Method of controlling bicycle assembly

• US 6,767,308 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2001
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Kitamura, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Tisha D
• Application Number:
  US09/907,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20020128106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 477/7, 477/15, 477/906, 477/907, 280/276, 280/284, 280/5--, 280/236-238, 280/259-261, 180/218-221, 180/65.3
• US Class Current: 477/7
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/04 for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork for sidecars, forecars or the like B62K27/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/08 for front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/122 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/132 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 477/906 Means detecting or ameliorating the effects of malfunction or potential malfunction

Abstract

A simplified method is provided for controlling a motor of a bicycle component, especially a power assisting apparatus for a derailleur or a suspension. The method of controlling a motor of a bicycle assembly, basically comprising the steps of supplying current to the motor to move a bicycle component between a first position and a second position, and monitoring current flow to the motor during movement of the bicycle component. Then, stopping flow of current to the motor upon detection of an overcurrent to the motor due to the bicycle component reaching one of the first and second positions after being driven from the other of the first and second positions.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a motor of a bicycle assembly, comprising:

supplying current to said motor to move a bicycle component between a first position and a second position;

monitoring current to said motor during movement of said bicycle component;

stopping current to said motor to complete an operation of said bicycle component upon detection of an initial overcurrent to said motor due to said bicycle component reaching one of said first and second positions after being driven from the other of said first and second positions;

measuring time between said supplying current to said motor and stopping current to said motor;

determining a time period of energization; and

energizing said motor for said time period to move said bicycle component between said first and second positions to complete a subsequent operation of said bicycle component after said detection of said initial overcurrent to said motor.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said bicycle component is a derailleur assembly.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising operating said motor to actuate a shift assisting apparatus that is operatively coupled between said derailleur assembly and a portion of a drive train such that movement of said derailleur assembly is powered by said drive train.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said bicycle component is a suspension assembly.

2. A method of controlling a motor of a bicycle assembly, comprising:

supplying current to said motor to move a bicycle component between a first position and a second position;

monitoring current to said motor during movement of said bicycle component;

stopping current to said motor to complete an operation of said bicycle component upon detection of an initial overcurrent to said motor due to said bicycle component reaching one of said first and second positions after being driven from the other of said first and second positions;

measuring time between said supplying current to said motor and stopping current to said motor;

determining a time period of energization;

energizing said motor for said time period to move said bicycle component between said first and second positions to complete a subsequent operation of said bicycle component after said detection of said initial overcurrent to said motor; and

stopping use of said time period of energization to start and stop said motor, and supplying current to said motor until detection of a subsequent overcurrent in said motor due to said bicycle component reaching one of said first and second positions after being driven from the other of said first and second positions.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising

repeating said energizing said motor for said time period to move said bicycle component between said first and second positions to complete a predetermined number of additional operations of said bicycle component after said initial overcurrent to said motor before said stopping use of said time period of energization to start and stop said motor.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising

counting said predetermined number of said additional operations of said bicycle component to determine when to stop use of said time period of energization to start and stop said motor.

8. A bicycle assembly, comprising:

a motor having an overcurrent detecting circuit operatively coupled to a power input line of said motor to interrupt current flow to said motor upon detection of an overcurrent, said overcurrent detecting circuit comparing voltage in said power input line with a reference voltage to determine when said overcurrent occurs in said motor; and

a bicycle component operatively coupled to said motor to move said bicycle component back and forth between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position such that said overcurrent occurs in said motor when said bicycle component reaches said first predetermined position after being driven from said second predetermined position and said overcurrent occurs when said bicycle component reaches said second predetermined position after being driven from said first predetermined position.

10. The bicycle assembly according to claim 8, wherein said motor is a reversible motor.

11. The bicycle assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a shift control unit electrically coupled to said motor.

12. The bicycle assembly according to claim 11, wherein said shift control unit includes a shift device operatively coupled to said motor.

13. The bicycle assembly according to claim 12, wherein said bicycle component includes a derailleur assembly.

14. The bicycle assembly according to claim 13, wherein said derailleur assembly includes a front derailleur and a shift assisting apparatus operatively coupled to said front derailleur.

9. A bicycle assembly, comprising:

a motor having an overcurrent detecting circuit operatively coupled to a power input line of said motor to interrupt current flow to said motor upon detection of an overcurrent, said overcurrent detecting circuit comparing voltage in said power input line with a reference voltage to determine when said overcurrent occurs in said motor; and

a derailleur assembly operatively coupled to said motor to move said derailleur assembly between a first position and a second position such that said overcurrent occurs in said motor when said derailleur assembly reaches one of said first and second positions after being driven from the other of said first and second positions.

24. The bicycle assembly according to claim 9, wherein

said motor is a reversible motor, in which a direction of said motor is controlled by a shift control unit that is electrically coupled to said motor.

15. A bicycle assembly, comprising:

a motor having an overcurrent detecting circuit operatively coupled to a power input line of said motor to interrupt current flow to said motor upon detection of an overcurrent, said overcurrent detecting circuit comparing voltage in said power input line with a reference voltage to determine when said overcurrent occurs in said motor; and

a suspension assembly operatively coupled to said motor to move said suspension assembly between a first position and a second position such that said overcurrent occurs in said motor when said suspension assembly reaches one of said first and second positions after being driven from the other of said first and second positions.

16. A bicycle assembly, comprising:

a motor having an overcurrent detecting circuit operatively coupled to a power input line of said motor to interrupt current flow to said motor upon detection of an overcurrent, said overcurrent detecting circuit comparing voltage in said power input line with a reference voltage to determine when said overcurrent occurs in said motor; and

a bicycle component having a first part operatively coupled to said motor to move said first part of said bicycle component back and forth within a predetermined range of movement between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, said first part of said bicycle component being configured and arranged relative to at least a second part of said bicycle component that limits movement of said first part such that said overcurrent occurs in said motor when said bicycle component reaches one of said first and second predetermined positions after being driven from the other of said first and second predetermined positions.

17. The bicycle assembly according to claim 16, wherein

said bicycle component includes a derailleur assembly.

18. The bicycle assembly according to claim 16, wherein

said motor is a reversible motor.

19. The bicycle assembly according to claim 18, further comprising

a shift control unit electrically coupled to said motor.

20. The bicycle assembly according to claim 19, wherein

said shift control unit includes a shift device operatively coupled to said motor.

21. The bicycle assembly according to claim 20, wherein

said bicycle component includes a derailleur assembly.

22. The bicycle assembly according to claim 21, wherein

said derailleur assembly includes a front derailleur and a shift assisting apparatus operatively coupled to said front derailleur.

23. The bicycle assembly according to claim 16, wherein

said bicycle component is a suspension assembly.