Bicycle suspension
First Claim
1. A bicycle suspension system comprising:
- a control unit;
a front suspension configured to be coupled between a bicycle frame and a front wheel such that the front wheel is movable relative to the bicycle frame in response to a shock applied to the front wheel;
a rear suspension configured to be coupled between the bicycle frame and a rear wheel such that the rear wheel is movable relative to the bicycle frame in response to a shock applied to the rear wheel, said rear suspension being selectively adjustable by said control unit to change stiffness of said rear suspension;
a front wheel terrain sensor operatively coupled to said control unit to input a first signal that is indicative of an amount of compression or expansion of said front suspension; and
a rear controller operatively connected to said rear suspension and said control unit so that said control unit selectively adjusts stiffness of said rear suspension in response to said amount of compression or expansion of said front suspension.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer controlled suspension system is provided for a bicycle, which can effectively absorb shock and provide stability on rough surfaces regardless of the speed of the vehicle. The suspension system has a control unit, a front suspension, a rear suspension, a front wheel terrain sensor, and a rear controller. The rear suspension is selectively adjustable by the control unit to change stiffness of the rear suspension. When the front suspension hits a bump or a depression in the surface of the ground, a signal is sent to the rear controller so that the rear suspension can react appropriately. In one embodiment, a pedaling torque sensor is operatively coupled to the control unit to input a signal that is indicative of pedaling force, and the rear controller adjusts stiffness of the rear suspension in response to the pedaling force via the control unit. In another embodiment, one or more gear position sensors are operatively coupled to the control unit to input a signal that is indicative of gear position, and the rear controller adjusts stiffness of the rear suspension in response to the gear position force via the control unit. A locking mechanism is provided to operatively coupled to selectively lock the rear suspension in a compressed condition. The front and rear suspension preferably uses at least cylinder with a coil spring and a compressible material located between individual turns of the coil spring.
17 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A bicycle suspension system comprising:
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a control unit;
a front suspension configured to be coupled between a bicycle frame and a front wheel such that the front wheel is movable relative to the bicycle frame in response to a shock applied to the front wheel;
a rear suspension configured to be coupled between the bicycle frame and a rear wheel such that the rear wheel is movable relative to the bicycle frame in response to a shock applied to the rear wheel, said rear suspension being selectively adjustable by said control unit to change stiffness of said rear suspension;
a front wheel terrain sensor operatively coupled to said control unit to input a first signal that is indicative of an amount of compression or expansion of said front suspension; and
a rear controller operatively connected to said rear suspension and said control unit so that said control unit selectively adjusts stiffness of said rear suspension in response to said amount of compression or expansion of said front suspension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A bicycle suspension system comprising:
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a control unit;
a front suspension configured to be coupled between a bicycle frame and a front wheel such that the front wheel is movable relative to the bicycle frame in response to a shock applied to the front wheel, said front suspension being selectively adjustable by said control unit to change stiffness of said front suspension;
a front wheel terrain sensor operatively coupled to said control unit to input a first signal that is indicative of an amount of compression or expansion of said front suspension; and
a front controller operatively connected to said front suspension and said control unit so that said control unit selectively adjusts stiffness of said front suspension in response to said amount of compression or expansion of said front suspension; and
said front suspension is by said control unit to change stiffness of said front suspension. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A bicycle suspension system comprising:
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a control unit;
a front suspension configured to be coupled between a bicycle frame and a front wheel such that the front wheel is movable relative to the bicycle frame in response to a shock applied to the front wheel, said front suspension being selectively adjustable by said control unit to change stiffness of said front suspension;
a rear suspension configured to be coupled between the bicycle frame and a rear wheel such that the rear wheel is movable relative to the bicycle frame in response to a shock applied to the rear wheel, said rear suspension being selectively adjustable by said control unit to change stiffness of said rear suspension;
a front wheel terrain sensor operatively coupled to said control unit to input a first signal that is indicative of an amount of compression or expansion of said front suspension;
a front controller operatively connected to said front suspension and said control unit so that said control unit adjusts stiffness of front rear suspension;
a rear controller operatively connected to said rear suspension and said control unit so that said control unit adjusts stiffness of said rear suspension; and
said stiffness of at least one of said front and rear suspensions is made stiffer by said control unit when said control unit calculates a forward inclination of a predetermined value from horizontal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A bicycle suspension system comprising:
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a control unit;
a suspension configured to be coupled between first and second parts of a bicycle that are movable relative to each other in response to a shock applied to the bicycle, said suspension being selectively adjustable by said control unit to change stiffness of said suspension;
a bicycle driving sensor operatively coupled to said control unit to input a first signal that is indicative of bicycle driving force; and
a controller operatively connected to said suspension and said control unit so that said control unit adjusts stiffness of said suspension in response to said bicycle driving force. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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21. A bicycle suspension system comprising:
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a control unit;
a suspension configured to be coupled between first and second parts of a bicycle that are movable relative to each other in response to a shock applied to the bicycle, said suspension being selectively adjustable by said control unit to change stiffness of said suspension;
a bicycle driving sensor operatively coupled to said control unit to input a first signal that is indicative of bicycle driving force;
a controller operatively connected to said suspension and said control unit so that said control unit adjusts stiffness of said suspension in response to said bicycle driving force; and
a velocity sensor operatively coupled to said control unit to input a second signal that is indicative of forward velocity.
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26. A bicycle suspension system suspension system comprising:
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a control unit;
a suspension configured to be coupled between first and second parts of a bicycle that are movable relative to each other in response to a shock applied to the bicycle, said suspension being selectively adjustable by said control unit to change stiffness of said suspension;
a first gear position sensor operatively coupled to said control unit to input a first signal that is indicative of gear position; and
a controller operatively connected to said suspension and said control unit so that said control unit adjusts stiffness of said suspension in response to said gear position. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39)
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35. A bicycle suspension unit comprising:
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a cylinder having a first mounting portion and a chamber with an opening and an abutment;
a piston having a first end portion movably coupled in said chamber of said cylinder and a second mounting portion; and
a dampening mechanism positioned within said chamber between said abutment and said piston, said dampening mechanism including a coil spring and a compressible material located between individual turns of said coil spring. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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40. A bicycle suspension system comprising:
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a control unit;
a rear suspension having a cylinder with a first mounting portion and a chamber with an opening and an abutment, and a piston with a first end portion movably coupled in said chamber of said cylinder and a second mounting portion; and
a locking mechanism operatively coupled to said rear suspension to selectively lock said piston and said cylinder in a compressed condition when mounted on a bicycle, said locking mechanism being moved between an unlocked position and a locked position by said control unit. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification