Bicycle input force processing apparatus

• US 8,833,182 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2012
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2012
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Tetsuka, Toshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Kirkland, III, Freddie
• Application Number:
  US13/414,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20130233091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 738/626.21, 738/626.27
• US Class Current: 73/862.621
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0307 using generators driven by a machine different from the vehicle motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/033 characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries for propulsion puposes B60K1/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06; testing of charge state G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 11/19 specially adapted for electric wires
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/41 characterised by the type of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/421 at the pedal crank
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 3/003 Combination of crank axles and bearings housed in the bottom bracket bottom bracket frame details B62K19/34
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/02 Rotary-transmission dynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/242 by measuring and simultaneously multiplying torque and velocity
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1846 structurally associated with wheels or associated parts dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1861 driven by animals or vehicles H02K7/1853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2164 Cranks and pedals

Abstract

A bicycle crank arm apparatus comprises a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion. A circuit-mounting structure is disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion, wherein the circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount a measurement board. When a measurement board is mounted to the circuit-mounting structure, the resulting combination forms a bicycle input force processing apparatus.

Claims

1. A bicycle crank arm apparatus comprising:

a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion; and

a circuit-mounting structure disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion, wherein the circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount a measurement board having a sensor mounted thereon for measuring an input force.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the circuit mounting structure has an opening.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a cover that detachably mounts to opening.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising an electrical connector disposed at the opening, wherein the connector is configured to detachably connect to another electrical connector.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the electrical connector is disposed within the opening.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the electrical connector is fastened to the crank arm within the opening.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising electrical wiring attached to the electrical connector.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the electrical wiring is disposed within the crank arm.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the crank arm includes a sprocket-mounting arm, and wherein the circuit-mounting structure is disposed on the sprocket-mounting arm.

10. A bicycle input force processing apparatus comprising:

a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion; and

a first measurement board having a first sensor mounted thereon for measuring a first input force;

wherein the crank arm includes a first circuit-mounting structure disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion and configured to detachably mount the first measurement board.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first sensor comprises a strain gauge.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first measurement board includes a surface facing the crank arm, and wherein the sensor is disposed between the surface and the crank arm.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the circuit mounting structure has an opening.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the first measurement board is mounted within the opening.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the opening includes a bottom floor so that the opening is formed as a recess in the crank arm.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a fastener that mounts the first measurement board to the first circuit-mounting structure.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the fastener comprises a threaded fastener.

18. The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a transmitter operatively coupled to the first sensor for transmitting sensor signals.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the transmitter wirelessly transmits the sensor signals.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the transmitter is mounted to the first measurement board.

21. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first measurement board includes a first electrical connector, and wherein the crank arm includes a second electrical connector structured to detachably connect to the first electrical connector.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the second electrical connector is disposed at the opening.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising electrical wiring attached to the second electrical connector.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the electrical wiring is disposed within the crank arm.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising a power source connected to the electrical wiring.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 further comprising a crank axle structured to be mounted to the crank axle mounting portion, wherein the crank axle includes a hollow portion, and wherein the power source is disposed within the hollow portion.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the power source is structured to be detachably connected to the electrical wiring at both ends of the crank axle.

28. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the crank arm includes a second circuit-mounting structure, and further comprising a second measurement board having a second sensor mounted thereon for measuring a second input force, wherein the second circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount the second measurement board.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first measurement board is disposed at a laterally inner side of the crank arm, and wherein the second measurement board is disposed at a laterally outer side of the crank arm.

30. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first measurement board is disposed at an upper side of the crank arm, and wherein the second measurement board is disposed at a lower side of the crank arm.