Bicycle input force processing apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-RE48626-E
Application number	US-201514644855-A
Country	US
Kind code	E1
Filing date	Mar 11, 2015
Priority date	Mar 7, 2012
Publication date	Jul 6, 2021
Grant date	Jul 6, 2021

Abstract

A bicycle crank arm apparatus comprises a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion. A circuit-mounting structure is disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion, wherein the circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount a measurement board. When a measurement board is mounted to the circuit-mounting structure, the resulting combination forms a bicycle input force processing apparatus.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle crank arm apparatus comprising:
a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion; and a circuit-mounting structure disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion, wherein the circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount a measurement board having a sensor mounted thereon for measuring an input force.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the circuit mounting structure has an opening.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 34 further comprising a cover that detachably mounts to the circuit-mounting opening.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising an electrical connector disposed at the opening, wherein the connector is configured to detachably connect to another electrical connector.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 34 wherein the electrical connector is disposed within the circuit-mounting opening.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the electrical connector is fastened to the crank arm within the circuit-mounting opening.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising electrical wiring attached to the electrical connector.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the electrical wiring is disposed within the crank arm.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the crank arm includes a sprocket-mounting arm, and wherein the circuit-mounting structure is disposed on the sprocket-mounting arm.

10. A bicycle input force processing apparatus comprising:
a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion; and a first measurement board having a first sensor mounted thereon for measuring a first input force; wherein the crank arm includes a first circuit-mounting structure disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion and configured to detachably mount the first measurement board.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 26 wherein the first sensor comprises a strain gauge.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 26 wherein the first measurement board includes a surface facing the crank arm, and wherein the sensor is disposed between the surface and the crank arm.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 26 wherein the first circuit mounting structure has an a first circuit-mounting opening.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the first measurement board is mounted within the first circuit-mounting opening.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the first circuit-mounting opening includes a bottom floor so that the first circuit-mounting opening is formed as a recess in the crank arm.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10 26 further comprising a fastener that mounts the first measurement board to the first circuit-mounting structure.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the fastener comprises a threaded fastener.

18. The apparatus according to claim 10 26 further comprising a transmitter operatively coupled to the first sensor for transmitting sensor signals.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the transmitter wirelessly transmits the sensor signals.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the transmitter is mounted to the first measurement board.

21. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first measurement board includes a first electrical connector, and wherein the crank arm includes a second electrical connector structured to detachably connect to the first electrical connector.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the second electrical connector is disposed at the opening.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising electrical wiring attached to the second electrical connector.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the electrical wiring is disposed within the crank arm.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising a power source connected to the electrical wiring.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising A bicycle input force processing apparatus comprising:
a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion; and
a first measurement board having a first sensor mounted thereon for measuring a first input force applied to the first measurement board by the crank arm;
wherein the crank arm includes a first circuit-mounting structure disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion and configured to detachably mount the first measurement board;
wherein the first measurement board includes a first electrical connector;
wherein the crank arm includes a second electrical connector structured to detachably connect to the first electrical connector;
electrical wiring attached to the second electrical connector;
a power source connected to the electrical wiring; and
a crank axle structured to be mounted to the crank axle mounting portion, wherein the crank axle includes a hollow portion, and wherein the power source is disposed within the hollow portion.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the power source is structured to be detachably connected to the electrical wiring at both ends of the crank axle.

28. The apparatus according to claim 10 26 wherein the crank arm includes a second circuit-mounting structure, and further comprising a second measurement board having a second sensor mounted thereon for measuring a second input force applied to the second measurement board by the crank arm, wherein the second circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount the second measurement board.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first measurement board is disposed at a laterally inner side of the crank arm, and wherein the second measurement board is disposed at a laterally outer side of the crank arm.

30. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first measurement board is disposed at an upper side of the crank arm, and wherein the second measurement board is disposed at a lower side of the crank arm.

31. A bicycle crank arm apparatus comprising:
a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion; a circuit-mounting structure disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion, wherein the circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount a measurement board having a sensor mounted thereon for measuring an input force applied to the measurement board by the crank arm; an electrical connector disposed at the circuit-mounting structure, wherein the electrical connector is configured to detachably connect to another electrical connector; and electrical wiring attached to the electrical connector; wherein the electrical wiring extends from the circuit-mounting structure into a hollow chamber formed in the crank arm; wherein the electrical wiring extends from the hollow chamber out of the crank arm; and wherein the electrical wiring extends out of the hollow chamber through the crank axle mounting portion of the crank arm.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the circuit mounting structure has a circuit-mounting opening.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the electrical connector is rigidly m

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Tetsuka Toshio

Classifications

• H02K7/1846 Primary

  structurally associated with wheels or associated parts (dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12) · CPC title

• B62J45/41 Primary

  characterised by the type of sensor · CPC title

• B62J45/421

  at the pedal crank · CPC title

• Y10T74/2164

  Cranks and pedals · CPC title

• B62M3/003

  Combination of crank axles and bearings housed in the bottom bracket (bottom bracket frame details B62K19/34) · CPC title