Method and apparatus for measuring and monitoring torque exerted during pedalling of a bicycle or the like equipment

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring and monitoring the torque exerted by a cyclist during pedalling of a human-powered machine, as for example a bicycle, includes a cartridge or the like which is adapted, in use, to be releasably retained within a hollow spindle ( 101 ) of the machine, and one or more sensor elements ( 110, 120, 130 ) for progressively sensing and generating signals, during rotation of a crankshaft of the machine, which are indicative of the angular position of the or each crank arm ( 63 ) of the machine and/or the torque applied thereto. The apparatus allows for measuring and monitoring both in the direction of, and against the direction of, pedalling of the cyclist.

1 . An apparatus for measuring and monitoring the torque exerted by a cyclist during pedalling of a human-powered machine, said apparatus further including a cartridge or the like which is adapted, in use, to be releasably retained within a hollow spindle of said machine, said further apparatus including one or more sensor elements for progressively sensing and generating signals, during rotation of a crankshaft of said machine, which signals are indicative of the angular position of said the or each crank arm of said machine and/or the torque applied thereto. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , adapted to be connected to a power take-off device of said machine, wherein said machine is a bicycle having a crankshaft or spindle disposed within a frame and a crank arm associated with each free end of said crankshaft, wherein at least one of said crank arms is adapted to be able to rotate to a limited extent relative to said power take-off device. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein torque applied to the or each crank arm may be measured in either the direction of, or against the direction of, pedalling of the cyclist. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said hollow spindle includes a splined section at or in the vicinity of one free end thereof, to which one end a first crank arm of said bicycle is adapted to be releasably attached, and wherein said hollow spindle further includes, at a location spaced from the other free end thereof, a peripheral flange and a plurality of dogs or the like protrusions associated therewith disposed around the periphery of the spindle, said dogs of said spindle being adapted, in use, to co-operate, to a limited extent of movement or to close tolerance, with complementary dogs or the like protrusions of a chainring spider of said bicycle, which is adapted to be located on and co-operate with said hollow spindle, wherein said spindle and said chainring spider are, in turn, adapted in use to be releasably attachable to a second crank arm of said bicycle, said chainring spider further including at least one aperture for chainrings. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said spindle, chainring spider and second crank arm are held together by a fixing means. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said fixing means is a threaded or press-fitted annular ring. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said crank arm is adapted to co-operate with said spindle and includes a plurality of dogs or the like protrusions adapted, in use, to co-operate with said dogs of said chainring spider, to a limited extent of movement or to close tolerance. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , including adapter means to be associated with said spindle, wherein said adapter means includes a plurality of dogs or the like protrusions disposed around the periphery thereof, said dogs of said adapter means co-operating with said dogs of said chainring spider, said adapter means being releasably affixed to said second crank arm. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , including a further adapter means, to be mounted within the frame of said bicycle, to allow for rotation of the assembly of said spindle, chainring spider and second crank arm. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said hollow spindle of said bicycle includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, said apertures intended to have protruding therethrough means for connection with one or more of said sensor elements, and wherein said sensor elements include an angular position sensor and a voltage generator. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein one or more of said dogs of said spindle has a torque sensor associated therewith. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein one or more of said dogs of said chainring spider has a torque sensor associated therewith. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as. Claimed in  claim 20 , wherein one or more of said dogs of said second crank arm has a torque sensor associated therewith. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each said torque sensor is affixed to an associated dog of said spindle/chainring spider and/or said second crank arm. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein wires of said torque sensors protrude through apertures provided in said spindle and terminate on electrical contacts located internally of said spindle. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said cartridges include, spread apart around the periphery thereof, electrical contacts complementary to those of said spindle. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said angular position sensor and wire coil element are operated by means of a shaft, cam means and lever whereby to extend said angular position sensor and wire coil element into juxtaposition with a multi-pole ring magnet or retract said angular position sensor and wire coil element into said cartridge. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 25  wherein, upon extension of said angular position sensor and wire coil element, said angular position sensor measures angular position and said wire coil element generates an electromotive force for voltage generation. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said torque sensors associated with said spindle measure torque produced by one leg of the cyclist, said torque sensors associated with the second crank arm measure torque produced by the other leg of said cyclist, and said torque sensors. associated with said chainring spider indicates whether torque is applied, by each leg, either in or against the direction of pedalling. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cartridge is of a substantially complementary shape to said hollow spindle and is housed within said spindle. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , including a hollow crank spindle cover which includes a multi-pole ring magnet. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cartridge further includes a power source, preferably re-chargeable, an enclosure for accommodating electronic circuitry, and a wireless transceiver. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said electronic circuitry includes: a transducer bridge, amplifier and analogue to digital converter for said torque sensors; an amplifier and analogue to digital converter
 for said angular position sensors; a bridge rectifier, voltage regulator and trickle charger for voltage generation; and a microprocessor.