Device and method for measurement of cycling power output

• US 8,762,077 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2009
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SRAM LLC (SRAM International Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Brim Brothers, Ltd.
• Inventors: Redmond, Barry, Mellor, Ian Phillip
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, TOAN M
• Application Number:
  US12/996,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20110087446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,842 Days
• Field of Search: 702/44, 702/33, 702 41- 43, 702/81, 702/84, 702/127, 702138-139, 702141-142, 702/145, 702/148, 702150-154, 702182-183, 702/189, 33/1.N, 33/1.PT, 33281-282, 332/85, 73 108- 109, 73/13.7, 73/17.5, 733/790.1, 733/790.7, 734/88, 734/93, 73510-511, 738/620.8, 738/623.81, 738/623.91, 745/941, 745/944, 745/946
• US Class Current: 702/44
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/44 with sensors, e.g. for detecting contact or position
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/14 Shoes for cyclists
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/221 Ergometry, e.g. by using bicycle type apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/247 by measuring and simultaneously multiplying tractive or propulsive force and velocity
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/225 to foot actuated controls, e.g. brake pedals
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/22 transferred to the indicator by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/217 with toe or shoe clips

Abstract

The invention provides a measurement device and method for measuring a cyclist'"'"'s power output, in response to an external force provided by said cyclist applied to a bicycle, including a force sensor (13), characterised in that said force sensor is embedded in a bicycle cleat (11) bolted to the shoe (10). The invention further provides an accelerometer (14) for measuring a cyclist'"'"'s power output. The inventive device and method provides a number of advantages over prior art solutions. The device of the invention means that the installation does not need any part of the bicycle to be replaced. The present invention does not restrict the type of components that may be used on the bicycle. Because the sensors are embedded in the cleat it is very simple to move the system to another bicycle. The invention also allows for detailed analysis of pedalling style, leading to improvements in efficiency.

Claims

1. A measurement device for measuring a cyclist'"'"'s power output, in response to an external force provided by said cyclist applied to a bicycle, comprising a force sensor embedded in a bicycle cleat and configured to measure the power output of the cyclist based on the external force provided by said cyclist.

2. The measurement device of claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer.

3. The measurement device of claim 1 wherein said embedded force sensor comprises a first sensor substantially positioned near the inner edge of said cleat and a second sensor substantially positioned near the outer edge of said cleat.

4. The measurement device of claim 1 wherein said embedded force sensor comprises a first sensor substantially positioned near the inner edge of said cleat and a second sensor substantially positioned near the outer edge of said cleat, wherein the embedded force sensor comprises a third sensor substantially positioned near the centre of said cleat.

5. The measurement device of claim 1 wherein said force sensor comprises means for measuring the compression force applied to said cleat.

6. The measurement device of claim 1 wherein said force sensor comprises means for measuring the shear force applied to said cleat.

7. The measurement device of claim 1 wherein a separate force sensor embedded in said cleat comprises means for measuring the tension on the cleat when said cleat is being pulled upwards, in response to a force provided by said cyclist.

8. The measurement device of claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer, wherein said accelerometer comprises means to measure pedalling cadence.

9. The measurement device of claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer wherein said accelerometer comprises means to detect the true top of a crank revolution.

10. The measurement device of claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer wherein said accelerometer comprises means to detect the true bottom of a crank revolution.

11. The measurement device of claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer wherein said accelerometer comprises means to measure the angular position of the crank.

12. The measurement device of claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer wherein said accelerometer comprises means to measure forward/backward tilt of the pedal.

13. A bicycle cleat comprising the measurement device of claim 1.

14. A measurement device for measuring a cyclist'"'"'s power output, in response to an external force provided by said cyclist applied to a bicycle pedal, comprising an accelerometer, said accelerometer comprises means for measuring cadence and crank position and pedal tilt.

15. A bicycle cleat comprising the measurement device of claim 14.

16. A method of measuring a cyclist'"'"'s power output, in response to an external force provided by said cyclist applied to a bicycle, comprising the step of using a force sensor embedded in a bicycle cleat to measure the power output of the cyclist based on the external force applied to the bicycle by said cyclist.

17. The method of claim 16 comprising the additional step of using an accelerometer.