Motion sensor for use with a bicycle sprocket assembly

• US 20010011809A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 08/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masahiko Fukuda
• Original Assignee: Masahiko Fukuda
• Inventors: Fukuda, Masahiko
• Granted Patent: US 6,659,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/618
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/412 Speed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/423 on or besides the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/122 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/128 Accessories, e.g. protectors

Abstract

A sensor retainer for a bicycle sprocket assembly includes an annular member for mounting and rotating coaxially with the bicycle sprocket assembly and a sensor element fixed to the annular member. Alternatively, the sensor retainer may include a fixing member for mounting a derailleur or other transmission to a bicycle frame and a sensor element mounted to the fixing member.

Claims

1. A sensor retainer for a bicycle sprocket assembly comprising:

an annular member for mounting and rotating coaxially with the bicycle sprocket assembly; and

a sensor element fixed to the annular member.

2. The sensor retainer according to

claim 1

further comprising a plurality of splines formed on an inner peripheral surface of the annular member.

3. The sensor retainer according to

claim 1

wherein the annular member includes a threaded inner peripheral surface.

4. The sensor retainer according to

claim 1

wherein the sensor element is embedded in the annular member.

5. The sensor retainer according to

claim 1

wherein the sensor element comprises a magnet.

6. The sensor retainer according to

claim 1

further comprising a plurality of the sensor elements fixed to the annular member and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction.

7. The sensor retainer according to

claim 6

wherein each of the plurality of sensor elements comprises a magnet.

8. A sensor assembly for a bicycle sprocket assembly comprising:

a sensor retainer for mounting coaxially with the sprocket assembly so that the sensor retainer rotates together with the sprocket assembly;

a first sensor element coupled for rotation with the sensor retainer; and

a second sensor element for attachment in close proximity to the sensor retainer so that the sensor retainer rotates relative to the second sensor element.

9. The sensor assembly according to

claim 8

wherein the first sensor element comprises a signal generating element, and wherein the second sensor element comprises a signal receiving element.

10. The sensor assembly according to

claim 9

wherein the first sensor element comprises a magnet.

11. The sensor assembly according to

claim 8

wherein the second sensor element comprises:

a first sensor unit for communicating with the first sensor element; and

a second sensor unit for communicating with the first sensor element.

12. The sensor assembly according to

claim 11

wherein the first sensor unit is offset from the second sensor unit in a circumferential direction.

13. The sensor assembly according to

claim 8

wherein the first sensor element is embedded in the sensor retainer.

14. The sensor assembly according to

claim 8

further comprising a plurality of the first sensor elements fixed to the sensor retainer and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction.

15. The sensor assembly according to

claim 14

wherein each of the plurality of first sensor elements comprises a magnet.

16. The sensor assembly according to

claim 8

wherein the sensor retainer comprises an annular member.

17. The sensor assembly according to

claim 16

wherein the annular member includes a plurality of splines on an inner peripheral surface thereof.

18. The sensor assembly according to

claim 16

wherein the annular member includes a threaded inner peripheral surface.

19. A sprocket assembly for a bicycle comprising:

a plurality of sprockets mounted together for rotation around a common axis; and

a sensor element coupled for rotation with the plurality of sprockets.

20. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 19

wherein the sensor element comprises a magnet.

21. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 19

further comprising a plurality of the sensor elements coupled for rotation with the plurality of sprockets.

22. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 21

wherein each of the plurality of sensor elements comprises a magnet.

23. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 19

further comprising an annular member coaxially mounted with the plurality of sprockets for integral rotation with the plurality of sprockets, wherein the sensor element is mounted to the annular member.

24. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 23

wherein the sensor element is embedded in the annular member.

25. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 23

wherein the annular member includes a plurality of splines on an inner peripheral surface thereof.

26. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 23

wherein the annular member includes a threaded inner peripheral surface.

27. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 19

wherein the plurality of sprockets includes a first sprocket and a second sprocket, wherein the first sprocket includes a shift facilitating structure for facilitating shifting of a chain from the second sprocket to the first sprocket, and wherein the sensor element is located at a specific rotational position relative to the shift facilitating structure.

28. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 27

wherein the shift facilitating structure includes a recess disposed on a side of the first sprocket.

29. The sprocket assembly according to

claim 27

wherein the first sprocket includes a first sprocket positioning structure on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and wherein the sensor retainer includes a retainer positioning structure on an inner peripheral surface thereof for positioning the sensor retainer at a predetermined rotational position relative to the first sprocket.

30. A sensor assembly for a bicycle comprising:

a plurality of sprockets mounted together for rotation around a common axis;

a first sensor element coupled for rotation with the plurality of sprockets; and

a second sensor element for attachment in close proximity to the plurality of sprockets so that the first sensor element rotates relative to the second sensor element.

31. The sensor assembly according to

claim 30

wherein the first sensor element comprises a signal generating element, and wherein the second sensor element comprises a signal receiving element.

32. The sensor assembly according to

claim 31

wherein the first sensor element comprises a magnet.

33. The sensor assembly according to

claim 30

wherein the second sensor element comprises:

a first sensor unit for communicating with the first sensor element; and

a second sensor unit for communicating with the first sensor element.

34. The sensor assembly according to

claim 33

wherein the first sensor unit is offset from the second sensor unit in a circumferential direction.

35. The sensor assembly according to

claim 30

further comprising:

a sensor retainer for mounting coaxially with the sprocket assembly so that the sensor retainer rotates together with the sprocket assembly; and

wherein the first sensor element is coupled for rotation with the sensor retainer.

36. The sensor assembly according to

claim 35

wherein the sensor retainer comprises an annular member.

37. The sensor assembly according to

claim 36

wherein the first sensor element is embedded in the annular member.

38. The sensor assembly according to

claim 36

wherein the annular member includes a plurality of splines on an inner peripheral surface thereof.

39. The sensor assembly according to

claim 36

wherein the annular member includes a threaded inner peripheral surface.

40. The sensor assembly according to

claim 35

further comprising a plurality of the first sensor elements fixed to the sensor retainer and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction.

41. The sensor assembly according to

claim 40

wherein each of the plurality of first sensor elements comprises a magnet.

42. The sensor assembly according to

claim 40

wherein the second sensor element comprises:

a first sensor unit for communicating with the first sensor element; and

a second sensor unit for communicating with the first sensor element.

43. The sensor assembly according to

claim 42

wherein the first sensor unit is offset from the second sensor unit in a circumferential direction.

44. The sensor assembly according to

claim 43

wherein each of the plurality of first sensor elements comprises a magnet.

45. The sensor assembly according to

claim 35

wherein the plurality of sprockets includes a first sprocket and a second sprocket, wherein the first sprocket includes a shift facilitating structure for facilitating shifting of a chain from the second sprocket to the first sprocket, and wherein the sensor element is located at a specified rotational position relative to the shift facilitating structure.

46. The sensor assembly according to

claim 45

wherein the shift facilitating structure includes a recess disposed on a side of the first sprocket.

47. The sensor assembly according to

claim 45

wherein the first sprocket includes a first sprocket positioning structure on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and wherein the sensor retainer includes a retainer positioning structure on an inner peripheral surface thereof for positioning the sensor retainer at a predetermined rotational position relative to the first sprocket.

48. A sensor retainer for a bicycle transmission comprising:

a fixing member for mounting the transmission to a bicycle frame; and

a sensor element mounted to the fixing member.