ACTIVE SHOCK-DAMPING SYSTEM

• US 20110109060A1
• Filed: 08/31/2010
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sotto Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Praxis Works LLC
• Inventors: Beale, Luther M., Earle, David M.
• Application Number:
  US12/872,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20110109060A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/283
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/28 with pivoted chain-stay

Abstract

Bicycles and bicycle suspension systems including a sensor configured to sense a force or torque exerted by a rider on a bicycle, and a suspension adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a parameter of the bicycle suspension system in response. A controller or suspension management unit may be provided to receive data from the sensor, determine a corresponding suspension configuration, and transmit a suitable signal to the suspension adjustment mechanism. Accordingly, desired suspension characteristics may be achieved under various riding conditions.

Claims

1. A bicycle suspension system, comprising:

at least one torque sensor assembly configured to sense torque applied by a user to a bicycle drive train and to produce a corresponding torque signal;

a controller configured to receive the torque signal and in response to provide a corresponding suspension management output signal; and

an adjustment mechanism configured to receive the suspension management output signal and in response to adjust a characteristic of a bicycle suspension system.

2. The bicycle suspension system of claim 1, wherein the torque sensor is configured to transmit the torque signal to the controller wirelessly.

3. The bicycle suspension system of claim 1, wherein the torque sensor is disposed in a bicycle pedal spindle.

4. The bicycle suspension system of claim 1, wherein the torque sensor is disposed in a bicycle rear wheel hub.

5. The bicycle suspension system of claim 1, wherein the torque sensor is configured to sense torque by sensing deflection of a portion of the bicycle drive train.

6. The bicycle suspension system of claim 1, wherein the adjusted characteristic of the suspension system is selected from the set consisting of damping response rate and spring tension.

7. A bicycle suspension system, comprising:

a first sensor configured to measure a parameter corresponding to an impact of a rider on a bicycle and to generate a first signal corresponding to the measured parameter, wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of (i) torque exerted by the rider on a drivetrain component of the bicycle, (ii) tension produced by the rider in a chain of the bicycle, (iii) braking pressure produced by the rider operating a brake of the bicycle, and (iv) pressure exerted by the rider on a seat of the bicycle;

a suspension management unit configured to receive the first signal and to generate a corresponding suspension modification signal; and

a suspension modification assembly configured to receive the suspension modification signal and to adjust a characteristic of a shock absorber of the bicycle in response.

8. The bicycle suspension system of claim 7, wherein the suspension management unit is configured to determine a desired shock damping configuration based upon the first signal, and wherein the suspension modification signal corresponds to the desired shock damping configuration.

9. The bicycle suspension system of claim 7, wherein the first sensor is configured to sense deflection of a drivetrain component from a neutral position.

10. The bicycle suspension system of claim 9, wherein the first sensor is configured to sense deflection of a pedal spindle of the bicycle.

11. The bicycle suspension system of claim 7, wherein the first sensor is configured to sense torque exerted in a rear wheel hub of the bicycle.

12. The bicycle suspension system of claim 7, further comprising:

a second sensor configured to measure a property of the bicycle selected from the group consisting of gear selection, frame attitude, suspension position, bicycle velocity and bicycle acceleration;

wherein the second sensor is configured to generate a second signal corresponding to the measured property; and

wherein the suspension management unit is configured to receive the second signal and to generate the suspension modification signal based on both the first and second signals.

13. A bicycle, comprising:

a bicycle frame; and

a rear suspension system coupled to the bicycle frame and including;

a sensor assembly configured to sense a force applied by a user to a bicycle and to produce a corresponding signal;

a controller configured to receive the signal from the sensor assembly and to generate a corresponding suspension management signal; and

a suspension modification assembly configured to receive the suspension management signal and to adjust a characteristic of the suspension system in response.

14. The bicycle of claim 13, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to sense the force by measuring deflection from a neutral position of a portion of a drivetrain of the bicycle.

15. The bicycle of claim 14, wherein the sensor assembly is disposed within a pedal spindle of the bicycle and is configured to measure deflection of the pedal spindle.

16. The bicycle of claim 13, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to sense the force by measuring torque exerted on a rear hub of the bicycle.

17. The bicycle of claim 13, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to sense the force by measuring tension in a chain of the bicycle.

18. The bicycle of claim 13, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to sense the force by measuring pressure on a seat of the bicycle.

19. The bicycle of claim 13, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to sense the force by measuring pressure exerted on a brake assembly of the bicycle.

20. The bicycle of claim 13, wherein the controller is incorporated into a multi-purpose electronic device chosen from the set consisting of a mobile telephone, a cyclo-computer, and a global positioning system unit.