Crank angle indicating system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9402578-B2
Application number	US-201414498743-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 26, 2014
Priority date	Sep 26, 2014
Publication date	Aug 2, 2016
Grant date	Aug 2, 2016

Abstract

A crank angle indicating system is provided for a pedaling device. The crank angle indicating system may include a crank angle detector configured to detect a crank angle of a crankshaft of a pedaling device, and an indication device configured to output at least one of an aural and a haptic indicator when a predetermined crank angle is reached, allowing a cyclist to time the application or release of force to the pedals accordingly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A crank angle indicating system, comprising:
an input device of a computing device, the input device being configured to receive a user selection of one or a plurality of predetermined target crank angle ranges within a 360 degrees pedal crank cycle for each pedal of a pedaling device;
a crank angle detector configured to detect a crank angle of a crankshaft of a pedaling device; and
an indication device configured to output at least one of an aural and a haptic indicator upon the detected crank angle matching the user-selected one or plurality of predetermined target crank angle ranges for each pedal within the 360 degrees pedal crank cycle.

2. The crank angle indication system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined crank angle is set according to a user configurable setting.

3. The crank angle indication system of claim 1 ,
wherein the predetermined crank angle is a first predetermined crank angle and the crank angle detector is further configured to detect a second predetermined crank angle; and
wherein the indication device configured to output at least one of an aural and a haptic indicator upon the detected crank angle reaching the first predetermined crank angle and the second predetermined crank angle, respectively.

4. The crank angle indication system of claim 3 , wherein the second predetermined crank angle is set according to a user configurable setting.

5. The crank angle indication system of claim 4 , wherein the first predetermined crank angle and the second predetermined crank angle are different angles.

6. The crank angle indication system of claim 5 , wherein the first predetermined crank angle and the second predetermined crank angle are left and right predetermined crank angles, respectively.

7. The crank angle indication system of claim 6 , wherein the left and right predetermined crank angles are substantially separated by 180 degrees.

8. The crank angle indication system of claim 3 , wherein the first indicator and the second indicator are aurally or haptically distinguishable.

9. The crank angle indication system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of an aural and a haptic indicator is emitted over a rotational angle range.

10. The crank angle indication system of claim 9 , wherein an aural or haptic characteristic of at least one of an aural and a haptic indicator varies while being emitted over the rotational angle range.

11. The crank angle indication system of claim 1 , further comprising;
a processor executing program logic configured to receive the detector signal from the crank angle detector indicating a detected crank angle, and
output an angle indication signal upon determining that the detected crank angle reaches a predetermined crank angle,
wherein the indication device is configured to receive the angle indication signal and, in response, output at least one of an aural and a haptic indicator.

12. The crank angle indication system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is a processor of an onboard computing device mountable to the pedaling device.

13. The crank angle indication system of claim 1 , further comprising an input device configured to selectively activate and deactivate the indication device.

14. The crank angle indication system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the aural and a haptic indicator is an aural indicator, and the indication device is a speaker that emits the aural indicator.

15. The crank angle indication system of claim 14 , wherein the speaker is located on an onboard computing device coupled to the pedaling device.

16. The crank angle indication system of claim 14 , wherein the speaker is located in an earphone.

17. The crank angle indication system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of an aural and a haptic indicator is a haptic indicator, and the indication device is a vibration device configured to emit vibration as the haptic indicator.

18. The crank angle indication system of claim 17 , wherein the vibration device is coupled for vibrational transmission to at least one of a handlebar of the pedaling device, a seat of the pedaling device, a pedal of the pedaling device, and wristwatch of a rider of the pedaling device.

19. A crank angle indicating system, comprising:
an input device of a computing device, the input device being configured to receive a user selection of one or a plurality of predetermined target crank angle ranges within a 360 degrees pedal crank cycle for each pedal of a pedaling device;
a crank angle detector configured to detect a crank angle of a crankshaft of a pedaling device; and
an indication device configured to output an indicator to provide a cue for a rider to apply or release force on the pedals based on a current crank angle of the crankshaft of the pedaling device for each pedal within the 360 degrees crank cycle and the user-selected one or plurality of predetermined target crank angle ranges for each pedal.

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Tetsuka Toshio

Classifications

• A63B2220/16

  Angular positions · CPC title

• A63B22/0605

  performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers · CPC title

• A61B5/221 Primary

  Ergometry, e.g. by using bicycle type apparatus · CPC title

• G01L3/10

  involving electric or magnetic means for indicating · CPC title

• G01B21/22

  for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes · CPC title