# US 11,077,915 B2 · Control device and transmission system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,915 B2 - Document ID: US11077915B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/574,837 - Filed: 2019-09-18 - Published: 2020-04-09 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-03 - Assignees: Shimano Inc. - Applicants: Shimano Inc. - Inventors: Satoshi Shahana; Mitsuhiko Kawasaki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077915B2 ## CPC - B62M 9/123: changing gears automatically - B62J 45/411: Torque sensors - B62J 45/412: Speed sensors - B62J 45/413: Rotation sensors - B62J 45/414: Acceleration sensors - B62M 1/36: with rotary cranks, e.g. with pedal cranks (B62M1/34 takes precedence; combined with reciprocating levers B62M1/26; cranks which can be immobilised as foot rests B62M5/00) - B62M 9/122: electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof - B62M 9/132: electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof - B62M 9/133: changing gears automatically - B62M 25/08: with electrical or fluid transmitting systems - 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) - 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 ## Abstract A control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a transmission device of a human-powered vehicle in accordance with a shifting condition. The electronic controller is configured to monitor a torque applied to the human-powered vehicle upon determining the human-powered vehicle is ridden and driven. The electronic controller is configured to permit a shifting operation of the transmission device in accordance with a peak value of the torque upon determining the shifting condition is satisfied. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control device comprising: an electronic controller configured to control a transmission device of a human-powered vehicle in accordance with a shifting condition, the electronic controller being configured to monitor a torque applied to the human-powered vehicle upon determining the human-powered vehicle is ridden and driven, the electronic controller being configured to acquire a peak value of the torque, using the torque monitored while the human-powered vehicle is being ridden and driven, upon determining that the shifting condition has been satisfied, and the electronic controller being configured to permit a shifting operation of the transmission device based on a relationship between the torque applied to the human-powered vehicle and the peak value of the torque. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is configured to permit the shifting operation of the transmission device upon determining the torque is equal to a predetermined proportion of the peak value of the torque. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The control device according to claim 2, wherein the human-powered vehicle includes a crank, and the electronic controller is configured to vary the predetermined proportion in correspondence with a rotational speed of the crank. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The control device according to claim 2, wherein the human-powered vehicle includes the transmission device, a crank, a wheel, a driving rotation body rotated as the crank rotates, a driven rotation body provided on the wheel, and a linking member wound around the driving rotation body and the driven rotation body, the transmission device being configured to move the linking member between a first rotation body and a second rotation body provided on at least one of the driving rotation body and the driven rotation body; and the electronic controller is configured to vary the predetermined proportion in accordance with at least one of a communication time of a control signal from the electronic controller to the transmission device, an operation time of the transmission device, and a movement time of the linking member resulting from operation of the transmission device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the shifting condition is set based on a first reference value and a threshold value of the human-powered vehicle, and the electronic controller is configured to automatically control the transmission device in accordance with the shifting condition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the shifting condition is set based on an input to an operation unit of the human-powered vehicle, and the electronic controller is configured to control the transmission device in accordance with the input to the operation unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the peak value of the torque is a maximum value of the torque acquired in a range in which the torque is switched from an increasing tendency to a decreasing tendency. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is configured to set a shifting wait time that is a time from a point of time at which the shifting condition of the human-powered vehicle is satisfied to a point of time at which the shifting operation of the transmission device is permitted in accordance with a number of peaks of the torque from a point of time at which a signal related to a shifting instruction from an operation unit of the human-powered vehicle is received or the point of time at which the shifting condition is satisfied. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The control device according to claim 8, wherein upon determining the number of peaks of torque from the point of time at which the electronic controller receives the signal related to the shifting instruction from the operation unit or the point of time at which the shifting condition is satisfied becomes equal to a first threshold value, the electronic controller is configured to permit a shifting operation of the transmission device if the torque becomes equal to a predetermined proportion of the peak value of the torque, the peak value of the torque being a value of the torque at a time when the number of peaks of the torque has reached the first threshold value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The control device according to claim 9, wherein the first threshold value is variable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is configured to calculate a rotational speed of a crank of the human-powered vehicle in accordance with a peak cycle of the torque applied to the crank. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A transmission system comprising the control device according to claim 1 and further comprising: the transmission device. ### Claim 13 A control device configured to control a transmission device of a human-powered vehicle, the human-powered vehicle including a crank, a wheel, a driving rotation body rotated as the crank rotates, a driven rotation body provided on the wheel, a linking member wound around the driving rotation body and the driven rotation body, and the transmission device, wherein the transmission device moves the linking member between a first rotation body and second rotation body provided on at least one of the driving rotation body and the driven rotation body, the control device comprising: an electronic controller configured to monitor a torque applied to the human-powered vehicle upon determining the human-powered vehicle is ridden and driven, the electronic controller being configured to acquire a peak value of the torque, using the torque monitored while the human-powered vehicle is being ridden and driven, and the electronic controller being configured to control the transmission device so that movement of the linking member from one of the first rotation body and the second rotation body to the other one of the first rotation body and the second rotation body is completed at a timing that differs from the peak value of the torque. ### Claim 14 A control device configured to control a transmission device of a human-powered vehicle, the human-powered vehicle including a crank, a wheel, a driving rotation body rotated as the crank rotates, a driven rotation body provided on the wheel, a linking member wound around the driving rotation body and the driven rotation body, and the transmission device, wherein the transmission device moves the linking member between a first rotation body and second rotation body provided on at least one of the driving rotation body and the driven rotation body, the control device comprising: an electronic controller configured to monitor a torque applied to the human-powered vehicle upon determining the human-powered vehicle is ridden and driven, the electronic controller being configured to acquire a peak value of the torque, using the torque monitored while the human-powered vehicle is being ridden and driven, and the electronic controller being configured to control a timing for starting operation of the transmission device in accordance with at least one of a communication time of a control signal to the transmission device, an operation time of the transmission device, and a movement time of the linking member resulting from operation of the transmission device, and the communication time of the control signal to the transmission device, the operation time of the transmission device, and the movement time of the linking member resulting from operation of the transmission device being stored in advance.