WO2020038612A1

WO2020038612A1 - Eddy current trainer for bicycles

Info

Publication number: WO2020038612A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/057839
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars SKOVGAARD; Sune Guldbrand HANSEN
Original assignee: Skovgaard & Guldbrand Aps
Current assignee: Skovgaard & Guldbrand Aps
Priority date: 2018-08-23
Filing date: 2019-03-28
Publication date: 2020-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cycling training device comprising a) a variable resistance unit adapted for reliable engagement with the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel, and b) a suspension adapted for positioning the variable resistance unit into reliable engagement with the tread of the tire of a bicycle at a position above the hub of said tire. The variable resisting unit comprises a disc eddy current brake system.

Description

Eddy current trainer for bicycles Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of equipment for bicycles.

Background of the invention

The ambitious non-professional bike rider and triathlete (athlete) is challenged with limited time and often with natural surroundings. Personal commitments to family, friends and work makes training harder to complete with good quality and without guilt by spending too much time on the bike. Natural circumstances make training difficult to completed with good quality too if athletes want to train hills, mountains or lives in a tensely populated area where training is difficult and often dangerous.

For training outdoor the athlete needs a solution to make training as efficient as possible when athletes train with slower persons like family, friends, or when athletes want to train climbing, but live in a flat area, such as in a big city with a lot of traffic.

TW201726210A discloses a bicycle resistance training device suitable for being mounted on a bicycle. However, this device is not suitable for users who want to train being in a hilly terrain with both slopes and descents, while physically being in a flat terrain.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution that can enable the athlete to train specific and efficient no matter the natural circumstances and personal commitments.

A first aspect relates to a cycling training device comprising:

- a variable resistance unit adapted for reliable engagement with the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel, thereby variably affecting the rolling resistance of said bicycle wheel; wherein the variable resisting unit comprises a disc eddy current brake system; and

- a suspension adapted for positioning the variable resistance unit into reliable engagement with the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel at a position above the hub of said bicycle wheel.

In the present context, the term“rollable engagement” is to be understood broadly. The principle is that the tire of the bicycle wheel is forced to rotate a part of the variable resisting unit, such as a roller. The more difficult it is to rotate a part of the variable resisting unit, the more difficult it would be for the bicycle rider to tread the pedals. Hence, by varying the resistance of the variable resisting unit, the user can e.g. experience a ride in the mountains even though he or she is riding in a flat terrain. It is important that a part of the variable resisting unit can roll together with the bicycle wheel to reduce the friction between the two. Otherwise, the tire of the bicycle wheel will wear prematurely.

In the present context, the term“tread” is to be understood as the portion of the tire that contacts the road surface.

The present invention allows the user to ride his bicycle under natural conditions opposite the current home trainers on the market today. Furthermore, the positioning of the variable resisting unit is important to minimize the wear of the tire’s tread, which is a common problem with home trainers. When the variable resisting unit is positioned into rollable engagement with the tread of the tire of a bicycle at a position above the hub of said tire, only the weight of a part of the cycling training device is contributing to friction between the bicycle wheel and the variable resisting unit, as compared to the weight of the rider and the bicycle in a home trainer setup.

In one or more embodiments, the suspension is adapted for positioning the variable resistance unit into rollable engagement with the tread of the rear tire wheel of a bicycle at a position above the hub of said rear wheel, and wherein the suspension comprises fastening means adapted for engagement with the seat rail and/or the seat post of the bicycle. In this way, the rolling resistance is performed on the drive wheel of the bicycle.

In one or more embodiments, the variable resistance unit further comprises a roller adapted for receiving the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel, and wherein a (rotating) disc of the disc eddy current brake system is connected to said roller. Thereby, the (rotating) disc will rotate as the roller is rotated by the bicycle wheel. The rotating disc may serve as part of a means for determining the speed of the bicycle, e.g. in combination with a sensor configured for determining the rotational speed of the rotating disc.

In one or more embodiments, the variable resistance unit further comprises a roller with a groove guide adapted for receiving the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel, and wherein a rotating disc of the disc eddy current brake system is connected to said roller. The groove guide minimizes possible drag in the variable resistance unit while in reliable engagement with the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel. Preferably, the groove guide is configured as a narrowing at the centre of the roller.

Implicitly, the eddy current brake system comprises a magnet. The strength of the magnetic field acting on the rotating disc may be varied by different means depending on the chosen system. The magnet may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

In one or more embodiments, the disc eddy current brake system further comprises a U-shaped or C-shaped magnet with its legs defining a space between them, said space being adapted for receiving at least a part of the rotating disc. Since a closed magnetic path is formed by the rotating disc and the magnet(s) facing both sides of the rotating disc, an eddy current is generated efficiently in the rotating disc.

In one or more embodiments, the U-shaped or C-shaped magnet is configured for being movable radially back and forth relative to the centre of the rotating disc, thereby causing the said rotating disc to move a) deeper into said space, or b) further out of said space, or c) completely out of said space, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance.

In one or more embodiments, the U-shaped or C-shaped magnet is an

electromagnet, and wherein the effective rolling resistance is varied by varying the strength of the magnetic field of said U-shaped magnet. In one or more embodiments, the disc eddy current brake system further comprises a pair of magnets defining a space between them and facing one another so that the facing surfaces have opposite polarities; wherein said space is adapted for receiving at least a part of the rotating disc.

In one or more embodiments, the pair of magnets are configured for being movable relative to each other, thereby causing the space to increase or decrease, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance.

In one or more embodiments, the pair of magnets are configured for being movable radially back and forth relative to the centre of said rotating disc, thereby causing the said rotating disc to move a) deeper into said space, or b) further out of said space, or c) completely out of said space, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance.

In one or more embodiments, the cycling training device further comprises an electronic control means configured for varying the effective rolling resistance.

Preferably, the electronic control unit comprises a central logic processor, a display, and buttons. Even more preferably, the display and buttons are integrated into a touch screen.

Preferably, the electronic control means further comprises a communication means adapted for communicating with the variable resistance unit and configured for instructing the variable resistance unit to vary the effective rolling resistance in accordance with user and preferably sensor input into the electronic control means. User input may e.g. be a user's training programme, such as how much power the user needs to produce. User input could also be the weight of the user, the diameter of the wheels, and the weight of the bicycle, which are all relevant inputs in order to determine or calculate the correct resistance at a given time during the ride. The sensor input could be from a heartrate meter, a bicycle speedometer, a bicycle power meter, and/or a a bicycle inclinometer. Preferably, the communication means further comprises a wireless means of communicating with the variable resistance unit. Preferably, the communication means further comprises a wireless means of communicating with a personal computer and/or with sensor units, such as a heartrate meter, a bicycle speedometer, a bicycle power meter, and/or a bicycle inclinometer. Preferably, the electronic control unit is afforded a mount, such that it can be arranged on the bicycles handle bars. Preferably, the electronic control unit is a mobile computing device. Even more preferably, the mobile computing device is a smart phone.

In one or more embodiments, wherein when the U-shaped or C-shaped magnet is an electromagnet the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance by varying the strength of the magnetic field of said U-shaped or C-shaped magnet.

In one or more embodiments, wherein when a) the U-shaped or C-shaped magnet or b) the pair of magnets (230) are permanent magnets configured to move radially back and forth relative to the centre of said rotating disc, thereby causing the said rotating disc to move a) deeper into said space, or b) further out of said space, or c) completely out of said space; wherein the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance by instructing the magnets to move radially back and forth relative to the centre of said rotating disc.

In one or more embodiments, wherein when the pair of magnets (230) are permanent magnets configured to move relative to each other, thereby causing the space to increase or decrease, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance; wherein the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance by instructing the magnets to move relative to each other.

In one or more embodiments, the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance in response to data from a bicycle power meter, and pre-set threshold values of power; wherein the power meter is configured to either directly or indirectly determine the amount of power exerted by the user during operation of the pedal assembly.

In one or more embodiments, the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance in response to data from a bicycle inclinometer, and pre-set threshold values of power and/or speed and/or user heartrate. In one or more embodiments, the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance in response to data from a bicycle speedometer, and pre-set threshold values of power and/or speed and/or user heartrate.

In one or more embodiments, the magnet(s) are mounted to a frame that is movable relative to the rotating disc.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cycling training device in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a first part of the variable resistance unit in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a second part of the variable resistance unit in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a partly exploded view of a cycling training device in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and Figure 5 shows a cycling training device according to the present invention attached to the seat post of the bicycle.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cycling training device 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The cycling training device 100 comprises a variable resistance unit 200, a suspension 300 adapted for positioning the variable resistance unit 200 into reliable engagement with the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel at a position above the hub of said bicycle wheel, and an electronic control means 260 configured for varying the effective rolling resistance. The variable resistance unit 200 is adapted for reliable engagement with the tread 12 of the tire of a bicycle wheel 10 (Figure 5), thereby variably affecting the rolling resistance of said bicycle wheel 10. The variable resistance unit 200 comprises a disc eddy current brake system. Here, exemplified with a rotating disc 220, and four pairs of permanent magnets 230 (only one pair may be seen in Figure 1 ). The magnets 230 are mounted to a frame 240 that is movable relative to the rotating disc 220. The rotating disc 220 is coupled to a roller 210, that is another part of the variable resistance unit 200. The roller 210 is adapted for receiving the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel.

Figure 2, shows an exploded view of a first part of the variable resistance unit 200 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. It shows the frame parts and a motor unit 270 adapted for moving the frame 240 up and down relative to the rotating disc 220. Thereby, the pairs of magnets 230 are moved radially back and forth relative to the centre of the rotating disc 220, thereby causing said rotating disc 220 to move a) deeper the space between a pair of magnets, or b) further out of said space, or c) completely out of said space, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance. When the rotating disc 220 is moved completely out of said space, no magnetic resistance is applied to the rotating disc, and thereby to the roller 210 that is rotating the rotating disc. As the rotating disc 220 is moved longer and longer into the space, more and more magnetic resistance will be applied to the rotating disc, and thereby to the roller 210. The frame 240 is here shown having a front cover 244 and a back cover 242, holding each of the magnets of a pair a fixed distance from one another, thereby defining the space for the rotating disc 220 to move in. The backside of the back cover comprises two guide tubes 246 adapted for receiving two guide rods (Figure 3), and a threaded anchoring unit 248 adapted for engaging with the motor unit’s 270 lead screw 272. The frame 240 can thereby move up and down the lead screw 272.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a second part of the variable resistance unit in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Here, the roller housing 280 is shown flanking the roller 210, and with two bearings 282. It is also shown how the rotating disc 220 is coupled to the roller 210. Furthermore, the two guide rods 284 are shown detached from the roller housing 280.

Figure 4 shows a partly exploded view of a cycling training device 100 in

accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Here, the suspension is shown with a spring 320, and a fastening means 310. The fastening means 310 adapted for engagement with the seat rail and/or the seat post of the bicycle. In Figure 5, the cycling training device 100 is shown attached to the seat post of the bicycle and resting with the roller on the tread 12 of the rear wheel 10 of a bicycle, at a position above the hub 14 of said bicycle wheel 10. The spring as seen in Figure 4 is present to retain the roller with the tread during a bumpy ride.

References

10 Bicycle wheel

12 T read

14 Hub

100 Cycling training device

200 Variable resistance unit

210 Roller

220 Rotating disc

230 Magnet

240 Frame

242 Back cover

244 Front cover

246 Guide tube

248 Threaded anchoring device

250 Sensor

260 Electronic control means

270 Motor unit

272 Lead screw

280 Roller housing

282 Bearing

284 Guide rods

300 Suspension

310 Fastening means

320 Spring

Claims

1. A cycling training device (100) comprising:

- a variable resistance unit (200) adapted for reliable engagement with the tread (12) of the tire of a bicycle wheel (10), thereby variably affecting the rolling resistance of said bicycle wheel (10); wherein the variable resisting unit comprises a disc eddy current brake system; and

- a suspension (300) adapted for positioning the variable resistance unit (200) into reliable engagement with the tread of the tire of a bicycle wheel (10) at a position above the hub (14) of said bicycle wheel (10);

characterized in that the variable resistance unit (200) further comprises:

- a roller (210) adapted for receiving the tread (12) of the tire of a bicycle wheel (10);

- a rotating disc (220) connected to said roller (210) and being part of the disc eddy current brake system;

- a) a U-shaped or C-shaped magnet with its legs defining a space between them, said space being adapted for receiving at least a part of the rotating disc (220), or b) a pair of magnets (230) defining a space between them and facing one another so that the facing surfaces have opposite polarities; wherein said space is adapted for receiving at least a part of the rotating disc (220); and

- an electronic control means configured for varying the effective rolling resistance.

2. A cycling training device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein when the U-shaped or C-shaped magnet is an electromagnet the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance by varying the strength of the magnetic field of said U-shaped or C-shaped magnet.

3. A cycling training device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein when a) the U- shaped or C-shaped magnet or b) the pair of magnets (230) are permanent magnets configured to move radially back and forth relative to the centre of said rotating disc, thereby causing the said rotating disc to move a) deeper into said space, or b) further out of said space, or c) completely out of said space; wherein the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance by instructing the magnets to move radially back and forth relative to the centre of said rotating disc.

4. A cycling training device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein when the pair of magnets (230) are permanent magnets configured to move relative to each other, thereby causing the space to increase or decrease, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance; wherein the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance by instructing the magnets to move relative to each other.

5. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -4, wherein the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance in response to data from a bicycle power meter, and pre-set threshold values of power and/or speed and/or user heartrate; wherein the power meter is configured to either directly or indirectly determine the amount of power exerted by the user during operation of the pedal assembly.

6. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -5, wherein the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance in response to data from a bicycle inclinometer, and pre-set threshold values of power and/or speed and/or user heartrate.

7. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -6, wherein the electronic control means is configured for varying the effective rolling resistance in response to data from a bicycle speedometer, and pre-set threshold values of power and/or speed and/or user heartrate.

8. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -7, wherein the rotating disc is part of a means adapted for determining the speed of the bicycle onto which the cycling training device (100) is mounted.

9. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -8, wherein the suspension (300) is adapted for positioning the roller (210) into reliable engagement with the tread (12) of the rear tire bicycle wheel (10) of a bicycle at a position above the hub (14) of said rear tire bicycle wheel (10), and wherein the suspension (300) comprises fastening means (310) adapted for engagement with the seat rail and/or the seat post of the bicycle.

10. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -9, wherein the roller (210) comprises a groove guide adapted for receiving the tread (12) of the tire of a bicycle wheel (10).

1 1. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -10, wherein the disc eddy current brake system comprises a U-shaped or C-shaped magnet with its legs defining a space between them, said space being adapted for receiving at least a part of the rotating disc (220).

12. A cycling training device (100) according to claim 1 1 , wherein the U-shaped or C-shaped magnet is configured for being movable radially back and forth relative to the centre of the rotating disc (220), thereby causing the said rotating disc (220) to move a) deeper into said space, or b) further out of said space, or c) completely out of said space, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance.

13. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -12, wherein the U-shaped or C-shaped magnet is an electromagnet, and wherein the effective rolling resistance is varied by varying the strength of the magnetic field of said U- shaped magnet.

14. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -10, wherein the disc eddy current brake system comprises a pair of magnets (230) defining a space between them and facing one another so that the facing surfaces have opposite polarities; wherein said space is adapted for receiving at least a part of the rotating disc (220).

15. A cycling training device (100) according to claim 14; wherein the pair of magnets are configured for being movable relative to each other, thereby causing the space to increase or decrease, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance.

16. A cycling training device (100) according to any one of the claims 14-15, wherein the pair of magnets (230) are configured for being movable radially back and forth relative to the centre of said rotating disc (220), thereby causing the said rotating disc (220) to move a) deeper into said space, or b) further out of said space, or c) completely out of said space, thereby varying the effective rolling resistance.