Automatic shifting control device for a bicycle
First Claim
1. A method of controlling shifting in a bicycle transmission capable of automatic shifting, said method comprising sensing an operating speed of the bicycle, monitoring a period of time between transmission shifts, determining when a preset period of time between transmission shifts has elapsed and recalibrating an upper speed value and a lower speed value for a gear step currently in use.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bicycle features an automatically shifting transmission. The shifting is controlled by a controller. The controller has a number of ranges that comprise a subset of the available gear steps. The operator of the bicycle can select an appropriate range and the controller shifts gears within the range depending upon a preset map of bicycle speeds and gear steps. The operator can select other ranges as desired by upshifting or downshifting. The controller also has at least one cruising mode that decreases the likelihood of inadvertent shifting during operation of the bicycle at speeds within a preset range of speeds. In addition, the controller has an elapse mode that further reduces the number of available gear steps in a range during resumed operation after slowing below a preset speed or stopping.
118 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A method of controlling shifting in a bicycle transmission capable of automatic shifting, said method comprising sensing an operating speed of the bicycle, monitoring a period of time between transmission shifts, determining when a preset period of time between transmission shifts has elapsed and recalibrating an upper speed value and a lower speed value for a gear step currently in use.
- 11. A method of controlling shifting in a bicycle transmission capable of automatic shifting, said method comprising sensing an operating speed of the bicycle, automatically changing gears within a first preset range of gear steps depending upon said operating speed of the bicycle, determining if said operating speed is rapidly reduced below a first threshold operating speed, switching to a second preset range of gear steps when said operating speed is rapidly reduced below said first threshold operating speed, automatically changing gears within said second preset range of gear steps depending upon said operating speed of the bicycle, and said first preset range of gear steps comprising more gear steps than said second preset range of gear steps.
- 15. A method of controlling shifting in a bicycle transmission capable of automatic shifting, said method comprising selecting an automatic operating mode, selecting a first preset range of gear steps from a plurality of preset ranges of gear steps, and operating said bicycle transmission among said selected preset range of gear steps.
Specification