# US 12,005,985 B2 · Component for human-powered vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,985 B2 - Document ID: US12005985B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/229,142 - Filed: 2021-04-13 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-23 - Assignees: Shimano Inc. - Applicants: Shimano Inc. - Inventors: Shinya Fujimura; Hitoshi Takayama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005985B2 ## CPC - B62J 45/41: characterised by the type of sensor - G01B 7/20: {formed by printed-circuit technique} - B62J 3/10: Electrical devices - B62J 6/24: warning or informing the rider, e.g. low fuel warning lights - B62J 45/411: Torque sensors - B62J 45/413: Rotation sensors - B62J 45/421: at the pedal crank - B62J 45/423: on or besides the wheel - B62M 3/16: Accessories - B62M 6/50: characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof - G01B 5/0014: {due to temperature (on machine tools B23Q11/0003)} - G01B 7/18: {using change in resistance} - G01K 1/14: Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations - G01K 13/00: Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes - H01C 13/00: Resistors not provided for elsewhere - H05K 1/189: characterised by the use of flexible or folded printed circuits - B62J 45/20: Cycle computers as cycle accessories - B62J 45/422: on the handlebar - B62K 19/30: Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories (axle suspensions B62K25/00) - G01B 2210/58: Wireless transmission of information between a sensor or probe and a control or evaluation unit - H05K 1/147: {at least one of the printed circuits being bent or folded, e.g. by using a flexible printed circuit (H05K1/148 takes precedence)} - H05K 1/167: {incorporating printed resistors} - H05K 2201/10151: Sensor - 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 - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - 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) - G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00) - H01C: RESISTORS - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE ## Abstract A component is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The component includes a component body, a single substrate, a resistor, an electric wire, a signal processing unit, a signal output, and an electric power input. The single substrate is provided on the component body. The resistor is formed on the single substrate and forms a strain gauge with part of the single substrate. The electric wire is formed on the single substrate and electrically connected to the resistor. The signal processing unit is formed or directly mounted on the single substrate and electrically connected to the electric wire. The signal output outputs a signal from the signal processing unit. The electric power input is electrically connected to the signal processing unit and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A component for a human-powered vehicle, the component comprising: a component body; a single substrate provided on the component body, the single substrate including a first setting surface and a second setting surface that are spaced apart in a thickness direction, the single substrate further including a connection hole that connects the first setting surface and the second setting surface; a resistor formed on the single substrate and forming a strain gauge with part of the single substrate, the resistor being provided on the first setting surface; an electric wire formed on the single substrate and electrically connected to the resistor, at least part of the electric wire being provided on the second setting surface and part of the electric wire being provided in the connection hole; a signal processing unit formed or directly mounted on the single substrate and electrically connected to the electric wire; a signal output that outputs a signal from the signal processing unit; and an electric power input electrically connected to the signal processing unit and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit includes at least one of an amplifier and an AD converter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor formed or mounted on the single substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The component according to claim 3, wherein the resistor includes a first resistor and a second resistor, and at least part of the temperature sensor is disposed on the single substrate in a region between the first resistor and the second resistor. ### Claim 5 A component for a human powered vehicle, the component comprising: a component body; a single substrate provided on the component body; a resistor formed on the single substrate and forming a strain gauge with at least part of the single substrate; a temperature sensor formed or mounted on the single substrate, the temperature sensor being arranged so as not to overlap the resistor; a signal processing unit electrically connected to the resistor; a signal output that outputs a signal from the signal processing unit; and an electric power input electrically connected to the signal processing unit and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body, the resistor including a first resistor forming a first strain gauge with a first portion of the single substrate, and a second resistor forming a second strain gauge with a second portion of the single substrate, at least part of the temperature sensor being disposed on the single substrate in a region between the first resistor and the second resistor on the single substrate at a connecting portion connecting the first portion and the second portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The component according to claim 3, wherein at least part of the temperature sensor is arranged to overlap at least part of resistor as viewed in a thickness direction of the single substrate. ### Claim 7 A component for a human-powered vehicle, the component comprising: a component body; a single substrate provided on the component body; a resistor formed on the single substrate and forming a strain gauge with part of the single substrate; an electric wire formed on the single substrate and electrically connected to the resistor, the electric wire including a first wire portion and a second wire portion that covers the first wire portion, the second wire portion having a lower electrical resistivity than the resistor and the first wire portion; a temperature sensor formed or mounted on the single substrate and disposed to at least partially overlap the resistor as viewed in a thickness direction of the single substrate; a signal processing unit electrically connected to the resistor; a signal output that outputs a signal from the signal processing unit; and an electric power input electrically connected to the signal processing unit and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body, the resistor being molded integrally with the first wiry, portion of the electric wire. ### Claim 8 A component for a human-powered vehicle, the component comprising: a component body; a strain gauge provided on the component body, the strain gauge including a resistor and afirst thermal conductor that is electrically insulated from the resistor; an electric circuit board; a flexible printed wiring board electrically connecting the strain gauge and the electric circuit board, the flexible printed wiring board including a second thermal conductor connected to the first thermal conductor; a temperature sensor provided on the flexible printed wiring board, the temperature sensor being disposed in contact with or proximate to the second thermal conductor; a signal processing unit electrically connected to the strain gauge; a signal output that outputs a signal from the signal processing unit; and an electric power input electrically connected to the signal processing unit and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The component according to claim 8, further comprising at least one of an amplifier and an AD converter, the at least one of the amplifier and the AD converter being electrically connected to the strain gauge and being provided on at least one of the flexible printed wiring board, the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion. ### Claim 10 A component for a human-powered vehicle, the component comprising: a component body; a strain gauge provided on the component body; an electric circuit board: a flexible printed wiring board electrically connecting the strain gauge and the electric circuit board; at least one of an amplifier and an AD converter electrically connected to the strain gauge and provided on at least one of the flexible printed wiring board, a first connecting portion to which the strain gauge and the flexible printed wiring board are connected, and a second connecting portion to which the flexible printed wiring board and the electric circuit board are connected; a signal processing unit provided on the electric circuit board and electrically connected to the at least one of the amplifier and the AD converter; a signal output that outputs a signal from the signal processing unit; and an electric power input electrically connected to the signal processing unit and the at least one of the amplifier and the AD converter and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, wherein the electric wire has a lower electrical resistance per unit length than the resistor. ### Claim 12 A component for a human-powered vehicle, the component comprising: a component body; a single substrate provided on the component body; a resistor formed on the single substrate and tbrming a strain gauge with part of the single substrate; an electric wire formed on the single substrate and electrically connected to the resistor, the electric wire including a first wire portion and a second wire portion that covers the first wire portion, the second wire portion having a lower electrical resistivity than the resistor and the first wire portion; a signal processing unit mounted on the single substrate and electrically connected to the electric wire; a signal output that outputs a signal from the signal processing unit; and an electric power input electrically connected to the signal processing unit and supplied with electric power from a power supply provided on at least one of the human-powered vehicle and the component body, the electric wire having a lower electrical resistance per unit length than the resistor, and the resistor being molded integrally with the first wire portion of the electric wire. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The component according to claim 11, wherein the resistor and the electric wire have different compositions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The component according to claim 13, wherein the resistor includes at least one of CuNi, Ni, and NiCr, and at least part of the electric wire includes Cu. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, wherein the single substrate includes an insulative and flexible resin film. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, wherein the signal output includes a wireless transmission device that transmits information corresponding to a signal from the signal processing unit through wireless connection. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, further comprising: a processor provided on at least one of the component body and the signal processing unit, the processor being configured to calculate information related to force applied to the component body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The component according to claim 17, further comprising an operating unit provided on the component body to input a reset signal to the processor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, further comprising a rotational state detector that detects a rotational state of at least part of the component body. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, further comprising a notification device provided on the component body, and including at least one of a light generation device and a sound generation device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, further comprising a cover provided on the component body to define a sealed space in which at least the strain gauge and the signal processing unit are disposed. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The component according to claim 1, wherein the component body includes at least one of a crank assembly, a crank arn, a crank axle, a pedal, a frame, a handlebar, a stem, a front fork, a seatpost, a saddle, a wheel, a hub, a carrier, and a drive unit configured to apply a propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle.