Testing tool for electric bicycle devices

• US 20080154531A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Takebayashi, Haruyuki, Takeda, Kazuhiro, Watarai, Etsuyoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,819,032 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/113
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/005 Testing of electric installations on transport means

Abstract

A testing tool for electric bicycle devices includes a tester circuit and a connector. The tester circuit is configured and arranged to test and diagnose operability of at least one electric bicycle device. The connector extends from the tester circuit and is configured and arranged to connect to the electric bicycle device and provide electronic communications between the tester circuit and the electric bicycle device.

Claims

1. A testing tool for electric bicycle devices comprising:

a tester circuit configured and arranged to check operability of at least one electric bicycle device; and

a connector extending from the tester circuit, configured and arranged to connect to the electric bicycle device and provide electronic communications between the tester circuit and the electric bicycle device.

2. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the electric bicycle device includes an electric shift operating device.

3. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the tester circuit includes a signal transmitting portion and a signal receiving portion configured for communication with the electric shift operating device.

4. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 3, wherein

the signal receiving portion is configured to receive shift instruction signals from the electric shift operating device and the signal transmitting portion is configured to send at least one simulated position sensor signal to the electric shift operating device.

5. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the electric bicycle device includes at least one of an electric front derailleur and an electric rear derailleur.

6. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 5, wherein

the tester circuit includes a signal transmitting portion and a signal receiving portion configured for communication with the at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur.

7. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 6, wherein

the signal transmitting portion is configured to send at least one chain movement signal to the at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur, and the signal receiving portion is configured to receive position sensor signals from the at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur corresponding to chain guide position.

8. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the tester circuit includes a switch for selecting a specific one of a plurality of electric bicycle devices for testing, the plurality of electric bicycle devices including an electric rear derailleur, an electric rear derailleur, and an electric shift operating device.

9. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the tester circuit includes a voltage level conversion switching circuit configured to protect the tester circuit from a voltage differential in the electric bicycle device.

10. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the tester circuit includes a visual display configured to indicate the tested status of the electric bicycle device.

11. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the tester circuit includes an audio device configured to indicate the tested status of the electric bicycle device.

12. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the tester circuit includes memory having stored output signal patterns corresponding to output signal patterns of a plurality of electric bicycle devices.

13. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 12, wherein

the memory has stored input signal patterns corresponding to input signal patterns recognized by a plurality of electric bicycle devices.

14. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, further comprising

a second connector extending from the tester circuit, configured and arranged to connect to the electric bicycle device and provide electronic communications between the tester circuit and a second one of the electric bicycle devices.