetermined linear direction. The shape of the convex portion 83B is, for example, the same as the shape of the protrusion 86A of the guide portion 86 of FIG. 3. The battery holder 72J of FIG. 9, the battery holder 72K of FIG. 10, the battery holder 72L of FIG. 11, and the battery holder 72M of FIG. 12 may be provided with a concave portion 83A in one of the portion of the base connection portion 77A facing the base portion 82 and the portion of the base portion 82 facing the base connection portion 77A, and a convex portion 83B in the other, as in the battery holder 72N of FIG. 13.

[0070] The battery holder 72 is configured to be able to hold the battery unit 40 in a state where the battery unit 40 is guided by the guide portion 86. The battery holder 72 preferably includes a restricting portion 74 that restricts the movement of the battery unit 40 in a predetermined linear direction. The battery holder 72 further includes a first restricting portion 74A that restricts the movement of the battery unit 40 in the guide direction G. The restricting portion 74 preferably includes the first restricting portion 74A. The first restricting portion 74A is configured to restrict at least the movement of the battery unit 40 in the second guide direction G2. The first restricting portion 74A is preferably configured to restrict the movement of the battery unit 40 in the first guide direction G1 and the movement of the battery unit 40 in the second guide direction G2. The first restricting portion 74A engages with the third restricting portion 48 of the battery unit 40 to restrict the movement of the battery unit 40.

[0071] In a state where the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72, the first restricting portion 74A preferably faces the battery unit 40 in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. In a state where the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72, the first restricting portion 74A may be configured to face the battery unit 40 in a direction perpendicular to both the direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and the guide direction G.

[0072] The third restricting portion 48 of the battery unit 40 includes a first engaging portion 48A. The first engaging portion 48A protrudes from an intermediate portion between both end faces of the housing 46 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16 in the direction along the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. The first engaging portion 48A is movable between a first position that restricts the movement of the housing 46 in the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16 and a second position that retracts from the first position and allows the movement of the housing 46 in the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. The intermediate portion between both end faces of the housing 46 includes portions other than both end faces in the longitudinal direction B of the housing 46. The first restricting portion 74A includes a second engaging portion 74B that engages with the first engaging portion 48A provided in the battery unit 40. One of the first engaging portion 48A and the second engaging portion 74B includes a convex portion. The other of the first engaging portion 48A and the second engaging portion 74B includes a concave portion.

[0073] The battery unit 40 includes a biasing portion 50 that biases the first engaging portion 48A to the first position and an operating portion 52 that can be operated by a user to move the first engaging portion 48A from the first position to the second position. The biasing portion 50 preferably includes an elastic member. The biasing portion 50 includes, for example, a leaf spring.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the first engaging portion 48A, the biasing portion 50, and the operating portion 52 are integrally formed. The first engaging portion 48A, the biasing portion 50, and the operating portion 52 may be integrally formed, for example, by bending a leaf spring. The first engaging portion 48A and the operating portion 52 may be integrally formed, and the biasing portion 50 may be configured separately from the first engaging portion 48A and the operating portion 52. In this case, the biasing portion 50 may include a coil spring, for example, instead of a leaf spring. The first engaging portion 48A, the biasing portion 50, and the operating portion 52 are preferably provided on a side surface portion along the longitudinal direction B of the housing 46. The first engaging portion 48A, the biasing portion 50, and the operating portion 52 are preferably provided on two side surface portions in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction B of the housing 46, respectively. As shown in FIG. 16, only one of the first engaging portion 48A, the biasing portion 50, and the operating portion 52 may be provided in the housing 46.

[0075] In this embodiment, the battery holder 72 holds the battery unit 40 such that a part including the end face of the first end portion 40A of the housing 46 is exposed from the battery holder 72 when viewed in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The battery holder 72 may hold the battery unit 40 such that the first end portion 40A of the housing 46 is not exposed from the battery holder 72 when viewed in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The operation unit 52 is provided at the first end portion 40A of the housing 46 such that at least a part thereof is exposed from the battery holder 72 in a state where the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72. The first engaging portion 48A is provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40 between the biasing portion 50 and the operation unit 52. The first engaging portion 48A includes a bent portion 48C provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40 of the biasing portion 50. The second engaging portion 74B of the battery holder 72 includes a hole 74C. The second engaging portion 74B preferably includes a plurality of holes 74C arranged in the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 15, when the user operates the operation unit 52, the biasing unit 50 deforms and the protruding amount of the first engaging portion 48A from the housing 46 decreases, whereby the engagement between the first engaging portion 48A and the second engaging portion 74B can be released. The first engaging portion 48A is preferably configured to be able to release the engagement with the second engaging portion 74B when the battery unit 40 moves in the first guide direction G1. Thereby, when the battery unit 40 is moved in the first guide direction G1, it is not necessary to operate the operation unit 52 to release the engagement between the first engaging portion 48A and the second engaging portion 74B, so that the attachment of the battery unit 40 to the battery holder 72 can be made easier. For example, the leaf spring constituting the biasing unit 50 is configured to be spaced apart from the housing 46 as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the first guide direction G1. Thereby, when the battery unit 40 is moved in the first guide direction G1, the biasing unit 50 is pressed by the inner wall surface of the guide portion 86, and the engagement between the first engaging portion 48A and the second engaging portion 74B can be released. When the user does not operate the operation unit 52, the first engaging portion 48A is biased outward of the housing 46. When the first engaging portion 48A is at a position corresponding to the hole 74C of the second engaging portion 74B, the first engaging portion 48A fits into the hole 74C of the first restricting portion 74A, and the movement of the battery unit 40 is restricted. In the present embodiment, when the first engaging portion 48A fits into the hole 74C of the first restricting portion 74A, the movement of the battery unit 40 in the second guide direction G2 is restricted.

[0077] The second restricting portion 62 can be configured in various shapes. The second restricting portion 62 is configured not only to restrict the movement of the battery unit 40 in the first guide direction G1, but also to restrict the movement of the battery unit 40 in a direction intersecting the first guide direction G1. The second restricting portion 62 includes, for example, one of a convex portion and a concave portion. The second restricting portion 62 may be attached to the frame 16 by bolts or may be attached to the frame 16 by welding. The second end portion 40B of the battery unit 40 preferably includes the other of the convex portion and the concave portion that is complementary to the shape of one of the convex portion and the concave portion included in the second restricting portion 62. The second restricting portion 62 in FIGS. 17 and 18 includes a concave portion 62C, and the second end portion 40B of the battery unit 40 includes a convex portion 40C. By inserting the convex portion 40C into the concave portion 62C, the movement of the battery unit 40 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the frame 16 is suppressed. The inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 62C is formed to become smaller as it goes from the opening to the bottom surface in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16 and perpendicular to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 62C is formed to be substantially U-shaped in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16 and perpendicular to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. An elastic member formed of an elastic resin such as synthetic rubber and elastomer may be provided on at least one of the portion of the second restricting portion 62 that contacts the battery unit 40 and the portion of the battery unit 40 that contacts the second restricting portion 62.

[0078] The drive unit 80 preferably further includes an electrical connector 94 for electrically connecting the battery unit 40 and the motor 90. The electrical connector 94 is preferably disposed closer to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 than the rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90. The electrical connector 94 is provided on the base portion 82. The battery unit 40 is provided with an electrical connector 44 that can be attached to and detached from the electrical connector 94. The electrical connector 44 is provided at the first end portion 40A of the battery unit 40. The electrical connector 44 is provided on the end surface of the first end portion 40A of the battery unit 40 in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 19, for example, the electrical connector 94 may include an electrical connector 94A, and the electrical connector 44 may include an electrical connector 44A. The drive unit 80 is provided on the base portion 82 and includes a battery holder 72 capable of holding the battery unit 40, and an electrical cable 96 extending from the base portion 82 and electrically connected to the electrical connector 94A. The electrical connector 94A is provided at a portion of the base portion 82 that can be coupled to the electrical connector 44A provided on the battery unit 40 when the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72. The electrical cable 96 is electrically connected to a circuit board provided on the base portion 82. An electrical connector 94A is connected to one end of the electrical cable 96. The other end of the electrical cable 96 may be provided, for example, inside the housing 46. An electrical connector detachably connected to an electrical connector provided on the outer peripheral portion of the housing 46 may be connected to the other end of the electrical cable 96. The electrical cable 96 allows the electrical connector 94A to move relative to the base portion 82. For this reason, the electrical connector 94A can be connected to the electrical connector 44A at a plurality of positions in the guide direction G of the electrical connector 94A.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 20, for example, the electrical connector 94 may include the electrical connector 94B, and the electrical connector 44 may include the electrical connector 44B. The electrical connector 94B is configured to be electrically connected to the battery unit 40 when the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72. The electrical connector 94B is provided at a portion of the base portion 82 that can be coupled to the electrical connector 44B provided on the battery unit 40 when the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72. In the base portion 82, the electrical connector 44B is preferably provided at a portion of the base portion 82 that can face the electrical connector 94B in the guide direction G when the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72. At least one of the electrical connector 94B and the electrical connector 44B is preferably configured to be movable in the guide direction G. By moving at least one of the electrical connector 94B and the electrical connector 44B in the guide direction G, the electrical connector 94B can be connected to the electrical connector 44B at a plurality of positions in the guide direction G. At least one of the electrical connector 94B and the electrical connector 44B is attached to the object to be attached via an elastic member. In FIG. 20, for example, the electrical connector 94B is attached to the base portion 82 via the elastic member 95. For example, the electrical connector 44B may be attached to the base portion 82 via the elastic member 45. The elastic members 95 and 45 include an elastomer or a coil spring. When the elastic members 95 and 45 are compressed, the relative position of the electrical connector 94B or the electrical connector 44B with respect to the object to be attached can be displaced, so that the electrical connector 94B and the electrical connector 44B are preferably electrically connected.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, for example, the electrical connector 94 may include the electrical connector 94C, and the electrical connector 44 may include the electrical connector 44C. The electrical connector 94C is configured to be electrically connected to the battery unit 40 when at least a part of the battery unit 40 is disposed in the accommodation space 72S. The electrical connector 94C is preferably configured to be electrically connected to the battery unit 40 in a state where the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72. Preferably, one connection terminal of the electrical connector 94C and the electrical connector 44C includes a recess, and the other connection terminal of the electrical connector 94C and the electrical connector 44C includes a protrusion. The recess preferably includes two or more recesses. The protrusion includes, for example, a pogo pin. The electrical connector 44C is provided on a side surface portion of the battery unit 40. The electrical connector 94C is provided, for example, on the battery holder 72 or the base portion. One connection terminal of the electrical connector 94C and the electrical connector 44C is provided at a position where it contacts the other connection terminal of the electrical connector 94C and the electrical connector 44C in a state where the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72. Thereby, when the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72, the electrical connectors 94C and 44C are automatically connected.

[0082] (Second Embodiment) With reference to FIGS. 19 to 25, the drive unit 80 for a human-powered vehicle and the battery holding device 70 for a human-powered vehicle according to the second embodiment will be described. The drive unit 80 for a human-powered vehicle and the battery holding device 70 for a human-powered vehicle according to the second embodiment are the same as the drive unit 80 for a human-powered vehicle and the battery holding device 70 for a human-powered vehicle according to the first embodiment, except that the shapes of the battery holder 102 and the second restricting portion 62 are different. Therefore, for the configurations common to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0083] The drive system 60 includes a battery holding device 100. The battery holding device 100 includes a battery holder 102 configured to be attachable to a drive unit 80 for a power-driven vehicle provided with a crankshaft 88 at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction. The battery holder 102 is provided on a base portion 82 and is configured to hold the battery unit 40.

[0084] The battery holder 102 is configured to hold the first end portion 40A of the battery unit 40. The battery holder 102 includes a restricting portion 104 that restricts movement of the battery unit 40 in a predetermined linear direction. The restricting portion 104 restricts movement of the battery unit 40 in the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. The restricting portion 104 is configured to restrict movement of the battery unit 40 at least in a second direction F2 in the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. In a state where the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 102, the restricting portion 104 faces the battery unit 40 in a direction intersecting with a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The restricting portion 104 includes a surface that contacts the first end portion 40A of the battery holder 102. The restricting portion 104 restricts movement of the battery unit 40 in the second direction F2 by supporting an end surface of the first end portion 40A of the battery unit 40 in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40.

[0085] The battery holding device 100 preferably further includes a second restricting portion 106. The second restricting portion 106 is configured to hold the second end portion 40B. The second restricting portion 106 restricts the movement of the battery unit 40 in a predetermined linear direction. The second restricting portion 106 restricts the movement of the battery unit 40 in the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. The second restricting portion 106 is configured to restrict at least the movement of the battery unit 40 in the first direction F1 in the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. The second restricting portion 106 restricts the movement of the battery unit 40 in the first direction F1 by supporting the end face on the second end portion 40B side of the battery unit 40 in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40. The second restricting portion 106 is attached to the frame 16 by, for example, bolts or welding.

[0086] The frame 16 preferably includes an opening 16Q through which the battery unit 40 can be inserted into the battery accommodation space 16S from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16. A cover 16R covering the opening 16Q is attached to the frame 16. The cover 16R is attached to the frame 16 by, for example, bolts. The cover 16R may be attached to the battery unit instead of the frame 16. As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 23, with the battery holder 102 in contact with the end face on the first end portion 40A side, the battery unit 40 is arranged in the battery accommodation space 16S by moving the second end portion 40B toward the battery accommodation space 16S. The user can remove the battery unit 40 from the frame 16 by moving the second end portion 40B outside the battery accommodation space 16S with the end face on the first end portion 40A side as the rotation center while the battery unit 40 is held between the battery holder 102 and the second restricting portion 106. In FIG. 23, the opening 16Q is formed in the lower portion of the frame 16, but the opening 16Q may be formed in the side surface portion of the frame.

[0087] The battery holder 102 preferably includes an electrical connector 94D. The electrical connector 94D is configured to be electrically connectable to an electrical connector 44D provided on an end face on the first end portion 40A side of the battery unit 40. Preferably, one of the electrical connector 94D and the electrical connector 44D includes a convex portion, and the other of the electrical connector 94D and the electrical connector 44D includes a concave portion.

[0088] The drive unit 80 includes a base portion 82 and a holder attachment portion 108. The holder attachment portion 108 is configured to be able to attach the battery holder 102 at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction. The drive unit 80 preferably further includes the battery holder 102. The predetermined linear direction preferably includes a direction intersecting the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends. The predetermined linear direction is preferably orthogonal to the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends. In a state of being attached to the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10, the predetermined linear direction preferably extends along the longitudinal direction F of the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The predetermined linear direction preferably extends along the direction in which the downtube 16A extends.

[0089] The holder attachment portion 108 and the frame attachment portion 84 are preferably arranged at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends. The holder attachment portion 108 is provided on a flat portion 82A. The flat portion has a surface parallel to the downtube 16A. The holder attachment portion 108 is preferably provided near the opening 16P of the frame 16. At least a part of the frame attachment portion 84 is preferably provided above the human-powered vehicle 10, i.e., Y1, more than the holder attachment portion 108. The battery holder 102 and the frame attachment portion 84 are configured to be attached to the drive unit 80 at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends. The battery holder 102 and the frame attachment portion 84 are configured to be attached to the base portion 82 of the drive unit 80 at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends.

[0090] The holder attachment portion 108 preferably includes at least one of a male screw portion, a female screw portion, and a long hole extending in a predetermined linear direction. At least a part of the holder attachment portion 108 is preferably formed integrally with the base portion 82. The holder attachment portion 108 is configured to be immovable in a predetermined linear direction. The member of the holder attachment portion 108 formed integrally with the base portion 82 is configured to be immovable in a predetermined linear direction.

[0091] A battery holder 102A, which is an example of the battery holder 102 in FIG. 25, includes a long hole 110 extending in a predetermined linear direction and a male screw portion 114 inserted into the long hole 110 and coupled to the female screw portion 112 of the drive unit 80. The holder attachment portion 108 includes the long hole 110 and the male screw portion 114 inserted into the long hole 110. The long hole 110, the female screw portion 112, and the male screw portion 114 constitute the holder attachment portion 108. The female screw portion 112 is formed integrally with the base portion 82. The holder attachment portion 108 is configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction by changing the portion of the long hole 110 into which the male screw portion 114 is inserted.

[0092] A battery holder 102B, which is an example of the battery holder 102 in FIG. 26, includes a male screw portion 118 coupled to a plurality of female screw portions 116 arranged in a predetermined linear direction of the drive unit 80. The female screw portion 116 and the male screw portion 118 constitute the holder attachment portion 108. The female screw portion 116 is formed integrally with the base portion 82. The holder attachment portion 108 is configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction by changing the female screw portion 116 into which the male screw portion 118 is inserted.

[0093] An example of the battery holder 102C of FIG. 27 includes a female screw portion 122 that is coupled to the male screw portion 120 of the drive unit 80. The base portion 82 of the drive unit 80 includes a plurality of holes 124 arranged in a predetermined linear direction. The male screw portion 120, the female screw portion 122, and the holes 124 constitute the holder attachment portion 108. The plurality of holes 124 are integrally formed in the base portion 82. The holder attachment portion 108 is configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction by changing the hole 124 into which the male screw portion 120 is inserted for the battery holder 102C.

[0094] An example of the battery holder 102D of FIGS. 28 and 29 includes a male screw portion 128 that is inserted into a long hole 126 extending in a predetermined linear direction of the drive unit 80. The male screw portion 128 is inserted into the long hole 126, and a nut 130 is attached. The holder attachment portion 108 includes the long hole 126 and the male screw portion 128 inserted into the long hole 126. The long hole 126, the male screw portion 128, and the nut 130 constitute the holder attachment portion 108. The long hole 126 is integrally formed in the base portion 82. The holder attachment portion 108 is configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction by changing the portion of the long hole 126 into which the male screw portion 128 is inserted for the battery holder 102D.

[0095] (Modification example) The description of the embodiment is an exemplification of forms that the drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and the battery holding device for a human-powered vehicle according to the present invention can take, and is not intended to limit the forms. The drive unit for a human-powered vehicle and the battery holding device for a human-powered vehicle according to the present invention can take, for example, modification examples of the following embodiments and forms in which at least two non-contradictory modification examples are combined. In the following modification examples, parts common to the forms of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0096] ·The first restricting part 74A may be changed to the first restricting part 132 in FIG. 30. The first restricting part 132 is configured to be able to switch between a first state that restricts the movement of the battery unit 40 in the second guide direction G2 and a second state that allows the movement of the battery unit 40 in the second guide direction G2. The first restricting part 132 preferably includes an elastic member 134. The drive unit 80 preferably further includes an operation part 136 that can be operated by the user in order to switch between the first state and the second state of the first restricting part 74A. The operation part 136 may be provided integrally with the first restricting part 132. The first restricting part 132 includes a second engaging part 132A that engages with a first engaging part 48B provided on the battery unit 40. One of the first engaging part 48B and the second engaging part 132A includes a convex part. The other of the first engaging part 48B and the second engaging part 132A includes a concave part. In a state where the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72, the first restricting part 132 faces the battery unit 40 in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. For example, at least the second engaging part 132A of the first restricting part 132 is disposed on the inner surface that forms the accommodation space 72S of the battery holder 72. The elastic member 134 includes, for example, a coil spring. The elastic member 134 biases the second engaging part 132A toward the battery unit 40 disposed in the accommodation space 72S of the battery holder 72. The user can retract the second engaging part 132A from the battery unit 40 by operating the operation part 136 provided at the end of the first restricting part 132.

[0097] ·The first regulating part 74A may be changed to the first regulating part 138 in FIG. 31. In a state where the battery unit 40 is held by the battery holder 72, the first regulating part 138 faces the battery unit 40 in a direction intersecting with a direction parallel to the rotation central axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. The first regulating part 138 includes, for example, a plate-like member 138A that covers the opening in the lower Y2 of the accommodation space 72S. The first regulating part 138 preferably includes an elastic member 138B and is biased by the elastic member 138B in a direction to cover the opening in the lower Y2 of the accommodation space 72S. The elastic member 138B includes, for example, a torsion spring. The first regulating part 138 may have a locking mechanism that locks the plate-like member 138A in a state where the plate-like member 138A closes the opening in the lower Y2 of the accommodation space 72S.

[0098] ·The predetermined linear direction may include a direction parallel to the extending direction of the crankshaft 88. For example, the holder attachment part 108 shown in FIG. 32 includes a long hole 140 extending in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the crankshaft 88 provided in the battery holder 102E, a male screw part 142 inserted into the long hole 140, and a female screw part of the base part 82. The holder attachment part 108 is configured to be able to attach the battery holder 102E at a plurality of positions in the predetermined linear direction by changing a portion of the long hole 140 into which the male screw part 142 is inserted.

[0099] · In the first embodiment, the drive unit 80 may omit the guide portion 86, the angle DX may be greater than 60 degrees, the electrical connector 94 may be disposed farther from the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 than the rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90, and the battery holder 72 may be disposed behind the human-powered vehicle 10 in the X2 direction with respect to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. For example, the drive unit 80 includes a base portion 82 provided with the crankshaft 88, a frame attachment portion 84 provided on the base portion 82 and attachable to the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10, and a battery holder 72 provided on the base portion 82 and having an accommodation space 72S in which at least a part of the battery unit 40 extending in the longitudinal direction B is disposed. The accommodation space 72S penetrates the battery holder 72 in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40 in a state where at least a part of the battery unit 40 is disposed in the accommodation space 72S.

[0100] · In the first embodiment, the drive unit 80 may omit the guide portion 86, may not have the accommodation space 72S penetrating in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40, the electrical connector 94 may be disposed farther from the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 than the rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90, and the battery holder 72 may be disposed behind the human-powered vehicle 10 in the X2 direction with respect to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. For example, the drive unit 80 includes a base portion 82 provided with the crankshaft 88, a frame attachment portion 84 provided on the base portion 82 and attachable to the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10, a battery holder 72 provided on the base portion 82 and having an accommodation space 72S in which at least a part of the battery unit 40 extending in the longitudinal direction B is disposed, and a motor 90 provided on the base portion 82 for applying a driving force to the human-powered vehicle 10. The rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90 is parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88, and the angle DX formed by the second plane P2 including the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and parallel to the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40 with respect to the first plane P1 including the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 and the rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90 is 0 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

[0101] · In the first embodiment, the drive unit 80 may omit the guide portion 86, may not have the accommodation space 72S penetrating in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40, the angle DX may be greater than 60 degrees, and the battery holder 72 may be disposed behind X2 of the human - powered vehicle 10 with respect to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88. For example, the drive unit 80 includes a base portion 82 provided with the crankshaft 88, a frame attachment portion 84 provided on the base portion 82 and attachable to the frame 16 of the human - powered vehicle 10, a battery holder 72 provided on the base portion 82 and capable of holding the battery unit 40, a motor 90 provided on the base portion 82 and applying a driving force to the human - powered vehicle 10, and an electrical connector 94 for electrically connecting the battery unit 40 and the motor 90. The electrical connector 94 is disposed closer to the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 than the rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90.

[0102] · In the first embodiment, the drive unit 80 may omit the guide portion 86, may not have the accommodation space 72S penetrating in the longitudinal direction B of the battery unit 40, the angle DX may be greater than 60 degrees, and the electrical connector 94 may be disposed farther from the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 than the rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90. For example, the drive unit 80 includes a base portion 82 provided with the crankshaft 88, a frame attachment portion 84 provided on the base portion 82 and attachable to the frame 16 of the human - powered vehicle 10, a battery holder 72 provided on the base portion 82 and capable of holding the battery unit 40, and a motor 90 provided on the base portion 82 and applying a driving force to the human - powered vehicle 10. When the frame attachment portion 84 is attached to the frame 16 of the human - powered vehicle 10 and all the wheels 14 of the human - powered vehicle 10 are in contact with the horizontal ground, the rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90 is disposed vertically above the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88, or above Y1 and in front X1 of the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 with respect to the human - powered vehicle 10, and the battery holder 72 is disposed in front X1 of the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88 with respect to the human - powered vehicle 10.

[0103] ·The drive unit 80 does not necessarily need to be configured to be attachable to the battery holders 72 and 102 at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction. For example, the drive unit 80 includes a base portion 82 provided with a crankshaft 88, holder attachment portions 98 and 108 provided on the base portion 82 and configured to be detachable and hold the battery unit 40, and a frame attachment portion 84 provided on the base portion 82 and attachable to the frame 16 of the human-powered vehicle 10. The holder attachment portions 98 and 108 and the frame attachment portion 84 are arranged at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends.

[0104] ·The drive unit 80 may not include the battery holders 72 and 102. The drive unit is configured in the same manner as the drive unit 80 except that it does not include the battery holders 72 and 102. The battery holder is configured in the same manner as the battery holders 72 and 102 except that it is not included in the drive unit 80. In this case, in one example, the battery holding devices 70 and 100 preferably include a battery holder configured to be attachable to the drive unit at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction. In another example, the battery holding devices 70 and 100 preferably include a battery holder configured to be detachable from the drive unit, and the battery holder and the frame attachment portion 84 are configured to be attached to the drive unit at different positions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft 88 extends.

[0105] ·The drive unit 80 may include a transmission that changes the gear ratio of the human-powered vehicle 10 instead of or in addition to the motor 90. The gear ratio of the human-powered vehicle 10 is the ratio of the rotational speed of the drive wheel 14A to the rotational speed of the crankshaft 88.

[0106] ·The battery unit 40 may be attached to the seat tube 16D or the chain stay 16F. ·The extending direction of the rotation center axis C2 of the motor 90 may intersect the extending direction of the rotation center axis C1 of the crankshaft 88.

[0107] · In the first embodiment, the guide portion 86 is formed separately from the base portion 82 and may be attached to the base portion 82 by a fastening member such as a bolt, adhesion, or welding, or may be integrally formed with the base portion 82. In the first embodiment, the guide portion 86 is formed separately from the battery holder 72 and may be attached to the battery holder 72 by a fastening member such as a bolt, adhesion, or welding, or may be integrally formed with the battery holder 72.

Explanation of Signs

[0108] 10… Manually powered vehicle, 16… Frame, 16A… Down tube, 40… Battery unit, 53A… Recess, 58… Male screw portion, 62C… Recess, 70, 100… Battery holding device, 72, 72E, 72F, 72G, 72H, 72J, 72K, 72L, 72M, 72N, 102, 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 102E… Battery holder, 74, 104… Regulation portion, 80… Drive unit, 82… Base portion, 82A… Flat portion, 82B… Recess, 84… Frame attachment portion, 88… Crankshaft, 90… Motor, 98, 108… Holder attachment portion.

Claims

Claim 1 A drive unit for a human-powered vehicle, comprising: a base portion provided with a crankshaft; a holder attachment portion provided on the base portion and configured to be detachable, which can hold a battery unit; a frame attachment portion provided on the base portion and attachable to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, wherein the holder attachment portion is arranged at a position different from all of the frame attachment portions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft extends, the drive unit. Claim 2 The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the holder attachment portion includes at least one of a male screw portion, a female screw portion, and an elongated hole. Claim 3 The drive unit according to claim 2, wherein the holder attachment portion includes the elongated hole and the male screw portion inserted into the elongated hole. Claim 4 The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holder attachment portion is configured to be attachable at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction. Claim 5 The drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the holder attachment portion includes one of a plurality of holes and a plurality of female screws. Claim 6 The base portion includes a flat portion parallel to the predetermined linear direction, The drive unit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the holder attachment portion is provided on the flat portion. Claim 7 The drive unit according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein when viewed from the axial direction of the crankshaft, a straight line parallel to the predetermined linear direction intersects the rotation center axis of the crankshaft. Claim 8 The drive unit according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined linear direction is orthogonal to the direction in which the crankshaft extends. Claim 9 The drive unit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein in a state of being attached to the frame of the human-powered vehicle, the predetermined linear direction is along the longitudinal direction of the frame of the human-powered vehicle. Claim 10 The drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined linear direction includes a direction parallel to the direction in which the crankshaft extends. Claim 11 The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least a part of the holder attachment portion is integrally formed with the base portion. Claim 12 The base portion includes a recess, The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least a part of the holder attachment portion is provided in the recess. Claim 13 The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further including the battery holder.

14. further including the battery holder, The drive unit according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the battery holder further includes a restricting portion that restricts movement of the battery unit in the predetermined linear direction.

15. The battery unit has a first end portion and a second end portion in the longitudinal direction, The drive unit according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the battery holder is configured to hold the first end portion.

16. The drive unit according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the battery holder is configured to hold a side surface portion of the battery unit that intersects the longitudinal direction of the battery unit.

17. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further including a motor provided on the base portion and applying a propulsive force to the human-powered vehicle.

18. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the holder attachment portion is disposed in a space formed inside the frame.

19. The drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a portion of the holder attachment portion to which the battery holder is attached includes a surface facing a direction different from above the human-powered vehicle.

20. A battery holding device configured to hold a battery unit for a human-powered vehicle, including a frame attachment portion attachable to a frame of the human-powered vehicle and a battery holder configured to be detachable from a drive unit for a human-powered vehicle provided with a crankshaft, The drive unit is provided with the frame attachment portion, The battery holding device, wherein the battery holder is configured to be attached to the drive unit at a position different from all the frame attachment portions when viewed from the direction in which the crankshaft extends.

21. The battery holding device according to claim 20, wherein the battery holder is configured to be attachable to the drive unit provided with the crankshaft at a plurality of positions in a predetermined linear direction.

22. The battery holding device according to claim 21, wherein the battery holder includes a restricting portion that restricts movement of the battery unit in the predetermined linear direction.

23. The battery holder according to claim 21 or 22, comprising: an elongated hole extending in the predetermined linear direction; and a male screw portion inserted into the elongated hole and coupled to the female screw portion of the drive unit.

24. The battery unit has a first end portion and a second end portion in the longitudinal direction, The battery holder according to any one of claims 20 to 23, configured to hold the first end portion.

25. The battery holder according to any one of claims 20 to 23, configured to hold a side surface portion of the battery unit that intersects the longitudinal direction of the battery unit.

26. The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 17, disposed in a space formed inside the frame.

27. A portion of the battery holder to which the battery unit is attached includes a surface facing a direction different from above the human-powered vehicle. The battery holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

Citation Information

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