2024.04.01 | search column
(Short report) Search on patent application trends for drive units for electrically assisted bicycles
Electrically assisted bicycles in Japan have become popular since they are city cycles (commonly known as mamachari) with an electric assist unit added. The reason for this is that in 2009, it became legal for bicycles to carry three people as long as they met the standards for two-seater bicycles, making it convenient for children to pick up and drop off their bicycles (less pedaling force required). Bicycles became popular. (If two children were carried, the weight would be over 30 kg, making it unstable to drive by hand, so electric power to assist the pedal force was required.) In addition, in the world (especially Europe), emphasis is placed on sportiness. The spread of electrically assisted bicycles is accelerating. As described above, demand for electrically assisted bicycles is showing signs of increasing demand both in Japan and abroad. In the future, it is likely that most bicycles will be equipped with electric assist, and further development of electric drive units will be required. Therefore, we will analyze the status of patent applications focusing on drive units, which are the main parts of electrically assisted bicycles, and predict future trends in electrically assisted bicycles.