Bicycle fitting method for producing bicycle, bicycle fitting system and computer program product

• US 9,108,694 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2012
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Giant Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Giant Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Chien-Hung, Ho, Wei-Chieh
• Primary Examiner(s): Fennema, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEVENS, THOMAS H
• Application Number:
  US13/481,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20120323351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 700/31, 700/97, 700/98, 700/182, 703/6, 703/7, 703/16
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/00 Cycle frames cycle frames specially adapted for one particular kind of cycle specified in groups B62K1/00 - B62K17/00, see the relevant group

Abstract

A bicycle fitting method for producing a bicycle is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a bicycle riding information and a body measurement corresponding to a cyclist. According to the bicycle riding information, a bicycle model is provided. According to the body measurement and the selected bicycle model, a bicycle frame size and a set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters are provided. According to the bicycle model, the bicycle frame size, and the set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters, a bicycle which fits the cyclist is produced.

Claims

1. A bicycle fitting method for producing a bicycle, comprising:

receiving a bicycle riding information and a body measurement corresponding to a cyclist;

analyzing the bicycle riding information to define a riding style of the cyclist, wherein the riding style comprises a ride surface parameter and a riding intensity parameter, so as to select a bicycle model from at least one candidate bicycle model according to the bicycle riding information;

providing a bicycle frame size and a set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters according to the body measurement and the bicycle model; and

producing a bicycle which fits the cyclist according to the bicycle model, the bicycle frame size, and the set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters,

wherein the step of producing the bicycle which fits the cyclist according to the bicycle model, the bicycle frame size, and the set of bicycle geometric adjustment comprises;

providing a bicycle body which matches the bicycle model and the bicycle frame size;

adjusting at least one variable module of the bicycle body according to the set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters;

measuring a upper body angle and a lower body angle of the cyclist riding on the bicycle body by using a measurement device; and

fine tuning the bicycle body to the bicycle which fits the cyclist according to the upper body angle and the lower body angle,

wherein the lower body angle of the cyclist riding the bicycle body is an angle between a thigh and a lower leg connected to the thigh of the cyclist, when the cyclist rides on the bicycle body and a thumb ball of one foot is aligned with a pedal axis center of the bicycle body, the cyclist pedals down to a lowest position, keeps a pedal horizontal, and a knee joint of the cyclist is used as a reference point.

2. The bicycle fitting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bicycle riding information comprises a ride frequency, a ride distance, and a ride duration.

3. The bicycle fitting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ride surface parameter comprises an asphalt road surface condition, a sandstone road surface condition, and a mixed road surface condition.

4. The bicycle fitting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the riding intensity parameter comprises a standard level, a professional level, and a competition level.

5. The bicycle fitting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body measurement comprises at least one crotch inseam height and a body height.

6. The bicycle fitting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one variable module comprises a seat, a seat post, a seat tube, a crank, a stem, washeres and handlebar.

7. The bicycle fitting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein fine tuning the bicycle body comprises adjusting stem length, washer height, seat angle, seat height, and a distance from seat tip to handlebar on the bicycle body.

8. The bicycle fitting method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper body angle of the cyclist riding on the bicycle body is an angle between a line formed by an acromion process to a greater trochanter of the cyclist and a horizontal line, and the greater trochanter is used as a reference point.

9. A bicycle fitting system, comprising:

a receive module receiving a bicycle riding information and a body measurement corresponding to a cyclist;

a search module comprising an analysis module to analyze the bicycle riding information to define a riding style of the cyclist, wherein the riding style comprises a ride surface parameter and a riding intensity parameter, so as to search for a bicycle model from at least one candidate bicycle model in a bicycle body database according to the bicycle riding information, and the search module searches for a proper bicycle frame size and a set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters in the bicycle body database according to the body measurement and the bicycle model; and

an assembly platform assembling a bicycle fitting the cyclist according to the bicycle model, the bicycle frame size, and the set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters,

wherein the assembly platform further comprises;

a simulator providing a bicycle body which matches the bicycle model and the bicycle frame size;

a setting module adjusting at least one variable module of the bicycle body according to the set of bicycle geometric adjustment;

a measure device measuring a upper body angle and a lower body angle of the cyclist riding the bicycle body; and

a fine tune module fine tuning the bicycle body to a bicycle which fits the cyclist according to the upper body angle and the lower body angle,

wherein the lower body angle of the cyclist riding the bicycle body is an angle between a thigh and a lower leg connected to the thigh of the cyclist, when the cyclist rides on the bicycle body and a thumb ball of one foot is aligned with a pedal axis center of the bicycle body, the cyclist pedals down to a lowest position, keeps a pedal horizontal, and a knee joint of the cyclist is used as a reference point.

10. The bicycle fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bicycle riding information comprises a ride frequency, a ride duration, and a ride distance.

11. The bicycle fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ride surface parameter comprises an asphalt road surface condition, a sandstone road surface condition, and a mixed road surface condition.

12. The bicycle fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the riding intensity parameter comprises a standard level, a profession level, and an competition level.

13. The bicycle fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bicycle body database records a plurality of riding environment-riding intensity parameter combinations, and each of a plurality of riding environment-riding intensity parameter combinations corresponds to at least one bicycle model.

14. The bicycle fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body measurement comprises at least a crotch inseam height and a body height.

15. The bicycle fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one variable module comprises a seat, a seat post, a seat tube, a crank, a stem, washeres and a handlebar.

16. The bicycle fitting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fine tuning the bicycle body comprises adjusting stem length, washer height, seat angle, seat height, and a distance from seat tip to handlebar on the bicycle body.