ROTATION SENSOR FOR AN ELECTRICAL BIKE PEDAL

• US 20150053494A1
• Filed: 04/09/2013
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belon Engineering, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Belon Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Belon, Juan Bautista, Chen, Hsin-Chih
• Granted Patent: US 9,739,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/206.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/26 by pedal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/413 Rotation sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/421 at the pedal crank
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 3/00 Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/50 characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/60 power-driven at axle parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/22 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/30 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/14 influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/00 Measuring linear or angular speed; Measuring differences of linear or angular speeds G01P5/00 - G01P11/00 take precedence; direction and speed indication G01P13/045; counting mechanisms G06M
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A device for detecting rotation of a bicycle pedal mechanism and communicating that information to an electronic bicycle wheel motor controller.

Claims

1. A device for detecting rotation of a member, the device comprising:

a member attachment bracket;

a rotation sensor providing an electronic measurement of angular position;

a battery system operably connected to the rotation sensor;

a transmitter to electronically transmit the electronic measurement.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is wireless.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the member attachment bracket is adapted for a conventional bicycle crank.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the member attachment bracket is adapted for a conventional bicycle pedal.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the member attachment bracket is adjustable.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the member attachment bracket is adapted for installation onto the member without requiring tools.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is removably attached to the member attachment bracket.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured for wireless communication.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the electronic measurement only when a predetermined threshold is achieved in order to reduce battery power consumption.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotation sensor is an encoder.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotation sensor is an accelerometer.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotation sensor is a generator.

13. A communication apparatus for detecting bicycle pedal rotation, the apparatus comprising:

a pedaling mechanism attachment bracket;

a rotation sensor removably attached to the pedaling mechanism attachment bracket, wherein the rotation sensor provides an electronic measurement of bicycle pedal rotation;

a battery system operably connected to the rotation sensor;

a transmitter for transmitting the electronic measurement of bicycle pedal rotation; and

a wheel assembly comprising a motor, a battery system, a receiver for receiving the electronic measurement of bicycle pedal rotation, and a control mechanism, wherein the control mechanism is configured to receive the electronic measurement of bicycle pedal rotation, and wherein the control mechanism having at least one input from a battery system.

14. The communication apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is configured for wireless communication.

15. The communication apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wheel assembly is configured to replace the front wheel of a conventional bicycle.

16. The communication apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rotation sensor is an encoder.

17. The communication apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rotation sensor is an accelerometer.

18. The communication apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rotation sensor is a generator.

19. The communication apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the electronic measurement only when a predetermined threshold is achieved in order to reduce battery power consumption.

20. A device for detecting rotation of a member, the device comprising:

means for removably attaching the device to the member;

means for adjustment to fit different member sizes;

means for measuring an angular position of the member;

means for removably attaching the angular position measuring means from the device attachment means; and

means for transmitting the angular position of the member.