The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 22, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 08, 1999
Nobuhiro Fujiwara, Kanagawa, JP;
Atsushi Mamiya, Kanagawa, JP;
Sony Corporation, , JP;
Abstract
A pedaling force detection means can be simplified in arrangement, the number of assemblies thereof can be decreased, the pedaling force detection means can be made inexpensive and can detect a pedaling force reliably. A bicycle comprises a drive assist attached to a driving wheel ( ), a driving power transmission means ( ) attached between a sprocket ( ) and a rear wheel, a pair of pedal levers ( ), a crank lever ( R) for transmitting a rotation force of the pedal lever to the sprocket and a sliding portion ( R) serving as a swing fulcrum of the pedal lever. A slide pin ( R) at one end of the pedal lever slides within the slide portion in accordance with the rotation of the pedal lever to transmit a rotation force generated by the rotation of the pedal lever to the rear wheel through the sprocket. A pedaling force sensor ( ) is attached to a part of the pedal lever which makes nearly reciprocating motion, and the output from the sensor is supplied through a signal wire ( ) or the like to a controller which controls the drive-assist. An assist timing of the drive-assist is controlled based on the output from the sensor. Since the output from the pedaling force sensor maybe transmitted via the signal wire, the pedaling force sensor becomes high in accuracy, high in response and becomes low in loss. The mechanism of the pedaling force sensor is simple.