Method and system for measuring at least one physical parameter of a bicycle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for measuring physical parameters such as the speed and / or distance travelled by a bicycle during use by a user. The system comprises a permanent magnet (2) arranged on a front fork and a measuring circuit (3) comprising a magnetic sensor (31), the circuit being arranged on the rim of the wheel at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel as the permanent magnet. In use, the magnetic sensor passes in front of the permanent magnet so as to generate an induced voltage pulse each time it passes in front of the permanent magnet. The induced voltage is rectified and stored in a capacitor (C L ) to power the measuring circuit. The calculation of speed and / or travel distance is performed in a calculation unit (34) clocked by a clock quartz oscillator (33) by knowing the diameter value of the wheel of the bicycle and based on the induced voltage pulses received over time. The measurements performed by the measuring circuit are sent to a portable device (4) carried by the user or mounted on the bicycle for display. The speed measurement value and / or the travel distance obtained by integration in the calculation unit (34) of the measuring circuit (3) are stored in a non-volatile memory (37) of the measuring circuit (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for measuring at least one physical parameter, such as speed and / or distance travelled by a bicycle.

[0002] The invention also relates to a system for measuring at least one physical parameter, such as speed and / or distance travelled by a bicycle, for implementing the measuring method. Background Art

[0003] In order to perform the measurement of a physical parameter such as the speed of a vehicle having, for example, two wheels, a tachometer of the Bluetooth type can be used, which is usually provided with a battery for its power supply. It is also known to use a speed measuring device having at least one permanent magnet arranged on a wheel of the vehicle and a magnetic sensor, for example fastened to a fork of the vehicle, in order to determine the passage of the magnet opposite the sensor during the rotation of the wheel. It is usually necessary to provide such a speed measuring device with a specific energy source, which complicates the structure of the device to be placed on the wheel and the way in which the speed measurement is performed.

[0004] Patent US 5,335,188 describes a device for managing and comparing the ideal performance of a fitness machine such as a bicycle in the past and present. To this end, at least one permanent magnet connected to the bicycle wheel is provided, as well as a motion sensor provided on the bicycle fork to send a measurement signal to a microprocessor unit provided on the bicycle handlebar via a cable. A battery is provided for powering the device. The motion sensor can detect the passage of the permanent magnet during the rotation of the wheel. The motion sensor is used as a magnetic sensor to determine the rotation speed of the wheel when the magnet passes near the sensor and to deduce the distance traveled from there. As mentioned above, the operation of the measuring device requires the use of an energy source, such as a battery, which complicates the structure of the device to be placed on the bicycle to perform speed measurement.

[0005] Patent application US2015 / 0285657 A1 describes a device for managing the activities and registration of bicycles. At least one magnet arranged on the spokes of the bicycle wheel, a control unit mounted on the bicycle fork and a smartphone placed on the handlebars of the bicycle are provided. The control unit comprises in particular a Hall effect sensor for determining the passage of the magnet during the rotation of the bicycle wheel, a microprocessor with proprietary software identical to the smartphone software and a memory for storing all the measurements performed by the sensor. The device allows the speed and the distance travelled of the bicycle to be measured. However, an energy source must be provided for the control unit, which complicates the structure of the device to be placed on the bicycle to perform the speed measurement.

[0006] Patent application US2011 / 0018526 A1 describes a measuring device for measuring the relative rotational speed of a rotor rotating relative to a stator at a vehicle wheel. An induction pulse generator supported by the stator comprises an induction coil, in which a voltage is induced by the rotation of the rotor, which voltage represents a signal for measuring the rotational speed of the rotor. A permanent magnet is provided during the passage of the induction coil. A transmitter device supplied with electrical energy by the voltage induced by the induction pulse generator wirelessly transmits at least one rotational speed measurement signal to a receiver device. The precise arrangement of the magnetic sensor and the permanent magnet mounted on the bicycle for measuring the speed and the travel distance is not described.

[0007] Patent application US2005 / 0156590 A1 describes a measuring device for measuring the passage of a magnet fastened to a spoke of a bicycle wheel opposite a measuring circuit having a magnetic sensor fastened to the fork of the bicycle at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel as the magnet placed on the spoke. However, the calculation is not specifically defined in a processing unit clocked by a precision low-power oscillator.

[0008] Patent application DE 296 15 910 U1 describes sports equipment. This can be a tachometer with an odometer on a bicycle to indicate the distance travelled and the instantaneous speed. However, speed detection is mainly described for roller skates, which include a magnet on each wheel and a sensor that detects the passage of the magnet in order to send the measured data to a receiver of a display device, where in particular the speed is calculated.

[0009] Patent application DE 200 14 262 U1 describes an energy-autonomous speed and temperature sensor, which comprises an inductive speed sensor, a semiconductor temperature sensor, a regulator, an energy storage device, an associated controller and a radio transmitter. The voltage pulses from the speed sensor are rectified and amplified so that a controller can evaluate the pulses to measure the speed. The rectified speed pulses are accumulated in an energy storage device consisting of a capacitor. The speed or distance travelled by the bicycle is not measured.

[0010] Patent US 9,424,739 B2 describes a self-powered wireless system. A magnet interacts with an inductor to generate a trigger and power signal. Transmission of a measurement signal can be performed. The device can be mounted on a vehicle, but there is no indication that such an arrangement of the magnet and the measurement circuit at the bicycle wheel can be used on a bicycle.

[0011] Patent application DE 20 2012 011 461 U1 describes an electronic device for detecting the speed and mileage of a bicycle by using at least one permanent magnet arranged on the spokes of the wheel and a sensor circuit, such as a Hall generator arranged on the bicycle frame. The sensor circuit detects the passage of the permanent magnet and obtains a supply voltage for the electronic device. Calculations of travel distance and average speed can be performed. A data transmission unit is provided for transmitting data to at least one receiver. The sensor circuit is not suitable for easily determining a plurality of quantities or physical parameters by simple power supply after the passage of the permanent magnet during the rotation of the bicycle wheel.

[0012] Patent application DE 198 38 876 A1 describes an electronic tachometer which is powered by the passage of a magnet in front of an induction coil. The voltage provided by the induction coil allows the charging of a storage capacitor via a voltage rectification and stabilization circuit. The induction coil can detect the voltage change caused by the passage of a plurality of permanent magnets and acts as a rotation sensor. The speed of the wheel can be determined and the data can be transmitted via a radio link to an evaluation unit. Not referring to bicycles.

[0013] Patent application US2010 / 0180664 A1 describes a rotary transducer and a method for monitoring transducer wear. The rotary transducer has a detector device with a measuring sensor to generate a measuring signal representative of the angular position and speed of an object connected to the rotary transducer. The monitoring device is connected to the measuring sensor to send data and emits a signal of the wear condition of the rotary transducer based on the measuring signal. Not referring to bicycles.

[0014] Patent US 7,495,549 B2 and patent application US 2017 / 0115319 A1 describe a device for managing the activity and registration of a bicycle. The device allows the determination of slope and altitude by means of an accelerometer combined with a barometer, but is independent of a measuring circuit provided with an inclinometer mounted on the bicycle wheel.

[0015] Patent US 3,723,966 A and patent application DE 10 2014 203142 A1 describe a device for determining the tire pressure of a vehicle by means of a battery-powered pressure sensor placed on the wheel rim or by means of a pressure sensor arranged on the wheel and powered by wireless communication. The connection to a measuring circuit for measuring the speed or distance traveled by the vehicle is not defined.

[0016] Other physical parameters can be measured on the bicycle. This can be tire pressure measurement, ground type detection, ground temperature, angular acceleration from an accelerometer or other types of measurements. In the case of measuring tire pressure, a pressure sensor circuit can be provided which is placed on the wheel rim at the valve hole. This pressure sensor circuit is powered by a battery and can transmit the measurement signal wirelessly as performed by the Hutchinson Connec'Tires product. However, a battery must be provided to power such a sensor circuit, which is a disadvantage. Summary of the invention

[0017] Therefore, the present invention aims to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks in order to simplify the measurement of at least one physical parameter such as the speed and / or travel distance of a vehicle by providing such information to a portable device by wireless transmission with minimum power consumption.

[0018] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for measuring at least one physical parameter of a vehicle having at least one wheel, the method comprising the following two parallel technical solutions.

[0019] One of the technical solutions comprises: a measuring method for measuring at least one physical parameter, such as the speed and / or distance travelled by a bicycle during its use by a user, by means of at least one permanent magnet and at least one measuring circuit having at least one magnetic sensor, the at least one permanent magnet being arranged on a frame part or on a fork for mounting a freely rotatable wheel, the at least one measuring circuit being arranged on a wheel of the bicycle, the permanent magnet being arranged on the frame part or on the fork at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel as the measuring circuit, so that the measuring circuit is opposite to the permanent magnet when it passes the permanent magnet during rotation of the wheel,

[0020] Characterized in that the measuring method comprises the following steps:

[0021] - moving the bicycle on a path in which the wheel rotates together with the measuring circuit,

[0022] - detecting the passage of the magnetic sensor of the measuring circuit at the position opposite to the permanent magnet by generating an induced voltage pulse each time the rotating measuring circuit passes the position opposite to the permanent magnet,

[0023] - rectifying the voltage generated by the magnetic sensor by means of a rectifier and storing the rectified voltage on a smoothing capacitor to supply the measuring circuit,

[0024] - calculating a physical parameter such as the speed and / or the travelled distance of the bicycle in a calculation unit, based on the induced voltage pulses received over time from the magnetic sensor by knowing the value of the diameter of the wheel of the bicycle, the calculation unit being clocked by a clock quartz oscillator of the measuring circuit, wherein the speed measurement values ​​and / or the travelled distance obtained by integration in the calculation unit of the measuring circuit are stored in a non-volatile memory of the measuring circuit, and

[0025] - Wirelessly sending one or more measured values ​​of a physical parameter, such as speed and / or distance calculated in a calculation unit of the measurement circuit, to a portable device carried by the user or located on a part of the bicycle via a signal transmission-reception unit linked to the antenna of the measurement circuit.

[0026] Another technical solution includes: a measurement method for measuring at least one physical parameter by means of at least one permanent magnet and at least one measuring circuit with at least one magnetic sensor, the physical parameter being, for example, the speed and / or distance traveled by the bicycle during its use by the user, the at least one permanent magnet being arranged on a frame part or on a fork for mounting a freely rotatable wheel, the at least one measuring circuit being arranged on the wheel of the bicycle, the permanent magnet being arranged on the frame part or on the fork at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel as the measuring circuit, so that the measuring circuit is opposite to the permanent magnet when it passes the permanent magnet during the rotation of the wheel,

[0027] Characterized in that the measuring method comprises the following steps:

[0028] - moving the bicycle on a path in which the wheel rotates together with the measuring circuit,

[0029] - detecting the passage of the magnetic sensor of the measuring circuit in a position opposite to the permanent magnet by generating an induced voltage pulse each time the rotating measuring circuit passes through the position opposite to the permanent magnet,

[0030] - rectifying the voltage generated by the magnetic sensor by means of a rectifier and storing the rectified voltage on a smoothing capacitor to supply the measuring circuit,

[0031] - determining the number of times a measuring circuit with the magnetic sensor passes in a position opposite the permanent magnet based on the induced voltage pulses provided by the magnetic sensor in a calculation unit, the calculation unit being timed by a watch quartz oscillator of the measuring circuit, and

[0032] - Wirelessly transmits data related to the number of times the magnetic sensor passes a position relative to the permanent magnet to a portable device carried by the user or located on a part of the bicycle via a signal transmitting-receiving unit linked to the antenna of the measuring circuit, so as to calculate physical parameters such as the speed and / or the travel distance of the bicycle in the processing unit of the portable device, wherein the speed measurement values ​​and / or the travel distance obtained by integration in the processing unit of the portable device are stored in the non-volatile memory of the portable device.

[0033] One advantage of the measuring method according to the invention is that at least one permanent magnet is mounted on the frame or fork of a vehicle, such as a bicycle, and a measuring circuit with a magnetic sensor is arranged on the wheel, for example on the spokes or on the rim of a bicycle wheel, so that the magnetic sensor of the measuring circuit can pass in the vicinity of the magnet during a rotation of the wheel. Thus, in the measuring circuit with a rectifier and a smoothing capacitor, energy is recovered during the passage of the magnetic sensor of the measuring circuit in front of the magnet. The recovered energy allows the electronic components of the measuring circuit to be powered.

[0034] The measurement of the speed of a vehicle, such as a bicycle, can be easily performed in the calculation unit of a measuring circuit clocked by a clock quartz oscillator operating at a low voltage, each time the magnetic sensor is detected to pass in front of the magnet. Direct transmission of the measurements performed by radio frequency signals, such as Bluetooth (BLE), can be performed from the measuring circuit to be received by a portable device carried by the user of the vehicle or placed on the handlebars of the vehicle. The portable device can be a mobile phone or headphones that provide audio signals to the user, or a tablet placed on the handlebars to display at least the speed of the bicycle and the distance traveled obtained by integration of the speed measurements.

[0035] Advantageously, the measuring circuit can include at least two magnetic sensors of the measuring circuit, for example magnetic sensors each arranged on a respective spoke of the front wheel of the bicycle and preferably at 180° to each other or arranged on the rim of the wheel. This allows to recover more energy already during one complete rotation of the bicycle wheel and to be able to measure the speed and / or distance travelled by the bicycle. Calibration of the diameter of the bicycle wheel and the fixed angle of the measuring circuit can initially be performed by sending from the portable device to the measuring circuit. Storing these data in the measuring circuit allows to measure the speed of the bicycle at least after one complete rotation of the bicycle wheel when the measuring system is activated, and subsequently to measure the distance travelled.

[0036] Advantageously, two magnetic sensor measurement circuits can be provided, which are arranged on the rim of the front wheel of the bicycle on both sides. In this case, two permanent magnets are mounted on the front fork of the bicycle, each permanent magnet being arranged to be opposite / directly opposite to a corresponding magnetic sensor of the measurement circuit at each pass of the measurement circuit during the rotation of the bicycle wheel. Preferably, the two measurement circuits are mounted at the same position on the rim of the front wheel, even 180° from each other, but on different sides. The measurement signal can be sent to the portable device via the two measurement circuits.

[0037] Alternatively, all calculations and calibrations can be performed and stored in the portable device. In this case, the measuring circuit is advantageously further simplified and only the wheel passage pulses are sent over time, as well as the sum of these pulses and possibly the total inclination of the sensor. The portable device supports the calibration, for example by rolling on a determined route or by inputting the determined inclination and diameter values.

[0038] By means of the measuring circuit, the instantaneous speed, the maximum speed in a certain period of time, and the average speed can be calculated in the calculation unit by the continuity of the voltage pulses induced over time provided by each magnetic sensor. In addition, by integration in the calculation unit, the distance traveled in a certain period of time can be easily determined. All the measurement results can be stored so that they can be sent on demand and according to the supply voltage level of the measuring circuit after the energy has been recovered due to the passage of the magnetic sensor in a position opposite to the permanent magnet / in a position opposite to the permanent magnet.

[0039] Based on the energy extracted when passing opposite / at a position opposite to a permanent magnet, other parameters can be measured and wirelessly sent to a portable device via the measurement circuit. This can be a tire pressure measurement obtained from a pressure sensor circuit powered by the magnetic sensor measurement circuit.

[0040] Advantageously, the measuring circuit is mounted on the tire or rim of the front wheel, or even on the tire or rim of the rear wheel when the permanent magnet is mounted on the rear part of the frame. The antenna on the tire or rim starts to rotate. This also allows to provide measurable information through the propagation characteristics of the RF medium by synchronizing with the physical position given by the position of the magnet. These can be Doppler velocity, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements.

[0041] To this end, the present invention also relates to a system for measuring at least one physical parameter of a vehicle having at least one wheel, such as a bicycle, to implement the measurement method. The system includes the following technical solutions.

[0042] A measuring system for measuring the speed and / or distance travelled by a bicycle, suitable for implementing the measuring method described above, comprising: at least one permanent magnet, the at least one permanent magnet being arranged on a frame part or on a fork for mounting a freely rotatable wheel; at least one measuring circuit arranged on the wheel of the bicycle, the at least one measuring circuit having at least one magnetic sensor, the permanent magnet being arranged on the frame part or on the fork at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel as the measuring circuit, so that the measuring circuit is opposite to the permanent magnet when it passes by the permanent magnet during rotation of the wheel; and a portable device configured to wirelessly communicate radio frequency signals with the measuring circuit,

[0043] Characterized in that the measuring circuit comprises:

[0044] at least one magnetic sensor, which is designed to detect its passage in front of the permanent magnet during rotation and to generate an induced voltage pulse each time it passes in front of the permanent magnet,

[0045] a rectifier for rectifying the voltage generated by the magnetic sensor and a smoothing capacitor for storing the rectified voltage to power the measuring circuit,

[0046] a calculation unit clocked by a watch quartz oscillator, the calculation unit being configured to calculate physical parameters such as the speed and / or travel distance of the bicycle based on the induced voltage pulses received from the magnetic sensor by knowing the diameter value of the wheel of the bicycle, or to determine the number of times the magnetic sensor passes through a position opposite to the permanent magnet based on the induced voltage pulses provided by the magnetic sensor, and

[0047] a transmitting-receiving unit linked to the antenna, the transmitting-receiving unit being configured to transmit one or more measured values ​​of a physical parameter such as speed and / or distance calculated in the calculating unit to a portable device carried by the user or located on a part of the bicycle, or to transmit data relating to the number of passes of the magnetic sensor in a position opposite to the permanent magnet to the portable device, in order to calculate in the processing unit of the portable device a physical parameter such as speed and / or travelled distance of the bicycle,

[0048] Therein, the measured values ​​of the speed and / or the travel distance obtained by integration in the calculation unit of the measurement circuit or in the processing unit of the portable device are stored in the non-volatile memory of the measurement circuit or in the non-volatile memory of the portable device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The objects, advantages and features of the method and system for measuring at least one physical parameter of a vehicle having at least one wheel will better emerge in the following description based on at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] - Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle having two wheels, such as a bicycle, provided with a system according to the invention for measuring at least one physical parameter of a bicycle,

[0051] - Figure 2 is a top view of a vehicle having two wheels, such as a bicycle, provided with a variant of the system according to the invention for measuring at least one physical parameter of a bicycle, and

[0052] - Figure 3 Simplified block diagram showing electronic components of a system for measuring at least one physical parameter of a vehicle having at least one wheel according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In the following description, reference is made to a method and system for measuring at least one physical parameter, for example the speed and / or the travel distance of a vehicle having at least one wheel, such as a bicycle. All electronic components well known to those skilled in the art are described only in a simplified manner. The vehicle may be, for example, a two-wheeled bicycle for movement by a user on a path, for example on a road or in a forest.

[0054] Figure 1 and 2 A side view and a top view of a bicycle 10 with two wheels 11 are shown. The front wheel is mounted in a freely rotatable manner at one end of a front fork 12. The front fork 12 is mounted in the front part of a bicycle frame 13 to be able to rotate the front wheel of the bicycle. The front fork 12 is connected to a handlebar 14 at the other end. A chainring 15, which can be driven by the user's two feet, is provided in connection with a chain to drive the rear wheel to rotate on the rear part of the frame 13.

[0055] A measuring system 1 is also mounted on the bicycle 10 for measuring at least one physical parameter, such as the speed and / or the distance travelled of the bicycle in use. The measuring system 1 mainly comprises at least one permanent magnet 2 placed on the front fork 12 or on the rear part of the frame 13, and at least one measuring circuit 3 placed on the front wheel or the rear wheel. Preferably, the permanent magnet 2 is placed on the front fork 12 and the measuring circuit 3 is mounted on the rim or the tyre of the front wheel, or even on the spokes 21 of the front wheel.

[0056] The measuring system 1 may also include at least one portable device 4 to receive measurement information such as the speed and / or distance travelled by the bicycle from the measuring circuit 3. Preferably, the measuring circuit 3 is placed on one side of the rim of the front wheel. The permanent magnet 2 is arranged on the front fork 12 at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the front wheel as the measuring circuit 3, so as to be opposite / facing the measuring circuit 3 when it passes the measuring circuit 3 during the rotation of the front wheel.

[0057] It is also conceivable that at least two measuring circuits 3, 3' placed on the rim of the front wheel are each mounted on opposite sides of the rim and that two permanent magnets 2, 2' are mounted at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the front wheel. The permanent magnets 2, 2' are each opposite / facing one of the corresponding measuring circuits 3, 3' when the measuring circuits 3, 3' pass in front of the permanent magnets 2, 2'. The measuring circuits 3, 3' can be mounted at the same position on different sides of the rim or tire of the front wheel, or even on different sides at 180° to each other, or on the same side, in which case a single permanent magnet 2 is beneficial. It is also conceivable to place the measuring circuits 3, 3' each on the spokes 21 of the front wheel.

[0058] In such Figure 3 In the case of a single measuring circuit 3 used as shown, the measuring circuit 3 mainly includes a magnetic sensor 31 for sensing the passage of the permanent magnet 2 in front of the permanent magnet 2, in particular through the coil B, a rectifier 32 having at least one diode for rectifying the induced voltage sensed by the coil B of the magnetic sensor 31, and a smoothing capacitor C for storing the energy recovered after the rectifier 32. L . Recovered and stored in the smoothing capacitor C L The energy on allows the electronic components of the measuring circuit 3 to be powered.

[0059] The measuring circuit 3 also mainly comprises a calculation unit 34, which is directly connected / linked at the output of the magnetic sensor 31 to perform calculations of physical parameters such as the speed and / or the traveled distance of the bicycle in use. The calculation unit 34, which can be a processor, is clocked by an oscillator 33, which can be a watch quartz or a MEMS oscillator. Each magnetic pulse generated by the oscillator 33 at a rate over time when the magnetic sensor 31 passes in front of the permanent magnet 2 near the magnetic sensor 31 allows the calculation unit 34 to easily calculate the speed. In addition, the traveled distance can also be easily obtained by integration.

[0060] It is conceivable that the instantaneous speed, the maximum speed within a certain period of time, and the average speed are calculated in the calculation unit 34. The distance traveled by the bicycle can also be determined in the calculation unit 34 within a certain period of time.

[0061] The measurements performed can be transmitted to the portable device 4 by an antenna 36 of a transmitting-receiving unit 35 connected to the output of the computing unit 34. The transmitting-receiving unit 35 can be of the BLE type when in advertising mode for transmitting a short-range radio frequency signal S RF The measurement results are sent to a portable device 4. The portable device 4 can be a mobile phone mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle, or a tablet, or even an electronic headset to report the measurement results to the user in audio form.

[0062] In a variant, the calculation unit 34 of the measuring circuit 3 can be arranged to determine the number of times the magnetic sensor 31 passes in front of the fixed permanent magnet 2 opposite to the magnetic sensor 31 based on the induced voltage pulses provided by the magnetic sensor 31. Then, the transmitting-receiving unit 35 of the measuring circuit 3 transmits data related to the number of times the magnetic sensor 31 passes in front of the permanent magnet 2 to the portable device 4 via the antenna 36. The calculation of the speed and / or travel distance of the vehicle is performed directly in the processing unit 44 of the portable device 4.

[0063] Thus, knowing the time t between two induced voltage peaks in the case of only one magnetic sensor and a single permanent magnet 2 and the size of the bicycle wheel with a diameter D, the speed v of the bicycle can be obtained. This gives v=π·D / t. In the case of two measuring circuits 3, 3' arranged, for example, at 180° to each other on the rim, the speed can therefore be v=π·D / (2·t).

[0064] Of course, in order to calculate the speed of the bicycle accurately, the diameter D of the front wheel and possibly the inclination angle of the measuring circuit 3 with the magnetic sensor 31 relative to the horizontal must be calibrated intrinsically by the bicycle user, in particular via the portable device 4 described below.

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, it should be noted that the measurement circuit 3 can include a memory connected to the calculation unit 34 to store the measured values ​​of the travel distance and the speed over time. It can be a non-volatile memory of the FLASH type to store the measured values ​​in the event of a power failure - in particular when the bicycle is stationary or when the data stored in the smoothing capacitor C L When the voltage on the pin is not enough - the data is saved in the memory.

[0066] The measuring circuit 3 may also include other sensors. An inclinometer 38 may be provided to allow calculation in the calculation unit 34 by integration of the lift performed by the bicycle in use or the instantaneous lateral inclination of the bicycle. The inclinometer may consist of an accelerometer in the measuring circuit 3. The accelerometer provides a sinusoidal measurement signal during the rotation of the wheel, wherein the acceleration is maximum when passing the highest point from the vertical and minimum when contacting the lowest point with the path. The magnetic sensor 31 of the measuring circuit 3 detects the passage of the permanent magnet 2 by transforming the maximum and minimum values ​​of the measurement signal of the accelerometer. The measurement of the passage time of the magnetic sensor 31 opposite to / opposite to the permanent magnet 2 allows calculation of the lift performed by the bicycle in use, or the instantaneous lateral inclination of the bicycle relative to the ground.

[0067] The measurements of positive and negative lift, as well as the speed and distance traveled, are stored in a non-volatile memory 37. A barometer or altimeter 38' may also be provided to measure atmospheric pressure. These sensors may be useful in the practice of some rappelling sports. The inclinometer 38 in combination with the barometer 38' may be calibrated via a portable device 4 in communication with the measurement circuit 3.

[0068] The measuring system 1 may also include a pressure sensor circuit (not shown) which is arranged at the tire valve on the rim to measure the tire pressure. Power may be provided by the measuring circuit 3 via wireless communication, and the pressure measurement value of the pressure sensor circuit is sent to the measuring circuit 3. The pressure measurement value may be stored in the measuring circuit 3 or sent to the portable device 4.

[0069] The detection of the ground type may be determined by the measuring system 1. A temperature sensor of the measuring circuit 3 for measuring the ground temperature and an accelerometer for measuring the angular acceleration may be provided.

[0070] Thanks to the measurement circuit 3 mounted on the tire or rim of the front or even the rear wheel of the bicycle, it is possible to synchronize with the physical position given by the position of the permanent magnet 2. This therefore also allows to provide measurable information through the propagation characteristics of the RF medium. These can be Doppler velocity, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements.

[0071] When the bicycle stops or rolls / travels at too low a speed, if the current from the smoothing capacitor C L When the power supply voltage of the bicycle falls below the first threshold voltage, the transmission-reception unit 35 is deactivated. When the power supply voltage further falls below the second critical voltage threshold, the entire measurement circuit 3 is deactivated by having previously stored all measurement data in the non-volatile memory 37. Thus, when the power supply voltage is sufficiently above the first low voltage threshold in the case of using the bicycle, these stored data can be sent to the portable device 4 again.

[0072] Of course, in order to provide the entire measuring circuit 3 with a sufficient operating voltage even at low speeds, this depends on the dimensioning of the coil B with a certain number of turns of the magnetic sensor 31 and the strength of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 2. The distance between the magnetic sensor 31 and the permanent magnet 2 must be as small as possible when the magnetic sensor 31 passes by. With the measuring circuit 3 and the permanent magnet 2, it may be sufficient to have a bicycle speed just above, for example, 2 km / h in the smoothing capacitor C. L Store enough energy.

[0073] As mentioned above, the portable device 4 can be a mobile phone carried by the user of the bicycle or fastened to a part of the bicycle, such as the handlebars of the bicycle. It can also be a tablet computer also fastened to the handlebars of the bicycle, or an electronic headset worn by the user on the ear to report the measurement of speed and travel distance by audio signals.

[0074] The portable device 4 comprises a transmitting-receiving unit 45 for establishing a signal S via an antenna 46 RF The portable device 4 further comprises an oscillator 43, which may also be a watch quartz oscillator or other oscillator, for timing a data processing unit 44 connected to the transmitting-receiving unit 45. A non-volatile memory 47 allows the storage of measurement information received from the measuring circuit or calculated in the portable device 4 and provides parameterization or calibration data to the processing unit for transmission to the measuring circuit 3 by the transmitting-receiving unit 45. At least one display element 48, such as a liquid crystal or LED display element, may also be provided to display the signal S received from the measuring circuit 3. RF Reports the bicycle's speed and distance traveled to the user in real time.

[0075] In the case of a portable device 4 in the form of an electronic headset, an audio element 48', such as a loudspeaker, may be provided. Thus, for a portable device 4 in the form of a mobile phone or tablet, there may be both an audio element 48' and a display element 48. In this way, information about the measurements performed by the measuring circuit 3 may be provided to the user in audio form using speech synthesis.

[0076] It should also be noted that since the distance between the portable device 4 fastened to the handlebar and the measurement circuit 3 is small, the BLE signal S RF This therefore allows increasing the operating time of the measuring circuit 3 at the moment the bicycle is stopped.

[0077] The magnetic sensor 31 of the measuring circuit can be formed in a simplified manner only by a multi-turn coil connected to the calculation unit 34. In addition, two measuring circuits 3, 3' can be provided, which are as follows Figure 2The two measuring circuits 3, 3' are shown positioned, for example, at the same position on the wheel, but on different sides of the rim or tire of the wheel 11. The two measuring circuits 3, 3' can also be arranged 180° from each other on the same side of the rim or tire of the wheel 11 or on different sides. This allows ensuring that at least one of the two measuring circuits 3, 3' with magnetic sensors is operating correctly to accurately measure the speed and travel distance or another physical quantity in the measuring circuit 3. The magnetic sensor 31 can also be a Hall effect sensor.

[0078] Based on the description just made, the skilled person can design multiple variations of the method and system for measuring at least one physical parameter such as the speed and / or the travel distance of a vehicle having at least one wheel without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. A plurality of portable devices can be provided in the measuring system. Each portable device has its own energy source, such as a battery or a solar cell or other energy source. The measuring circuit and the permanent magnet can also be mounted on the rear wheel side of the bicycle. It is also conceivable that the magnet is integrated in the material of the frame or the front fork.

Claims

1. A method for measuring at least one physical parameter, the physical parameter comprising the speed and / or the distance travelled by a bicycle (10) during use by a user, by means of at least one permanent magnet (2) and at least one measuring circuit (3) having at least one magnetic sensor (31), the at least one permanent magnet (2) being arranged on a frame part (13) or on a fork (12) for mounting a freely rotatable wheel, the at least one measuring circuit (3) being arranged on a wheel (11) of the bicycle, the permanent magnet (2) being arranged on the frame part (13) or on the fork (12) at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel (11) as the measuring circuit (3), so that the measuring circuit (3) is opposed to the permanent magnet when it passes the permanent magnet during rotation of the wheel (11), It is characterized in that The measuring method comprises the following steps: - moving the bicycle (10) on a path in which the wheel (11) rotates together with the measuring circuit (3), - detecting the passage of the magnetic sensor (31) of the measuring circuit (3) at the position opposite to the permanent magnet (2) by generating an induced voltage pulse each time the measuring circuit (3) in rotation passes through the position opposite to the permanent magnet (2), - rectifying the voltage generated by the magnetic sensor (31) by means of a rectifier (32) and storing the rectified voltage in a smoothing capacitor (C L ) to supply power to the measuring circuit (3), - calculating physical parameters including the speed and / or travel distance of the bicycle (10) in a calculation unit (34) by knowing the diameter value of the wheel (11) of the bicycle (10) based on the induced voltage pulses received over time from the magnetic sensor (31), the calculation unit being timed by a clock quartz oscillator (33) of the measuring circuit (3), wherein the speed measurement values ​​and / or the travel distance obtained by integration in the calculation unit (34) of the measuring circuit (3) are stored in a non-volatile memory (37) of the measuring circuit (3), and - Wirelessly transmitting one or more measured values ​​of a physical parameter, including speed and / or distance calculated in a calculation unit (34) of the measurement circuit (3), to a portable device (4) via a signal transmission-reception unit (35) linked to an antenna (36) of the measurement circuit (3), the portable device being carried by the user or being located on a part of the bicycle (10).

2. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance travelled by the bicycle (10) within a determined time period is calculated based on the induced voltage pulses received from the magnetic sensor (31) over time by integration in a calculation unit (34) of the measuring circuit (3), wherein the portable device (4) is configured to display instantaneous speed measurements or speed and / or travelled distance measurements on a display element (48) of the portable device (4) or to signal these measurements to a user by means of audio signals via an audio element (48') of the portable device (4).

3. The measuring method according to claim 2, characterized in that: One or more distance traveled measurements are wirelessly transmitted to the portable device (4) simultaneously or independently with the speed measurements.

4. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: As soon as a speed measurement value is determined in the computing unit (34), it is sent directly to the portable device (4) in order to display the instantaneous speed measurement value on a display element (48) of the portable device (4) or to signal the speed measurement value to a user by means of an audio signal via an audio element (48') of the portable device (4).

5. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: A maximum speed value or an average speed value is determined in the calculation unit (34) within a certain period of time and the determined maximum speed value or average speed value is sent to the portable device (4) in order to display the maximum speed value or the average speed value on a display element (48) of the portable device (4) or to signal the measured value to a user by an audio signal via an audio element (48') of the portable device (4).

6. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: As long as the smoothing capacitor (C L ) reaches below a first low power supply voltage threshold, the signal sending-receiving unit (35) is disabled.

7. The measuring method according to claim 6, characterized in that: In the smoothing capacitor (C L ) reaches below a second supply voltage threshold, wherein the second supply voltage threshold is lower than the first low supply voltage threshold, and different calculation results of the speed and / or distance traveled by the bicycle (10) are stored in a non-volatile memory (37) of the measurement circuit (3).

8. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measuring circuit (3) also comprises an inclinometer (38) so as to allow the calculation in the calculation unit (34) by integration of the lift performed by the two-wheeled bicycle (10) in use, or the instantaneous lateral inclination of the bicycle.

9. The measuring method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inclinometer (38) is combined with a barometer (38') for measuring atmospheric pressure.

10. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ground temperature is measured by the temperature sensor of the measuring circuit (3), wherein the measured value of the ground temperature is sent to the portable device (4).

11. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measurement of angular acceleration is performed by an accelerometer of the measurement circuit (3), wherein the measured value of the angular acceleration is transmitted to the portable device (4).

12. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: By sending a parameterization signal (S) from the portable device (4) to the measurement circuit (3) RF ) to initially perform operations of calibrating the diameter of the wheel (11) of the bicycle (10) and fixing the angle of the measuring circuit (3).

13. The measuring method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measuring circuit (3) receives a radio frequency signal (S) from a transmitting-receiving unit (35) of the BLE type in advertising mode. RF ) communicates with the portable device (4).

14. A method for measuring at least one physical parameter, the physical parameter comprising the speed and / or the distance travelled by a bicycle (10) during its use by a user, by means of at least one permanent magnet (2) and at least one measuring circuit (3) having at least one magnetic sensor (31), the at least one permanent magnet (2) being arranged on a frame part (13) or on a fork (12) for mounting a freely rotatable wheel, the at least one measuring circuit (3) being arranged on a wheel (11) of the bicycle, the permanent magnet (2) being arranged on the frame part (13) or on the fork (12) at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel (11) as the measuring circuit (3), so that the measuring circuit (3) is opposed to the permanent magnet when it passes the permanent magnet during the rotation of the wheel (11), It is characterized in that The measuring method comprises the following steps: - moving the bicycle (10) on a path in which the wheel (11) rotates together with the measuring circuit (3), - detecting the passage of the magnetic sensor (31) of the measuring circuit (3) at a position opposite to the permanent magnet (2) by generating an induced voltage pulse each time the measuring circuit (3) in rotation passes through a position opposite to the permanent magnet (2), - rectifying the voltage generated by the magnetic sensor (31) by means of a rectifier (32) and storing the rectified voltage in a smoothing capacitor (C L ) to supply power to the measuring circuit (3), - determining the number of times a measuring circuit (3) with the magnetic sensor (31) passes in a position opposite to the permanent magnet (2) based on the induced voltage pulses provided by the magnetic sensor (31) in a calculation unit (34), the calculation unit being timed by a watch quartz oscillator (33) of the measuring circuit (3), and - wirelessly transmitting data related to the number of times the magnetic sensor (31) passes a position relative to the permanent magnet (2) to a portable device (4) carried by the user or located on a part of the bicycle (10) via a signal transmitting-receiving unit (35) linked to the antenna (36) of the measuring circuit (3), so as to calculate physical parameters including the speed and / or travel distance of the bicycle (10) in the processing unit (44) of the portable device (4), wherein the speed measurement values ​​and / or the travel distance obtained by integration in the processing unit (44) of the portable device (4) are stored in a non-volatile memory (47) of the portable device (4).

15. The measuring method according to claim 14, characterized in that: The distance travelled by the bicycle (10) within a determined time period is calculated based on the induced voltage pulses received from the magnetic sensor (31) over time by integration in a processing unit (44) of the portable device (4), wherein the portable device (4) is configured to display instantaneous speed measurements or speed and / or travelled distance measurements on a display element (48) of the portable device (4) or to signal these measurements to a user by audio signals via an audio element (48') of the portable device (4).

16. The measuring method according to claim 14, characterized in that: A maximum speed value or an average speed value is determined in a processing unit (44) of the portable device (4) within a certain period of time, so that the maximum or average speed value can be displayed on a display element (48) of the portable device (4), or the measured value can be signaled to a user by an audio signal via an audio element (48') of the portable device (4).

17. The measuring method according to claim 14, characterized in that: The portable device (4) performs operations of calibrating the diameter of the wheel (11) of the bicycle (10) and fixing the angle of the measuring circuit (3) based on raw data sent by the measuring circuit (3) and based on absolute measurement values ​​or on a calibrated route.

18. A measuring system (1) for measuring the speed and / or distance travelled by a bicycle (10), suitable for implementing the measuring method according to claim 1 or 14, the measuring system comprising: at least one permanent magnet (2) arranged on a frame part (13) or on a fork (12) for mounting a freely rotatable wheel; at least one measuring circuit (3) arranged on a wheel (11) of the bicycle, the at least one measuring circuit (3) having at least one magnetic sensor (31), the permanent magnet (2) being arranged on the frame part (13) or on the fork (12) at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel (11) as the measuring circuit (3), so that the measuring circuit (3) is opposite to the permanent magnet when it passes by the permanent magnet during the rotation of the wheel (11); and a portable device (4) configured to wirelessly communicate radio frequency signals with the measuring circuit (3), Characterized in that the measuring circuit (3) comprises: - at least one magnetic sensor (31) for detecting its passage in front of the permanent magnet (2) during rotation and generating an induced voltage pulse each time it passes in front of the permanent magnet (2), - Rectifier (32) and smoothing capacitor (C L ), the rectifier is used to rectify the voltage generated by the magnetic sensor (31), the smoothing capacitor is used to store the rectified voltage to power the measuring circuit (3), - a calculation unit (34) timed by a watch quartz oscillator (33), the calculation unit (34) being configured to calculate physical parameters including the speed and / or travel distance of the bicycle (10) by knowing the diameter value of the wheel (11) of the bicycle (10) based on the induced voltage pulses received from the magnetic sensor (31), or being configured to determine the number of times the magnetic sensor (31) passes through a position relative to the permanent magnet (2) based on the induced voltage pulses provided by the magnetic sensor (31), and - a transmitting-receiving unit (35) linked to an antenna (36), the transmitting-receiving unit being configured to transmit one or more measured values ​​of physical parameters, including speed and / or distance calculated in the calculating unit (34), to a portable device (4) carried by the user or located on a part of the bicycle (10), or to transmit data related to the number of passages of the magnetic sensor (31) at a position relative to the permanent magnet (2) to the portable device (4), so as to calculate physical parameters, including speed and / or travel distance of the bicycle (10), in a processing unit (44) of the portable device (4), The measured values ​​of speed and / or travel distance obtained by integration in a calculation unit (34) of the measurement circuit (3) or in a processing unit (44) of the portable device (4) are stored in a non-volatile memory (37) of the measurement circuit (3) or in a non-volatile memory (47) of the portable device (4).

19. The measuring system (1) according to claim 18, wherein: The measuring circuit (3) is intended to be placed on the spokes (21) or the rim or the tire of the front wheel of the bicycle (10), the permanent magnet (2) is intended to be placed on the front fork (12) of the bicycle, characterised in that the portable device (4) is a mobile phone or a tablet computer carried by the user or fastened to the handlebars of the bicycle, wherein one or more measurements performed in the measuring circuit (3) are performed via a radio frequency signal (S) of the BLE type. RF ) is sent to the portable device for display on a display element (48) or for signaling to the user of the bicycle via an audio signal from an audio element (48').

20. The measuring system (1) according to claim 18, wherein: The measuring system is provided with at least two measuring circuits (3, 3') having magnetic sensors (31), each measuring circuit (3, 3') being arranged on a corresponding spoke of a wheel (11) of the bicycle (10), or on a rim or tire of the wheel (11), and the measuring circuits (3, 3') being arranged at 180 degrees to each other on the same side of the wheel (11) or on two different sides.

21. The measuring system (1) according to claim 18, wherein: The measuring system is provided with at least two measuring circuits (3, 3') having magnetic sensors (31), the measuring circuits (3, 3') being arranged at the same position on the wheel (11) but on different sides of the rim or tire of the wheel (11).

22. The measuring system (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that The measuring circuit (3) also comprises an inclinometer (38) and / or a barometer (38') intended to be calibrated by parameters sent by the portable device (4) or intended to be calibrated directly by the portable device (4).

23. The measuring system (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that The measuring circuit (3) comprises a temperature sensor for measuring the ground temperature to be sent to the portable device (4).

24. The measuring system (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that The measurement circuit (3) comprises an accelerometer for transmitting angular acceleration measurements to the portable device (4).

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