Cassette-based power meter
AssigneeSaris Cycling Group, Inc.
InventorsJordan R. Roessingh, David L. Wendt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cassette-based power measuring apparatus includes a power sensing arrangement mounted within a cavity defined by a hollow bicycle cassette. The power sensing arrangement includes a torque sensing assembly including torque sensing elements configured to measure a user applied torque. The torque sensing elements are in communication with an electronics assembly configured to process the measured data and transmit it to a receiver. The torque sensing assembly may comprise a torque tube or a series of bending beams secured between a rear plate of the cassette and a freehub. The torque tube or bending beams may include strain gauges bonded thereto for measuring strain induced by application of forces in response to user-applied power.
Claims15
A power sensing assembly for an apparatus powered by a user applied force to a pedal assembly that drives a hub through a flexible drive member, comprising:
- a cassette adapted to be removably secured to the hub and configured to be drivingly interconnected with the pedal assembly through the flexible drive member, wherein the cassette includes a body having external teeth configured for engagement with the flexible drive member, wherein the cassette body defines an internal cavity, and wherein the cassette further includes a removable mounting arrangement configured for removably securing the cassette to the hub;
- and
- a torque transfer arrangement interconnected with the cassette body and extending across the internal cavity defined by the cassette body, wherein the torque transfer arrangement transfers torque from the external teeth of the cassette body to the hub, and wherein the torque transfer arrangement includes one or more torque sensing elements, wherein the torque sensing elements measure the torque transferred from the cassette body to the hub and thereby the torque experienced by the hub in response to the application of power by a user to the pedal assembly.
A bicycle wheel, comprising:
- a rim;
- an inner hub having a cassette mounting area;
- a drive cassette drivingly interconnected with the inner hub at the cassette mounting area, wherein the drive cassette includes a cassette body having external teeth and defining an internal cavity;
- and
- a torque transfer arrangement positioned within the internal cavity defined by the cassette body for transferring torque from the external teeth to the inner hub, wherein the torque transfer arrangement includes one or more torque sensing elements for measuring torque applied by a user to the drive cassette.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.