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US 2019/0301598 A1Published application
Self-shifting bicycle that shifts as a function of power output
OwnerAvraham Sonenthalinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-shifting bicycle that shifts intelligently as a function of power output. The bicycle uses a computer control system mounted to the handlebar, a power meter attached to the front gearwheel, and an actuator module for adjusting the transmission. The computer control system software changes output gear ratio in accordance with load encountered as the cyclist rides. This allows the rider to set a preferred power output and to maintain that preferred power output very closely.
Claims30
A self-shifting bicycle, comprising:
- a bicycle frame;
- a handlebar mounted to said bicycle frame;
- a wheel attached to said bicycle frame;
- a transmission attached to said wheel;
- a chain attached to said transmission;
- a power sensor mounted on said bicycle and configured for outputting an indication of power output of a rider of said bicycle;
- a computer control system mounted to said handlebar or frame and in communication with said power sensor for receiving said indication of power output, calculating there from an adjustment for maintaining a constant power output from the rider of said bicycle, and outputting a control signal calculated for adjustment of said transmission to maintain a constant power output from the rider despite changes in slope.
4 more elements
A transmission for a vehicle, comprising:
- a front chain wheel;
- a rear wheel mounted by a rear wheel hub that is connected by chain to said front chain wheel, said rear wheel hub comprising a mechanism for translating each rotation of said front chain wheel into a variable number of rotations of said rear wheel, and a control member for controlling said mechanism;
- a power meter configured for outputting an indication of power applied to said front chain wheel;
- and
- a computer control system comprising a processor and non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing a software module comprising a series of computer-readable instructions for carrying out the steps of,
- inputting a desired power level;
- inputting said indication of power applied to said front chain wheel,
- comparing said indication of power applied to said front chain wheel to the inputted power level, and
- outputting a control signal calculated for adjustment of said translation mechanism to maintain a constant power applied to said front chain wheel despite changes in slope.
6 more elements
A self-shifting vehicle, comprising:
- a drive wheel;
- a transmission attached to said wheel and having a variable ratio;
- a chain attached to said transmission;
- a power sensor configured for outputting an indication of power applied to said wheel;
- a computer control system in communication with said power sensor for receiving said indication of power, calculating there from an adjustment to said transmission ratio for maintaining a constant power applied to said wheel and outputting a control signal calculated for adjustment of said transmission ratio.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.