# US 11,029,225 B1 · Electronic device, crank assembly with electronic device and drive train including crank assembly with electronic device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,029,225 B1
- Document ID: US11029225B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/728,231
- Filed: 2019-12-27
- Published: 2021-07-01
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2019-12-27
- Assignees: Shimano Inc.
- Applicants: Shimano Inc.
- Inventors: Hiroshi Tachibana; Fumiaki Yoshida
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029225B1

## CPC

- B62J 45/411: Torque sensors
- G01L 3/108: {involving resistance strain gauges}
- B62J 45/421: at the pedal crank
- B62K 23/00: Rider-operated controls specially adapted for cycles, i.e. means for initiating control operations, e.g. levers, grips (specially adapted to cycle brake mechanisms B62L3/00)
- B62M 3/16: Accessories
- F16H 61/0202: {the signals being electric}
- G01L 3/14: wherein the torque-transmitting element is other than a torsionally-flexible shaft
- G01L 3/1478: {involving hinged levers}
- G01L 5/225: {to foot actuated controls, e.g. brake pedals}
- B62J 45/40: Sensor arrangements (sensors for control of electrically assisted cycles B62M6/50); Mounting thereof
- B62J 45/412: Speed sensors
- B62M 2009/005: {Details of transmission chains specially adapted for bicycles}
- B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16)
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

An electronic device includes a receiver, a computer memory device and a processor for calculating a human input force and/or a human input power that are inputted to a drive train of a human powered vehicle. The receiver receives first information with respect to torque applied to the drive train, and receives at least one of second information with respect to a gear engagement state and third information with respect to a crank rotational speed. The computer memory device has prestored correction factors with respect to the gear engagement state. The processor calculates the human input force based on the first information, the second information and at least one of the prestored correction factors, and/or calculates the human input power based on the first information, the second information, the third information, and at least one of the prestored correction factors.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electronic device for calculating at least one of a human input force and a human input power that are inputted to a drive train of a human powered vehicle, the electronic device comprising:
a receiver configured to receive first information with respect to torque applied to the drive train, and to receive at least one of second information with respect to a gear engagement state of a plurality of sprockets with a chain and third information with respect to a crank rotational speed of the drive train;
a computer memory device having a plurality of prestored correction factors with respect to the gear engagement state; and
a processor configured to calculate at least one of the human input force and the human input power, the human input force being applied to the drive train based on the first information, the second information and at least one of the prestored correction factors, the human input power being based on the first information, the second information, the third information, and at least one of the prestored correction factors.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
the computer memory device has the plurality of the prestored correction factors associated with a plurality of strain sensors coupled to the drive train to detect the first information,
the processor is configured to calculate at least one of the human input force and the human input power by using individual signals detected by the plurality of strain sensors as a part of the first information, and
the at least one of the human input force and the human input power is corrected with the plurality of the prestored correction factors.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising
a display in communication with the processor, and the processor being configured to output a signal related to at least one of the human input force and the human input power to the display.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
the electronic device is a remote component that is separated from the drive train.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein
the electronic device is one of a cycling computer or a mobile device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A crank assembly comprising the electronic device according to claim 1, the crank assembly further comprising
a crank assembly body; and
at least one strain sensor coupled to the crank assembly body to detect the first information.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The crank assembly according to claim 6, wherein
the crank assembly body including at least one of a crank arm, a crank shaft, a sprocket carrier, and a plurality of sprockets.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The crank assembly according to claim 7, wherein
the sprocket carrier and at least one of the plurality of sprockets are formed as a one piece member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The crank assembly according to claim 6, further comprising
a crank rotational speed sensor coupled to the crank assembly body to detect the third information.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The crank assembly according to claim 6, wherein
the at least one strain sensor includes a plurality of strain gauges to detect the first information.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The crank assembly according to claim 10, wherein
the computer memory device has the plurality of the prestored correction factors associated with the plurality of strain gauges, and
the processor is configured to calculate at least one of the human input force and the human input power by using individual torques detected by the plurality of strain gauges, and
the at least one of the human input force and the human input power is corrected with the plurality of the prestored correction factors.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The crank assembly according to claim 7, wherein
the electronic device is provided on one of the crank arm, the crank shaft, the sprocket carrier, and the plurality of sprockets.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The crank assembly according to claim 12, wherein
the electronic device is provided on the crank arm.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The crank assembly according to claim 7, wherein
the strain sensor is provided to the crank arm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The crank assembly according to claim 14, further comprising
an additional strain sensor provided to an additional crank arm.

### Claim 16 (depends on 6)

The crank assembly according to claim 6, further comprising
a wireless transmitter that wirelessly communicates with a wireless receiver of a display, and transmits information of at least one of the human input force and the human input power to the wireless receiver.

### Claim 17 (depends on 6)

A drive train comprising the crank assembly according to claim 6, the drive train further comprising
a vehicle sensor arranged to detect a parameter associated with a gear engagement state of the plurality of sprockets with a chain as the second information.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The drive train according to claim 17, wherein
the vehicle sensor includes a vehicle transmission position sensor that detects a movement of an electric motor or a movement of a reduction gear of the electric motor of a transmission device as the parameter associated with the gear engagement state.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The drive train according to claim 17, wherein
the vehicle sensor includes a vehicle speed sensor that detects a rotational speed of a wheel of the human-powered vehicle as the parameter associated with the gear engagement state.