Electronically Controlled Suspension System, Method for Controlling a Suspension System and Computer Program

• US 20170008584A1
• Filed: 09/26/2016
• Published: 01/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2012
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co KG
• Original Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co KG, Befra Electronic, S.R.O. (Katek SE)
• Inventors: Butora, Peter, Beier, Jrgen, Knstle, Reiner, Koller, Florian, Kern, Christoph
• Granted Patent: US 10,259,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/06 Saddles capable of parallel motion up and down
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/00 Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/20 Cycle computers as cycle accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/411 Torque sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/412 Speed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/414 Acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/415 Inclination sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/4152 for sensing longitudinal inclination of the cycle
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/22 electronic, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2025/044 Suspensions with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2025/045 Suspensions with ride-height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/08 for front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/10 for rear wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/20 for rear wheel

Abstract

A seat post for a bicycle comprises a post body having a first end shaped to be connected to a bicycle frame, a second end shaped to be connected to a saddle, at least two longitudinal portions meshing with each other and slidable relative to one another along a longitudinal extension, and a fixing apparatus by which the two longitudinal portions can be fixed to one another in a settable relative position, the fixing apparatus being influenced to selectively fix and unfix by a radio signal.

Claims

1. A seat post for a bicycle, comprising:

a post body having;

a first end shaped to be connected to a bicycle frame;

a second end shaped to be connected to a saddle;

at least two longitudinal portions meshing with each other and slidable relative to one another along a longitudinal extension; and

a fixing apparatus by which the two longitudinal portions can be fixed to one another in a settable relative position, the fixing apparatus being influenced to selectively fix and unfix by a radio signal.

2. The seat post according to claim 1, wherein the radio signal is produced by an operating element.

3. The seat post according to claim 1, wherein the radio signal is produced by an electronic module dependent upon terrain topography.

4. The seat post according to claim 1, wherein the two longitudinal portions are connected to each other through a gas pressure spring.

5. The seat post according to claim 1, further comprising an antenna associated with the fixing apparatus and receiving the radio signal.

6. The seat post according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic module generating the radio signal dependent upon on at least one of terrain topography, velocity, acceleration, position, torque, and road surface condition.

7. The seat post according to claim 6, wherein the electronic module comprises a cell phone.

8. The seat post according to claim 6, wherein the electronic module comprises at least one micromechanical acceleration sensor.

9. The seat post according to claim 8, wherein the at least one micromechanical acceleration sensor is at least one multi-axis micromechanical acceleration sensor measuring acceleration in three dimensions.

10. The seat post according to claim 8, wherein:

the at least one micromechanical acceleration sensor generates raw data; and

the electronic module determines at least one of a velocity and a position by integration of the raw data of the at least one micromechanical acceleration sensor.

11. The seat post according to claim 6, wherein the electronic module implements at least one first operating condition and at least one second operating condition, wherein, in the second operating condition, the number of functions that can be executed is reduced and the energy consumption is lowered as compared to the first operating condition.

12. The seat post according to claim 11, wherein the electronic module changes from the first operating condition to the second operating condition when no acceleration is detected over a settable time period.

13. The seat post according to claim 11, wherein the electronic module changes from the second operating condition to the first operating condition when an acceleration is detected.

14. The seat post according to claim 6, wherein the electronic module implements:

at least one first operating condition in which a given number of functions can be executed and in which a given amount of energy is consumed; and

at least one second operating condition in which less than the number of functions can be executed and less than the given amount of energy is consumed.

15. The seat post according to claim 14, wherein the electronic module automatically changes from the first operating condition to the second operating condition when the electronic module determines that no acceleration has been detected over a user-settable period of time.

16. The seat post according to claim 14, wherein the electronic module changes from the second operating condition to the first operating condition when acceleration is detected.

18. The seat post according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic module programmed to control at least one suspension system of the bicycle.

19. The seat post according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic module containing a map memory storing topographic information.

20. The seat post according to claim 6, wherein the electronic module comprises a map memory storing topographic terrain information.