Torque detection device

Details Torque detection device Torque detection device

1999-08-17

2001-07-24

Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)

Motor vehicles

Special wheel base

Rider propulsion with additional source of power, e.g.,...

C073S862331, C280S259000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06263992

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a torque detection device for a motor assisted bicycle, and in particular to a device for detection of the torque applied to a bicycle by a rider for controlling the torque output of a motor for assisting moving the bicycle in a controlled manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the trend of environmental protection, bicycles are widely used as personal transportation means. To help bicycle riders in difficult situations, such as moving uphill, an electrical motor may be mounted to the bicycle to generate additional torque to the bicycle wheels. The motor is usually powered by a battery set which has a limited power supply. Thus, the power of the battery set must be conserved and consumed in an efficient way. A manual control may be mounted in the frame and operated by the rider in order to selectively turn on/off the motor. The manual control cannot responds automatically to different riding situations by changing power output of the motor and thus may cause waste of the power of the battery set. Furthermore, manually controlling the motor while watching the traffic condition may be difficult for some riders and accidents may result therefrom.
Taiwan Patent Application No. 84215538 discloses a device for controlling the motor of the bicycle. Such a device is in general ineffective in controlling the motor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,703 also discloses a device to control the motor. The device cannot control the output power of the motor and thus may still cause waste of power.
Thus, it is desired to provide a torque detection device that allows a motor of a power-assisted bicycle to be controlled based on torque applied by a rider to the bicycle for overcoming the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a torque detection device for detecting torque applied to a bicycle by a rider and generating a signal corresponding to the torque for controlling power output of a motor of the bicycle whereby the power output of the motor is determined based on the torque applied by the rider for efficient use of power of a battery set of the bicycle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which automatically controls power output of a motor of a power-assisted bicycle for eliminating manual control of the motor.
To achieve the above object, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a torque detection device for detecting a torque applied to a bicycle for controlling power output of a motor applied to the bicycle in helping moving the bicycle. The torque detection device comprises a shaft coupled to a driving chain wheel and pedals of the bicycle. A circuit comprising strain gauge based elements is embedded in the shaft for converting a torsional deformation caused by the torque applied to the shaft by a rider via the pedals into an electrical signal. The electrical signal, after being properly processed, is applied to a motor power controller which in turn controls the power output of the motor whereby the torque from the motor is determined based on the torque applied by the rider to the bicycle. Thus, as the rider applies a great torque to the pedals, the motor correspondingly supplies a large output of power to the bicycle for helping moving the bicycle. No additional manual control of the motor is needed.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5816599 (1998-10-01), Soejima et al.
patent: 5831180 (1998-11-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5900703 (1999-05-01), Li
patent: 5937962 (1999-08-01), Yokoyama
patent: 5984038 (1999-11-01), Fujiwara et al.
patent: 6138520 (2000-10-01), Chang
patent: 168905 (1986-01-01), None
patent: 84215538 (2000-07-01), None

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