DEVICE FOR CHECKING AND ADJUSTING A BICYCLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for checking and adjusting a bicycle to the rider in order to maintain an optimal static and / or dynamic seating position of the rider on the bicycle, wherein the device has at least two support points for supporting the wheel axles, the wheel axle attachment points or the wheels.

[0002] Devices for checking and adjusting a bicycle to the rider are known, such as the bike-fitting machine known from US Pat. No. 7,976,433 B2. Such a device is technically complex and difficult to operate.

[0003] Furthermore, from Vernier's "Investigating Weight Distribution on a Bicycle," March 27, 2015, it is known to investigate the weight distribution of a racing bike placed on a stationary trainer resting on two force plates. The forces exerted perpendicularly on the ground by both wheels are measured while the rider sits on the racing bike. Lateral forces are not recorded. This document XP055627148 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] The object of the invention is to improve a device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that an exact detection of the optimal seating position and the optimal frame geometry is achieved with simple handling and construction.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the force or pressure transmission means has on its underside at least two, preferably three or four, support points which lie in a horizontal plane and whose downward pressure is each detected by a force or pressure sensor, wherein the force or pressure sensors are formed by at least one force or pressure measuring plate (11) on which the support points (10) are seated, wherein the force or pressure measuring plate (11) is divided into a plurality of sensor surface sections which each have at least one force or pressure sensor.

[0006] Such a device is particularly simple in design and easy to handle. It allows for the rider's optimal seating position, including the rider's center of gravity, to be measured with exceptional precision, allowing for precise frame geometry and exact frame dimensions.

[0007] A high number of particularly precise data can be achieved if the force or pressure sensors consist of at least one force or pressure measuring plate on which the support points are mounted. It is particularly advantageous for this purpose if the force or pressure measuring plate is divided into a plurality of sensor surface sections, each of which contains at least one force or pressure sensor.

[0008] According to the invention, each support point has a force or pressure sensor. A further improvement in the design is achieved if the force or pressure transmission means comprises a horizontal plate with a support point arranged at each of its outer corners.

[0009] The device can measure the values ​​at the wheel axles or the wheel axle mounting points. It is particularly easy to use if the force or pressure transmission device is rigidly attached to the lower support point of the wheel mounted on the bicycle.

[0010] Inclines and gradients can be simulated if the force or pressure measuring plate and / or the force or pressure transmission devices are adjustable in their inclination around one or two axes. Positive and negative accelerations are simulated by subjecting the force or pressure measuring plate and / or the force or pressure transmission devices to acceleration pulses.

[0011] The extent to which the pedals are evenly loaded is measured by the fact that the pedals are equipped with force sensors, specifically pressure sensors. The measurement results from the pedal pressure sensors are compared with the sensors on the measuring plate. The measurement results from the pedal pressure sensors can be compared with the results from the sensors on the pressure measuring plate.

[0012] Preferably, it is proposed that the information obtained by the device about the bicycle and / or the rider be transmitted as feedback to a trainer or to the rider, in particular via a display. Handling and measurement reliability are improved if the information obtained by the device about the bicycle and / or the rider generates an automatic adjustment of the seating position, handlebar position, axle spacing, and / or frame dimensions. Furthermore, it is proposed that a load generator / resistance generator in the form of a dynamo or an electric or electronic brake be arranged to absorb the pedaling forces.

[0013] A further improvement in measurement accuracy and the recording of the rider's posture and movements is achieved if marker points are attached to the rider at two or more locations, the movements of which are optically recorded during the determination of the seat and frame values ​​and evaluated simultaneously and / or subsequently.

[0014] Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in side views in the drawings and are described in more detail below. Fig. 1 a device in which the values ​​are taken at the wheel axles or the wheel axle attachment points, and Fig. 2 a device in which the values ​​are recorded at the underside of the two wheels.

[0015] The bicycle to be tested has a frame 1, with a saddle 2, a handlebar 3 and two wheel axles 4, 5. The rider sitting on the bicycle is not shown.

[0016] Both wheel axles 4, 5 are mounted on support points 6, 7, ensuring that these support points absorb all forces acting on the wheel axles. The support points 6, 7 are each rigidly mounted on a pressure transmission device 8, 9, so that all detected forces are transmitted to the pressure transmission device. Each pressure transmission device preferably consists of a horizontal plate.

[0017] On the underside of each plate-shaped pressure transmission means 8, 9, four support points 10 are attached, which either rest on a force or pressure sensor or are themselves force or pressure sensors or rest on a force or pressure measuring plate 11.

[0018] The pressure measuring plate 11 is divided into a plurality of sensor surface sections in the longitudinal and transverse directions, wherein the sensor surface sections each have at least one force sensor or pressure sensor, which outputs the force acting on the respective sensor surface section as an electrical signal that is evaluated by a computer unit. This not only makes it possible to obtain particularly precise values, but also to record a variety of different pressure and movement directions that the rider exerts on the bicycle. The measurement results from the pressure sensors of the pedals are compared with the results from the sensors of the pressure measuring plate 11. The information obtained by the device about the bicycle and / or the rider is transmitted as feedback to a trainer or to the rider, in particular via a display.This is also advantageously used to ensure that the information obtained by the device about the bicycle and / or the rider generates an automatic adjustment of the seating position, the handlebar position, the axle distances and / or the frame dimensions.

[0019] Instead of four support points 10, two or three support points can also be arranged on the underside of the pressure transmission means 8, 9. Furthermore, the pressure measuring plate can be divided into two plates, so that both pressure transmission means 8, 9 are located on separate and synchronized pressure measuring plates.

[0020] The force or pressure measuring plate 11 and / or the force or pressure transmission means 8, 9 are adjustable in their inclination around one or two axes. This simulates inclined positions of the bicycle and inclines. Furthermore, the force or pressure measuring plates 11 and / or the force or pressure transmission means 8, 9 are subjected to positive and negative accelerations to simulate braking or acceleration. Whether the pedals are evenly loaded is detected by force transducers / pressure sensors in or on the pedals.

[0021] The Fig. 2 The embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in Figure 1 differs from that shown in Figure 2. Fig. 1 essentially only in that the support points 6, 7 are not attached to the wheel axles 4, 5, but to the respective underside of each wheel 12 of the bicycle, so that in order to check and adjust the bicycle it is not necessary to dismantle the two wheels 12.

[0022] A resistance generator, in particular a dynamo or an electric brake, is arranged on the bicycle frame and / or on the measuring device underneath, against which the rider pedals.

[0023] Very precise and descriptive test and inspection results are achieved when marker points are attached to the rider at two or more locations, the movements of which are optically or electronically recorded during the determination of the seat and frame values ​​and evaluated simultaneously and / or subsequently. List of reference symbols

[0024] 1Frame 2Saddle 3Handlebar 4Wheel axle 5Wheel axle 6Support point 7Support point 8Force or pressure transmission device 9Force or pressure transmission device 10Support points 11Force or pressure measuring plate 12Wheel

Claims

1. Device for testing and adjusting a bicycle to a rider in order to obtain an optimum static and / or dynamic seat position for the rider on the bicycle, wherein the device has at least two supporting points (6, 7) for supporting the wheel axles (4, 5), the wheel axle fastening points or the wheels (12), wherein each supporting point (6, 7) has a force- or pressure-transfer means (8, 9), characterized in that the force- or pressure-transfer means (8, 9) has on its underside at least two support points, preferably three or four support points (10), which lie in a horizontal plane and the downwardly directed pressure of which is in each case sensed by a force or pressure sensor, wherein the force or pressure sensors are formed by at least one force- or pressure-measuring plate (11), on which the support points (10) rest, wherein the force- or pressure-measuring plate (11) is divided into a multiplicity of sensor area portions, which each have at least one force or pressure sensor.

2. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force- or pressure-transfer means (8, 9) has a horizontal plate, at each of the outer corners of which a support point (10) is arranged.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force- or pressure-transfer means (8, 9) can be rigidly fastened at the lower bearing point of a wheel (12) fitted on a bicycle.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force- or pressure-measuring plate (11) and / or the force- or pressure-transfer means (8, 9) are adjustable in their inclination about one or two axes.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force- or pressure-measuring plate (11) and / or the force- or pressure-transfer means (8, 9) are exposed to acceleration pulses.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information obtained by the device concerning a bicycle and / or a rider can be transmitted as feedback to a trainer or to the rider, in particular by way of a display.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information obtained by the device concerning a bicycle and / or a rider can be used to generate an automatic adjustment of the seat position, handlebar position, the wheelbases and / or the frame dimensions.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a load generator / resistance generator in the form of a dynamo or an electrical or electronic brake is provided for taking up the pedalling forces.