Bicycle user interface system and method of operation thereof

• US 8,121,757 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2008
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cannondale Bicycle Corporation (Dorel Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cannondale Bicycle Corporation (Dorel Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Song, Stanley, Extance, Stephen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Verley, Nicole
• Application Number:
  US12/258,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20090192673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 280/283, 701/37, 345/156
• US Class Current: 701/37
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/08 Steering dampers dampers in general F16F
• 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: F16F 9/3221 of piston rods
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/44 Means on or in the damper for manual or non-automatic adjustment; such means combined with temperature correction F16F9/53, F16F13/26 take precedence; temperature correction only F16F9/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials

Abstract

A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle.

Claims

1. A user interface for a bicycle control system for a bicycle, said user interface comprising

a processor;

a display coupled to said processor;

a selection device movable between a first position, a second position and a third position, said selection device generating a first signal in response to said selection device being moved to said first position, generating a second signal in response to said selection device being moved to said second position and generating a third signal in response to said selection device being moved to said third position;

wherein said processor is responsive to executable computer instructions for displaying a set of menu entries on said display in a first mode of operation and displaying a plurality of graphical elements in a second mode of operation, wherein said second mode of operation is displayed during operation of said bicycle; and

,

wherein said processor is further responsive to moving between said menu entries in response to said first or second signal, said processor being further responsive to displaying a first suspension control setting in response to said third signal.

2. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 1 wherein said selection device includes a fourth position and a fifth position, said selection device generating a fourth signal in response to said selection device being moved to said fourth position and a fifth signal in response to said selection device being moved to said fifth position.

3. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 2 wherein said selection device includes a lever having a first position located in a first direction relative to an origin, and a second position located in a second direction relative to the origin, wherein said first and second directions are arranged 180 degrees apart.

4. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 3 wherein said lever has a fourth position located in a third direction relative to the origin, and a fifth position located in a fourth direction relative to the origin, wherein said third and fourth directions are 180 degrees apart, and said third and fourth directions are each arranged 90 degrees from said first and second direction.

5. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 4 wherein:

said set of menu entries are selected from anyone of;

ride mode;

fork setup;

rider setup;

view data; and

shut down; and

,

said processor is further responsive to executable instructions for receiving said third signal indicating a ride mode menu selection, and in response to said ride mode menu selection changing to said second mode of operation and generating said plurality of graphical elements on said display, wherein said plurality of graphical elements are positioned on said display in the same relative position as said first position, said second position, said third position, said fourth position and said fifth position on said selection device.

6. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 5 wherein:

said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for determining setup parameters associated with a selected fork setup menu and displaying each setup parameter associated with said selected fork setup menu; and

,

said setup parameters include a selection device location parameter.

7. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 1 wherein said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for transmitting a first signal to a bicycle suspension system in response to receiving said first signal when in said second mode of operation.

8. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 7 wherein said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for transmitting a second signal to said bicycle suspension system in response to receiving said second signal when in said second mode of operation.

9. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 8 wherein said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for transmitting a third signal to said bicycle suspension system in response to receiving said third signal when in said second mode of operation, wherein said suspension system locks out in response to receiving said third signal.

10. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 1 wherein said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for displaying a graphical element and a textual element during a third mode of operation.

11. The user interface for a bicycle control system of claim 10 wherein graphical element is an indicator bar, said indicator bar displaying a second suspension control setting.

12. The user interface of claim 11 wherein said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for changing said second control setting in response to said selection device being moved to said first position.

13. The user interface of claim 1 wherein said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for displaying a damping curve setting in response to said third signal.

14. The user interface of claim 1 wherein said wherein said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for receiving a selection device position parameter, wherein a position of said plurality of graphical elements on said display is reversed in response to receiving said selection device position parameter.

15. The user interface of claim 1 wherein one of said menu entries includes a travel management menu entry, said said processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for displaying a first graphical element, a second graphical indicator and a control setting text box in response to said third signal, wherein said first graphical element is a representation of a suspension system, and said second graphical element includes a first arrow element and a second arrow element.