HK1075234B - Measuring device and sensor device - Google Patents

Description

Measurement device and sensor device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a measuring device and a sensor device, and more particularly, to a measuring device that measures and displays the tempo and the running speed of pedaling a bicycle, and a sensor device used for the measuring device.

Background

Conventionally, in order to measure the tempo of pedaling a bicycle and the running speed, a measuring device including a cadence sensor and a speed sensor is mounted on the bicycle. The use of such a measuring device is described in the document [ CATTEYE instruction manual (CAT EYE ASTRALE8 CIRCULATION CALCULAR CC-CD200 instruction manual), 2002 ].

In the conventional measuring device disclosed in this document, as shown in fig. 7, in order to measure the running speed of the bicycle 102, a wheel magnet 125 is attached to a predetermined position of a spoke 103a of the front wheel 103, and a speed sensor 120 for detecting the magnetism of the wheel magnet 125 is attached to a predetermined position of the front fork 104 that pivotally supports the front wheel 103.

On the other hand, in order to measure the tempo of pedaling the bicycle 102 (the number of revolutions of the pedals), a cadence magnet 126 is attached to a predetermined position of the gear crank 107, and a cadence sensor 121 for detecting the magnetism of the cadence magnet 126 is attached to a predetermined position of the chain stay 108 that pivotally supports the shaft of the gear crank 107 and the shaft of the rear wheel 105.

The signals detected by the speed sensor 120 and the cadence sensor 121 are transmitted to the display portion 122 mounted on the handlebar via the cables 123 and 124, respectively, and are processed and displayed as the running speed of the bicycle and the number of revolutions of the pedals.

A cable 123 connecting the display unit 122 and the speed sensor 120 is disposed along the front fork, and a cable 124 connecting the display unit 122 and the cadence sensor 121 is disposed along the vehicle body frame 110. The conventional measuring apparatus is configured as described above.

However, since the speed sensor 120 and the cadence sensor 121 are both electrically connected to the display unit 122 via the cables 123 and 124, the conventional measurement device has a problem that the speed sensor 120 is inevitably disposed on the front wheel 103 side when the lengths of the cables 123 and 124 are shortened as much as possible without complicating the arrangement of the cables 123 and 124. On the other hand, since the cadence sensor 121 must be provided near the gear crank 107, there is a limit in shortening the cable 124.

Therefore, in the conventional measuring device, the speed sensor 120 is disposed on the side of the front wheel 103 away from the cadence sensor 121. Therefore, the speed sensor 120 and the cadence sensor 121 must be separately mounted at predetermined positions and adjusted, which requires a lot of time and effort in mounting the measuring device.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a measuring device that can be easily mounted on a bicycle, and another object thereof is to provide a sensor device suitable for use in the measuring device.

The measuring device according to the present invention includes a measuring main body disposed at a portion where a rear wheel and a gear crankshaft of a bicycle are located, and a display portion disposed at a position visible when the device is riding on the bicycle and displaying predetermined information based on a signal sent thereto from the measuring main body. The measurement main body includes a 1 st sensor unit, a 2 nd sensor unit, and a transmission unit. The 1 st sensor unit detects the movement of a predetermined portion of the gear crank and grasps the tempo of pedaling. The 2 nd sensor detects the movement of a predetermined portion of the rear wheel and grasps the speed of the bicycle. The transmission unit is electrically connected to the 1 st sensor unit and the 2 nd sensor unit, and transmits signals detected by the 1 st sensor unit and the 2 nd sensor unit to the display unit by wireless.

According to this configuration, since the measurement main body has the transmission portion and the signals detected by the 1 st sensor portion and the 2 nd sensor portion are transmitted to the display portion by wireless, it is not necessary to dispose a cable, and the attachment operation to the bicycle is facilitated.

The measurement main body is preferably disposed between the rear wheel and the gear crank in a region where the rear wheel and the rotating gear crank of the bicycle can be in a mutually opposed positional relationship.

Therefore, the adjustment of the interval between the predetermined portions of the 1 st sensor part gear crank and the adjustment of the interval between the 2 nd sensor part and the predetermined portion of the rear wheel can be performed at the close positions, and therefore the adjustment operation can be performed efficiently.

The 1 st sensor part is disposed toward the crank part, the 2 nd sensor part is disposed toward the rear wheel, and the 1 st sensor part and the 2 nd sensor part are preferably disposed so as to be shifted from each other in the front-rear direction of the bicycle.

Therefore, the 1 st sensor unit can be prevented from being influenced by the predetermined portion to be detected by the 2 nd sensor unit originally, and the 2 nd sensor unit can be prevented from being influenced by the predetermined portion to be detected by the 1 st sensor unit originally.

Specifically, it is preferable that the measurement main body is fixed to a chain stay that connects a rotation shaft of the rear wheel and a shaft of the gear crank as a position disposed between the rear wheel and the gear crank.

In order to fix the measuring body to such a chain stay, it is desirable that the measuring body includes: a butt portion provided on the conveying portion along an outer peripheral shape of the chain stay; a through hole disposed above the butt portion on the transfer portion; and a belt portion that fixes the measurement main body by being inserted into the through hole in a state where the abutting portion abuts against the outer peripheral portion of the chain stay and being wound around the chain stay.

Therefore, the abutting portion of the transmission portion is in close contact with the chain stay, and the transmission portion is fixed by the belt portion, so that the measurement main body portion can be reliably fixed to the chain stay.

In order to be disposed between the rear wheel and the gear crank and fixed to the chain stay, it is preferable that the transmission portion has a shaft portion extending in the front-rear direction of the bicycle, the 1 st sensor portion is rotatably supported on the shaft portion so as to be adjustable in distance from the predetermined portion of the gear crank, and the 2 nd sensor portion is rotatably supported on the shaft portion so as to be adjustable in distance from the predetermined portion of the rear wheel.

Therefore, the adjustment of the interval between the 1 st sensor and the predetermined portion of the gear crank and the adjustment of the interval between the 2 nd sensor and the predetermined portion of the rear wheel can be easily performed at one place.

The sensor device according to the present invention is a sensor device for detecting the tempo and the running speed of pedaling a bicycle, and includes a transmission unit, a 1 st sensor unit, and a 2 nd sensor unit. The transmission section has a shaft section extending in one direction, and transmits a predetermined signal by wireless. The 1 st sensor part is rotatably supported by the shaft part, detects the action of a predetermined part of the gear crank, and transmits the detected signal to the electrically connected transmission part. The 2 nd sensor part is rotatably supported by the shaft part, detects the motion of the rear wheel, and transmits the detected signal to the transmission part which is electrically connected.

According to this configuration, since the signals detected by the 1 st sensor unit and the 2 nd sensor unit are transmitted by the transmission unit in a wireless manner, it is not necessary to dispose a cable, and the mounting operation to the bicycle is facilitated. Further, since the 1 st sensor unit and the 2 nd sensor unit are each rotatably axially supported by the shaft portion, the adjustment of the interval between the 1 st sensor unit and the predetermined portion and the adjustment of the interval between the 2 nd sensor unit and the predetermined portion can be performed at one place, and the adjustment operation can be performed efficiently.

The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view showing a state in which a measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a bicycle.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a measurement main body of the measurement device shown in fig. 1, as seen from a foot-supporting side in the same example.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a measurement main body of the measurement device shown in fig. 1, as seen from a spoke side of a rear wheel in the same embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a measurement main body of the measurement device shown in fig. 1, as viewed from the rear in the same example.

Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged side view showing the measuring apparatus shown in fig. 1 and a peripheral portion thereof in the same example.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a display unit of the measuring apparatus shown in fig. 1 in the same example.

Fig. 7 is a test chart showing a state in which the conventional measurement device is mounted on a bicycle.

Detailed Description

A measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in fig. 1, the measuring apparatus includes a transmission unit 14 for wirelessly transmitting signals detected by the speed sensor 12 and the cadence sensor 10 to the display unit, in addition to the speed sensor 12, the cadence sensor 10, and the display unit 16.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the transmission unit 14 is provided with a shaft 14a extending in one direction, and the cadence sensor 10 and the speed sensor 12 are rotatably supported by the shaft 14 a. The cadence sensor 10 and the speed sensor 12 are arranged offset from each other in the front-rear direction of the bicycle 2. The conveying unit 14 is provided with a cover 14d for replacing, for example, a lithium battery.

As shown in fig. 4, the cadence sensor 10 is disposed toward the crank side of the gear, and the speed sensor 12 is disposed toward the spokes of the rear wheel. In addition, an abutting portion 14e is formed along the outer peripheral shape of the chain stay 5 at a portion of the conveying portion 14 that contacts the chain stay 5.

A measurement body portion 15 including a speed sensor 12, a cadence sensor 10 and a transmission portion 14 is attached to the chain stay 5 by a belt 18. On the other hand, the display portion 16 is attached to a portion of the handlebar 3 that is visible in a state of riding on the bicycle, and has a function of receiving and processing a signal transmitted from the transmission portion 14, and displaying predetermined information.

Next, a procedure for attaching the measurement device having the measurement main body portion 15 to the bicycle 2 will be described. First, the position where the chain stay 5 is attached to the measurement main body 15, that is, the position: the cadence sensor 10 is planarly coincident with the circular orbit described by the cadence magnet 9 mounted on the gear crank, and the speed sensor 12 is planarly coincident with the circular orbit described by the wheel magnet 7 mounted on the spoke 4b of the rear wheel 4, as viewed from the side of the bicycle 2.

After the position where the measurement main body portion 15 is to be attached is determined, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, the belt 18 is inserted into the through hole 14c provided in the transmission portion 14 at the position, and the measurement main body portion 15 is fixed to the chain stay 5 by winding the belt 18 around the chain stay 5.

Next, as shown in fig. 4, the pitch sensor 10 is rotated about the shaft portion 14a as indicated by an arrow 32 with respect to the measurement main body 15 fixed to the chain 5, whereby the distance between the pitch magnet 9 (see fig. 1) and the pitch sensor 10 is adjusted to a distance optimal for detecting the magnetism of the pitch magnet 9.

Further, by rotating the speed sensor 12 about the shaft portion 14a as indicated by an arrow 31, the distance between the wheel magnet 7 (see fig. 1) and the speed sensor 12 is adjusted to a distance optimal for detecting the magnetism of the wheel magnet. After the adjustment of each interval is completed, the pitch sensor 10 and the speed sensor 12 are fixed to the shaft portion 14a by tightening the angle adjustment screw 14b provided in the transmission portion 14.

On the other hand, the display portion 16 is attached to a predetermined position of the handlebar 3 by an appropriate attachment member (not shown), and thus, the measurement device including the measurement main body portion 15 and the display portion 16 is attached to the bicycle 2.

Next, the operation of the measuring apparatus will be described. When the pedals 6 are pedaled, the driving force is transmitted to the rear wheel 4, and the bicycle starts to run. As shown in fig. 5, the cadence magnet 9 mounted on the gear crank 8 traces a circular track 21 shown in single-dot chain line by pedaling the pedals 6. On the other hand, the wheel magnet 7 mounted on the spokes 4b of the rear wheel 4 describes a circular orbit 20 as indicated by a one-dot chain line.

The cadence sensor 10 is arranged to planarly coincide with the circular track 21 as viewed from the side of the bicycle 2, and when the cadence magnet 9 approaches the cadence sensor 10, the magnetism of the cadence magnet 9 is detected by the cadence sensor 10.

On the other hand, the speed sensor 12 is disposed so as to planarly overlap the circular track 20 when viewed from the side of the bicycle 2, and when the wheel magnet 7 approaches the speed sensor 12, the magnetism of the wheel magnet 7 is detected by the speed sensor 12.

The magnetism of the pitch magnet 9 and the wheel magnet 7 is detected by the pitch sensor 10 and the speed sensor 12, respectively, and the signals are wirelessly transmitted from the transmission unit 14 to the display unit 16.

The display unit 16 calculates the tempo of pedaling 6 (the rotational speed of the pedals) from the time interval at which the magnetism of the pitch magnet 9 is detected, by a built-in arithmetic circuit. On the other hand, the time interval at which the magnetism of the wheel magnet 7 is detected is calculated, and the running speed of the bicycle is calculated from the circumferential length of the rear wheel 4. As shown in fig. 6, information related to the calculated rotation speed of pedals 6 and the running speed of bicycle 2 is displayed on a predetermined display of display unit 16.

In the above-described measurement device, the measurement main body 15 includes the transmission unit 14, and the signals detected by the speed sensor 12 and the cadence sensor 10 are wirelessly transmitted to the display unit 16, so that it is not necessary to provide a cable, as compared with the conventional measurement device, and the operation of attaching the measurement device to the bicycle 2 is easy.

Further, since the speed sensor 12 and the cadence sensor 10 are rotatably supported by the shaft portion 14a supported by the transmission portion 14 of the measurement main body portion 15, the adjustment of the interval between the cadence sensor 10 and the cadence magnet 9 and the adjustment of the interval between the speed sensor 12 and the wheel magnet 7 can be performed at one location, and the adjustment operation can be performed efficiently, as compared with the case where the speed sensor and the cadence sensor are mounted at a remote location as in the conventional measurement device.

Further, the signals detected by the cadence sensor 10 and the speed sensor 12 can be transmitted by one transmission unit 14, and thus, as compared with the case where one transmission unit is provided for each sensor, the battery can be replaced at one location, and maintenance becomes easy.

Further, by arranging the speed sensor 12 and the cadence sensor 10 so as to be shifted in the front-rear direction of the bicycle 2, arranging the cadence sensor 10 toward the gear crank 8 side, and arranging the speed sensor 12 toward the rear wheel 4 side, it is possible to suppress the influence of the cadence sensor 10 on the wheel magnet 7 and suppress the influence of the cadence sensor 12 on the cadence magnet 9.

In the above-described measuring apparatus, the case where the measuring main body 15 is attached to a predetermined position of the chain stay 5 is exemplified. The mounting position is not limited to this, and the measurement main body 15 may be mounted in a position close to the rear wheel 4 and the gear crank 8, that is, in the vicinity of the rear wheel 4 and the gear crank 8, that is, within a limit that the magnetism of the cadence magnet 9 mounted on the gear crank 8 and the magnetism of the wheel magnet 7 mounted on the rear wheel 4 can be detected by the speed sensor 12 and the cadence sensor 10 which are pivotally supported on the transmission unit 14, respectively.

In particular, in order to take advantage of the advantage that the adjustment of the interval between the cadence sensor 10 and the cadence magnet 9 and the adjustment of the interval between the speed sensor 12 and the wheel magnet 7 can be performed at one location, it is preferable to fit the measurement body between the rear wheel 4 and the gear crank 8 in a region where the gear crank 8 and the rear wheel 4 can be in a mutually opposing positional relationship.

The present invention has been described in detail, but is not limited to the examples, and it is understood that the spirit and scope of the present invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. A measuring device having a measuring body part (15) disposed on a portion where a rear wheel (4) and a gear crank (8) of a bicycle (2) are located, and a display part (16) disposed at a position visible when the device is riding on the bicycle (2) and displaying predetermined information based on a signal transmitted from the measuring body part (15), characterized in that,

the measurement body section (15) includes: a 1 st sensor unit (10) for detecting the movement of a predetermined portion of the gear crank (8) and grasping the tempo of pedaling (6); a 2 nd sensor unit (12) for detecting the movement of a predetermined portion of the rear wheel (4) and grasping the running speed of the bicycle (2); and a transmission unit (14) electrically connected to the 1 st sensor unit (10) and the 2 nd sensor unit (12) and wirelessly transmitting signals detected by the 1 st sensor unit (10) and the 2 nd sensor unit (12) to the display unit (16),

the transmission part has a shaft part extending in one direction, the shaft part axially supports the 1 st sensor part and the 2 nd sensor part and respectively rotates the sensor parts,

the distance between the 1 st sensor part and a predetermined part of the gear crank is adjusted by rotating the 1 st sensor part around the shaft part,

the distance between the 2 nd sensor part and the predetermined part of the rear wheel is adjusted by rotating the 2 nd sensor part around the shaft part.

2. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement body portion (15) is disposed between the rear wheel (4) and the gear crank (8) in a region where the rear wheel (4) and the rotating gear crank (8) of the bicycle (2) can be in a mutually opposing positional relationship.

3. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the 1 st sensor unit (10) is disposed toward the gear crank (8), and the 2 nd sensor unit (12) is disposed toward the rear wheel (4).

4. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the 1 st sensor unit (10) and the 2 nd sensor unit (12) are arranged in a staggered manner in a front-rear direction of the bicycle (2).

5. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement body portion (15) is fixed to a chain stay (5) connecting a rotation shaft (4a) of the rear wheel (4) and a shaft of the gear crank (8).

6. The measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the measurement main body (15) includes: a butting part (14e) which is arranged on the conveying part (14) and follows the outer peripheral shape of the chain stay (5); a through hole (14c) provided above the abutting portion (14e) of the transfer portion (14); and a belt part (18) for fixing the measurement body part (15) by inserting the through hole (14c) in a state where the abutting part (14e) abuts against the outer peripheral part of the chain stay (5) and winding the chain stay (5).

7. A sensor device has a 1 st sensor part for detecting the tempo of pedaling a bicycle and a 2 nd sensor part for detecting the running speed of the bicycle,

includes a transmission section having a shaft portion extending in one direction and transmitting a predetermined signal by radio, the shaft portion pivotally supporting the 1 st sensor portion and the 2 nd sensor portion to be rotatable, respectively,

the 1 st sensor unit has a function of detecting the motion of a predetermined portion of the gear crank and transmitting a detected signal to the transmission unit electrically connected thereto,

the 2 nd sensor unit has the transmission unit for detecting the motion of the rear wheel and transmitting the detected signal to the rear wheel.