Testing tool for electric bicycle devices

• US 7,819,032 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Takebayashi, Haruyuki, Takeda, Kazuhiro, Watari, Etsuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FAYYAZ, NASHMIYA SAQIB
• Application Number:
  US11/589,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,456 Days
• Field of Search: 738/658, 738/659
• US Class Current: 73/865.9
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/005 Testing of electric installations on transport means

Abstract

A testing tool for electric bicycle devices includes a tester circuit and a connector. The tester circuit is configured and arranged to test and diagnose operability of at least one electric bicycle device. The connector extends from the tester circuit and is configured and arranged to connect to the electric bicycle device and provide electronic communications between the tester circuit and the electric bicycle device.

Claims

1. A testing tool for electric bicycle devices comprising:

a tester circuit configured and arranged to check operability of at least one electric bicycle device that includes an electric shift operating device, the tester circuit including a signal transmitting portion configured to transmit at least one simulated position sensor signal to the electric shift operating device, a signal receiving portion configured to receive shift instruction signals from the electric shift operating device, and an indication portion configured to provide an indication representing the operability of the electric shift operating device as checked by the tester circuit based on the at least one simulated position sensor signal and the shift instruction signals; and

a connector extending from the tester circuit, configured and arranged to connect to the electric bicycle device and provide electronic communications between the electric bicycle device and at least one of the signal receiving portion and the signal transmitting portion of the tester circuit.

4. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the tester circuit includes a switch for selecting the electric shift operating device for testing.

5. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the tester circuit includes a voltage level conversion switching circuit configured to protect the tester circuit from a voltage differential in the electric bicycle device.

6. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the indication portion of the tester circuit includes a visual display configured to indicate a tested status of the electric bicycle device.

7. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the indication portion of the tester circuit includes an audio device configured to indicate a tested status of the electric bicycle device.

8. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the tester circuit includes memory having stored output signal patterns corresponding to output signal patterns of a plurality of electric bicycle devices.

9. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 8, wherein

the memory has stored input signal patterns corresponding to input signal patterns recognized by a plurality of electric bicycle devices.

2. A testing tool for electric bicycle devices comprising:

a tester circuit configured and arranged to check operability of an electric bicycle device that includes at least one of an electric front derailleur and an electric rear derailleur, the tester circuit including a signal transmitting portion configured to transmit an output signal to at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur, a signal receiving portion configured to receive an input signal from at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur, and an indication portion configured to provide an indication representing the operability of at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur as checked by the tester circuit based on the input and output signals; and

a connector extending from the tester circuit, configured and arranged to connect to the electric bicycle device and provide electronic communications between the electric bicycle device and at least one of the signal receiving portion and the signal transmitting portion of the tester circuit.

3. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the signal transmitting portion is configured to send at least one chain movement signal as the output signal to the at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur, and the signal receiving portion is configured to receive as the input signal position sensor signals from the at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur corresponding to chain guide position.

12. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the tester circuit includes a switch for selecting one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur for testing.

13. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the tester circuit includes a voltage level conversion switching circuit configured to protect the tester circuit from a voltage differential in the electric bicycle device.

14. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the indication portion of the tester circuit includes a visual display configured to indicate a tested status of the electric bicycle device.

15. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the indication portion of the tester circuit includes an audio device configured to indicate a tested status of the electric bicycle device.

16. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 2, wherein

the tester circuit includes memory having stored output signal patterns corresponding to output signal patterns of a plurality of electric bicycle devices.

17. The testing tool for electric bicycle devices as set forth in claim 16, wherein

the memory has stored input signal patterns corresponding to input signal patterns recognized by a plurality of electric bicycle devices.

10. A testing tool for electric bicycle devices comprising:

a tester circuit configured and arranged to check operability of at least one electric bicycle device, the at least one electric bicycle device including an electric shift operating device and at least one of an electric front derailleur and an electric rear derailleur;

a first connector extending from the tester circuit, configured and arranged to connect to the electric shift operating device and provide electronic communications between the tester circuit and the electric shift operating device;

a second connector extending from the tester circuit, configured and arranged to connect to one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur and provide electronic communications between the one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur and the tester circuit; and

an indication portion configured to provide an indication representing the operability of the at least one electric bicycle device as checked by the tester circuit.

11. A testing tool for electric bicycle devices comprising:

a tester circuit configured and arranged to check operability of at least one electric bicycle device that includes at least one of an electric front derailleur and an electric rear derailleur, the tester circuit including a signal transmitting portion and a signal receiving portion configured for communication with the at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur, with the signal transmitting portion being configured to send at least one chain movement signal to the at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur, and the signal receiving portion being configured to receive position sensor signals from the at least one of the electric front derailleur and the electric rear derailleur corresponding to chain guide position; and

a connector extending from the tester circuit, configured and arranged to connect to the electric bicycle device and provide electronic communications between the tester circuit and the electric bicycle device.