Electronic gearbox wake-up control method, device, electronic gearbox and bicycle

Abstract

This invention provides an electronic gearbox wake-up control method, device, electronic gearbox, and bicycle. Key features include: in transport mode, disabling the wireless communication module while maintaining the physical button's wake-up function; responding to a first trigger event of the physical button, waking up the wireless communication module to receive an exit command from an external device, and determining whether to exit transport mode based on battery power detection; and / or, responding to a second trigger event of the physical button, directly triggering an exit command and determining whether to exit based on battery power detection; and / or, responding to the first trigger event of the physical button, if the second trigger event of the physical button is detected, triggering the transport mode exit command. Compared with existing technologies, this invention, through a three-path wake-up mechanism combined with battery power detection, achieves the effect of reducing standby power consumption and suppressing battery damage caused by excessive battery discharge due to vibration-induced false wake-up, while ensuring user wake-up convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic derailleur technology for bicycles, specifically to an electronic derailleur wake-up control method, device, electronic derailleur, and bicycle. Background Technology

[0002] Bicycle electronic derailleurs achieve precise gear shifting by using an electric motor to drive the derailleurs, and their control system is typically battery-powered. During normal riding, the electronic derailleur operates in normal mode, responding to shift commands. However, when the bicycle is being transported or stored for extended periods, the electronic derailleur enters a low-power mode to conserve energy.

[0003] In existing technologies, when electronic transmissions are in low-power mode, their wireless communication modules are typically still in standby or periodically woken up to listen for wake-up commands from the remote control. This approach has the following drawbacks: the continuous listening or periodic wake-up of the wireless communication module itself consumes valuable battery power, leading to a decrease in battery capacity after long-term storage. When the battery capacity is depleted to an excessively low level due to these reasons, it can cause over-discharge damage to the battery. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic gearbox wake-up control method, device, electronic gearbox, and bicycle, which can suppress over-discharge damage to the electronic gearbox battery caused by low charge.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an electronic transmission wake-up control method, comprising: in a transport mode, executing a first configuration, the first configuration comprising: turning off the wireless communication module; and keeping the interrupt wake-up function of the physical button enabled; When the electronic transmission is in transport mode, in response to a first trigger event of the physical button, the wireless communication module enters a working state; after the wireless communication module enters a working state, it maintains the transport mode and receives a transport mode exit command from an external device; in response to the transport mode exit command, it detects the current battery level of the electronic transmission; if the current battery level is greater than a first preset value, it is allowed to exit the transport mode and return to normal operation mode; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, it is not allowed to exit the transport mode; and / or, When the electronic transmission is in transport mode, if a second trigger event of the physical button is detected, the transport mode exit command is directly triggered. In response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery level of the electronic transmission is detected. If the current battery level is greater than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is allowed, and the system returns to normal operation mode. If the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is not allowed. The second trigger event is a continuous pressing operation that reaches a first preset duration threshold.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: when the electronic transmission is in transport mode, in response to a first trigger event of the physical button, causing the wireless communication module to enter a working state; maintaining the transport mode after the wireless communication module enters the working state, and if a second trigger event of the physical button is detected, triggering a transport mode exit command; in response to the transport mode exit command, detecting the current battery level of the electronic transmission; if the current battery level is greater than a first preset value, allowing exit from the transport mode and restoring to a normal working mode; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, disallowing exit from the transport mode.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the electronic transmission is in transport mode, the wireless communication module is put into operation in response to a first trigger event of the physical button; after the wireless communication module is put into operation, receiving a transport mode exit command from an external device includes: after detecting the first trigger event of the physical button, maintaining the electronic transmission in the transport mode and controlling the wireless communication module to open a wireless receiving window; wherein, receiving the transport mode exit command from the external device is performed after the wireless receiving window is opened; if the transport mode exit command is not received within a preset time window, the wireless communication module is turned off and the transport mode is maintained.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: when entering the transportation mode, setting a first flag bit and storing it in a non-volatile memory; when exiting the transportation mode, clearing the first flag bit and storing it in the non-volatile memory; wherein, each time power-on initialization occurs, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory; if the first flag bit is set, the transportation mode is entered; if the first flag bit is cleared, the normal operation mode is entered.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of not allowing exit from the transportation mode if the current battery charge value is lower than the first preset value includes: if the current battery charge value is lower than the first preset value, controlling the electronic transmission's warning device to issue a low battery alarm signal and continuing to maintain the transportation mode; In response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery level of the electronic transmission is detected. If the current battery level is greater than a first preset value, exiting the transport mode and returning to normal operation is permitted; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is not permitted. This includes: collecting the current battery level of the electronic transmission; if the current battery level is higher than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode and returning to normal operation is permitted; if the current battery level is lower than a second preset value, exiting the transport mode is not permitted; wherein, the second preset value is lower than the first preset value; a state holding interval is formed between the first preset value and the second preset value, and if the current battery level is within the state holding interval, exiting the transport mode is not permitted.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of setting a first flag bit and storing it in non-volatile memory when entering the transportation mode, and clearing the first flag bit and storing it in non-volatile memory when exiting the transportation mode, includes: comparing the value of the first flag bit to be written with the value already stored in the non-volatile memory; if the value to be written is different from the value already stored, then performing a write operation on the non-volatile memory.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery is a removable battery; during each power-on initialization, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory, including: after detecting a power-on re-energization caused by battery replacement, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory first; if the first flag bit is set, the transport mode state before battery replacement is restored.

[0012] Secondly, the present invention also provides an electronic transmission wake-up control device, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the method of the above-described embodiments is implemented.

[0013] Thirdly, the present invention also provides an electronic transmission, including the electronic transmission wake-up control device of the above embodiments.

[0014] Fourthly, the present invention also provides a bicycle including the electronic gearbox of the above embodiments.

[0015] The present invention produces at least the following beneficial effects: This invention reduces standby power consumption during transportation or long-term storage by executing a first configuration in transportation mode, namely turning off the wireless communication module while keeping the interrupt wake-up function of the physical button enabled. Building upon this, the method further provides three wake-up paths: First, the wireless communication module is woken up by the first trigger event of the physical button, and then a secondary confirmation is made by the transport mode exit command sent by the external device. Combined with battery power detection, a decision is made on whether to exit transport mode, achieving intelligent wake-up based on external authorization and battery status, thus suppressing power waste caused by accidental triggering. Second, the exit command is directly triggered by the second trigger event of the physical button, combined with battery power detection, providing users with a forced wake-up method when no external device is available. This also prevents battery over-discharge due to forced wake-up when the battery is low. Third, by responding first to the first trigger event of the physical button, then to the second trigger event of the physical button, and combining battery power detection to determine whether to exit transport mode, this invention achieves reduced standby power consumption and suppresses battery damage caused by over-discharge while ensuring user wake-up convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of an electronic transmission wake-up control method according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a specific implementation of an electronic transmission wake-up control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms “comprising” and “including” indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more of its features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0020] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0021] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0022] To facilitate the description of this application, the following concepts related to this application are introduced.

[0023] Electronic gearbox: An electronically controlled shifting system for bicycles that uses battery power, wireless communication, and motor drive to achieve intelligent shifting, rather than traditional mechanical cable control.

[0024] Low-power mode: refers to an operating state that an electronic device enters to reduce power consumption. In the electronic transmission scheme disclosed herein, this mode refers to the transportation mode, in which the system achieves ultra-low power consumption by disabling or limiting specific functional modules (such as wireless communication, sensor interruption) while maintaining basic human-machine interaction capabilities (such as button wake-up).

[0025] Manual Activation Flag: A transport mode status flag that is actively controlled by the user. The user can set this flag via a wireless app or physical button, and its state is persistently stored in non-volatile memory. Once the flag is set, the electronic transmission enters or remains in transport mode until a clear exit command is received.

[0026] Low battery coverage flag: A transport mode status flag automatically controlled by the system based on the real-time battery level. When the system detects that the battery level is below a preset threshold, it will automatically set this flag, forcing the device into transport mode to protect the battery from over-discharge.

[0027] Physical buttons: These refer to input devices that trigger electronic signals through mechanical pressing. In this disclosure, the physical buttons are multi-function buttons on the electronic transmission, configured as the highest priority interrupt source, maintaining wake-up functionality even in transport mode.

[0028] Private wireless protocol: refers to a non-public wireless communication protocol customized for communication with specific hardware and devices. In this disclosure, it refers to a private protocol for low-latency, low-power communication between an electronic transmission and its dedicated controller based on the 2.4 GHz frequency band, used to transmit shift commands and wake-up confirmation signals.

[0029] Bluetooth Protocol: Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that supports short-range communication between devices. This disclosure refers to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 5.0), used for wireless connection between electronic transmissions and smartphone apps to enable interactive functions such as setting viewing and transportation mode configuration.

[0030] Current battery charge level: The remaining charge percentage is obtained by the power detection module through sampling the battery voltage using an ADC and converting it into a single value. It represents the current usable energy level of the battery.

[0031] Transportation mode exit command: An instruction generated by an external device (such as a paired controller or mobile app) or an internal event, instructing the system to exit transportation mode and return to normal operating mode. In this method, the final execution of this command is constrained by battery power conditions.

[0032] First flag: In this embodiment of the invention, the first flag includes a manual activation flag and a low battery coverage flag. If the manual activation flag or the low battery coverage flag is set, the first flag is set. If the first flag is set, the electronic transmission enters or maintains the transport mode.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 This invention provides an electronic transmission wake-up control method, comprising: S10: In transport mode, execute the first configuration, which includes: turning off the wireless communication module; and keeping the interrupt wake-up function of the physical button enabled.

[0034] The purpose of this step is to define the initial hardware configuration of the electronic transmission when entering transport mode, in order to reduce power consumption, prevent false wake-ups, and maintain a reliable human-machine wake-up path. Specifically, the system cuts off the power supply to the wireless communication module (such as a BLE chip or a 2.4GHz transceiver) via software instructions, so that it consumes no power at all; at the same time, the GPIO pins connected to the physical buttons are configured to interrupt mode triggered by falling or rising edges and set to the highest priority, ensuring that any button press can be immediately responded to by the microcontroller (MCU).

[0035] The method further includes: S20: When the electronic transmission is in transport mode, the wireless communication module is put into operation in response to the first trigger event of the physical button.

[0036] The purpose of this step is to temporarily activate the device's long-distance communication capability through a simple and reliable physical action when the user needs to actively operate the device, creating conditions for receiving subsequent exit commands, while the device itself remains in a low-power main state. Specifically, when the user briefly presses (e.g., for less than 1 second) a physical button, generating the first trigger event, the MCU's GPIO interrupt is triggered. In the interrupt service routine, the system controls a power management switch to restore power to the wireless communication module and initialize it, enabling it to enter a working state capable of receiving wireless data packets, but other parts of the electronic transmission (such as motor drive and accelerometer sensor interrupt) remain off.

[0037] When the wireless communication module enters the working state, it receives a transport mode exit command issued by an external device.

[0038] The purpose of this step is to enable convenient and intelligent wireless control of the device to exit transport mode, providing a contactless operation path for rapid activation after unpacking. Specifically, after the wireless communication module is powered on, it begins listening for data packets on a specific channel. When the user sends a private protocol or Bluetooth protocol data packet containing a specific "exit transport mode" command via a paired bicycle controller or mobile app, the electronic derailleur's wireless module will successfully receive the command and pass it to the central processing unit for parsing.

[0039] In response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery charge level of the electronic transmission is detected.

[0040] The purpose of this step is to obtain the battery's real-time state of energy before performing the exit operation, ensuring that subsequent operations are conducted within the battery's safety limits. Specifically, upon receiving a valid wireless exit command, the central processing unit immediately triggers the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample the battery voltage. The sampled value is converted into the current remaining percentage of charge using a pre-calibrated voltage-to-charge (SOC) mapping table (e.g., a discharge curve for a 3.7V lithium battery).

[0041] If the current battery charge level is greater than a first preset value, then the user is allowed to exit the transportation mode and return to the normal operating mode.

[0042] The purpose of this step is to ensure that, when the battery is sufficiently charged, the device can respond to user intent and smoothly return to its normal functional mode, providing immediate operational capabilities such as gear shifting. Specifically, the system compares the battery percentage measured in step S20 with a first preset value (e.g., 6%). If the current battery level is greater than 6%, it is determined to be in a safe state. The system will then clear the first flag of the transport mode (including both the manual enable flag and the low battery overlay flag), reinitialize all disabled peripherals (such as enabling the accelerometer, restoring the full-speed clock, and enabling the normal function of all GPIOs), allowing the electronic transmission to enter a normal operating mode that can respond to gear shift commands at any time.

[0043] If the current battery charge level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transportation mode is not allowed.

[0044] The purpose of this step is to enforce a low-power protection strategy when the battery level is dangerously low, preventing the device from entering an abnormal state due to insufficient power or causing battery damage due to over-discharge. Specifically, if the measured battery percentage is below or equal to 6%, the system will ignore this wireless exit command. The initial configuration of the transport mode remains unchanged, and the device will continue to maintain transport mode, waiting for the user to charge or for the battery to naturally recover to above the safe level.

[0045] and / or; S30: When the electronic transmission is in transport mode, if a second trigger event of the physical button is detected, the transport mode exit command is directly triggered; in response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery level of the electronic transmission is detected; if the current battery level is greater than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is allowed and the system returns to normal operation mode; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is not allowed. The first trigger event is different from the second trigger event, where the second trigger event is a continuous pressing operation reaching a first preset duration threshold.

[0046] The purpose of this step is to provide users with a direct exit method that does not rely on wireless signals, serving as a supplement to and emergency solution for wireless exit, thereby improving the system's reliability and ease of use. Specifically, when a user presses and holds a physical button (e.g., holds it for 5-10 seconds and then releases it) to generate a second trigger event, the system directly interprets this action as an instruction to "exit transport mode". The processing path for this instruction is the same as in S20, which triggers the subsequent power detection step. The first trigger event differs from the second trigger event; the second trigger event is a sustained press operation reaching a first preset duration threshold.

[0047] and / or; S40: When the electronic transmission is in transport mode, in response to the first trigger event of the physical button, the wireless communication module enters the working state; after the wireless communication module enters the working state, the transport mode is maintained; if the second trigger event of the physical button is detected, the transport mode exit command is triggered; in response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery level of the electronic transmission is detected; if the current battery level is greater than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is allowed, and the system returns to normal working mode; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is not allowed. Specifically, the first trigger event is a short press, and the second trigger event is a continuous press operation. The first and second trigger events can be combined. For example, if the first trigger event is pressing the physical button for 0.3 seconds and the second trigger event is pressing the physical button for 5 seconds, the user can directly press for 5.3 seconds at once to trigger the transport mode exit command, or the user can press the physical button for 0.3 seconds, release it briefly, and then press the physical button for 5 seconds to trigger the transport mode exit command.

[0048] The embodiments of the present invention employ the above method, which produces at least the following beneficial effects: By executing the first configuration in transport mode—namely, disabling the wireless communication module while keeping the physical button's interrupt wake-up function enabled—power consumption of the wireless communication module in standby mode can be suppressed. Wake-up signals are listened for only through the extremely low-power physical button interrupt, thereby reducing standby power consumption during transport or long-term storage. Based on this, the method further provides three wake-up paths: First, the wireless communication module is woken up by the first trigger event of the physical button, followed by a secondary confirmation via a transport mode exit command sent by an external device, combined with battery level detection to determine whether to exit transport mode. This achieves intelligent wake-up based on external authorization and battery status, suppressing power waste caused by accidental triggering. Second, the exit command is directly triggered by the second trigger event of the physical button, combined with battery level detection, providing users with a forced wake-up method when no external device is available, while preventing battery over-discharge due to forced wake-up when the battery is low. Third, the method first responds to the first trigger event of the physical button, then responds to the second trigger event of the physical button, and combines battery level detection to determine whether to exit transport mode.

[0049] By detecting the battery level when responding to an exit command and only allowing exit when the battery level is higher than a first preset value, this method mitigates the risk of the battery level further decreasing to irreversible damage due to accidental forced wake-up of the device in a low-battery state, and realizes intelligent and safe wake-up control based on the battery health status.

[0050] Therefore, this invention achieves the goal of reducing standby power consumption and suppressing battery damage caused by over-discharge, while ensuring user convenience in waking up the device.

[0051] This method can be applied to scenarios where users activate bicycles upon unpacking. After purchasing the bicycle, users can simply press a button on the derailleur and send a signal via the paired bicycle speedometer or mobile app to disengage the derailleur from transport mode, without any complicated operations. This method improves the activation efficiency of new devices upon first power-on and reduces the need for users to read manuals and perform tedious setup.

[0052] Optionally, the first trigger event refers to a short press operation on the physical button, with the press time being shorter than a preset threshold, such as less than 1 second, which is used to activate the wireless communication module to put it into working state.

[0053] Optionally, the second triggering event refers to the continuous pressing of the physical button for a first preset duration, such as more than 5 seconds, which is used to directly trigger the transport mode exit command without going through the wireless module activation and external command receiving steps.

[0054] In some embodiments, the external device includes: a controller that communicates with the electronic transmission via a proprietary wireless protocol, or a mobile terminal that communicates with the electronic transmission via Bluetooth. Specifically, one external device is a dedicated wireless controller paired with the electronic transmission, communicating with it using a low-latency, high-real-time 2.4GHz proprietary protocol. When the user presses the paddle shifters on the controller, the signal is a wireless command. Another external device is a smartphone or tablet with a dedicated app installed. These connect to the electronic transmission via the standard Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol, and the buttons for activating the device or exiting transport mode provided in the app interface are another type of wireless command.

[0055] This embodiment enhances the applicability and convenience of the method by being compatible with both proprietary and standard Bluetooth protocols for external devices. This method reduces the product's dependence on a single control device; users can quickly activate the device using a dedicated bicycle controller, or activate it via a mobile app if the controller is unpaired or lost, thereby improving operational flexibility and robustness.

[0056] Optionally, the first trigger event of the physical button may be a short press operation, the pressing time of which is less than a second preset duration threshold, and the second preset duration threshold is less than the first preset duration threshold.

[0057] Specifically, the controller that communicates with the electronic transmission via a private wireless protocol includes a user-operated controller that performs a gear shift to trigger a transport mode exit command.

[0058] Specifically, the mobile terminal that communicates with the electronic transmission via Bluetooth protocol includes a user clicking the "mode switch" software button on the smartphone's App interface to trigger a transport mode exit command.

[0059] In some embodiments, when the electronic transmission is in transport mode, responding to a first trigger event of a physical button to cause the wireless communication module to enter a working state; after the wireless communication module enters a working state, receiving a transport mode exit command from an external device includes: After detecting the first trigger event of the physical button, the electronic transmission is maintained in the transport mode, and the wireless communication module is controlled to open the wireless receiving window.

[0060] The purpose of this step is to maintain a predominantly low-power state during wireless communication, preventing a complete exit from transport mode due to the activation of the wireless module, thereby providing convenience while better saving power. Specifically, after responding to the first trigger event, the system does not exit the entire transport mode, but only activates the wireless receiving function. At the same time, a timer is started internally, defining a temporary wireless receiving window, for example, lasting 10 seconds.

[0061] The receipt of the transport mode exit command sent by the external device is performed after the wireless receiving window is opened.

[0062] The purpose of this step is to limit the effective time of receiving commands and prevent the wireless module from being turned on indefinitely and consuming too much power.

[0063] If the transport mode exit command is not received within the preset time window, the wireless communication module is turned off and the transport mode is maintained.

[0064] The purpose of this step is to automatically restore the device to its most energy-efficient state after a failed wake-up, forming a complete, closed-loop low-power management process. Specifically, if no valid exit command is received within the 10-second wireless reception window (e.g., the user accidentally pressed a button or abandoned the operation midway), the timer will trigger a timeout interrupt. The system then performs the reverse operation, cutting off the power to the wireless communication module, restoring it to a completely off state, and the device continues to stably maintain its transport mode.

[0065] By setting a wireless receiving window and a timeout shutdown mechanism, this method shortens the unnecessary power-on time of the wireless module and further reduces the extra power consumption caused by users accidentally touching buttons or performing brief invalid operations.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the method further includes: S51: When entering the transport mode, the first flag is set and stored in non-volatile memory.

[0067] The purpose of this step is to solidify the low-power state of the device so that it is not lost due to power failure. Specifically, before the system executes the first configuration step S10, a transport mode flag bit, i.e., the first flag bit, is created in memory and its value is set to "1" (set). Then, the write function of the non-volatile memory (such as EEPROM or EEPROM simulated by the MCU's internal Flash) is called to write the value of the flag bit to the specified memory address.

[0068] Optionally, the first flag includes a manual activation flag and a low battery coverage flag. If the manual activation flag or the low battery coverage flag is set, the first flag is set; if both the manual activation flag and the low battery coverage flag are cleared, the first flag is cleared. If the first flag is set, the electronic transmission enters or maintains a transport mode; if the first flag is cleared, the electronic transmission exits the transport mode. Specifically, a first trigger event or a second trigger event of the physical button clears the manual activation flag; in response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery level of the electronic transmission is detected; if the current battery level is greater than the first preset value, the low battery coverage flag is cleared.

[0069] S52: When exiting the transportation mode, clear the first flag bit and store it in the non-volatile memory.

[0070] The purpose of this step is to clear the hardened state so that the device can return to normal non-low-power operating mode the next time it is powered on. Specifically, after the system successfully executes step S20 (allow exit), it will change the value of the first flag bit to "0" (clear it) and immediately write the value to the same address in the non-volatile memory.

[0071] S53: During each power-on initialization, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory.

[0072] The purpose of this step is to determine the appropriate operating mode of the device in the early stages of startup. Specifically, in the MCU's startup code (bootloader or system initialization function), a piece of code that reads the address of the first flag bit from non-volatile memory will be executed first, and the read value will be stored in a global variable.

[0073] S54: If the first flag bit is set, then enter the transportation mode.

[0074] The purpose of this step is to automatically restore the low-power configuration based on the read historical state. Specifically, if the first flag bit read during power-on initialization is "1", the system determines that it was in transport mode before the last power failure. Therefore, it skips the normal startup process and directly jumps to or calls the function used to execute the first configuration in step S10, so that the device immediately re-enters transport mode after power-on.

[0075] S55: If the first flag bit is in a cleared state, then enter the normal working mode.

[0076] The purpose of this step is to ensure that the device is in a fully functional standby state the next time it is powered on after a normal shutdown or user-initiated shutdown. Specifically, if the first flag bit is read as "0", the system executes the normal initialization process, turns on all peripherals such as the wireless module and accelerometer, and enters a normal operating mode ready to respond to shift commands at any time.

[0077] By persisting the transport mode state to non-volatile memory, this method enables the device to automatically restore to the mode state before the power outage upon power-up after battery replacement, unexpected system reset, or unexpected power loss during transport. This method improves the persistence and consistency of the transport mode state throughout the entire transport cycle and reduces the maintenance costs of reconfiguration at the factory due to state loss caused by unexpected power outages.

[0078] In some embodiments, the step of not allowing exiting the transportation mode if the current battery charge value is lower than the first preset value includes: if the current battery charge value is lower than the first preset value, controlling the electronic transmission's warning device to issue a low battery warning signal and continuing to maintain the transportation mode; The purpose of this step is to provide clear and intuitive feedback to the user when exiting is refused due to insufficient power, informing them of the current status and reason, and avoiding confusion such as "the device is damaged" or "the operation is invalid." Specifically, the electronic gear selector usually has an LED indicator. When the system determines that the power is below the exit threshold and decides to refuse exiting, it controls the LED indicator to flash at a specific frequency (e.g., flashing three times quickly, then remaining off). Another implementation is that if the motor drive module still retains minimum drive capability, the system can control the motor to perform a very short, low-power vibration as a tactile alarm signal. After issuing the alarm, the system ignores all subsequent wake-up attempts and continues to maintain the transport mode configuration defined in step S10, which disables wireless and retains button interruption. By issuing a low power alarm signal when exiting is refused, the communication barrier between the user and the device caused by information asymmetry is reduced, conveying the clear operation prompt that "charging is required." This method reduces the risk of unnecessary power consumption due to repeated invalid operation attempts by the user. In response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery level of the electronic transmission is detected. If the current battery level is greater than a first preset value, exiting the transport mode and returning to normal operation is allowed; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is not allowed. This includes: acquiring the current battery level of the electronic transmission; if the current battery level is higher than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode and returning to normal operation is allowed; if the current battery level is lower than a second preset value, exiting the transport mode is not allowed; wherein, the second preset value is lower than the first preset value; a state holding interval is formed between the first preset value and the second preset value, and if the current battery level is within the state holding interval, exiting the transport mode is not allowed. The purpose of this step is to implement a dual-threshold battery control logic with hysteresis characteristics to replace the simple comparison method of a single threshold. It aims to prevent frequent and undesirable state switching between the transport mode and the normal operation mode due to small fluctuations in the battery level measurement value near a single critical threshold (e.g., due to ADC sampling noise or instantaneous fluctuations in battery voltage). By introducing a state-holding interval containing an exit threshold (i.e., a first preset value) and an entry threshold (i.e., a second preset value), the system maintains its current mode within this interval, providing a stable buffer area for mode switching decisions, thereby improving the robustness of the control strategy. The specific implementation steps are as follows: The first step is battery level acquisition: The system samples the battery voltage using the microcontroller's built-in analog-to-digital converter and converts the sampled voltage into a percentage of the current battery level using a pre-calibrated voltage-remaining battery level mapping table. The purpose of this step is to obtain quantitative data for threshold comparison.

[0079] The second step, high threshold determination and exit execution: The calculated current battery level is compared with a first preset value (e.g., 6%). If the current battery level is greater than the first preset value, the system determines that the battery energy level is sufficient, clears the transport mode flags (including the manual enable flag and the low battery coverage flag), and calls the peripheral re-initialization function to sequentially enable the accelerometer interrupt, restore the wireless module power, restore the full-speed system clock, and switch the electronic transmission to normal operating mode.

[0080] The third step, low-threshold determination and mode maintenance: The calculated current battery level is compared with a second preset value (e.g., 5%). If the current battery level is lower than the second preset value, the system determines that the battery is in a dangerously low-charge state. At this time, the system refuses to exit the operation, maintains the first configuration in the transportation mode (disabling the wireless communication module, disabling the accelerometer interrupt, etc.) unchanged, and continues to operate in transportation mode, waiting for the user to charge the battery or for the battery to recover naturally.

[0081] The fourth step is the state retention interval determination: If the current battery level is within the state retention interval between the first preset value (6%) and the second preset value (5%), the system does not change the current transportation mode state, i.e., it maintains the existing mode (regardless of whether it is currently in transportation mode or has exited the mode). This retention mechanism directly avoids the problem of frequent entry and exit from transportation mode at the exit threshold caused by fluctuations in battery level measurement. By setting a state retention interval between the first and second preset values, this method reduces the probability of frequent switching between transportation mode and normal operation mode caused by fluctuations in battery level near the critical threshold. This control method reduces unnecessary mode state changes and the frequency of repeated writing to the non-volatile memory (EEPROM), thereby improving the operational stability of the system in long-term storage or transportation scenarios.

[0082] In some embodiments, the step of setting a first flag and storing it in non-volatile memory when entering the transportation mode, and clearing the first flag and storing it in the non-volatile memory when exiting the transportation mode, includes: Compare the value of the first flag bit to be written with the value already stored in the non-volatile memory.

[0083] The purpose of this step is to determine whether a write operation is necessary before initiating a time-consuming write operation, serving as an intelligent pre-filtering step for write operations. Specifically, each time the first flag is scheduled to be updated, the system will first perform a read operation to read the value previously written from a specified address in non-volatile memory.

[0084] If the value to be written is different from the value already stored, then a write operation is performed on the non-volatile memory.

[0085] The purpose of this step is to avoid invalid writes, thereby extending the lifespan of the memory and improving system efficiency. Specifically, the system only calls the underlying EEPROM write function to perform the actual programming operation if the "old value" read is inconsistent with the "new value" to be written (e.g., changing from 0 to 1, or from 1 to 0). If the two are consistent (e.g., multiple consecutive attempts to set the same flag bit), the system skips the write operation and the function returns immediately.

[0086] By implementing a pre-write comparison mechanism, this method reduces the number of invalid write operations performed on non-volatile memory. This reduces memory wear caused by repeated state saving triggered by software loops or abnormal events, thereby extending the overall effective lifespan of the hardware.

[0087] In some embodiments, the battery is a removable battery; during each power-on initialization, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory, including: Upon detecting a power-on event caused by battery replacement, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory first. If the first flag bit is set, the transport mode state before battery replacement is restored.

[0088] The purpose of this step is specifically to address the common scenario where users of bicycle electronic derailleurs can replace the battery themselves, ensuring that the device's transport mode state is not lost after the battery swap. Specifically, when the user removes the old battery, waits a period, and then inserts the new battery, the device undergoes a complete power-down to power-up process. During the initialization process after power-up reset, the system first checks if it is a cold start. Since replacing the battery constitutes a cold start, all RAM contents are lost; therefore, the system immediately reads the first flag bit from non-volatile memory. If the flag bit is read as "1" (set), the system determines that the device was in transport mode before the battery replacement and immediately executes the first configuration to restore to that mode, without automatically exiting due to the new battery replacement.

[0089] This embodiment ensures that the transport mode state is maintained across power cycles, even with a user-removable battery, by prioritizing the reading and restoration of persistent status flags during power-on initialization. This method reduces the likelihood of accidental interruption and exit from transport mode due to user-initiated battery replacement, ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of the low-power protection strategy during long-term storage or batch transportation.

[0090] It should be understood that the sequence number of each step in the above embodiments does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0091] This invention provides an electronic transmission wake-up control device, comprising: At least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, which, when executed by the at least one processor, implement the electronic transmission wake-up control method described above.

[0092] Specifically, the processor can be a microcontroller (MCU, such as the ARM Cortex-M series), a digital signal processor (DSP), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The memory can be a combination of non-volatile memory (such as Flash, EEPROM) and volatile memory (such as SRAM). The non-volatile memory is used to store executable instructions (firmware) and persistent status flags (such as the first flag); the volatile memory is used to store temporary variables and stack data during runtime. The device integrates the following interfaces or peripherals at the hardware level: One or more GPIO pins are used to connect physical buttons and are configured for interrupt-triggered mode.

[0093] A power management unit (PMU) or discrete MOSFET switching circuit is used to provide controlled power to the wireless communication module (BLE chip or 2.4GHz transceiver).

[0094] The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input channel is connected to a battery voltage sampling resistor divider network for performing power detection.

[0095] Communication interfaces (such as SPI, I2C) are used to interact with other peripherals such as accelerometers.

[0096] The working process of the device has been described in detail in the method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0097] By integrating a processor and memory and executing the methods described above, this device reduces unnecessary energy consumption of the electronic derailleur in standby mode. The device utilizes non-volatile memory to persist the state, reducing the probability of losing low-power configurations due to unexpected power outages or battery replacements, thereby improving the reliability and battery protection capabilities of the bicycle electronic derailleur in transportation and storage environments.

[0098] This invention provides an electronic transmission, including the aforementioned electronic transmission wake-up control device.

[0099] Specifically, the electronic derailleur is an electrically driven actuator for the rear or front derailleur of a bicycle. In addition to the aforementioned wake-up control device, its hardware components also include: Motor and transmission mechanism: Usually a small brushless DC motor or stepper motor, in conjunction with gear or linkage mechanism, to drive the derailleur to different gear positions.

[0100] Accelerometers (such as triaxial MEMS accelerometers): used to detect the vibration, tilt or motion of the vehicle. In normal operating mode, they can be used as a criterion for riding status. In transportation mode, their interruption function is selectively disabled.

[0101] Wireless communication module: integrates a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 5.0) or 2.4GHz proprietary protocol transceiver for communicating with the bicycle controller or mobile app to receive shift commands or configuration commands.

[0102] Physical buttons: These are usually multi-function buttons integrated into the transmission housing, used to perform operations such as pairing, waking up, and manually exiting transport mode.

[0103] Battery holder and power management circuit: Used to install removable lithium-ion / lithium polymer batteries and to monitor and protect the battery voltage.

[0104] The housing of this electronic transmission is typically made of aluminum alloy or high-strength engineering plastic and features a waterproof and dustproof (such as IP67 rating) sealed design.

[0105] By integrating the wake-up control device, the electronic transmission can be configured into transport mode with a single button before leaving the factory. In this mode, the transmission's wireless module is powered off, and the accelerometer interruption is masked, thereby reducing current consumption during transport. Its button wake-up function is still retained, and combined with a power detection and delayed exit mechanism, it mitigates the user experience issue of not being able to use the device immediately after unpacking due to a low battery, thus improving the overall perceived quality of the product.

[0106] This invention provides a bicycle including the aforementioned electronic gearbox.

[0107] Specifically, the bicycle can be a road bike, mountain bike, urban commuter bike, or electric-assist bicycle. The electronic derailleur is mounted as a rear derailleur on the frame near the rear wheel axle and is electrically connected to a battery on the frame or its own button / cylindrical battery.

[0108] The bicycle may also include one or more components that communicate wirelessly with the electronic gearbox: Wireless controller: One or more remote control paddles (usually one on each side) mounted on the bicycle handlebars connect to the electronic gearbox via a proprietary 2.4GHz protocol to send upshift or downshift commands.

[0109] Speedometer or central control screen: It can connect to the electronic gearbox via Bluetooth to display the current gear and battery level, and can provide a software button for "exiting transport mode" on the interface.

[0110] The electronic gears on this bicycle can be put into transport mode during manufacturing or long-distance transport. Once it arrives at the user's hands, the user can activate it without tools by simply pressing a physical button on the gears and sending a command via a wireless controller or mobile app.

[0111] By incorporating the aforementioned electronic derailleur, battery degradation during the supply chain delivery process is mitigated. This method reduces the frequency with which dealers or users need to charge the derailleur or replace the battery before initial assembly and testing, thus shortening the preparation time from unpacking to the first ride. Simultaneously, the bicycle's integrated intelligent power protection mechanism reduces the probability of derailleur battery over-discharge damage due to long-term storage, thereby improving the overall reliability of the vehicle.

[0112] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should all be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic transmission wake-up control method, characterized in that, include: In transport mode, a first configuration is executed, which includes: turning off the wireless communication module; and keeping the interrupt wake-up function of the physical buttons enabled. When the electronic transmission is in transport mode, in response to a first trigger event of the physical button, the wireless communication module enters a working state; after the wireless communication module enters a working state, it maintains the transport mode and receives a transport mode exit command from an external device; in response to the transport mode exit command, it detects the current battery level of the electronic transmission; if the current battery level is greater than a first preset value, it is allowed to exit the transport mode and return to normal operation mode; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, it is not allowed to exit the transport mode; and / or, When the electronic transmission is in transport mode, if a second trigger event of the physical button is detected, the transport mode exit command is directly triggered. In response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery level of the electronic transmission is detected. If the current battery level is greater than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is allowed, and the system returns to normal operation mode. If the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is not allowed. The second trigger event is a continuous pressing operation that reaches a first preset duration threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: when the electronic transmission is in transport mode, responding to a first trigger event of the physical button to enable the wireless communication module to enter a working state; maintaining the transport mode after the wireless communication module enters the working state, and if a second trigger event of the physical button is detected, triggering a transport mode exit command; responding to the transport mode exit command, detecting the current battery level of the electronic transmission; if the current battery level is greater than a first preset value, allowing exit from the transport mode and restoring to normal working mode; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, not allowing exit from the transport mode.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the electronic transmission is in transport mode, in response to a first trigger event of the physical button, the wireless communication module is put into working state; after the wireless communication module is put into working state, it receives a transport mode exit command from an external device, including: After detecting the first trigger event of the physical button, the electronic transmission is maintained in the transport mode, and the wireless communication module is controlled to open the wireless receiving window; wherein, receiving the transport mode exit command issued by the external device is executed after the wireless receiving window is opened; If the transport mode exit command is not received within the preset time window, the wireless communication module is turned off and the transport mode is maintained.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: When entering the transportation mode, the first flag is set and stored in non-volatile memory; when exiting the transportation mode, the first flag is cleared and stored in non-volatile memory. During each power-on initialization, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory; if the first flag bit is set, the system enters the transport mode; if the first flag bit is cleared, the system enters the normal operation mode.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The provision that if the current battery charge level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transportation mode is not allowed includes: If the current battery charge is lower than the first preset value, the electronic transmission's warning device will issue a low battery alarm signal and continue to maintain the transport mode. In response to the transport mode exit command, the current battery level of the electronic transmission is detected; if the current battery level is greater than a first preset value, exiting the transport mode is permitted, and the system returns to normal operation; if the current battery level is lower than the first preset value, exiting the transport mode is not permitted, including: Collect the current battery charge value of the electronic transmission; If the current battery charge level is higher than a first preset value, then the transport mode can be exited and the system can be restored to normal operating mode. If the current battery charge level is lower than a second preset value, exiting the transportation mode is not allowed; wherein the second preset value is lower than the first preset value. A state holding interval is formed between the first preset value and the second preset value. If the current battery charge value is within the state holding interval, exiting the transportation mode is not allowed.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, When entering the transportation mode, the first flag is set and stored in non-volatile memory; When exiting the transportation mode, the first flag bit is cleared and stored in the non-volatile memory, including: Compare the value of the first flag bit to be written with the value already stored in the non-volatile memory; If the value to be written is different from the value already stored, then a write operation is performed on the non-volatile memory.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The battery is a removable battery; During each power-on initialization, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory, including: Upon detecting a power-on event caused by battery replacement, the first flag bit is read from the non-volatile memory first. If the first flag bit is set, the transport mode state before battery replacement is restored.

8. An electronic transmission wake-up control device, characterized in that, include: At least one processor; as well as A memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein, The memory stores instructions that can be executed by the at least one processor, which, when executed by the at least one processor, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An electronic transmission, characterized in that, Includes the electronic transmission wake-up control device as described in claim 8.

10. A bicycle, characterized in that, Including the electronic transmission as described in claim 9.

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