Bicycle brake control system

Abstract

Bicycle brake control system (100) for preventing the lifting of a rear wheel (103) of the bicycle, comprising a first detection system (2) configured to detect bicycle load information; and a controller (3) configured to control a front brake system (5) according to the bicycle load information, wherein the first detection system (2) is configured to detect at least one of front wheel load information, rear wheel load information, and bicycle body load information as the bicycle load information, wherein the front wheel load information includes at least one of front tire air pressure, front wheel spoke tension, front wheel axle load, and front wheel suspension stroke; and wherein the rear wheel load information includes at least one of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load, and rear wheel suspension stroke; and wherein the bicycle body load information includes a load applied to at least one of a frame (104), a front fork (105), a stem (106), a handlebar (107), a seat post (108), a saddle (109), a pedal (110), and a crankshaft (111); and further comprising: a second detection system (6) configured to detect at least one of acceleration, bicycle tilt in the longitudinal direction and rear wheel speed as other bicycle information, wherein the controller (3) is configured to control the front brake system (5) according to the bicycle load information and the other bicycle information.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle brake control system.

[0002] A bicycle has a front wheel, a rear wheel, a front brake, and a rear brake. The rotation of the front wheel is controlled by the front brake. If the cyclist brakes hard with the front brake, the rear wheel can lift off the ground.

[0003] The documents DE 10 2007 004 042 A1 and DE 10 2008 033 318 A1 disclose brake controls for two-wheelers.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to prevent the rear wheel of a bicycle from lifting off.

[0005] This object is achieved with a bicycle brake control system according to claim 1. Further advantageous aspects can be found in claims 2 to 5.

[0006] With this configuration, the bicycle load information allows the control system to determine whether the rear wheel is off the ground. The control system controls the front brake system according to the bicycle load information. This allows the bicycle brake control system to prevent the rear wheel from lifting off the ground.

[0007] The first detection system is configured to detect at least one of the bicycle body load information, the front wheel load information, and the rear wheel load information as the bicycle load information. This allows the controller to determine that the rear wheel is off the ground based on at least one of the bicycle body load information, the front wheel load information, and the rear wheel load information.

[0008] The first sensing system is configured to detect at least one of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load, and rear wheel suspension stroke as the rear wheel load information. This allows the controller to determine that the rear wheel is off the ground based on at least one of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load, and rear wheel suspension stroke.

[0009] Preferably, the first detection system is configured to detect at least two of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load, and rear wheel suspension stroke as the rear wheel load information. This allows the controller to accurately determine that the rear wheel is off the ground.

[0010] Preferably, the first detection system comprises multiple sensors. This allows the first detection system to capture more bicycle load information.

[0011] Preferably, the front braking system comprises a front brake and an actuator. The front brake is configured to brake the front wheel. The actuator is configured to actuate the front brake. The controller is configured to control the actuator according to the bicycle load information.

[0012] Preferably, the controller is configured to transmit a radio signal to control the actuator according to the bicycle load information. This eliminates the need for a cable connecting the controller to the actuator.

[0013] The brake control system further includes a second detection system. The second detection system is configured to detect at least one of acceleration, longitudinal bicycle tilt, and rear wheel rotational speed as other bicycle information. The controller is configured to control the front brake system according to the bicycle load information and the other bicycle information. This allows the controller to determine rear wheel lift even more accurately.

[0014] Selected embodiments will now be explained by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a bicycle; Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a brake control system; Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a process performed by the brake control system; and Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a brake control system according to a modified example.

[0015] Those skilled in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are intended to illustrate only and not to limit the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0016] As in Fig. 1, the bicycle 101 includes a front wheel 102, a rear wheel 103, and a front brake system 5. A bicycle brake control system 100 is mounted on the bicycle 101.

[0017] Related to Fig. 2, the bicycle brake control system 100 includes a first detection system 2 and a controller 3. The first detection system 2 is configured to detect bicycle load information. The bicycle load information includes, for example, at least one of bicycle body load information, front wheel load information, and rear wheel load information. That is, the first detection system 2 detects, for example, at least one of bicycle body load information, front wheel load information, and rear wheel load information as the bicycle load information.

[0018] The rear wheel load information relates to the load applied to the rear wheel 103. For example, the rear wheel load information includes at least one of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load, and rear wheel suspension stroke. That is, the first detection system 2 detects, for example, at least one of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load, and rear wheel suspension stroke as the rear wheel load information. The first detection system 2 may detect at least two of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load, and rear wheel suspension stroke.

[0019] The front wheel load information relates to the load applied to the front wheel 102. For example, the front wheel load information includes at least one of the front tire air pressure, the front wheel spoke tension, the front wheel axle load, and the front wheel suspension stroke. That is, the first detection system 2 detects, for example, at least one of the front tire air pressure, the front wheel spoke tension, the front wheel axle load, and the front wheel suspension stroke as the front wheel load information. The first detection system 2 may detect at least two of the front tire air pressure, the front wheel spoke tension, the front wheel axle load, and the front wheel suspension stroke.

[0020] The bicycle body load information includes at least one load applied to the frame 104, the front fork 105, the stem 106, the handlebar 107, the seat post 108, the saddle 109, a pedal 110, and the crankshaft 111. That is, for example, the first detection system 2 detects the load applied to at least one of the frame 104, the front fork 105, the stem 106, the handlebar 107, the seat post 108, the saddle 109, a pedal 110, and the crankshaft 111 as the bicycle body load information. The bicycle body load information may include a frame curvature.

[0021] The first detection system 2 includes at least one sensor 21 for detecting the bicycle load information. The first detection system 2 includes, for example, at least one of an air pressure sensor, a tension sensor, a load sensor, a curvature sensor, and a displacement sensor.

[0022] The controller 3 is configured to control the front brake system 5 according to the bicycle load information. Specifically, the controller 3 determines whether the bicycle load information is above (or below) a threshold. Alternatively, the controller 3 may calculate a deviation of the bicycle load information based on the obtained bicycle load information. The controller 3 may determine whether the deviation of the bicycle load information is above a threshold. The controller 3 controls the front brake system 5 based on the determination result. The threshold is set for each type of bicycle load information.

[0023] As in Fig. 2, the front brake system 5 comprises a front brake device 51, a front brake disc, a brake actuating device and an adjusting device 52. The front brake disc and the brake actuating device are in Fig. 2 is not shown. The front brake 51 is configured to clamp the front brake disc so that the front wheel 102 is braked. The actuator 52 is configured to actuate the front brake device 51. The controller 3 is configured to control the actuator 52 according to the bicycle load information. In this embodiment, the front brake system 5 is configured as a hydraulic disc brake system. However, this invention can also be applied to a cable brake system. Furthermore, although the front brake system 5 is described as a disc brake system in this embodiment, this invention can also be applied to controlling other types of front brake systems, for example, a front rim brake system.

[0024] The controller 3 outputs a control signal to control the actuator 52. When the actuator 52 receives the control signal from the controller 3, the actuator 52 actuates the front brake device 51 to reduce the braking force. The actuator 52 comprises, for example, a motor configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the brake actuation device.

[0025] The controller 3 is connected to the actuator 52 via an electrical cable. Alternatively, the controller 3 can be connected to the actuator 52 wirelessly. That is, the controller 3 can be configured to transmit a radio signal to control the actuator 52 according to the bicycle load information.

[0026] An example of the operations of the brake control system 100 according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 will now be described with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 3 described.

[0027] In step S1, the first detection system 2 detects the bicycle load information. The first detection system 2 detects, for example, the rear tire air pressure as the bicycle load information.

[0028] In step S2, the controller 3 receives the bicycle load information from the first detection system 2. Specifically, the controller 3 receives the bicycle information from the first detection system 2 via a cable. Alternatively, the controller 3 receives the bicycle information from the first detection system 2 via a radio signal.

[0029] In step S3, the controller 3 determines whether the rear wheel 103 is off the ground based on the obtained bicycle load information. Specifically, the controller 3 determines whether the obtained bicycle load information is above (or below) the threshold. If the bicycle load information is above (or below) the threshold, the controller 3 determines based on the ground that the rear wheel 103 is off the ground.

[0030] For example, if the bicycle load information is the rear tire air pressure, the controller 3 determines whether the rear tire air pressure is less than the threshold. If the rear tire air pressure is less than the threshold, the controller 3 determines that the rear wheel 103 is off the ground.

[0031] Alternatively, if the bicycle load information is, for example, the front tire air pressure, the controller 3 determines whether the front tire air pressure is higher than the threshold. If the front tire air pressure is higher than the threshold, the controller 3 determines that the rear wheel 103 is off the ground.

[0032] Controller 3 can determine whether rear wheel 103 is off the ground based on the deviation of the bicycle load information. Specifically, controller 3 calculates the deviation of the bicycle load information. Controller 3 determines whether the deviation of the bicycle load information is above the threshold.

[0033] If the controller 3 determines that the rear wheel 103 is off the ground (YES in step S3), the bicycle brake system 100 proceeds to step S4. If the controller 3 determines that the rear wheel 103 is not off the ground (NO in step S3), the bicycle brake system 100 starts again from step S1.

[0034] In step S4, the controller 3 controls the front brake system 5. Specifically, the controller 3 controls the actuator 52. More specifically, the controller 3 outputs, for example, the control signal to the actuator 52. After receiving the control signal from the controller 3, the actuator 52 actuates the front brake device 51 so that the braking force of the front brake device 51 is reduced. This prevents the rear wheel 103 from lifting off the ground.

[0035] As in Fig.As can be seen in Figure 4, the brake control system 100 may further include a second sensing system 6. The second sensing system 6 is configured to sense other bicycle information. The other bicycle information includes, for example, at least one of acceleration, bicycle longitudinal inclination, and rear wheel rotational speed. The controller 3 is configured to control the front brake system 5 according to the bicycle load information and the other bicycle information. The second sensing system 6 includes at least one sensor 61.

[0036] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and / or steps, but do not preclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and / or steps. The foregoing also applies to words of similar meaning, such as the terms "including," "comprising," and their derivatives. Also, the terms "part," "region," "portion," "component," or "element," when used in the singular, can have the dual meaning of a single part or multiple parts. Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially," "about," and "approximately," as used herein, are intended to represent a reasonable degree of deviation from the modified term so that the final result is not significantly altered.

[0037] Although only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location, or orientation of the various components may be changed as needed and / or desired. Components shown as directly connected or contacting each other may have intermediate structures interposed between them. The functions of one element may be performed by two elements, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment; not all advantages need be present in a particular embodiment.Any feature that is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, should also be considered a separate description of applicant's further embodiments, including the structural and / or functional concepts embodied by that feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are merely illustrative and not limiting of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Reference symbol 2 first recording system 3 Control 5 front brake system 6 second recording system 21 Sensor 51 front brake device 52 Adjusting device 61 Sensor 100 Bicycle Brake Control System 101 Bicycle 102 front wheel 103 rear wheel 104 frames 105 front fork 106 stem 107 handlebars 108 seat post 109 Saddle 110 Pedal 111 Crankshaft

Claims

[1] Bicycle brake control system (100) for preventing the lifting of a rear wheel (103) of the bicycle, comprising a first detection system (2) configured to detect bicycle load information; and a controller (3) configured to control a front brake system (5) according to the bicycle load information, wherein the first detection system (2) is configured to detect at least one of front wheel load information, rear wheel load information, and bicycle body load information as the bicycle load information, wherein the front wheel load information includes at least one of front tire air pressure, front wheel spoke tension, front wheel axle load, and front wheel suspension stroke; and wherein the rear wheel load information includes at least one of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load, and rear wheel suspension stroke; and wherein the bicycle body load information includes a load applied to at least one of a frame (104), a front fork (105), a stem (106), a handlebar (107), a seat post (108), a saddle (109), a pedal (110), and a crankshaft (111); and further comprising: a second detection system (6) configured to detect at least one of acceleration, bicycle tilt in the longitudinal direction and rear wheel speed as other bicycle information, wherein the controller (3) is configured to control the front brake system (5) according to the bicycle load information and the other bicycle information. [2] The bicycle brake control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: the first detection system (2) is configured to detect at least two of rear tire air pressure, rear wheel spoke tension, rear wheel axle load and Rear wheel suspension stroke as the rear wheel load information is recorded. [3] Bicycle brake control system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first detection system (2) comprises a plurality of sensors (21). [4] Bicycle brake control system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the front brake system (5) comprises a front brake (51) configured to brake a front wheel (102) and an actuator (52) configured to actuate the front brake (51), wherein the controller (3) is configured to control the actuator (52) according to the bicycle load information. [5] Bicycle brake control system (100) according to claim 4, wherein: the controller (3) is configured to transmit a radio signal for controlling the actuating device (52) according to the bicycle load information.

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