Wireless communication device and operating system for human-powered vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12043339-B2
Application number	US-201816212688-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 7, 2018
Priority date	Dec 7, 2018
Publication date	Jul 23, 2024
Grant date	Jul 23, 2024

Abstract

A wireless communication device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a wireless communicator and a controller. The wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly communicate with an additional wireless communicator. The wireless communicator has a first mode in which the wireless communicator operates under a first power consumption and a second mode in which the wireless communicator operates under a second power consumption which is lower than the first power consumption. The controller is configured to detect a change in a state of at least one switch. The controller is configured to set the wireless communicator with the first mode if the controller detects the change in the state of the at least one switch as the wireless communicator is in the second mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wireless communication device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:
a wireless communicator configured to wirelessly communicate with an additional wireless communicator, the wireless communicator having
a first mode in which the wireless communicator operates under a first power consumption, and
a second mode in which the wireless communicator operates under a second power consumption which is lower than the first power consumption; and

a controller configured to detect a change in a state of at least one switch, the controller being configured to set the wireless communicator with the first mode if the controller detects the change in the state of the at least one switch as the wireless communicator is in the second mode, wherein
the at least one switch has an activation state and a deactivation state,
the at least one switch is a normally-open switch,
the controller is configured to set the wireless communicator with the first mode if the controller detects the activation state of the at least one switch in response to the change in the state of the at least one switch as the wireless communicator is in the second mode,
the controller is configured to set the wireless communicator with the second mode if the wireless communicator does not receive a communication signal in the first mode during a determination time,
the communication signal is a signal from the at least one switch, and
the determination time begins when the controller detects the deactivation state of the at least one switch when the at least one switch is turned off.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , wherein
the wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly receive a shift control signal to change a shift position of a shift changing device from the additional wireless communicator of an operating device.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , further comprising
the at least one switch configured to change the state of the at least one switch in response to a user input.

4. An operating system for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:
the wireless communication device according to claim 1 ; and
the at least one switch attached to a separate component which is provided separately from the wireless communication device.

5. The operating system according to claim 4 , further comprising
a brake caliper provided as the separate component, wherein
the at least one switch is attached to the brake caliper to change the state of the at least one switch in response to an operating force applied to the brake caliper.

6. The operating system according to claim 5 , wherein
the at least one switch is attached to the brake caliper to change the state of the at least one switch in response to a hydraulic pressure applied to the brake caliper as the operating force.

7. The operating system according to claim 4 , further comprising
a seatpost provided as the separate component, wherein
the at least one switch is attached to the seatpost to change the state of the at least one switch in response to a user's weight applied to the seatpost.

8. The operating system according to claim 4 , further comprising
an operating device provided as the separate component, wherein
the at least one switch is attached to the operating device to change the state of the at least one switch in response to an operating force output from the operating device.

9. The operating system according to claim 8 , wherein
the at least one switch is attached to the operating device to change the state of the at least one switch in response to a hydraulic pressure generated by the operating device as the operating force.

10. The operating system according to claim 4 , further comprising
a pedal provided as the separate component, wherein
the at least one switch is attached to the pedal to change the state of the at least one switch in response to a weight of a user's foot applied to the pedal.

11. The operating system according to claim 10 , further comprising
a pedaling force sensor configured to sense a pedaling force applied to a crank to which the pedal is attached, the pedaling force sensor being configured to generate an output signal indicating the pedaling force.

12. The operating system according to claim 11 , wherein
the wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly transmit the output signal to the additional wireless communicator of a notification device.

13. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , wherein
the wireless communicator includes a signal transmitting circuit and a signal receiving circuit.

14. The wireless communication device according to claim 13 , wherein
the wireless communicator further includes a signal generating circuit and an antenna.

15. The wireless communication device according to claim 13 , wherein
the controller includes a processor and a memory.

16. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , further comprising
a circuit board, wherein
the wireless communicator and the controller are separately provided on the circuit board.

17. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , wherein
the controller is configured to detect an activation of the at least one switch in response to the change in the state of the at least one switch, and
the controller is configured to set the wireless communicator with the first mode if the controller detects the activation of the at least one switch.

18. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , wherein
the second power consumption is higher than zero.

19. An operating system for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:
a wireless communication device including;
a wireless communicator configured to wirelessly communicate with an additional wireless communicator, the wireless communicator having
a first mode in which the wireless communicator operates under a first power consumption, and
a second mode in which the wireless communicator operates under a second power consumption which is lower than the first power consumption; and

a controller configured to detect a change in a state of at least one switch, the controller being configured to set the wireless communicator with the first mode if the controller detects the change in the state of the at least one switch as the wireless communicator is in the second mode,

the controller being different from the wireless communicator,
the wireless communicator being configured to wirelessly receive a shift control signal to change a shift position of a shift changing device from the additional wireless communicator of an operating device,
the at least one switch attached to a brake caliper which is provided separately from the wireless communication device and the operating device,
the at least one switch including a switch circuit disposed within a caliper body of the brake caliper, and
the switch circuit is disposed within a bore extending through an outer wall of the caliper body of the brake caliper.

20. The operating system according to claim 19 , wherein
the bore extending from an outermost surface of the caliper body to an interior of the caliper body.

21. An operating system for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:
a wireless communication device including;
a wireless communicator configured to wirelessly communicate with an additional wireless communicator, the wireless communicator having
a first mode in which the wireless communicator operat

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Suzuki Takafumi
• Masuda Takaya
• Syouge Akihiko

Classifications

• B62J6/165

  Wireless switches · CPC title

• B62J45/40

  Sensor arrangements (sensors for control of electrically assisted cycles B62M6/50); Mounting thereof · CPC title

• B62J45/20

  Cycle computers as cycle accessories · CPC title

• B62J45/00 Primary

  Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B62J1/08

  Frames for saddles; Connections between saddle frames and seat pillars; Seat pillars (attaching seat pillars to cycle frames B62K19/36) · CPC title