Pedal force detection and transfer mechanism

Abstract

To provide an action force detection and transmission mechanism for pedal designed to sense an actual movement condition of a rider in a timely manner.SOLUTION: An action force detection module 30 is disposed in a first accommodating space 101. A rotation shaft 20 passes through a pedal body 10, and the surface thereof forms a plurality of annular accommodating areas 212 and a plurality of wire perforations. Transmission wires W2 pass through the plurality of wire perforations of the rotation shaft 20. An insulating bushing 60 is mounted on the rotation shaft 20, and the surface thereof forms a plurality of annular insulating areas 212. A plurality of electrically conductive rings 70 are respectively mounted on surfaces of the annular insulating areas 212, and a plurality of contact connections 50 abut against the plurality of electrically conductive rings 70, respectively. A signal wire W3 of the action force detection module 30 is connected to the plurality of contact connections 50 such that signals from the action force detection module 30 are transmitted outward through the contact connections 50, the electrically conductive rings 70 and transmission wires W2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal force detection and transmission mechanism, and more particularly to a pedal force detection and transmission mechanism that can be installed on the pedal of an electric power-assisted bicycle, which detects the force of the rider's foot, transmits it to a control module of the electric power-assisted bicycle, and provides power for assisted riding in real time. [Background technology]

[0002] An electric-assisted bicycle is a bicycle that uses electric power as an auxiliary power, mainly human power. In order to provide auxiliary power according to the rider's needs, a sensor is required as an information communication medium between the rider and the bicycle.

[0003] Current electric assist bicycles are equipped with two types of sensors: a speed sensor and a torque sensor. The disadvantage of a speed sensor is that it is difficult to judge the difference in pedal force caused by the change in the gradient of the slope. A torque sensor detects the torque generated by the rider's pedaling, i.e., the force of the foot, and provides an appropriate assist force.

[0004] However, current torque sensors are usually installed on the wheel axle or centrally located motor, and cannot sense the force applied by the rider's foot to the pedal in real time, preventing the electric assist bicycle from responding instantly to the rider's actual motion state. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a pedal action force detection and transmission mechanism that is integrated into the pedal, so that the rider's actual movement state can be sensed in more real time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, one technical solution adopted in the present invention is to provide a pedal applied force detection and transmission mechanism, which includes a pedal body, an applied force detection module, a rotating shaft, an insulating bushing, a plurality of conductive rings, and a plurality of contact connections. The pedal body includes a first accommodation space and a second accommodation space, and the second accommodation space is connected to the first accommodation space. The applied force detection module is installed in the first accommodation space. The rotating shaft penetrates the second accommodation space of the pedal body and accommodates a plurality of transfer wires in a hollow state, and a plurality of annular accommodation areas and a plurality of wire through holes are formed on the surface of the rotating shaft. The plurality of wire through holes respectively penetrate the plurality of annular accommodation areas and reach the inside of the rotating shaft. The plurality of transfer wires respectively pass through the plurality of wire through holes. The insulating bushing is mounted on the rotating shaft, and a plurality of annular insulating areas are formed on the surface of the insulating bushing, and the plurality of annular insulating areas respectively cover the corresponding plurality of annular accommodation areas. A plurality of conductive rings are respectively installed on the surface of the plurality of annular insulating areas, and a plurality of transfer wires are correspondingly connected to the respective conductive rings. The contact connection parts are disposed in the second receiving space and respectively contact the conductive rings, and the signal line of the applied force detection module extends from the first receiving space to the second receiving space and is connected to the contact connection parts, so that the signal of the applied force detection module is transmitted to the outside through the contact connection parts, the conductive rings and the transfer wire in order.

[0007] One of the advantageous effects of the present invention is that the pedal applied force detection and transmission mechanism provided by the present invention is configured such that a plurality of contacts are respectively abutted against a plurality of conductive rings, and the signal of the applied force detection module is transmitted to the outside through the contacts, conductive rings, and transfer wires in sequence, thereby improving the real-time detection and transmission function of the applied force of the electric bicycle. The present invention integrates the applied force detection and transmission mechanism into the pedal, and can sense the actual motion state of the rider in more real time.

[0008] In order to better understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention, which are merely illustrative of the present invention and do not limit the protection scope of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the overall pedal assembly of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another exploded view of the pedal assembly of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the overall pedal assembly of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial three-dimensional assembly diagram of the pedal assembly of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the overall pedal assembly of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a pedal force detection and transmission mechanism, or also referred to as a pedal assembly, which includes a pedal body 10, a rotating shaft 20, an applied force detection module 30, a number of contact connections 50, an insulating bushing 60, and a number of conductive rings 70.

[0011] The pedal body 10 includes a first storage space 101 and a second storage space 102. The second storage space 102 is connected to the first storage space 101. Specifically, the pedal body 10 has a rectangular frame shape and includes a partition 13, an inner plate 15, an outer plate 16, and a middle partition 17. The pedal body 10 also includes a pair of first covers 11 and a pair of second covers 12, where the pair of first covers 11 are placed over the first storage space 101, and the pair of second covers 12 are placed over the second storage space 102. The partition 13 is located between the inner plate 15 and the outer plate 16, and is located between the first storage space 101 and the second storage space 102. In other words, the partition 13 divides the internal space of the pedal body 10 into the first storage space 101 and the second storage space 102. The inner plate 15 defines a pair of assembly holes 150, and the partition 13 defines a communication hole 130. The rotating shaft 20 passes through the assembly holes 150 and the communication hole 130.

[0012] The applied force detection module 30 is installed in the first accommodation space 101, and the pedal body 10 of this embodiment is provided with two applied force detection modules 30. The first accommodation space 101 of the pedal body 10 is divided into two by a partition 17, and an applied force detection module 30 is disposed in each of the two spaces. In this embodiment, each applied force detection module 30 includes a pressure plate 31 and an applied force sensor 33. The pressure plate 31 receives an external force when stepped on, applies a force to the applied force sensor 33, and generates a signal. Specifically, the pressure plate 31 has a flexible pressure part 312, which abuts against the applied force sensor 33. Here, the applied force detection module 30 is a strain sensor, an electrostatic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor, and converts the force into a signal of different strength according to the magnitude of the force received. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0013] The rotating shaft 20 passes through the second storage space 102 of the pedal body 10. The rotating shaft 20 is hollow and accommodates a plurality of transfer wires W2. A plurality of annular storage areas 212 are formed on the surface of the rotating shaft 20, and many wire through holes 2120 are provided therein, and each of these wire through holes 2120 passes through each of the annular storage areas 212 to reach the inside of the rotating shaft 20. The transfer wires W2 pass through each of the wire through holes 2120.

[0014] Specifically, the rotating shaft 20 includes a detection shaft portion 21, a stop block 22, a crank connector 25, and a screw connector 23. The detection shaft portion 21 is located between the screw connector 23 and the stop block 22. The crank connector 25 is located on the outside of the stop block 22 and is used to connect to a crank 90 (see FIG. 5) of a bicycle by a screw. The screw connector 23 is located at one end of the detection shaft portion 21 and is used to rotatably install the rotating shaft 20 in the pedal body 10 by fitting it to a nut 27 (see FIG. 3). A bearing (not shown) may be installed to ensure that the rotating shaft 20 operates smoothly in the pedal body 10. A plurality of annular receiving areas 212 are formed in the detection shaft portion 21.

[0015] Specifically, one end of the transfer wire W2 comes out from the crank connector 25 of the rotating shaft 20, passes through the rear wheel axle 91 of the bicycle via the crank 90, and is connected to the control module of the electric bicycle. The other end of the transfer wire W2 passes through a plurality of wire through holes 2120.

[0016] The rotating shaft 20 is usually made of metal and is conductive. One of the features of this embodiment is the provision of an insulating bushing 60. The insulating bushing 60 is made of an insulating material and is in the form of a thin film. The shape of the insulating bushing 60 corresponds to the shape of the detection shaft portion 21. The insulating bushing 60 is placed on the rotating shaft 20, and a plurality of annular insulating areas 62 are formed on the surface of the insulating bushing 60, and these plurality of annular insulating areas 62 enclose the corresponding plurality of annular receiving areas 212.

[0017] A plurality of conductive rings 70 are respectively attached to the surfaces of the plurality of annular insulating areas 62, and a plurality of transfer wires W2 are correspondingly coupled to the respective conductive rings 70. For example, the conductive rings 70 may be soldered to the inside, or a core portion (not shown) of the transfer wire W2 is wound on the surface of the annular insulating area 62, and the core portion is surrounded by the conductive rings 70 to realize an electrical connection.

[0018] The contacts 50 are disposed in the second receiving space 102, and each of the contacts 50 contacts a corresponding one of the conductive rings 70. The contacts 50 are preferably made of a highly elastic and wear-resistant metal, and function like a conductive brush. In this embodiment, the contacts 50 and the conductive rings 70 are in constant contact with each other, so that the transfer wire W2 is not affected or twisted during the rotation of the pedal assembly relative to the crank.

[0019] This embodiment provides elastic support for the contact connections 50 to be surely in contact with the conductive rings 70. This embodiment also includes an elastic support unit 80, which has a plurality of support plates 83, preferably made of an elastic insulating material, such as plastic. The support plates 83 are installed on the second cover 12, and the contact connections 50 are installed on the respective support plates 83.

[0020] Specifically, a plurality of support plates 83 are arranged in pairs and spaced apart on the bottom plate 81, which is fixed to the second cover 12. The outer shape of the support plates 83 is aligned with the outer shape of the contact-connection part 50. Each support plate 83 has an inclined surface 831 and an arc-shaped concave surface 832. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the elastic support unit 80 may be integrally molded. That is, two opposing supports are formed, and the outer inclined surfaces of the supports have a plurality of concave inclined surfaces, each of which is used to accommodate the extending fixing part 51 of the contact-connection part 50.

[0021] The contact connection part 50 includes a frictional contact part 52 and a pair of extended fixing parts 51. The frictional contact part 52 is approximately semicircular, and the pair of extended fixing parts 51 are respectively connected to both ends of the frictional contact part 52. Each extended fixing part 51 abuts against an inclined surface 831 of the support plate 83, and the frictional contact part 52 abuts against an arc-shaped concave curved surface 832 of the support plate 83.

[0022] However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the contact connection portion may be a carbon brush of a motor, and a compression spring may be used to elastically and persistently abut the conductive ring 70.

[0023] Through the above-mentioned structural arrangement, the present invention has a signal line W3 of the force detection module 30 extending from the first accommodating space 101 to the second accommodating space 102 and connected to multiple contact connection parts 50, so that the signal of the force detection module is sequentially transmitted to the outside through the contact connection parts, the conductive ring 70, and the transfer wire W2.

[0024] As a supplementary explanation, although two sets of applied force detection modules 30 and two sets of contact connection parts 50 are installed in the embodiment of the present invention, the number may be one set. For example, when applied to a strap-type pedal or a cartridge-type pedal. Furthermore, the number of conductive rings in this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be three or more. In addition, a similar structure of the contact connection part and the elastic support unit described in this proposal can also be applied to the rear wheel axle of a bicycle.

[0025] The pedal applied force detection and transmission mechanism of this embodiment may also include an illumination element 18, for example an LED light panel. The illumination element 18 is installed on the side of the pedal body 10. Through the wiring method of this embodiment, the power line (not shown) of the illumination element 18 passes through the second accommodating space 102 in the manner of the signal line W3 of the applied force detection module 30, contacts the contact connection part 50, and is electrically connected to the conductive ring 70, so as to obtain continuous power from the transfer wire W2.

[0026] [Advantageous effects of the present invention] One of the advantageous effects of the present invention is that the pedal applied force detection and transmission mechanism provided by the present invention uses a structural arrangement in which a plurality of contacts are respectively abutted against a plurality of conductive rings, and transmits the signal of the applied force detection module to the outside in an orderly manner through the contacts, the conductive rings, and the transfer wires, thereby improving the real-time detection and transmission function of the applied force of the electric bicycle. The present invention integrates the applied force detection and transmission mechanism into the pedal, and can sense the actual motion state of the rider in more real time.

[0027] The above disclosure is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the claims of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical modifications made based on the contents of the specification and accompanying drawings of the present invention shall be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 10 Pedal body 101 First Storage Space 102 Second Storage Space 11 First Cover 12 Second Cover 13 Partition 130 Communication hole 15 Inner plate 150 Assembly hole 16 Outer Plate 17 Partition 18 Lighting elements 20 Rotational Axis 21 Detection axis 212 Circular Containment Area 2120 Wire Through Hole 22 Stop Block 23 Screw Connector 25 Crank connector 27 Nut W2 Transfer Wire 30 Force detection module 31 Pressure Plate 312 Flexible Pressure Section 33 Force Sensor W3 signal line 50 Contact connection part 51 Extension fixation part 52 Frictional contact area 60 Insulating bushing 62 Circular Insulated Area 70 Conductive Ring 80 Elastic support unit 81 Base Plate 83 Support Plate 831 Slope 832 Arc-shaped concave curved surface 90 Crank 91 Rear wheel axle

Claims

1. a pedal body including a first storage space, a second storage space communicating with the first storage space, a pair of first covers disposed in the first storage space, and a pair of second covers disposed in the second storage space; an action force detection module installed in the first accommodation space; a rotating shaft that passes through the second accommodating space of the pedal body and accommodates a plurality of transfer wires in a hollow state, and has a plurality of annular accommodating areas and a plurality of wire through holes formed in a concave shape on a surface thereof, the plurality of wire through holes each pass through the plurality of annular accommodating areas to reach an interior of the rotating shaft, and the plurality of transfer wires each pass through the plurality of wire through holes; an insulating bushing, the insulating bushing being attached to the rotating shaft and having a plurality of annular insulating areas formed in a concave shape on a surface thereof, the annular insulating areas respectively covering the plurality of annular receiving areas relative to each other; a plurality of conductive rings respectively mounted on the surfaces of the plurality of annular insulating areas and correspondingly coupled to the plurality of transfer wires; a plurality of contact connection parts disposed in the second receiving space and abutting the plurality of conductive rings, respectively; Equipped with A signal line of the applied force detection module extends from the first accommodation space to the second accommodation space and is connected to the plurality of contact connection parts, so that a signal of the applied force detection module is transmitted to the outside through the contact connection parts, the conductive ring, and the transfer wire in sequence. A pedal action force detection and transmission mechanism characterized by the above.

2. Further comprising an elastic support unit, 2. The pedal action force detection and transmission mechanism of claim 1, wherein the elastic support unit has a plurality of support plates, the plurality of support plates are arranged on the second cover, the plurality of contact connection parts are respectively installed on the plurality of support plates, the plurality of support plates are arranged in pairs on a base plate spaced apart from each other, the base plate is fixed to the second cover, each support plate has an inclined surface and an arc-shaped concave curved surface, the contact connection parts include a friction contact part and a pair of extended fixing parts, the pair of extended fixing parts are respectively connected to both ends of the friction contact part, each extended fixing part abuts the inclined surface of each support plate, and the friction contact part abuts the arc-shaped concave curved surface.

3. 2. The pedal action force detection and transmission mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft includes a detection shaft portion, a stop block, a crank connector, and a screw connector, the detection shaft portion is located between the screw connector and the stop block, the crank connector is located outside the stop block, the screw connector is located at one end of the detection shaft portion, the multiple annular accommodating areas are formed on the detection shaft portion, and the shape of the insulating bushing corresponds to the shape of the detection shaft portion.

4. 2. The pedal action force detection and transmission mechanism of claim 1, wherein the pedal body includes an inner plate, a partition, and an outer plate, the partition is located between the inner plate and the outer plate and between the first accommodating space and the second accommodating space, the inner plate forms an assembly hole, the partition forms a communication hole, and the rotation shaft passes through the assembly hole and the communication hole.

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