Bicycle control apparatus that communicates power and data over a single transmission path

• US 6,741,045 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2002
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Kitamura, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Leykin, Rita
• Application Number:
  US10/131,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20030197480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 318/14, 318/560, 318/600, 318/16, 318/34, 318/17, 318/520, 318/1, 318/2, 318/139, 474/70, 474/69, 375/135, 375/136, 375/237
• US Class Current: 318/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/461 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/24 by lever actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/002 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/44 Arrangements for feeding power to a repeater along the transmission line
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A bicycle control apparatus includes a bicycle component control unit having one of a control transmitter and a control receiver; a computer control unit having the other one of the control transmitter and the control receiver; and a transmission path coupled to the bicycle component control unit and to the computer control unit. The control transmitter communicates both power and data to the control receiver over the transmission path.

Claims

1. A bicycle control apparatus comprising:

a bicycle component control unit having one of a control transmitter and a control receiver;

a computer control unit having the other one of the control transmitter and the control receiver;

a transmission path coupled to the bicycle component control unit and to the computer control unit;

wherein the control transmitter communicates both power and data to the control receiver over the transmission path; and

wherein the control receiver includes a power storage element that is charged from power communicated over the transmission path.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control transmitter communicates the data in a pulse format.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control transmitter communicates the data in an analog signal format.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the analog signal is a periodic signal.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

a bicycle transmission element;

a motor coupled to the bicycle transmission element and to the bicycle component control unit; and

wherein the bicycle component control unit controls the motor for operating the bicycle transmission element.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the bicycle transmission element comprises a derailleur.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

a suspension element;

a motor coupled to the suspension element and to the bicycle component control unit; and

wherein the bicycle component control unit controls the motor for operating the suspension element.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the computer control unit is disposed in a bicycle computer adapted to be mounted to the bicycle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the bicycle computer includes an electronic video display.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the bicycle computer has a mounting bracket and a display housing, and wherein the computer control unit is disposed in the display housing.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the bicycle computer includes a power circuit coupled to the transmission path for receiving power from the transmission path.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the bicycle component control unit has the control transmitter, and wherein the computer control unit has the control receiver.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the bicycle component control unit includes a processor coupled to the transmitter for controlling the operation of the transmitter.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a power supply for supplying power to the processor.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a first motor driver coupled to the processor.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising:

a first motor coupled to the first motor driver; and

a bicycle transmission element coupled to the first motor.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the bicycle transmission element comprises a derailleur.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising:

a first motor coupled to the first motor driver; and

a suspension element coupled to the first motor.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a second motor driver coupled to the processor.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising:

a first motor coupled to the first motor driver;

a bicycle transmission element coupled to the first motor;

a second motor coupled to the second motor driver; and

a suspension element coupled to the second motor.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the power supply includes a dynamo.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the bicycle computer includes an electronic video display.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the bicycle transmission element comprises a derailleur.

24. The apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising:

a first motor coupled to the first motor driver;

a first bicycle transmission element coupled to the first motor;

a second motor coupled to the second motor driver; and

a second bicycle transmission element coupled to the second motor.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the power supply includes a dynamo.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the bicycle computer includes an electronic video display.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the first bicycle transmission element comprises a front derailleur, and wherein the second bicycle transmission element comprises a rear derailleur.

28. A bicycle control apparatus comprising:

a bicycle component control unit having one of a control transmitter and a control receiver;

a computer control unit having the other one of the control transmitter and the control receiver;

a transmission path coupled to the bicycle component control unit and to the computer control unit;

wherein the control transmitter communicates both power and data to the control receiver over the transmission path; and

wherein the power and data are communicated by a composite signal.

29. A bicycle control apparatus comprising:

a bicycle component control unit having one of a control transmitter and a control receiver;

a computer control unit having the other one of the control transmitter and the control receiver;

a transmission path coupled to the bicycle component control unit and to the computer control unit;

wherein the control transmitter communicates both power and data to the control receiver over the transmission path; and

wherein the control receiver receives the power and data through a single serial data stream.