Electricity: measuring and testing – Electrical speed measuring – Including speed analog electrical signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2001-07-31
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2862)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Electrical speed measuring
Including speed analog electrical signal generator
C324S160000, C073S493000, C280S011221
Reexamination Certificate
active
06268720
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method to determine travel quantities and an associated wheel for roller skates and roller boards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sports equipment for fitting to the feet, for example inline skates, roller skates, grass skis, skateboards or snakeboards, are becoming more and more popular. There is a need to determine the sports achievements performed with such sports equipment, for example the distances travelled or the speed reached (current speed, maximum speed, average speed).
A bicycle is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,557 wherein the speed measurement can be relised by means located in the wheel axle.
The construction described in this publication can, however, not be used in the region of the substantially smaller wheels for roller skates and roller boards as, for example, the signal generated has to be picked up by means of a very complex signal pick-up construction.
A bicycle is known from JP 62-177 453 A which determines the speed via a cyclometer comprising a rotating magnet and a stationary sensor. The mechanism described therein is, however, not suitable for roller skates and roller boards which are exposed to extreme shock strains.
A road skate is known from DE-GM 92 09 825.8 with a travel computer which is fitted to the boot of the road skate. To transfer data from rollers of the road skate to said travel computer, a friction wheel is provided which acts together with a driver wheel attached to the roller suspension. This mechanism is considered very complex and susceptible to breakdown. In addition, it has a large construction.
It is known from DE-GM 296 06 965 to provide a roller for roller skates with a magnet and a coil to generate an induced current to feed a light emitting element. This publication does not deal with the measurement of achievement parameters of a user.
It is known from DE 44 44 315 A1 to provide on an axle fixed to a roller a dynamo to generate current to operate a light. This mechanism also proves to be very complex in practice, with, in addition, a strong friction force which hinders progress being produced by the dynamo. This mechanism is not suitable for rollers which revolve around a non-rotating fixed axle.
Finally, a roller skate is known from German utility model DE 296 16 211 U1 with a frame, a boot which can be connected to the frame and rollers mounted on or in the frame, in which on one of the rollers a contact maker is disposed and on the frame a contact pick-up coupled to the transmitter is disposed, with a receiver equipped with a display fitted for the display of achievement data, which receiver can be taken along by the roller skate, being allocated to said transmitter.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of this invention to provide a wheel for roller skates and roller boards with which achievement parameters of a user can be measured in a simple, robust and favourably priced manner.
In accordance with one advantageous embodiment, the wheel possesses a coil fixed to its non-rotating axle of rotation and a magnet surrounding the coil concentrically connected to the wheel body. When the wheel turns, the magnet thus rotates around the coil so that a current is induced in the coil. The induced current is proportional to the rate of rotation of the wheel. The induced current (or the induced voltage) can be led in a simple manner to a electronic control means which performs a signal processing. The design with magnet and coil has proved to be very robust and compact in construction. Furthermore, there is, where circumstances require, no additional battery necessary for the power supply to the electronic control means. Advantageously, with the current generated, a storage battery can be charged which ensures a direct current supply for the electronic control means and/or other components. The storage battery and a rectifier connected in series with it can also be integrated in the wheel.
It is conversely also possible to provide a magnet fitted to the axle of rotation and a coil surrounding the magnet concentrically and connected to the wheel body.
Appropriately, the wheel comprises means to determine its ground contact and/or means to determine an angle between a momentary touch-down or contact direction of the wheel and an effective direction of travel of the user of the sports equipment. As, for example, in roller skates or inline skates, only one roller skate or inline skate typically has contact with the ground at any one time, it is possible in this way to determine the roller skate or inline skate having contact with the ground in each case and to determine on this basis the rate of rotation or the rate of travel. Furthermore, by determining the angle between the touch-down direction of the roller and the actual direction of travel, a substantially more exact measurement of the actual parameters of achievement or travel of the user can be performed. This measurement precision meets an urgent need which has existed for some time, in particular in the area of high-performance sports.
Advantageously, dynamometers or force-meters, particularly piezo elements, are used to determine the contact with the ground and/or to determine the angle between the momentary direction of contact of the wheel and the effective direction of travel. Piezo elements of this type are of very compact construction, are robust and can be located at a number of points within the wheel or in its direct environment.
Appropriately, at least one piezo element is located in the wheel body, in particular in an external rolling surface of the wheel, to measure thrust and/or to measure a shear force between ground and wheel. This arrangement allows an especially exact and reliable measurement. The number of piezo elements arranged on the rolling surface can be varied depending on the desired demands on the precision.
Appropriately, a number of piezo elements are spread over the circumference of the wheel body. In this way, it is ensured that any contact with the ground or any change in direction can be detected directly.
It is further possible in an advantageous manner to provide at least one piezo element at the axle of rotation, in particular in the region of axle suspension means to measure thrust and/or a shear force between ground and wheel and/or a precession force caused by a change in direction of the wheel. Here, it is of special advantage that the size or number of dynamometers or piezo elements can be kept small; in addition, they are mounted on the non-rotating axle, which leads to less wear over fitting to the rotating wheel body.
It is further possible to provide at least one piezo element in the axis suspension means and/or on the bearings of the wheel to measure a force of pressure (pressure force) and/or a shear force between ground and wheel and/or a precession force caused by a change in direction of the wheel. Piezo elements arranged in this way are also of compact construction and are less susceptible to wear due to their non-rotating arrangement.
In accordance with another advantageous embodiment, the wheel possesses a sensor extending between the axle of rotation of said wheel and the ground. The sensor attached to the axle of rotation has a length which is slightly larger than the radius of the wheel so that in the event of contact with the ground the sensor can detect this in a certain manner. Spring elements, elastic elements, rigid elements with sprung partial regions, etc. can, for example, be provided as sensors. Optical and/or electrical devices are feasible to determine the contact with the ground.
Advantageously, the sensor possesses at least one dynamometer, in particular a piezo element to detect the contact with the ground and/or an angle between the momentary direction of contact of the wheel and the actual direction of travel.
Preferably, the sensor is fixed to an extension to the axle of rotation provided outside the axle suspension. Such an axle of rotation extension can be executed with little constructive effort.
Appropriately, the magnet and coil
Jolly Anthony
Shlesinger & Arkwright & Garvey LLP
Williams Hezron
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