Battery apparatus for supplying power to oppositely-mounted bicycle crank arms

• US 9,496,769 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2014
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Tetsuka, Toshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Rocca, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US14/455,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20140346863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 280/259, 738/626.21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 battery apparatus comprises a bicycle crank axle having a first end, a second end, and a hollow portion. The first end of the bicycle crank axle is configured to attach to a first bicycle crank arm, the second end of the bicycle crank axle is configured to attach to a second bicycle crank arm, and a power source is disposed within the hollow portion. The power source is configured to provide operating power to an electrical component disposed in the first bicycle crank arm, and the power source is configured to provide operating power to an electrical component disposed in the second bicycle crank arm. The hollow portion opens through the first end of the bicycle crank axle so that the power source is detachable through the first end of the crank axle.

Claims

1. A battery apparatus comprising:

a bicycle crank axle having a first end, a second end, and a hollow portion;

wherein the first end of the bicycle crank axle is configured to attach to a first bicycle crank arm, and wherein the second end of the bicycle crank axle is configured to attach to a second bicycle crank arm;

a power source disposed within the hollow portion;

wherein the power source is configured to provide operating power to an electrical component disposed in the first bicycle crank arm;

wherein the power source is configured to provide operating power to an electrical component disposed in the second bicycle crank arm; and

wherein the hollow portion opens through the first end of the bicycle crank axle so that the power source is detachable through the first end of the crank axle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the power source is structured to be detachably connected to electrical wiring at the first end of the crank axle and at the second end of the crank axle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the power source comprises a battery unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the battery unit includes:

a first electrical connector that extends towards the first end of the bicycle crank axle; and

a second electrical connector that extends towards the second end of the bicycle crank axle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first electrical connector is configured to connect to an electrical connector that provides power to the electrical component in the first bicycle crank arm, and wherein the second electrical connector is configured to connect to an electrical connector that provides power to the electrical component in the second bicycle crank arm.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the battery unit includes a battery housing, wherein the battery unit including the battery housing is removable as a self-contained unit from the hollow portion of the crank axle, wherein the first electrical connector is coupled to the battery housing through first electrical wiring, and wherein the second electrical connector is coupled to the battery housing through second electrical wiring.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a plurality of battery cells disposed within the battery housing.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the first end of the crank axle is greater than a diameter of an outer peripheral surface of the battery housing.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the crank axle has a continuous one-piece portion extending from the first end of the crank axle to the second end of the crank axle.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first electrical component comprises a first sensor, and wherein the second electrical component comprises a second sensor.