BICYCLE POWER SENSING APPARATUS

• US 20140074348A1
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: KITAMURA, Satoshi, KODAMA, Michihiro
• Granted Patent: US 8,825,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/411 Torque sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/50 characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 25/006 for measuring work or mechanical power or mechanical efficiency

Abstract

A bicycle power sensing apparatus is basically provided with a power sensing device, a calibration signal generating device and a controller. The controller is operatively arranged to receive a calibration signal from the calibration signal generating device. The controller calibrates the power sensing device upon receiving the calibration signal.

Claims

1. A bicycle power sensing apparatus comprising:

a power sensing device;

a calibration signal generating device;

a controller operatively arranged to receive a calibration signal from the calibration signal generating device, the controller calibrating the power sensing device as being at a non-load level of zero power input upon receiving the calibration signal.

2. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the calibration signal generating device includes at least one of an input device, a timer, a bicycle speed detecting device and a bicycle crank rotation detecting device.

3. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the power sensing device is disposed on one of a rear wheel, a crank assembly part, a bottom bracket part, a frame portion, and a chain.

4. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising

a stationary member;

a drive member rotatably mounted relative to the stationary member;

a driven member rotatably mounted relative to the stationary member; and

a torque coupling member operatively arranged between the drive member and the driven member to selectively transmit torque from the drive member to the driven member, the power sensing device being arranged to detect a power transmitted to the driven member from the drive member.

5. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising

a rotation detecting device arranged to detect a rotational status between the driven member and the drive member.

6. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the controller is operatively arranged to receive a rotational movement signal from the rotation detecting device and to receive an output signal from the power sensing device, the controller calibrating the power sensing device in response to the rotation detecting device detecting relative rotation between the drive member and the driven member.

7. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the calibration signal generating device directly or indirectly detects a relative rotational status between a rear sprocket and a rear hub.

8. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the controller records a signal level of an output signal from the power sensing device as the non-load level in response to the rotation detecting device detecting relative rotation between the drive member and the driven member.

9. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the controller executes a calibration process to calibrate the power sensing device upon an occurrence of at least one of:

(i) a startup operation of the bicycle power sensing apparatus, (ii) a set up operation of a battery coupled to the controller, and (iii) an input operation of an input device operatively connected to the controller, in response to the rotation detecting device detecting relative rotation between the drive member and the driven member.

10. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein

the controller checks the rotational movement signal from the rotation detecting device after a prescribed period of time elapsed upon the controller determining no relative rotation between the drive member and the driven member.

11. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the controller includes a communication unit operatively connected to the power sensing device to receive an output signal from the power sensing device and to output information based on the output signal from the power sensing device.

12. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein

the communication unit wirelessly transmits the information.

13. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the rotation detecting device includes at least one magnet disposed on one of the drive member and the driven member, and the rotation detecting device includes a sensor disposed on the other of the drive member and the driven member.

14. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the rotation detecting device includes at least one magnet disposed on a sprocket attached to one of the drive member and the driven member, and the rotation detecting device includes a sensor disposed on the other of the drive member and the driven member.

15. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

the power sensing device includes a strain sensor disposed on a part of the torque coupling member.

16. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the power sensing device includes at least one of a coil sensor, a capacitor sensor and an optical sensor.

17. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising

a battery electrically coupled to the controller to supply electrical energy to the controller.

18. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising

a dynamo electrically coupled to the controller to supply electrical energy to the controller.

19. The bicycle power sensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the controller is operatively arranged to receive a rotational movement signal from the rotation detecting device and to receive an output signal from the power sensing device, the controller refraining from calibrating the power sensing device in response to the rotation detecting device detecting no relative rotation between the drive member and the driven member.