Bicycle control system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9561836-B2
Application number	US-201414332965-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 16, 2014
Priority date	Jul 16, 2014
Publication date	Feb 7, 2017
Grant date	Feb 7, 2017

Abstract

A system includes a computer in a bicycle, and the computer has a processor and a memory. The computer is programmed to determine user characteristics for a user of the bicycle, with the user characteristics including pedaling force and pedaling cadence; calculate a power contribution at least in part according to the user characteristics; select one or more operational parameters for a bicycle motor according to the power contribution; and apply the operational parameters to operation of the bicycle motor.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system, comprising a computer in a bicycle, the computer comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the computer is programmed to:
determine user characteristics for a user of the bicycle, the user characteristics including a pedaling force and a pedaling cadence;
identify a performance objective variable for the bicycle, the performance objective variable being independent of one or more operating conditions of the bicycle, the performance objective variable being dependent on at least one of the user characteristics;
calculate a motor power contribution according to the user characteristics and the one or more operating conditions, the motor power contribution being configured to assist operation of the bicycle toward a target value of the performance objective variable;
select one or more operational parameters for a bicycle motor according to the motor power contribution; and
apply the one or more operational parameters to operation of the bicycle motor.

2. The system of claim 1 , the computer being further configured to:
communicate calibration process instructions stored in the memory to the user through a user interface device;
measure user performance values during an execution of the calibration process instructions; and
populate one or more data arrays from the measured user performance values and the one or more operating conditions.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein determining the user characteristics includes calculating one or more of the user characteristics according to the one or more data arrays.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user characteristics further include one or more of a user weight, a user aerodynamic form, a user fitness level, a user comfort, a user riding skill, and a user clothing.

5. The system of claim 4 , the computer being further programmed to: receive at least one of the user characteristics as an input through a user interface device.

6. The system of claim 4 , the computer being further programmed to: measure at least one of the user characteristics with a sensor.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target value of the performance objective variable is a predetermined value of one of the user characteristics, the predetermined value being stored in the memory.

8. The system of claim 1 , the computer being further configured to:
update the user characteristics.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the selection of the one or more operational parameters further includes applying one or more control thresholds stored in the memory of the computer.

10. The system of claim 1 , the computer being further configured to:
calculate the target value of the performance objective variable according to one or more of the user characteristics and the one or more operating conditions of the bicycle.

11. A method, comprising:
determining user characteristics for a user of a bicycle, the user characteristics including a pedaling force and a pedaling cadence;
identifying a performance objective variable for the bicycle, the performance objective variable being independent of one or more operating conditions of the bicycle, the performance objective variable being dependent on at least one of the user characteristics;
calculating a motor power contribution according to the user characteristics and the one or more operating conditions of the bicycle, the motor power contribution being configured to assist operation of the bicycle toward a target value of the performance objective variable;
selecting one or more operational parameters for a bicycle motor according to the motor power contribution and a stored operational mode; and
applying the one or more operational parameters to operation of the bicycle motor.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
communicating calibration process instructions to the user through a user interface device;
measuring user performance values during an execution of the calibration process instructions; and
populating one or more data arrays from the measured user performance values and the one or more operating conditions.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein determining the user characteristics includes calculating one or more of the user characteristics according to the one or more data arrays.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the user characteristics further include one or more of a user weight, a user aerodynamic form, a user fitness level, a user comfort, a user riding skill, and a user clothing.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
receiving at least one of the user characteristics as an input through a user interface device.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
measuring at least one of the user characteristics with a sensor.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the target value of the performance objective variable is a predetermined value of one of the user characteristics.

18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
updating the user characteristics.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein selecting the one or more operational parameters further includes applying one or more stored control thresholds.

20. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
calculating the target value of the performance objective variable according to one or more of the user characteristics and the one or more operating conditions of the bicycle.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Thompson Thomas Robert George

Classifications

• B62M3/08 Primary

  Pedals · CPC title

• B62K2015/003

  having a foldable crank or pedal · CPC title

• B62K15/00

  Collapsible or foldable cycles · CPC title

• B62M3/00

  Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot · CPC title

• A63B24/0062

  Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance · CPC title