Pedal activity sensor and methods of pedaling analysis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10416186-B2
Application number	US-201615202652-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2016
Priority date	Jul 6, 2016
Publication date	Sep 17, 2019
Grant date	Sep 17, 2019

Abstract

An apparatus for determining bicycle pedaling may include a sensor that detects the angular velocity and position of a drivetrain or rear sprocket assembly of the bicycle and a processor that is configured to compare the detected values against values indicative of at least one pedaling state. The apparatus may be configured to be housed within a component of the bicycle, such as within a hollow opening of the spindle or crank axle. The apparatus also may include a wireless transmitter to communicate with another component, such as a suspension controller.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for bicycle pedaling determination, comprising:
a housing configured to attach to a crank axle of a drivetrain at a rotational axis of the crank axle;
a sensor configured to rotate with the crank axle, the sensor configured to detect angular velocity of the crank axle;
a processor electrically coupled to the sensor; and
a wireless transmitter electrically coupled to the processor, the wireless transmitter configured to communicate a signal based on the detected angular velocity using an antenna,
wherein the housing comprises a portion formed of a radio frequency (“RF”) transparent material and configured to protrude from an opening in the crank axle along the rotational axis and cover the antenna.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect the angular velocity or a position of a gravity vector relative to a frame of reference rotating with the crank axle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed so as to minimize distortion of the detected angular velocity and position due to forces resulting from acceleration in a direction normal to the rotation of the crank axle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect the angular velocity of a magnetic field vector relative to a frame of reference rotating with the crank axle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is one of a type of sensor selected from an accelerometer, a magnetometer, or a gyroscope.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with a component of the bicycle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure angular velocity in less than a single revolution of the crank axle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a first sensor and further comprising:
a second sensor fixed to a bicycle, the second sensor configured to detect angular position of the bicycle; and
a controller configured to receive and compare detected angular position from the sensor and the second sensor in order to filter out readings of angular velocity and position detected by the sensor that correspond to rotation of the bicycle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an interface portion disposed so as to be accessible by a rider of the bicycle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a power supply; and
a wake-up sensor, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the crank axle to provide power from the power supply to the sensor in response to a signal from the wake-up sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing is further configured for insertion and securing within the crank axle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a user interface that includes at least one status indicator of the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the housing configured to protrude from the opening in the crank axle covers the opening in the crank axle.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed within the housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the sensor is configured to be disposed proximate to the rotational axis of the crank axle.

16. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the component is a suspension controller.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first sensor is located on the drivetrain at a first position of the bicycle and the second sensor is located at a second position on the bicycle, the first position and the second position being different positions.

18. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the sensor and the second sensor are the same type of sensor.

19. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a crank shaft, wherein the interface portion is disposed on an end of the crank axle.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the status indicator comprises a light emitting diode (“LED”).

21. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the user interface further comprises a manually operated button.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the second position is a location removed from the drivetrain of the bicycle.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the LED is visible through the portion of the housing configured to protrude from the opening in the crank axle.

24. A housing for attaching to a crank axle of a bicycle drivetrain, the housing comprising:
a first housing portion formed of a radio frequency (“RF”) transparent material and configured to protrude from an opening in the crank axle along the rotational axis;
wherein the first housing portion is configured to house:
a sensor configured to rotate with the crank axle, the sensor configured to detect angular velocity of the crank axle;
a processor electrically coupled to the sensor; and
a wireless transmitter electrically coupled to the processor, the wireless transmitter configured to communicate a signal based on the detected angular velocity using an antenna.

25. The housing of claim 24 , wherein a second housing portion is configured for at least partial disposal within the crank axle.

26. The housing of claim 24 , wherein the first housing portion is configured for sealing to protect the housed components.

27. The housing of claim 25 , wherein the second housing portion further comprises a retaining member configured to hold the second portion against a sidewall of the opening.

28. The housing of claim 25 , wherein the second housing portion is configured to house a member, the member configured to retain a power supply.

29. The housing of claim 25 , wherein a radial dimension of the first housing portion is greater than a radial dimension of the opening.

30. The housing of claim 29 , wherein a radial dimension of the second housing portion is smaller than the radial dimension of the opening.

Assignees

• Sram Llc

Inventors

• Nichols Geoff
• Jordan Brian
• Fanto Sarah

Classifications

• B62J50/20

  Information-providing devices · CPC title

• B62M6/50

  characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof · CPC title

• B62M1/36

  with rotary cranks, e.g. with pedal cranks (B62M1/34 takes precedence; combined with reciprocating levers B62M1/26; cranks which can be immobilised as foot rests B62M5/00) · CPC title

• B62J2099/0026

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B62J2099/002

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic