Systems and methods for testing a bicycle training apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11980799-B2
Application number	US-202117544760-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 7, 2021
Priority date	Dec 7, 2020
Publication date	May 14, 2024
Grant date	May 14, 2024

Abstract

Systems and methods for testing the accuracy of a bicycle training apparatus that is configured to measure the power output of a cyclist riding on a bicycle. The system includes a base, a main drive shaft secured to the base, a motor secured to the base and configured to rotate the main drive shaft, torque and rotational speed sensors configured to measure the torque and rotational speed of the main drive shaft during rotation thereof. The bicycle training apparatus may be secured relative to the base and functionally coupled to the main drive shaft. The motor may then be operated to apply a power input to the bicycle training apparatus while measuring the torque and rotational speed of the main drive shaft and the power input with the bicycle training apparatus. The resulting measurements may be compared to determine the accuracy of the bicycle training apparatus.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for testing the accuracy of a bicycle training apparatus that is configured to measure the power output of a cyclist riding on a bicycle, the system comprising:
a base;
a main drive shaft secured to the base;
a motor secured to the base and configured to rotate the main drive shaft;
a torque sensor configured to measure the torque applied to the main drive shaft during rotation thereof;
a rotational speed sensor configured to measure the rotational speed of the main drive shaft during rotation thereof;
means for securing the bicycle training apparatus relative to the base; and
means for coupling the main drive shaft to a hub of the bicycle training apparatus or a hub of a bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the main drive shaft is directly coupled to the hub of the bicycle training apparatus or the hub of the bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a drive train configured to transfer mechanical power from the main drive shaft to the hub of the bicycle training apparatus or the hub of the bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the drive train comprises at least a first sprocket secured to the main drive shaft and configured to rotate therewith, at least a second sprocket configured to couple with the hub of the bicycle training apparatus or the hub of the bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus and cause rotation thereof in response to rotation of the second sprocket, and a roller chain coupling the first sprocket and the second sprocket such that the second sprocket rotates in response to rotation of the first sprocket.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a chain guide configured to apply tension to the roller chain and/or position the roller chain.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first sprocket is one of at least two sprockets of a chain ring and the system comprises a derailleur configured to switch the roller chain between the sprockets of the chain ring.

7. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second sprocket is one of at least two sprockets of a cassette and the system comprises a derailleur configured to switch the roller chain between the sprockets of the cassette.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an arm having a proximal end pivotally coupled relative to the base and a distal end configured to releasably secure to the hub of the bicycle training apparatus or the hub of the bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus, and a vertical tension member configured to apply a load to the arm in a direction toward the base that is sufficient to retain the arm and the bicycle training apparatus or the bicycle wheel in fixed positions relative to the base.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the arm comprises a pair of sides with spacers therebetween, wherein the sides are spaced apart to an extent sufficient to receive therebetween at least a portion of the bicycle training apparatus or the bicycle wheel.

10. A method for testing the accuracy of a bicycle training apparatus that is configured to measure the power output of a cyclist riding on a bicycle, the method comprising:
locating the bicycle training apparatus on a base of a system;
securing the bicycle training apparatus relative to the base;
coupling a main drive shaft of the base to a hub of the bicycle training apparatus or a hub of a bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus;
operating a motor of the system to rotate the main drive shaft and apply a power input to the bicycle training apparatus in response to rotation of the main drive shaft;
continuously measuring the torque and the rotational speed of the main drive shaft with sensors of the system and storing the resulting measurements as a first data set;
measuring the power input with the bicycle training apparatus and storing the resulting measurements as a second data set; and
comparing the first data set and the second data set to determine the accuracy of the bicycle training apparatus.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the main drive shaft is directly coupled to the hub of the bicycle training apparatus or the hub of the bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising transferring mechanical power from the main drive shaft to the hub of the bicycle training apparatus or the hub of the bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus with a drive train of the system located therebetween.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the drive train comprises at least a first sprocket secured to the main drive shaft and configured to rotate therewith, at least a second sprocket configured to couple with the hub of the bicycle training apparatus or the hub of the bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus and cause rotation thereof in response to rotation of the second sprocket, and a roller chain coupling the first sprocket and the second sprocket such that the second sprocket rotates in response to rotation of the first sprocket.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying tension to the roller chain and/or positioning the roller chain with a chain guide of the system.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein comparing the first data set and the second data set to determine the accuracy of the bicycle training apparatus includes accounting for losses in power transmission due to drive train inefficiency.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first sprocket is one of at least two sprockets of a chain ring and the method further comprises switching the roller chain between the sprockets of the chain ring with a derailleur.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second sprocket is one of at least two sprockets of a cassette and the method further comprises switching the roller chain between the sprockets of the cassette with a derailleur.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein securing the bicycle training apparatus to the base comprises:
pivoting an arm of the system relative to the base such that dropouts at the distal end thereof couple with the hub of the bicycle training apparatus or the hub of the bicycle wheel in contact with the bicycle training apparatus; and
applying a load to the arm in a direction toward the base with a vertical tension member that is sufficient to retain the arm and the bicycle training apparatus or the bicycle wheel in fixed positions relative to the base.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the arm comprises a pair of sides with spacers therebetween and the method further comprises locating at least a portion of the bicycle training apparatus or the bicycle wheel between the sides.

20. The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing a certification for the bicycle training apparatus if the accuracy of the bicycle training apparatus is determined to be within a predetermined range.

Assignees

• Purdue Research Foundation

Inventors

• Mansson Jan-Anders
• Dowd Teal Francis
• Heflin Diana Gabrielle
• Miller Justin Douglas
• Coffing Jacob Dean
• Sweldens Wim

Classifications

• A63B69/16 Primary

  for cycling {, i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles} · CPC title

• B62M6/50

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

• A63B2225/02

  Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment · CPC title

• G01L25/003

  for measuring torque · CPC title

• G01L3/26

  Devices for measuring efficiency, i.e. the ratio of power output to power input · CPC title