Bicycle drive system, bicycle drive unit, and bicycle battery unit

Abstract

A bicycle battery unit is configured to supply power to a bicycle component. The bicycle battery unit includes a housing, a battery, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector and a power line communication circuit. The battery is accommodated in the housing. The first electrical connector is provided to the housing so as to be at least partially exposed out of the housing being electrically connectable with the battery. The second electrical connector is provided to the housing so as to be at least partially exposed out of the housing separate from the first electrical connector. The power line communication circuit is electrically connected to the second electrical connector and configured to perform power line communication via the second electrical connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bicycle battery unit configured to supply power to a bicycle component, the bicycle battery unit comprising:
 a housing;   a battery accommodated in the housing;   a first electrical connector provided to the housing so as to be at least partially exposed out of the housing being electrically connectable with the battery;   a second electrical connector provided to the housing so as to be at least partially exposed out of the housing separate from the first electrical connector; and   a power line communication circuit electrically connected to the second electrical connector and configured to perform power line communication via the second electrical connector.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a third electrical connector provided in the housing so as to be at least partially exposed out of the housing and electrically connectable with the battery, the third electrical connector being separate from the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector.   
     
     
         3 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first electrical connector and the third electrical connector are configured to supply power of the battery to the same bicycle component.   
     
     
         4 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first electrical connector has an output voltage from the battery that is greater than an output voltage of the third electrical connector from the battery.   
     
     
         5 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the third electrical connector is electrically connected to the battery so that a predetermined first voltage is applied to the third electrical connector upon a charge level of the battery being greater than or equal to a predetermined level.   
     
     
         6 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the third electrical connector and the battery are electrically connected so that a predetermined first voltage is applied to the third electrical connector from the battery in a case where a charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined level upon determining an external electrical connector is electrically connected to the third electrical connector.   
     
     
         7 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the third electrical connector and the battery are electrically connected so that a predetermined first voltage is applied to the third electrical connector in a case where a charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined level upon determining the housing is attached to a bicycle.   
     
     
         8 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first electrical connector includes a first positive terminal,   the second electrical connector includes a second positive terminal,   the third electrical connector includes a third positive terminal, and   at least one of the first, second, and third electrical connectors includes a ground terminal.   
     
     
         9 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first electrical connector includes a first positive terminal,   the second electrical connector includes a second positive terminal, and   at least one of the first and second electrical connectors includes a ground terminal.   
     
     
         10 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the second electrical connector is electrically connected to the battery so that a predetermined second voltage is applied to the second electrical connector from the battery upon a charge level of the battery being greater than or equal to a predetermined level.   
     
     
         11 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the second electrical connector and the battery are electrically connected so that a predetermined second voltage is applied to the second electrical connector in a case where a charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined level upon determining an external electrical connector being connected to the second electrical connector.   
     
     
         12 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the second electrical connector and the battery are electrically connected so that a predetermined second voltage is applied to the second electrical connector in a case where a charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined level upon determining the housing is attached to a bicycle.   
     
     
         13 . The bicycle battery unit according to according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first electrical connector has an output voltage that is greater than an output voltage of the second electrical connector.   
     
     
         14 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the output voltage of the first electrical connector is greater than or equal to 20 V and less than 60 V, and   the output voltage of the second electrical connector is greater than or equal to 1 V and less than 20 V.   
     
     
         15 . The bicycle battery unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a connection switch that changes an electrical connection state of the first electrical connector and the battery in accordance with a communication result of the power line communication circuit.