Support for smooth pedalling on a bicycle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017283003-A1
Application number	US-201515510698-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 15, 2015
Priority date	Sep 17, 2014
Publication date	Oct 5, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for supporting a driver of a bicycle ( 2 ) for the pedal drive via a pedal bearing shaft ( 16 ) of a pedal bearing ( 12 ) arranged on the bicycle, comprising:—detecting a pedalling torque ( 34 ) applied by the driver of the bicycle ( 2 ) onto the pedal bearing shaft ( 16 ) via a rotational angle ( 68 ) of the pedal bearing shaft ( 16 ), and—outputting an auxiliary signal ( 79 ) when a comparison ( 74 ) of the pedalling torque ( 36 ) and the rotational angle ( 68 ) deviates from a predetermined condition ( 73 ).

First claim

1 .- 10 . (canceled)

11 . A method for assisting a rider of a bicycle during pedal-driving via a bottom bracket shaft of a bottom bracket comprised on the bicycle, the method comprising:
detecting a pedaling torque which is applied to the bottom bracket shaft by the rider of the bicycle over a rotational angle of the bottom bracket shaft; and outputting an auxiliary signal if a comparison of the pedaling torque and of the rotational angle differs from a predetermined condition.

12 . The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein a fluctuation in the pedaling torque over the rotational angle is smaller than a predetermined value within the scope of the predetermined condition.

13 . The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising superimposing an auxiliary torque on the pedaling torque, on the basis of the auxiliary signal.

14 . The method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising generating the auxiliary torque in such a way that a comparison of a total torque, composed of the pedaling torque, the auxiliary torque, and the rotational angle, satisfies the predetermined condition.

15 . The method as claimed in claim 14 further comprising pilot-controlling the generated auxiliary torque on the basis of an estimate of the profile of the pedaling torque plotted against the rotational angle.

16 . The method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising avoiding superimposing the auxiliary torque if the comparison of the pedaling torque and of the rotational angle satisfies a further predetermined condition.

17 . The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the further predetermined condition is dependent on an acceleration request and/or a braking request of the rider.

18 . The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising outputting a message to the rider on the basis of the auxiliary signal.

19 . The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein a pedaling cycle acting on the bottom bracket shaft follows circular pedaling, and wherein a total torque which acts on the bottom bracket shaft is kept constant by an auxiliary motor.

20 . A control device configured to assist a rider of a bicycle during pedal-driving via a bottom bracket shaft of a bottom bracket comprised on the bicycle, the control device comprising a component for detecting a pedaling torque which is applied to the bottom bracket shaft by the rider of the bicycle over a rotational angle of the bottom bracket shaft, and system for outputting an auxiliary signal if a comparison of the pedaling torque and of the rotational angle differs from a predetermined condition.

21 . The control device as claimed in claim 20 , wherein a fluctuation in the pedaling torque over the rotational angle is smaller than a predetermined value within the scope of the predetermined condition.

22 . The control device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising superimposing an auxiliary torque on the pedaling torque, on the basis of the auxiliary signal.

23 . The control device as claimed in claim 22 further comprising generating the auxiliary torque in such a way that a comparison of a total torque, composed of the pedaling torque, the auxiliary torque, and the rotational angle, satisfies the predetermined condition.

24 . The control device as claimed in claim 23 further comprising pilot-controlling the generated auxiliary torque on the basis of an estimate of the profile of the pedaling torque plotted against the rotational angle.

25 . The control device as claimed in claim 24 further comprising avoiding superimposing the auxiliary torque if the comparison of the pedaling torque and of the rotational angle satisfies a further predetermined condition.

26 . The control device as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the further predetermined condition is dependent on an acceleration request and/or a braking request of the rider.

27 . The control device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising outputting a message to the rider on the basis of the auxiliary signal.

28 . The control device as claimed in claim 20 , wherein a pedaling cycle acting on the bottom bracket shaft follows circular pedaling, and wherein a total torque which acts on the bottom bracket shaft is kept constant by an auxiliary motor.

29 . A bicycle comprising:
a frame which is movably held on an underlying surface via at least one wheel; a bottom bracket comprising a bottom bracket shaft for driving the wheel on the basis of a pedaling torque applied by the rider; and, a configured to assist a rider of a bicycle during pedal-driving via a bottom bracket shaft of a bottom bracket comprised on the bicycle, the control device comprising a component for detecting a pedaling torque which is applied to the bottom bracket shaft by the rider of the bicycle over a rotational angle of the bottom bracket shaft, and system for outputting an auxiliary signal if a comparison of the pedaling torque and of the rotational angle differs from a predetermined condition;
wherein a pedaling cycle acting on the bottom bracket shaft follows circular pedaling, and wherein a total torque which acts on the bottom bracket shaft is kept constant by an auxiliary motor.

30 . The bicycle as claimed in claim 29 , wherein a message is outputted to a rider on the basis of the auxiliary signal.

Assignees

• Continental Teves Ag & Co Ohg

Inventors

• Stählin Ulrich

Classifications

• G01L3/00

  Measuring torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency, in general · CPC title

• B62M6/45

  Control or actuating devices therefor · CPC title

• B62M6/50 Primary

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

• B62M6/55

  power-driven at crank shafts parts · CPC title