Title of Invention

"A BATTERY RENTAL SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED BICYCLE AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME"

Abstract

A battery rental system for an electrically assisted bicycle, for carrying out an exchange of a battery mounted on the electrically assisted bicycle with a fully charged battery, using an ID card comprising: an unmanned automatic battery rental station (1); and a central processing unit (3) for carrying out central processing of the unmanned automatic battery rental station (1) via a communication line (2).

Full Text

The present invention relates to a battery rental system for an electrically assisted bicycleand a method of operating the same The present invention relates to a battery rental system that makes it possible to centralize battery specific processing and user specific rental levy processing by putting information about a battery mounted on an electrically assisted vehicle and information about usage frequency, etc. of a user on a data base, and which can be used any where and at any time by networking the system. | Related Art] Conventionally, bicycles have been a cheap and convenient means of transportation, but achieve movement using only the energy of human pedal power. Also, bicycles are used in the modern health movement, but a system of assisting the rider using an electric motor for situations where more pedal power is required, such as when actual pedalpower is low due to the old age of the rider or a hilly road, has come into demand, and electrically assisted bicycles are now .widely used that have a nickel cadmium battery that can be repeatedly charged as the power supply for such an electric motor. | Problems to be solved by the invention] Conventionally, in situations where electrically assisted bicycles are used, the user purchases a battery charger themselves, and the fact that the battery for driving the electric motor must be charged by taking it back to the user's own home is troublesome. Also, there are such inconveniences as battery disconnection occurring while using the electrically assisted bicycle, and the distance that can be travelled with one charging of the battery is fixed so the operating range of the electrically assisted bicycle is restricted. There has thus been a demand for the installation of battery rental stations so that users can easily loan a battery for every area. The present invention has been conceived to solve these problems, and the object of the invention is to provide an extremely convenient battery rental system which makes it possible to use a fully charged battery at any time in any place, without the need for an individual charger, and which can enable the use of a fully charged battery without cash disbursement at the time of use and without the need to determining the charged state of a battery. [Means of Solving the Problems] A battery rental system of claim 1 for solving the problems comprises an unmanned automatic battery rental station and a central processing unit for carrying out central processing of the unmanned automatic battery rental station via a communication line. ; Because the battery rental system of claim 1 comprises an unmanned automatic battery rental station and a central processing unit for carrying out central processing of the unmanned automatic battery rental station via a > •Mnmunication lino, a provider can carry out battery specific processing and user specific processing centrally, and a user can obtain a fully charged battery at any place, without the need for a charger or a spare battery. Further, the battery rental system of claim 2 comprises control means , made up of user information means, battery specific information recognizing means and information recognizing means, and communication means, and changes a user's used battery for a fully charged battery. Since the battery rental system of claim 2 comprises control means , made up of user information means, battery specific information recognizing means and information recognizing means, and communication means, and changes a user's used battery for a fully charged battery, a user can obtain a fully charged battery as required at any time. Further, an ID card of claim 3 stores ID numbers of a user and a registered i electrically assisted bicycle ID. the time and date of battery rental and a log of electricity rental, and is used in the battery rental system of claim 2. Because the ID card of claim 3 stores ID numbers of a user and a registered electrically assisted bicycle ID, the time and date of battery rental and a log of electricity rental, with the ID card a user can obtain a fully charged battery at any time as required without the need for cash disbursement. Bidirectional transmission of information between me unmanned automatic battery rental device and the central processor unit of claim 4 is carried out via the " communication line-Since bidirectional transmission of information between the unmanned ^ automatic battery rental device and the central processor unit of claim 4 is carried out via the communication line, a provider can carry out battery specific processing and user specific processing centrally. Therefore, the present invention relates to a battery rental system for carrying out an exchange of a battery mounted on an electrically assisted t x bicycle with a fully charged battery, using an ID card comprising: %*** jt4^ an unmanned automatic battery rental station being provided with user information recognizing means for recognizing the user, battery characteristic information recognizing means for determining the status of the battery and communication means for transmitting and receiving information from a central processing unit, said user information recognizing means said battery characteristic information recognizing means and said communication means permits a user to change a user's used battery for a fully charged battery. The present invention also relates to a method of operating a battery rental system for an electrically assisted bicycle, for carrying out an exchange of a battery mounted on the electrically assisted bicycle with a fully charged battery as described hereinabove, comprising the following steps: using an ID card to identify a user; providing an unmanned automatic battery rental station for receiving said ID card and for housing a plurality of batteries; and providing a central processing unit for carrying out central processing of the unmanned automatic battery rental station via a communication line to permit a user to remove a battery from said unmanned battery rental station. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a battery rental system of this invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an unmanned automatic battery rental station of this invention. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of essential parts of an unmanned automatic battery rental station of this invention. Fig. 4 is a state diagram for storing an electrically assisted bicycle battery of this invention in a storage section. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of an unmanned automatic battery rental station. I Embodiment of the Invention) An embodiment of the present invention will now be described below based on reference drawings. The battery rental system for an electrically assisted bicycle of this invention provides a high utility battery rental system in which a used battery mounted on the electrically assisted bicycle can be exchanged for a fully charged battery, at any time and any place, and which is convenient for a user to use. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the battery rental system of this invention. The battery rental system is constructed as a network of unmanned automatic battery rental stations 1 and a central processing station for carrying out central processing of the automatic battery rental stations 1 via communication lines 2. The battery rental has been planned so as to be convenient for a user by distributing a number of unmanned automatic battery rental stations 1 over a wide area based on such factors as the number of electrically assisted bicycles owned, area conditions, and the distances travelled on the electrically assisted bicycles, etc., and when a user utilizes this system, a battery rental system use contract is inade, for example, between a battery rental system company directly or through an agency. The user is issued with one user registration card (ID card) for an individual, family or company, etc., which applies to one electrically assisted bicycle, from the battery rental system company, and with this one card, individual, family or company users can take advantage of the battery rental service by using the unmanned automatic battery rental stations 1. When a user utilizes the unmanned automatic battery rental stations 1, the ID card is inserted into an ID card slot of the unmanned automatic battery rental station I and the recognition of user information is carried out in the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1. If the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 carries out information recognition for the user from the data stored in the ID card, the procedure for use and a location of a storage section for a used electrically assisted bicycle battery that is to be replaced are conveyed to the user. Next, if the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 confirms the necessity of replacement of a used electrically assisted bicycle battery, the location of a fully charged electrically assisted bicycle battery is notified to the user. Following this, the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 then writes specific information recognition information that is appended to the electrically assisted bicycle battery that has been fully charged as part of the rental service, and the used electrically assisted bicycle battery that has been returned, and the electricity use charge is stored in the ID card, and after the user has been notified i of the charge the ID card is returned to the user. The unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 also carries out bidirectional transmission of data, such as the time and date of the electrically assisted bicycle battery that has been returned, electrical use charge and serial number, a log and specific infonnation for the number of times a battery has been charged, and time and date of the new rental etc., to the central processing station 3 via a communication line 2 such as a telephone line or a dedicated line, using a communication device such as a modem. The central processing station 3 is connected to a plurality of unmanned automatic battery rental stations 1 of each area by the communication lines 2 and carries out central processing using a computer. The user rental information from v the unmanned automatic battery rental stations 1 and the information recognition information specific to an electrically assisted bicycle battery are processed, and tor the electrically assisted bicycle battery, data is transmitted to a battery maintenance section, rental for every fixed period is notified to a user and the rental levy is sent to a bank etc. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an unmanned automatic battery rental station of this invention. The unmanned automatic battery rental station is comprised of an electrically assisted bicycle battery, card slot, an ID card, a storage section, a storage section indicating lamp, an alarm, a display and an audible indicator. The unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 has a card slot 14, and if a user inserts an ID card 14a into the card slot 14 a check of the card body is carried out and it is checked whether or not a registered ID card number and the ID card 14a match. The registered ID number and the ID card 14a match, the user and the registered ID number of the electrically assisted bicycle are recognized, and checks are carried out on the user rental and a log of the electrical usage charge, levy, etc. As long as there are no abnormalities with the ID card 14a, the procedure for use is conveyed to the user by the display 17 and the audible indicator 17a. In the event that there are abnormalities with the ID card 14, the reason why the card can not be used is conveyed by the display 17 and audible indicator 17a, the electrically assisted bicycle battery rental service can not be used, and the ID card is returned from the ID card slot 14a. The unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 notifies a place for returning used electrically assisted bicycle batteries from within a storage section 15 for electrically assisted bicycle' batteries located on the front of the unmanned >. automatic battery rental station 1 using the display 17 and audible indicator 17a, and also flashes an indicator lamp 15a at an upper part of the storage section 15. The unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 inserts a lock pin attached to the electrically assisted bicycle battery into the storage section 15 for used electrically assisted bicycle batteries that are to be returned, up to a locked position, and confirms that the iock pin has been locked. The unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 notifies the storage location of a fully charged electrically assisted bicycle battery for rental 7 that can be rented from among banks of electrically assisted bicycle batteries for rental 7, using the display 17 and audible indicator 17a, and also releases a lock pin attached to the electrically assisted bicycle battery to be rented out and the user simply pulls out the electrically assisted bicycle battery for rental 7. Further, the serial number and electrical usage charge of the used electrically assisted bicycle battery for rental 7 that has been returned, and the time and date of the newly rented battery are notified to the user by the display 17 and the audible indicator 17a, the electricity bill is stored in the ID card 14a, and the user's ID card 14a is ejected from the ID card slot 14 and returned to the user. The time and date of the used electrically assisted bicycle battery for rental 7 that has been returned, the electricity bill, the number of times it has been rented and the time and date of the newly rented battery, provide specific electrical data information for charging, and this data is transmitted to the central processing station 3 via the communication line 2. ?? Information of the electrical processing method corresponding to the data information is received from the central processing station 3,and electrical processing is carried out in accordance with information instructions of the received information, and data information resulting from the processing is re-sent i to the central processing station 3 via the communication line 2. An alarm 16 is also provided, and an alarm sound is generated in the event of some problem or other. When there is an emergency, the place where the central processing station is based or the service center having the rental agreement can be contacted by operating the intercom call switch 21. A person detecting sensor 20 is also provided to give a greeting etc., andoperates when a person comes to the rental station. The light 22 is also provided. « Fig. 3 is a block schematic diagram of essential parts of the unmanned automatic battery rental station according to this invention. The unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 comprises control means 18, provided with information recognition means 4, information transmission means 5, and specific information recognition means 6, and communication means 19. The information recognition means 4 is formed to perform read/write operations, etc. and comprises circuits for saturation characteristics, overwrite, resolution, and playback output etc., an ID card drive mechanism and a magnetic head. The ID card 14a is made of a plastic sheet etc. having the shape of a playing card or the like, and a magnetic body, such as ferrite, is coated in a cylindrical or stripe shape on one surface of the card to give the card a memory function. The information recognition means 4 checks the body of the ID card 141*^ using a card reader, and checks whether the registered ID number and the ID card '4a march or not. If the registered ID number and the ID card 14a match, then using a card i reader, the information recognition means 4 reads out read signals Sr, such as a code number of the user, time and date of the most recent rental, and renewal date that have been written into the ID card 14a by a card writer, and if there are no abnormalities with the ID card 14a recognition signals Sd are provided to the information transmission means 5. Further, the date ot the most recent rental is written into the ID card 14a by a card writer, using a write signal Sw, and this information and data is provided to information transmission means 5, as recognition signals Sd The information transmission means 5 is comprised of a display device 17 such as an LCD, CRT, LED, EL etc., an audible indicator 17a such as a speaker, and a storage position indicating lamp ISa such as an LED or a lamp above the storage section 15. A display signal Ds from the information transmission means 5 is supplied to the display 17, and an audio signal Ss is provided to the audible indictor 17a. A flashing signal Fs is provided to the storage position indicating lamp 15a etc. The specific information recognition means 6 comprises a bar code reader, having a laser or infrared light transmitter, a scanner for scanning light, a photo transistor for detecting light signals and a waveform shaping circuit, etc., and a terminal connector. A battery identification barcode is read using the barcode reader and measurement of the electrical characteristics of the electrically assisted biocle baitcn 7 arc measured and charging carried out from the terminal connector. The specific information recognition means 6 measures a residual amount of electricity, etc. Irom the terminal connector corresponding to terminals 9, 10 and i 1 of the electrically assisted bicy'cie battery 7 (refer to Fig. 4), to acquire battery • ia* -jsa signals Ib, and according to the battery signals Ib, required processing for charging generates charge signals Cb from the terminal connectors corresponding to the terminals 9 and 11 of the electrically assisted bicycle battery 7.; The specific information recognition means 6 is provided! with battery specific data intbrmation,such as battery temperature, and data information such as the temperature of the open air, as battery signals ib. The specific information recognition means 6 also supplies the information that has been read out by the bar code reader to the information transmission means 5 as information signals Is. The communication means 19 comprises a modulation circuit, a clock circuit, a transmission circuit and a photo coupler, etc. For example, a bidirectional transmitter such as a modem modulates information signals Mt made up of read signals Sr from the information recognition means 4 and battery signals Ib from the specific information recognition means 6, and supplies transmission signals Cs as pulse signals, for example, to the central processing station 3 via the transmission line 2.Receive signals Bs, which are pulse signals, for example, arc supplied from the central processing station 3 via the transmission line 2 and demodulated to give process signals Mr which are in turn supplied from the specific information recognition means 6 as charge signals CB and from the information recognition means 4 as write signals Sw. The central processing station 3 receives data at the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 as transmission signals CS from the communication means 19 via the transmission line 2. and supplies necessary data for the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 to the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1 as receive data Bs, also via the transmission line 2. i The central processing station 3 also carries out central processing using a computer, and carries out procedures for the user, the rental battery, the unmanned automatic battery rental station, and commands and measurements for battery charging, battery lifespan, levy of electrical usage charge etc. User database processing is also carried out for the user's ID number, address, age, telephone number, gender, number of times ieased, electrical usage charge etc. Battery database processing includes battery sales, number of times used, number of times charged, time and date of charge, and charge amount, and life span of the battery and whether .exchange is necessary. As well as user database and battery database processing, there is data processing such as user facts and future industrial expansion obtained from rotation rate and actual work of each unmanned automatic battery rental station, the range and pattern of user movements, etc. Fig. 4 is a diagram of storing an electrically assisted bicycle battery of this invention in the storage section. The electrically assisted bicycle battery 7 is provided with a positive power supply terminal 9, an electrical measurement terminal 10 and a negative power supply terminal 11. The battery also has long pins 12 for mechanical locking, and a handle 14 grasped when the battery is removed from the battery storage section 15 of the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1. The bar code 8 is a code specific to the electrically assisted bicycle battery 7 and is stored to enable recognition of manufacturing number, and manufacturing date. A code specific to the electrically assisted bicycle battery 7 is read by a scanner of the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1. The residual amount of the battery is measured from the positive power supply terminal 9 and the negative power supply terminal 11, and charging is carried out. A voltage to be applied to the positive power supply terminal 9, negative power supply terminal i i and the measurement terminal 10, at ihe time of charging, a current that will flow at the time of charging, a discharge current and a charge current, average current for one minute, energy capacity at full charge, time that will be taken for the residual amount of the battery to become zero at the current discharge current, time that will be taken for the residual amount of the battery to become zero at the average discharge current, time that will be taken for the battery to become fully charged at the average charging current, energy capacity at the time of rental, voltage at the time of rental etc. are measured. The electrically assisted bicycle battery 7 is provided with lock pins 12, and if the battery is inserted into the returned storage section 15 of the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1, the long pins 12 are mechanically brought out and locked. In response to a release signal of the unmanned automatic battery rental station 1, the long pins 12 of a fully charged electrically assisted bicycle battery 7 are pushed back as far as the return fixtures inside the storage section 15, and a fully charged electrically assisted bicycle battery 7 can be simply pulled out of the storage section 15 using the handle 13. Fig. 4 (a) is a view of inserting a returned used electrically assisted bicycle battery 7 into a place above the storage section 15 where the LED 15a is flashing. Fi'j. 4 (b) is a view where lock pins in the middle of being inserted do not protrude as shown in (d). Fig. 4 (c) is a view where the returned electrically assisted bicycle battery 7 * is completely pushed in and the lock pins 12 are protruding to lock the battery in place. In this way, it the battery rental system recognizes a user using the card reader and ID card of the information recognizing means of the unmanned automatic battery rental station, usage procedure and the battery storage section are notified to the user by the audio and the display of the information transmission means, and flashing the LED above the returned battery storage section. If the returned used electrically assisted bicycle battery is inserted and the battery rental system confirms that it has been locked by the long pins, a bar code of the returned battery is read using a scanner and a specific code is recognized by the specific information recognizing means, the residual amount of electricity is measured from the battery terminals and terminal connector, and the user is notified if the residual amount of electricity and the electricity usage bill through audio and the display. The battery rental system also notifies the user of the location of a fully charged electrically assisted bicycle battery, again using audio and the display, and by flashing the LED above the storage section, and then releases the lock pins of the fully charged electrically assisted bicycle battery. A battery ID of the fully charged battery being rented, the time and date of rental and the electricity usage bill for the returned battery are stored in the card to be returned, using a card writer, the ID card is ejected from the ID card slot and a message such as operation completion, etc. is output to the user, again using audio and the display. The butter, rental system again measures various electrical conditions from the battery terminals of the returned used battery, the measured data is transmitted t to the central processing station via the communication line, and various electrical conditions corresponding to the measurement results are received again from the central processing station. Using a computer, the central processing station carries out central processing for a plurality of unmanned automatic battery rental stations connected in a network via a communication line such as a phone line or an exclusive line, and carries out procedures for the user, the rental battery, the unmanned automatic battery rental station, commands and measurements for battery charging, battery lifespan, levy of electrical usage charge etc. Particularly, the battery rental can obtain address, age, telephone number, gender, number of times leased/electrical usage charge etc. as user ID data, sales, number of times used, number of times charged, time and date of charge, and charge amount, and life span of the battery and whether exchange is necessary as battery data, and rotation rate and. actual work of each unmanned automatic battery rental station, the range and pattern of user movements, etc. as user facts and future industrial expansion data. Next, the operation of the unmanned automatic battery rental station of Fig. 2 will be described based on a flow chart. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of one embodiment of the unmanned automatic battery rental station of Fig. 2, and states SO - S9 show each operating state of the unmanned automatic battery rental station. State SO is the situation whenever battery rental is carried out from an unmanned automatic battery rental station. In state S1, information from an ID card that has been inserted is transmitted to the central processing station, and a check of the ID card for card return is carried out at the central processing station. Result information is received hack from the central processing station and the state changes to state S2 if there are no i abnormalities with the ID card, while the state changes back tc state SO if abnormalities are found. Next, in step S2, the lock of a battery to be returned is released. Also, in step S3, the location of a fully charged electrically assisted bicycle battery is notified to the user using audio and the display, and flashing the LED above the storage section. In step S4, if the battery is inserted into to return storage section, the lock pins of the battery are projected to lock them. In step S3, the battery barcode is read and a specific code is recognized, and information for the specific code is transmitted to the central processing station. In step S6, the electrical usage amount of the battery is detected and an electrical usage bill is notified to the user through audio and the display, and electrical usage amount information is transmitted to the central processing station. Next, in step S7, the location of a battery to be lent is notified to the user through the audio and the display, and by flashing the LED above the storage section. In step S8, the lock pins of the battery to be lent to the user are released. In step S9, a message such as "operation complete" is output to the user, again through audio and the display. (Effects of the Invention) As has been described above, since the battery rental system according to claim 2 comprises an unmanned automatic battery rental station and a central processing unit for carrying out central processing of the unmanned automatic battery rental station via a communication line, battery specific processing and user specific processing can be centralized, and a fully charged battery can be used any time, any where, without the need for a charger or a spare battery. Since the unmanned automatic battery rental station according to claim 2 is provided with user information recognizing means, battery characteristic information recognizing means, and communication means, and carries out exchange between a user's used battery and a fully charged battery, a user can utilize a fully charged battery at any time as required. Since the ID card according to claim 3 stores a user and a registered ID number of an electrically assisted bicycle, the time and date of battery rental and a log of electricity rental, a user can utilize a fully charged banery with an ID card, at any time as required, and without the need for cash disbursement. Since bidirectional communication is carried out between an unmanned automatic battery rental station and a central processing station, via a communication line, a provider can centralize banery specific processing and user specific processing. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a battery rental system that is extremely convenient and economical, and that is always stable. (Description of the Numerals) ! unmanned automatic battery rental station 2 Cimmune.ition line 3 central processing station 4 intormation recognition means 5 inforrmation transmission means 6 speahlc information recog'ninon means eiecincally assisted bicycle batten 8 bar code 9 positive power supply terminal 10 power supply terminal I I negative power supply terminal I 2 lock pin 13 handle 14 ID card slot I4a ID card 1 5 batters storage section 15a l.H,. lamp 16 alarm 17 LCD. CRT, LED, EL etc. display 17a audible indicator (speaker etc.) I 8 control means 19 communication means 20 person detection sensor Bs receive signal Cb charge signal Fs Hashing signal Ib batter\ signal Is information signal Mr processing signal Ml information signal Sd recognition signal Sr read signall s andro signal Sw write signal

Documents:

565-del-1998-abstract.pdf

565-del-1998-correspondence-others.pdf

565-del-1998-correspondence-po.pdf

565-del-1998-description (complete).pdf

565-del-1998-drawings.pdf

565-del-1998-form-1.pdf

565-del-1998-form-13.pdf

565-del-1998-form-19.pdf

565-del-1998-form-2.pdf

565-del-1998-form-3.pdf

565-del-1998-form-4.pdf

565-del-1998-form-6.pdf

565-del-1998-gpa.pdf

565-del-1998-petition-137.pdf

565-del-1998-petition-138.pdf