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Driving unit and electric assist bicycle

  • US 9,027,691 B2
  • Filed: 12/12/2013
  • Issued: 05/12/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A driving unit for use in an electric assist bicycle, the driving unit comprising:

  • a housing;

    a crankshaft extending through the housing;

    a magnetostrictive torque detection device located in the housing to detect a torque generated in the crankshaft;

    a rotating member including the magnetostrictive torque detection device, and positioned to be concentric with the crankshaft and rotatable together with the crankshaft; and

    a magnetic rotation detection device located in the housing to detect rotation of the crankshaft;

    whereinthe rotating member includes;

    a connecting shaft located at a first end along an axis of the rotating member and coupled with the crankshaft within the housing; and

    an output shaft located at a second end along the axis of the rotating member, a driving sprocket attached to the output shaft;

    the magnetic rotation detection device includes;

    a detected portion provided on the rotating member and located around a central axis of the crankshaft within the housing; and

    a detector configured to detect that the detected portion rotates together with the rotating member;

    the detected portion is provided at a position different from that of the torque detection device in an axial direction of the crankshaft;

    the driving unit includes a support having the detector mounted thereon; and

    the support and the detector are located completely inside the housing.

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