Device and control system for wireless communication

Abstract

Communication device (30A) for a muscle-powered vehicle (10), comprising: an interface (36A) configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable (38A) connected to a component (28A) configured to be mounted on the muscle-powered vehicle (10), the component (28A) having a cable connection (34) configured to be used in a wired state when the component (28A) communicates with an additional component (28B) configured to be mounted on the muscle-powered vehicle (10); a converter (40A) configured to convert an electrical signal (E1) received from the component (28A) via the interface (36A) into a radio signal (W);and a communicator (42A) configured to wirelessly transmit the radio signal (W) from the converter (40A) to the additional component (28B).

Description

When operating a muscle-powered vehicle, input from the driver is transmitted to the vehicle's components. For example, the driver can operate a lever at one point on the vehicle to apply braking force to a wheel at another point on the vehicle. This input can be transmitted using wires or wireless transmitters and receivers. For example, systems with wireless communication or wireless power transfer between individual bicycle components are known from documents DE 10 2015 005 150 A1 , DE 20 2014 106 147 U1 and US 2018 / 0 178 881 A1. This document discloses a communication device for a muscle-powered vehicle. According to the present invention, a communication device for a muscle-powered vehicle comprises an interface, a converter, and a communicator. The interface is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable, which is connected to a component configured to be mounted on the muscle-powered vehicle. The component has a cable connection configured to be used in a wired state when the component communicates with an additional component. The additional component is configured to be mounted on the muscle-powered vehicle. The converter is configured to convert an electrical signal received from the component via the interface into a radio signal.The communicator is designed to wirelessly transmit the radio signal from the converter to the additional component. With such a communication device, a user can easily convert the wired system into a wireless system. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the communication device can be configured such that the electrical cable is a cable for powerline communication. With such a communication device, a user can utilize the powerline communication component in the wireless system. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the communication device can include a power supply configured to power the converter and the wireless communicator. With such a communication device, a user can utilize a component that otherwise requires an external power source. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the communication device can be designed such that the power supply includes a power storage device. With such a communication device, a user can utilize a component that requires an external power source. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the communication device can have a charging interface configured to receive power from a charger for charging the energy storage device. With such a communication device, a user can utilize a component that requires an external power source. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the communication device can be configured such that the power supply includes a generator designed to produce electricity. With such a communication device, the charging frequency can be reduced, thereby increasing user convenience. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the communication device can further comprise a housing configured to accommodate the interface, the converter, and the wireless communicator. Such a communication device can protect the interface, the converter, and the wireless communicator. According to another aspect of the present invention, a control system for a muscle-powered vehicle comprises the component and the communication device according to aspects one through seven. With such a control system, a user can easily convert the wired system into a wireless system. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the control system can be configured such that the component includes an actuating element configured to receive input from a driver of the muscle-powered vehicle to actuate an additional component. With such a control system, a user can easily convert the wired system to a wireless system. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the control system can further comprise the additional component and an additional communication device. The additional communication device is configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication device, and the communication device is configured to communicate with the additional component via the additional communication device. With such a control system, a user can easily convert the wired system to the wireless system. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the control system can be configured such that the additional communication device includes an additional communicator, an additional converter, and an additional interface. The additional communicator is configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication device. The additional converter is configured to convert a radio signal from the additional communicator into an electrical signal for the additional component. The additional interface is configured to be electrically connected to an additional electrical cable that is connected to the additional component. With such a control system, a user can easily convert the wired system to the wireless system. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the control system can be configured such that the additional electrical cable is a cable for powerline communication. With such a control system, a user can easily convert the wired system to a wireless system. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the control system can be configured such that the additional communication device includes an additional housing that is separate from the housing of the communication device itself. The additional communication device is configured to accommodate the additional communicator, the additional converter, and the additional interface. Such a control system allows the additional interface, the additional communicator, and the additional converter to be protected. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the controller can further comprise an additional power supply configured to power the additional communication device and the additional component. With such a control system, a user can easily convert the wired system to the wireless system. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the controller can be configured such that the additional component includes at least one switching device, a braking device, a suspension, an adjustable seat post, and a driver assistance unit. With such a control system, a user can easily convert the wired system to the wireless system. This summary serves to present a selection of simplified concepts, which are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor to limit the scope of the subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to embodiments that eliminate one or all of the disadvantages specified in parts of this disclosure. As used herein, the term "small and / or light vehicle" refers to electric and non-electric vehicles, regardless of the number of their wheels. A more detailed evaluation of the invention and many of its associated advantages will now be explained with reference to the drawings, which form part of this original disclosure, wherein: Fig. 1 is a right-hand side view of an exemplary bicycle incorporating a control system according to the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a control system according to the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a control system according to the present disclosure; and Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a control system according to the present disclosure. In the description of selected embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals in the various drawings denote corresponding or identical elements. The person skilled in the art will understand from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments serve only for illustration and are not intended to limit the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. First, with reference to Fig. 1, an exemplary muscle-powered vehicle 10 according to at least one disclosed embodiment of the present invention is shown. The muscle-powered vehicle 10 is, for example, a bicycle such as a cross-country bike or a mountain bike. Alternatively, the muscle-powered vehicle 10 can also be, for example, a road bicycle, a scooter, a velomobile, or a draisine. The muscle-powered vehicle 10 comprises a frame 12, a rear wheel 14, a front fork 16, a front wheel 18, and a handlebar 20. The rear wheel 14 is rotatably attached to the frame 12. The front fork 16 is rotatably attached to the frame 12. The front wheel 18 is rotatably attached to the front fork 16. The handlebar 20 is rotatably attached to the frame 12. The rotational movement of the front fork 16 is coupled to the rotational movement of the handlebar 20. The muscle-powered vehicle 10 includes a control system 26. In this embodiment, the control system 26 is an electronic gearshift system. The control system includes a component 28A and an additional component 28B. As described below, the control system 26 is configured to convert the communication between component 28A and the additional component 28B from a wired mode to a wireless mode. Component 28A is mounted on the handlebar 20. The additional component 28B is mounted on the frame 12. Component 28A includes, for example, at least one of the following: a gearshift actuator, a brake actuator, a suspension actuator, an adjustable seat post actuator, or a driver assistance unit actuator.In this embodiment, component 28A is the shift actuator for controlling the shifting device. The additional component 28B includes, for example, at least one shifting device, one brake device, one suspension device, one actuating device for the adjustable seat post, and one driver assistance unit. In this embodiment, the additional component 28B is a shifting device for changing the speed of the human-powered vehicle. The shifting device can include a front derailleur, a rear derailleur, and a ring gear hub. In this embodiment, the shifting device is the rear derailleur. As shown in Fig. 1 and discussed in detail below, the control system 26 comprises component 28A, additional component 28B, a communication device 30A, and an additional communication device 30B. Other parts of the muscle-powered vehicle 10 are generally known and are not described herein. Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the control system 26 for the muscle-powered vehicle 10. The control system 26 comprises component 28A and communication device 30A. The control system 26 also comprises additional component 28B and additional communication device 30B. As described above and shown in Fig. 2, component 28A is designed to be mounted on the muscle-powered vehicle 10. The additional component 28B is also designed to be mounted on the muscle-powered vehicle 10. Component 28A includes an actuating element 32, which is designed to receive an input from the driver of the muscle-powered vehicle 10 to actuate the additional component 28B.In the example above, the switching actuation device for the electronic gearshift system is exemplary component 28A, and the switching device is exemplary additional component 28B. Accordingly, an exemplary actuation component 32 contained in component 28A may, for example, include a shift lever or a shift selector. As shown in Fig. 2, component 28A has a cable connector 34. The cable connector 34 is configured to be used in a wired state when component 28A communicates with the additional component 28B via wires. However, it is desirable for component 28A and the additional component 28B to communicate wirelessly. As discussed above, the control system 26 is configured to convert the communication between component 28A and the additional component 28B from a wired mode to a wireless mode via the communication device 30A and the additional communication device 30B. The communication device 30A has an interface 36A configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable 38A that is connected to component 28A. The electrical cable 38A is a powerline communication cable.Therefore, the electrical cable 38A can transmit data in addition to electrical current. The actuating component 32 receives an input from the driver and transmits this input to component 28A. In a conventional wired communication mode, component 28A sends instructions, according to the driver's input, to the additional component 28B via a wire connected to both component 28A and the additional component 28B, as indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 2. In the control system 26 described herein, the instructions are transmitted as data via the electrical cable 38A from component 28A to the communication device 30A. As indicated by the dash-dotted line in Fig. 2, the additional communication device 30B is configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication device 30A.The instructions, based on the driver's input, are wirelessly transmitted from communication device 30A to the additional communication device 30B. As described below, the instructions are transmitted from the additional communication device 30B to the additional component 28B, which then executes an action prescribed by the driver's input. In this arrangement, communication device 30A is configured to communicate with the additional component 28B via the additional communication device 30B. Fig. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the control system 26, illustrating elements of the communication device 30A in detail. As described above, the communication device 30A includes the interface 36A for communication with the component 28A via the electrical cable 38A. The communication device 30A also includes a converter 40A and a communicator 42A. The converter 40A is configured to convert an electrical signal E1, received from the component 28A via the interface 36A and the electrical cable 38A, into a radio signal W, such as a radio wave. The communicator 42A is configured to wirelessly transmit the radio signal W from the converter 40A to the additional component 30B. Accordingly, the communicator 42A can be configured as a transmitter and include an antenna. As shown in Fig.As shown in Figure 3, the communication device 30A further comprises a housing 44A which is designed to accommodate the interface 36A, the converter 40A and the wireless communicator 42A of the communication device 30A. Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to apply the control system 26 to a component that requires an external power source. For this purpose, the communication device 30A further comprises a power supply 46A configured to supply power to the converter 40A and the wireless communicator 42A, as shown in Fig. 3. The power supply 46A includes a generator 48 for generating power. The generator 48 can be, for example, a solar cell panel or a piezoelectric device. The power supply 46A also includes a power storage device 50. The power storage device 50 can be configured as a battery or a capacitor. The communication device 30A further comprises a charging interface 52 configured to receive power from a charger 54. The charger 54 is connected to the power supply 46A via the charging interface 52 to charge the power storage device 50.Additionally or alternatively, the generator 48 can charge the power storage unit 50. Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the control system 26, illustrating in detail elements of the additional communication device 30B. For brevity, the power supply 46A in the communication device 30A is not shown. The additional communication device 30B contains several elements that correspond to the elements of the communication device 30A described above. Therefore, elements with essentially the same function as those in the communication device 30A are numbered identically in the additional communication device 30B. As shown in Fig. 4, the additional communication device 30B of the control system 26 includes an additional communicator 42B, an additional converter 40B, and an additional interface 36B. Similar to the communication device 30A, the additional communication device 30B includes an additional housing 44B configured to accommodate the additional communicator 42B, the additional converter 40B, and the additional interface 36B. It is understood that the additional housing 44B is separate from the housing 44A of the communication device 30A. The control system 26 further includes an additional power supply 46B configured to power the additional communication device 30B and the additional component 28B. The additional communicator 42B is configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication device 30A and receive instructions according to the driver's input at the actuating component 32, as described above and indicated by the dashed line W. Accordingly, the additional communicator 42B can be configured as a receiver and include an antenna. The additional converter 40B is configured to convert the radio signal W received by the communication device 30A via the additional communicator 42B into an electrical signal E2 for the additional component 28B. The additional interface 36B is configured to be electrically connected to an additional electrical cable 38B, which is connected to the additional component 28B. Similar to the electrical cable 38A, the additional electrical cable 38B is a powerline communication cable.Therefore, the additional electrical cable 38B can transmit data in addition to power. Instructions based on the driver's input are transmitted as data from the additional communication device 30B to the additional component 28B, which then executes an action prescribed by the driver's input. The arrows in Fig. 4 show the information flow transmitted via the control system 26 from component 28A to the additional component 28B. As described above, the actuating component 32 receives an input from the driver of the muscle-powered vehicle 10 at component 28A. The input is transmitted by component 28A to the communication device 30A in the form of data sent via the electrical cable 38A through the interface 36A. The communication device 30A converts the data from the electrical signal E1 into the radio signal W via the converter 40A. Additionally or alternatively, the converter 40A can convert the electrical signal E1 according to a first protocol for component 28A into the radio signal W according to a second protocol for the additional component 28B. The communicator 42A sends the radio signal W to the additional communication device 30B, where it is received by the additional communicator 42B.The additional converter 40B converts the radio signal W into the electrical signal E2, which is then transmitted to the additional component 28B as data sent via the additional electrical cable 38B. Additionally or alternatively, the additional converter 40B can convert the radio signal W according to a first protocol for component 28A into the electrical signal E2 according to a second protocol for the additional component 28B. As such, the control system 26 enables the communication between component 28A and the additional component 28B of the human-powered vehicle to be converted from a wired mode to a wireless mode. Although only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, those skilled in the art will understand from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, position, or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and / or desired. Components shown as directly connected or in contact with one another can have intermediate structures inserted between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The designs and functions of one embodiment can be incorporated into another embodiment. Not all advantages need to be present in a given embodiment simultaneously.Each feature that is unique compared to the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, should likewise be regarded as a separate description of further inventions of the applicant, including the structural and / or functional concepts embodied by that feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of exemplary embodiments according to the present invention serve only to illustrate and not to limit the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS E1 electrical signal E2 electrical signal W radio signal 10 muscle-powered vehicle 12 frame 14 rear wheel 16 fork 18 front wheel 20 handlebar 26 control system 28A component 28B additional component 30A communication device 30B additional communication device 32 actuating component 34 cable connection 36A interface 36B additional interface 38A electrical cable 38B additional electrical cable 40A converter 40B additional converter 42A communicator 42B additional communicator 46A power supply 46B additional power supply 48 generator 50 energy storage 52 interface 54 charger

Claims

Communication device (30A) for a muscle-powered vehicle (10), comprising: an interface (36A) configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable (38A) connected to a component (28A) configured to be mounted on the muscle-powered vehicle (10), the component (28A) having a cable connection (34) configured to be used in a wired state when the component (28A) communicates with an additional component (28B) configured to be mounted on the muscle-powered vehicle (10); a converter (40A) configured to convert an electrical signal (E1) received from the component (28A) via the interface (36A) into a radio signal (W);and a communicator (42A) configured to wirelessly transmit the radio signal (W) from the converter (40A) to the additional component (28B). Communication device (30A) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical cable (38A) is a cable for powerline communication. Communication device (30A) according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply (46A) configured to supply power to the converter (40A) and the wireless communicator (42A). Communication device (30A) according to claim 3, wherein the power supply (46A) includes a power storage device (50). Communication device (30A) according to claim 4, further comprising a charging interface (52) configured to receive current from a charger (54) for charging the power storage device (50). Communication device (30A) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the power supply (46A) includes a generator (48) configured to generate electricity. Communication device (30A) according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a housing (44A) designed to accommodate the interface (36A), the converter (40A) and the wireless communicator (42A). Control system (26) for a muscle-powered vehicle (10), comprising: a component (28A) and the communication device (30A) according to one of claims 1 to 7. Control system (26) according to claim 8, wherein the component (28A) includes an actuating component (32) configured to receive input from a driver of the muscle-powered vehicle (10) to actuate an additional component (28B). Control system (26) according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: the additional component (28B) and an additional communication device (30B) configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication device (30A), wherein the communication device (30A) is configured to communicate with the additional component (28B) via the additional communication device (30B). Control system (26) according to claim 10, wherein the additional communication device (30B) comprises: an additional communicator (42B) configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication device (30A), an additional converter (40B) configured to convert a radio signal (W) from the additional communicator (42B) into an electrical signal (E2) for the additional component (28B), and an additional interface (36B) configured to be electrically connected to an additional electrical cable (38B) connected to the additional component (28B). Control system (26) according to claim 11, wherein the additional electrical cable (38B) is a cable for powerline communication. Control system (26) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the additional communication device (30B) includes an additional housing (44B) which is separate from the housing (44A) of the communication device (30A) and is configured to accommodate the additional communicator (42B), the additional converter (40B) and the additional interface (36B). Control system (26) according to one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising an additional power supply (46B) configured to supply power to the additional communication device (30B) and the additional component (28B). Control system (26) according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the additional component (28B) includes at least one of a switching device, a braking device, a suspension, an adjustable seat post and a driver assistance unit.

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