System for Determining Pedalling Effort of Bicycle

• US 20090319203A1
• Filed: 06/19/2008
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Kalliomaki, Kalevi, Prokkola, Heikki, Honkala, Jorma, Niemimaki, Mika
• Granted Patent: US 7,792,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/221 Ergometry, e.g. by using bicycle type apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/50 characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/24 Devices for determining the value of power, e.g. by measuring and simultaneously multiplying the values of torque and revolutions per unit of time, by multiplying the values of tractive or propulsive force and velocity
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/042 by measuring vibrational characteristics of the flexible member

Abstract

A system determines pedaling effort of a bicycle and includes a first detector to generate a first sensor signal responsive to passage of a force transmission chain across a first frame-fixed point located in proximity to the force transmission trajectory of the force transmission chain, a second detector for generating a second sensor signal responsive to passage of a force transmission chain across a second frame-fixed point located in proximity to the force transmission trajectory of the force transmission chain, and a controller configured to receive the first and second sensor signals and configured to determine a first pedaling parameter proportional to tension of the force transmission chain by using the first and second sensor signal. A corresponding method for determining pedaling effort of a bicycle, and a computer program distribution medium including instructions for executing a computer process in a digital processor are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for determining pedaling effort of a bicycle, comprising:

a first detector for generating a first sensor signal responsive to passage of a force transmission chain across a first frame-fixed point located in the proximity of the force transmission trajectory of the force transmission chain;

a second detector for generating a second sensor signal responsive to passage of a force transmission chain across a second frame-fixed point located in the proximity of the force transmission trajectory of the force transmission chain; and

a controller configured to receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal and configured to determine a first pedaling parameter proportional to tension of the force transmission chain by using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to detect phase difference between the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal;

and wherein the controller is further configured to determine a parameter proportional to tension on the basis of the phase difference.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to calculate velocity of the force transmission chain by using the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to calculate acceleration of the force transmission chain by using the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to calculate tension of the force transmission chain, and wherein the controller is further configured to calculate pedaling power of the bicycle by using the tension and the velocity of the force transmission chain.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to calibrate the first pedaling parameter by using the acceleration.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first detector is configured to generate a first sensor signal responsive to a tooth of a rear sprocket passing the first detector, thereby indicating passage of the transmission chain across the first frame-fixed point located at the force transmission contact point between the force transmission chain and the rear sprocket.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second detector is configured to generate a second sensor signal responsive to a tooth of a front sprocket passing the second detector, thereby indicating passage of the transmission chain across the second frame-fixed point located at the force transmission contact point between the force transmission chain and the front sprocket.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first detector is configured to generate the first sensor signal as a response to the force transmission chain passing the first detector.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second detector is configured to generate the second signal as a response to the force transmission chain passing the second detector.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration detector configured to detect vibration of the force transmission chain, wherein the vibration is perpendicular to the force transmission trajectory, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a second pedaling parameter by using the vibration, and wherein the controller is further configured to calculate a third pedaling parameter by using the first pedaling parameter and the second pedaling parameter.

12. A method of determining pedaling effort of a bicycle, comprising:

generating a first sensor signal responsive to passage of a force transmission chain across a first frame-fixed point located in the proximity of the force transmission trajectory of the force transmission chain;

generating a second sensor signal responsive to passage of a force transmission chain across a second frame-fixed point located in the proximity of the force transmission trajectory of the force transmission chain;

receiving the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal; and

determining a first pedaling parameter proportional to tension of the force trans-mission chain by using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

13. A computer program distribution medium comprising encoded instructions for executing a computer process in a digital processor, the computer process comprising:

receiving a first sensor signal responsive to passage of a force transmission chain across a first frame-fixed point located in the proximity of the force transmission trajectory of the force transmission chain;

receiving a second sensor signal responsive to passage of a force transmission chain across a second frame-fixed point located in the proximity of the force transmission trajectory of the force transmission chain; and

determining a first pedaling parameter proportional to tension of the force transmission chain by using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.