Bicycle electric device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10475303-B2
Application number	US-201715460940-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2017
Priority date	Mar 16, 2017
Publication date	Nov 12, 2019
Grant date	Nov 12, 2019

Abstract

A bicycle electric device is basically provided to a bicycle crank assembly. The bicycle electric device includes an indicator a process and at least one of a position sensor and a strain sensor configured to be provided on the bicycle crank assembly. The indicator is configured to generate a user signal indicating that a crank arm of the bicycle crank assembly is at a predetermined angular position. The position sensor the strain sensor are configured to be provided on the bicycle crank assembly to detect information of the crank arm. The processor is configured to process information detected by the at least one of the position sensor and the strain sensor to calculate angular force information of the crank arm.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle electric device provided to a bicycle crank assembly comprising:
an indicator configured to generate a user signal indicating that a crank arm of the bicycle crank assembly is at a predetermined position with respect to a bicycle frame;
at least one of a position sensor and a strain sensor configured to be provided on the bicycle crank assembly to detect information of the crank arm, the position sensor being configured to detect the predetermined position of the crank arm with respect to the bicycle frame, the predetermined position being a position in which the indicator is activated to begin generating the user signal; and
a processor configured to process information detected by the at least one of the position sensor and the strain sensor to calculate angular force information of the crank arm that is at least one of a tangential force that is applied to the crank arm and a radial force that is applied to the crank arm.

2. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
the position sensor is configured to be provided on the crank arm.

3. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
a wireless communication device operatively coupled to the crank arm.

4. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
the position sensor includes a reed switch.

5. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
a magnet configured to be mounted on the bicycle frame.

6. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
the indicator is a light source.

7. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
the indicator is a sound source.

8. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
a mobile device including a processor for calculating a crank angle based on the predetermined angular position detected by the position sensor.

9. The bicycle electric device according to claim 8 , wherein
the mobile device has an inclinometer.

10. The bicycle electric device according to claim 9 , wherein
the inclinometer includes at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

11. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
a storage device operatively coupled to the crank arm.

12. The bicycle electric device according to claim 1 , wherein
the strain sensor is disposed on the crank arm and configured to detect a pedaling force applied to the crank arm.

13. The bicycle electric device according to claim 12 , wherein
the processor is configured to process the pedaling force detected by the at least one strain sensor to calculate angular force information.

14. The bicycle electric device according to claim 13 , further comprising
a cycle computer having a display configured to receive the angular force information calculated by the processor and configured to display the angular force information on the display as at least one of a tangential force applied to the crank arm and a radial force applied to the crank arm.

15. A method for determining a crank angle, the method comprising:
reaching a predetermined angular position that is determined by a position sensor, the position sensor detecting the predetermined angular position of the crank arm with respect to the bicycle frame;
measuring an angle of the crank arm using an external device while the crank arm is in a predetermined angular position,
transmitting information with respect to the angle of the crank arm from the external device to a bicycle component having the crank arm and a storage device;
rotating the crank arm which is mounted to a bicycle to the predetermined angular position; and
receiving an indication indicating from an indicator that the crank arm is at the predetermined angular position, the predetermined angular position being a position in which the indicator generates the indication.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein
the indicating comprises lighting.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein
the indicator is disposed on the crank arm.

18. The method according to claim 15 , wherein
the measuring of the angle includes coupling the external device to the crank arm mechanically while the crank arm is at the predetermined angular position.

19. The method according to claim 15 , wherein
the measuring of the angle of the crank arm includes calculating the crank angle using a software application of the external device.

20. The method according to claim 15 , wherein
the position sensor is provided on the crank arm.

21. A method for determining an angle of a bicycle crank arm, the method comprising:
measuring at least one of a pedaling force and a pedaling torque applied to a bicycle crank assembly; and
comparing the at least one of the pedaling force and the pedaling torque to a pre-stored relationship relating to the pedaling torque and a crank angle of the bicycle crank arm to thereby determine an angle of the bicycle crank arm that is independent of a bicycle frame, the determining being based on the at least one of the pedaling force and the pedaling torque without an angle detector installed on the bicycle crank assembly.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein
the measuring further comprises detecting a signal from at least one strain sensor configured to be mounted onto a bicycle component of the bicycle crank arm.

23. The method according to claim 21 , wherein
the determining further comprises calculating the crank angle by comparing the at least one of the pedaling force and the pedaling torque detected by the strain sensor to the information of the pre-stored relationship.

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Tetsuka Toshio

Classifications

• G01L1/18

  using properties of piezo-resistive materials, i.e. materials of which the ohmic resistance varies according to changes in magnitude or direction of force applied to the material · CPC title

• G01L1/16

  using properties of piezoelectric devices · CPC title

• G01D5/2515

  with magnetically controlled switches, e.g. by movement of a magnet · CPC title

• G01D5/145

  influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields (see G01R33/06) · CPC title

• B62M6/50

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