Continuously variable transmission system

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission system is provided for a vehicle, in particular a bicycle, to assist a user in defining and controlling the speed ratios of a continuously variable transmission. A user can define one or more speed ratios in a profile that the user can select again for subsequent trips. The user can select the profile and have familiarity and knowledge of the cadence and effort associated with the speed ratios of the profile. The user can select among multiple profiles to change operation of the continuously variable transmission without changing any components of the transmission. The user may also select among modes of operation, which include a stepless shift mode, a manual shift mode, an automatic shift mode, a learning mode, and / or a map mode.

Description

[0001] CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 540,304 filed September 25, 2023, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The disclosure relates to a continuously variable transmission system, in particular for a bicycle, where the transmission can operate according to predefinable and / or controllable speed ratios.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Continuously variable transmissions are used in cars, snow mobiles, and other vehicles to provide a potentially infinite number of speed ratios, or mechanical advantage, between an engine and a tire or track that causes the vehicle to move. In one example, the continuously variable transmission can allow the engine to operate at a constant speed measured in revolutions per minute while the tire or track, and thus the vehicle, moves at varying speeds and with varying torques as needed. There are many types of continuously variable transmissions including toroidal, ratcheting, hydrostatic / hydraulic, cone, and epicyclic. The most common type of continuously variable transmission is a pulley type where a belt is positioned between two pulleys with variable diameters. One pulley corresponds to the input of the transmission, and the other pulley corresponds to the output. As the pulleys change diameters, the belt rides higher on one pulley and lower on the other pulley, which changes the speed ratio, or mechanical advantage, between the pulleys and therefore between the input and output of the transmission. Since the pulleys have a potentially infinite range of diameters and the belt has a potentially infinite number of positions on the pulleys, the transmission has a potentially infinite number of speed ratios.

[0008] A continuously variable transmission incorporated in a bicycle provides similar benefits over a conventional transmission with sprockets and chains. For instance, the continuously variable transmission can establish a potentially infinite number of speed ratios between the pedaling effort of a user and the output speed and torque of the rear wheel. A speed ratio is selected that is suitable for the particular terrain, riding conditions, or any other consideration. This is compared to a finite number of gear ratios for a conventional transmission in a bicycle, typically between 3 and 21 gear ratios, where the user selects the desired gear ratio from the finite options. However, the user may not be able to select the precise suitable gear ratio among the finite options, e.g., a gear ratio of 3.5 or 4.7.

[0009] A conventional transmission has characteristics that some users may find desirable and are not available in a continuously variable transmission. For example, a conventional transmission has gear ratios that are predefined and familiar to a user. Thus, a user can begin riding a bicycle, quickly select a gear ratio, and pedal with knowledge of the torque and cadence associated with the selected gear ratio. This is typically not available in a continuously variable transmission.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is an object of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a continuously variable transmission system for a bicycle where a user can define a specific speed ratio that is stored and retrieved for use during subsequent trips. Thus, a user can begin riding a bicycle, quickly select a predefined speed ratio, and pedal with knowledge of the torque and cadence associated with the selected speed ratio. With definable and / or controllable speed ratios of a continuously variable transmission, a user can customize the riding characteristics of the bicycle without changing any hardware such as cassettes, gears, or sprockets associated with a conventional transmission.

[0012] It is an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a continuously variable transmission system with a continuously variable transmission, a controller unit that directs the transmission to change or hold a particular speed ratio, and / or other components. In some embodiments, the system comprises an input device that a user can engage to send inputs to the controller unit to define a speed ratio, select a speed ratio, select a mode of operation, etc. The system may also comprise a shift device that a user can engage to send an input to the controller unit to cause the transmission to change speed ratios. In various embodiments, the shift device is a lever like a conventional bicycle shifter where different physical positions of the lever correspond to different speed ratios. Alternatively, the shift device can be a portion of the handle that rotates, a button on the handlebar, or displayed on a screen. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the system may comprise some, all, or other combinations of these and / or components described herein. It is an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a continuously variable transmission system where a user engages an input device to define at least one speed ratio in a profile that is stored on the controller unit for subsequent use. In some embodiments, the input device has a screen with a user interface that serves as a display and has at least one button to interact with the input device, and the user defines the speed ratio(s) using the at least one button. The screen may be an LED, LCD, plasma, or other type of screen. In another embodiment, the input device is a touchscreen where the user contacts the touchscreen to interact with the input device and define the speed ratio(s). The input device can be any device that transmits user inputs to a controller unit of the system.

[0013] Speed ratios among many other parameters may be stored in a profile for subsequent use. The profile is a dataset of values for various parameters as described herein. At a minimum, a user can define a single speed ratio in a profile such that the transmission and bicycle operate like a single speed bicycle, or “fixie.” In other embodiments, the user defines multiple speed ratios in a profile where the user can select any number of speed ratios as well as the specific speed ratios themselves. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, a user can define ten speed ratios where the differences between the first few speed ratios are relatively small, and then the difference between the ninth and tenth speed ratios is larger than the difference between any other speed ratios. In another embodiment, a user defines ten speed ratios where the differences between adjacent speed ratios are equal. Or a user can define ten speed ratios and pick each speed ratio such that they are all different and the difference between two adjacent speed ratios is different for all selected speed ratios. A user may save a profile for work, a profile for exercise, a profile for inclement weather, a profile for hilly terrain, etc.

[0014] A profile can be recalled for use with different modes of operation. For example, a user may select a manual shift mode and then select a specific and predefined profile to use with the manual shift mode. Moreover, it will be appreciated that a user can define any number of parameters within the profile. For example, the user can define the rate at which the continuously variable transmission changes between speed ratios. A user can select a quick rate where the speed ratios change quickly, which may be more suitable for racing or competitive circumstances. Alternatively, the user can select a slower rate where the speed ratios change slower, which may be more comfortable for casual circumstances. Further still, the user may define the thresholds or conditions at which the controller unit takes automatic action such as upshifting and downshifting through speed ratios or a range of speed ratios of a profile. The system can also automatically set some or all aspects of a profile. In some embodiments, a user can select a desired number of speed ratios, and optionally a maximum and minimum speed ratio, and then the system, in particular the controller unit, automatically sets the speed ratios. The system can set the speed ratios evenly between a maximum speed ratio and a minimum speed ratio, which can be defined by a user or otherwise predefined.

[0015] It is an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a continuously variable transmission system with a stepless shift mode. In this mode, a user changes the speed ratio of the transmission among an infinite number of speed ratios in a stepless and continuous manner. The user can engage the shift device to send an input to the controller unit to vary the speed ratio to any speed ratio between a minimum speed ratio and a maximum speed ratio. The minimum and maximum speed ratios may be predefined at the functional limits of the continuously variable transmission or at points therebetween. In other embodiments, the user can define the minimum and maximum speed ratios of the stepless shift mode using an input device. Then, when the user selects the stepless shift mode during a subsequent trip, the minimum and maximum speed ratios are already previously defined by the user. In yet another embodiment, a user can define first minimum and maximum speed ratios in a first profile, second minimum and maximum speed ratios in a second profile, etc., and then select among multiple profiles after selecting the stepless shift mode. It will be appreciated that a user can control other aspects of the system including, for instance, the speed at which engaging the shift device varies the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission.

[0016] It is a further aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a continuously variable transmission system with a manual shift mode. In operation, a user can select the manual shift mode, then select one profile among several profiles and begin riding the bicycle with knowledge of the speed ratio or ratios within the selected profile. The user can then, for example, manually shift between predetermined speed ratios using a shift device.

[0017] It is another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a continuously variable transmission system with an automatic shift mode. Here, the user can select this mode and then select among multiple profiles that were predefined by the user or otherwise. These profiles can contain one or more speed ratios and other characteristics as described herein. During operation and with a profile selected, the controller unit receives one or more inputs to determine when to automatically shift among speed ratios. In one example, the controller unit receives an input from a torque sensor indicating that the user is exerting a large amount of effort at the current speed ratio. With the torque input above a threshold value, the controller unit automatically causes the continuously variable transmission to change the speed ratio to another predetermined speed ratio in the selected profile. As described herein, the controller unit may also incorporate inputs from cadence sensors, consider time above or below a threshold, and / or other variables when determining when to automatically shift among speed ratios. In this mode, the user may also manually override the automatic shifting by engaging, for instance, a shift device to manually change the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission.

[0018] In some embodiments, the system can automatically cause other actions such as changing a speed ratio or other aspect of a profile based on an input from a sensor. In one example, the input device is a moisture sensor that can detect if it is raining outside. When a user selects a profile for controlling the transmission, the controller unit can receive an input from the moisture sensor, and determine that a moisture value is above a threshold and that it is likely raining outside. Based on this, the controller unit changes at least one parameter of the profile such as a speed ratio to reduce torque at the wheel and slipping in the rain, to limit the overall speed of the bicycle to prevent slipping at high speeds, etc.

[0019] It is an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a continuously variable transmission system with a learning mode. In one example, when a user selects this mode, the user can go on a test ride to generate trip data. Geographic data such as trip length, elevation gain, etc. can be derived from this test data. Then, based on the geographic data, the system can automatically generate a profile with at least one speed ratio. In various embodiments, a larger elevation gain is associated with the need for a greater number of speed ratios, and thus, the system generates a profile with more speed ratios. For example, the user can cause the system to automatically set a profile for work, a profile for exercise, a profile for inclement weather, a profile for hilly terrain, etc., all using the learning mode and test rides.

[0020] It will be appreciated that the learning mode can be used in conjunction with other modes of operation, and the various modes of operation described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In one example, in the automatic shift mode, the controller unit collects data on the manual override inputs from the user. If the controller unit causes the transmission to downshift to another speed ratio when an input torque is above a threshold value, but the user manually overrides this change to shift back to the previous speed ratio, the system and controller unit can automatically increase the torque threshold to downshift to the next speed ratio.

[0021] It is a further aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a continuously variable transmission system with a map mode. Here, a user selects the map mode, and the controller unit can automatically create a profile based on geographic data derived from map data. For example, the system may comprise a transceiver to receive Global Positioning System (GPS) data, and based on the local terrain the controller unit creates a profile. The system may account for the variability in elevation within a predetermined radius to set the number of speed ratios in the profile. With a large variation, for instance, in the mountains, the system may set a greater number of speed ratios compared to flatter terrain. It will be appreciated that the system may include a port through which the controller or other processor can receive map data.

[0022] A first aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a system for transmitting power in a bicycle, comprising a continuously variable transmission configured to translate power from a user to a wheel of the bicycle and configured to operate at any speed ratio within a range of speed ratios; a controller unit in operable communication with the continuously variable transmission; and an input device in operable communication with the controller unit, wherein the input device is configured to relay a speed ratio input from the user to the controller unit; wherein, based on the speed ratio input, the controller unit is configured to set a speed ratio of a profile that is stored in a storage device of the controller unit; wherein the controller unit is configured to cause the continuously variable transmission to operate at the speed ratio of the profile.

[0023] The system of the first aspect may include, optionally, that the input device is configured to relay a second speed ratio input from the user to the controller unit, and wherein, based on the second speed ratio input, the controller unit is configured to set a second speed ratio of the profile.

[0024] The system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that based on a speed ratio selection, the controller unit is configured to cause the continuously variable transmission to shift from the speed ratio to the second speed ratio of the profile. The system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that one of the input device or a shift device is configured to relay the speed ratio selection from the user to the controller unit.

[0025] The system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the profile is one of a plurality of profiles that are stored on the storage device of the controller unit, wherein the input device is configured to relay a profile selection from the user to the controller unit to select one of the plurality of profiles for operation of the continuously variable transmission.

[0026] The system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, a sensor configured to transmit a sensor input to the controller unit, wherein, based on the sensor input, the controller unit is configured to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change from the speed ratio to a second speed ratio.

[0027] The system of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, a transceiver in operable communication with a network and with the controller unit, wherein the transceiver is configured to relay a second profile from the network to the controller unit.

[0028] A second aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a system for transmitting power in a bicycle, comprising a continuously variable transmission configured to translate power from a user to a wheel of the bicycle and configured to operate at any speed ratio within a range of speed ratios; a controller unit in operable communication with the continuously variable transmission; and a sensor configured to transmit a sensor input to the controller unit; wherein, based on the sensor input, the controller unit is configured to cause the continuously variable transmission to automatically shift from a first speed ratio to a second speed ratio.

[0029] The system of the second aspect may include, optionally, that the sensor is a cadence sensor, and the sensor input corresponds to a rotation rate of a crank of the bicycle caused by pedaling of the user.

[0030] The system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the sensor is a torque sensor, and the sensor input corresponds to a torque applied to a crank of the bicycle caused by pedaling of the user.

[0031] The system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the controller unit is configured to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change operation from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio when the sensor input exceeds a threshold value.

[0032] The system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the controller unit is configured to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio when the sensor input falls below a threshold value.

[0033] The system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that based on a shift command from the user, the controller unit causes the continuously variable transmission to change from the second speed ratio to the first speed ratio in a manual override of the automatic shift from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio.

[0034] The system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that based on the manual override, the controller unit changes a threshold value at which the sensor input exceeds or falls below to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change operation from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio.

[0035] The system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, an input device in operable communication with the controller unit, wherein the input device is configured to relay a threshold value input from the user to the controller unit to set a threshold value at which the sensor input exceeds or falls below to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change operation from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio, wherein the threshold value is set for a profile that is stored in a storage device of the controller unit.

[0036] A third aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a system for transmitting power in a bicycle, comprising a continuously variable transmission configured to translate power from a user to a wheel of the bicycle and configured to operate at any speed ratio within a range of speed ratios; and a controller unit in operable communication with the continuously variable transmission, wherein the controller unit is configured to receive geographic data; wherein, based on the geographic data, the controller unit is configured to automatically set a number of speed ratios and a value of each speed ratio in a profile; wherein the controller unit is configured to cause the continuously variable transmission to operate at a speed ratio of the profile. The system of the third aspect may include, optionally, an input device in operable communication with the controller unit, wherein the input device is configured to relay a mode selection input from the user to the controller unit, wherein, based on the mode selection input, the controller unit is configured to record trip data in a learning mode, and the geographic data is derived from the trip data.

[0037] The system of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the geographic data derived from the trip data comprises at least one of an elevation gain value or a trip length value.

[0038] The system of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, a transceiver in operable communication with a network and with the controller unit, wherein the transceiver is configured to relay map data from the network to the controller unit, and the geographic data is derived from the map data.

[0039] The system of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, that the geographic data derived from the map data comprises an elevation delta value, which is a difference between a minimum elevation and a maximum elevation in a geographic area.

[0040] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and / or", as used herein, are open- ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and / or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

[0041] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about."

[0042] The term "a" or "an" entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein.

[0043] The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein. The use of “engaged with” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass any direct or indirect connections between components.

[0044] It shall be understood that the term "means" as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term "means" shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

[0045] These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, references made herein to "the present invention", or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention / disclosure and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.

[0046] It is to be appreciated that any feature or aspect described herein can be claimed in combination with any other feature(s) or aspect(s) as described herein, regardless of whether the features or aspects come from the same described embodiment.

[0047] Any one or more aspects described herein can be combined with any other one or more aspects described herein. Any one or more features described herein can be combined with any other one or more features described herein. Any one or more embodiments described herein can be combined with any other one or more embodiments described herein.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different alternative embodiments. This description is made for illustrating the general principles of the teachings of this disclosure and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

[0050] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0051] Fig. 1 A is a diagram of an embodiment of the continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Fig. IB is a diagram of another embodiment of the continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] Fig. 1C is a diagram of a further embodiment of the continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] Fig. ID is a diagram of another embodiment of the continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] Fig. 2 is a diagram of a controller unit of a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] Fig. 3 A is a flowchart for setting a profile for use with a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0057] Fig. 3B is another flowchart for setting a profile for use with a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0058] Fig. 4 is a flowchart for a stepless shift mode of operation for a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0059] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for a manual shift mode of operation for a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0060] Fig. 6A is a flowchart for an automatic shift mode of operation for a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0061] Fig. 6B is another flowchart for an automatic shift mode of operation for a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0062] Fig. 7 is a flowchart for a learning mode of operation for a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0063] Fig. 8 is another flowchart for a learning mode of operation for a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 9 is a flowchart for a map mode of operation for a continuously variable transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and various dimensions may be altered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

[0065] 2 System

[0066] 4 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

[0067] 6 Controller Unit

[0068] 8 Input Device

[0069] 10 Shift Device

[0070] 12 Sensor Input

[0071] 14 Transceiver

[0072] 16 Network

[0073] 17 Motor

[0074] 18 Storage Device

[0075] 20 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

[0076] 22 Computer Readable Storage Media Reader

[0077] 24 Working Memory

[0078] 26 Program (Code)

[0079] 28 Setting Profile

[0080] 29 Set Min / Max Speed Ratio

[0081] 30 Set Number of Speed Ratios

[0082] 32 Set Values of Speed Ratios

[0083] 34 Set Other Values

[0084] 36 Save Numbers and Values

[0085] 38 Select Profile

[0086] 40 Setting Profile

[0087] 41 Setting Min / Max Speed Ratio

[0088] 42 Set Number of Speed Ratios

[0089] 44 Automatically Set Values of Speed Ratios

[0090] 46 Save Numbers and Values 48 Select Profile

[0091] 50 Stepless Shift Mode

[0092] 52 Select Mode

[0093] 54 Select Profile

[0094] 56 Upshift

[0095] 58 Downshift

[0096] 60 Manual Shift Mode

[0097] 62 Select Mode

[0098] 64 Select Profile

[0099] 66 Upshift

[0100] 68 Downshift

[0101] 70 Automatic Shift Mode

[0102] 71 Automatic Shift Mode

[0103] 72 Select Mode

[0104] 74 Select Profile

[0105] 75 Check Assist Threshold

[0106] 76 Check Upper Threshold

[0107] 77 Motor Assist

[0108] 78 Upshift

[0109] 80 Check Uower Threshold

[0110] 82 Downshift

[0111] 84 Learning Mode

[0112] 86 Select Mode

[0113] 88 Receive Manual Override

[0114] 90 Change Shift Threshold

[0115] 92 Learning Mode

[0116] 94 Select Mode

[0117] 96 Collect Trip Data

[0118] 98 Automatically Set Profile

[0119] 100 Map Mode

[0120] 102 Select Mode

[0121] 104 Collect Map Data

[0122] 106 Automatically Set Profile DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0123] Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this disclosure. The Detailed Description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment of the transmission would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. Additionally, any combination of features shown in the various figures can be used to create additional embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, dimensions, aspects, and features of one embodiment of the transmission can be combined with dimensions, aspects, and features of another embodiment of the transmission to create the claimed embodiment.

[0124] Figs. 1 A-1D show various embodiments of the continuously variable transmission system 2 that have different combinations of components. Fig. 1 A shows a system 2 that has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 4, a controller unit 6 that is in operable communication with the continuously variable transmission 4, an input device 8 that is in operable communication with the controller unit 6, and a shift device 10 that is in operable communication with the controller unit 6. The operable communication between the components of the system 2 can be any wired or wireless connection. In general, the controller unit 6 receives inputs from the devices 8, 10, and in turn, causes the continuously variable transmission 4 to operate in a particular way, like operate at a speed ratio. The shift device 10 can communicate with the input device 8 in some embodiments.

[0125] The continuously variable transmission 4 can be any transmission that can operate at a potentially infinite number of speed ratios, or mechanical advantage, between an input and an output. In the context of a vehicle such as a bicycle, the user provides power to the input of the continuously variable transmission 4 by pedaling a crank. The output of the continuously variable transmission 4 turns a rear wheel of the bicycle via, for instance, a chain and sprocket. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure encompass a variety of applications such as vehicles besides a bicycle.

[0126] The controller unit 6 can receive inputs from the user, sensors, and other sources. Then, based on these inputs, the controller unit 6 causes the continuously variable transmission 4 to operate at a particular speed ratio, change between speed ratios, change speed ratios at a particular rate, or vary any other parameters of operation of the continuously variable transmission 4. In the example of a pulley type of continuously variable transmission 4, the controller unit 6 can cause the aforementioned actions by actuating a linear motor, hydraulic system, pneumatic system, etc., to change the distance between sheaves of a pulley. This change causes a belt to ride higher on one pulley and lower on another pulley, which changes the speed ratio and mechanical advantage of the continuously variable transmission 4. Thus, the control of this distance between sheaves of a pulley controls the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission 4.

[0127] The input device 8 allows a user to provide inputs to the controller unit 6. As described herein, the system 2 has different modes of operation and speed ratios can be stored in profiles. Accordingly, a user can engage the input device 8 to provide inputs to the controller unit 6 to set the speed ratios for a profile, select among profiles, and select among modes of operation. In some embodiments, the input device 8 has a button, touchscreen, or other interface that a user can engage to provide inputs to the controller unit 6.

[0128] The system 2 may also include a shift device 10. Once the user has set and selected any modes, profiles, speed ratios, etc., the user begins riding the bicycle. It may be difficult for the user to engage buttons or a touchscreen of the input device 8 while the bicycle is in motion. Thus, a user can optionally engage a shift device 10 to send an input to the controller unit 6 to shift between speed ratios while the bicycle is in motion. In various embodiments, the shift device 10 is a traditional bicycle shifter such as a lever or other component where different physical positions of a lever or other component are associated with different speed ratios of the continuously variable transmission 4. In one embodiment, the shift device 10 comprises a Hall sensor that detects the position of a lever or other component and transmits an input to the controller unit 6. Then, based on the input, the controller unit 6 can cause the continuously variable transmission 4 to operate at a particular (e.g., predetermined) speed ratio.

[0129] Fig. IB shows another embodiment of the system 2 that has a continuously variable transmission 4, a controller unit 6, and a shift device 10 but no input device (8 in Fig. 1 A). Accordingly, this system 2 may be used for a stepless shift mode of operation. As described with respect to Fig. 4, the user may select a stepless shift mode or the system 2 may operate only in a stepless shift mode. In this mode, the user can engage the shift device 10 to continuously change the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission 4. This continuous change is in a stepless manner where there are no predefined speed ratios, or “steps,” when operating the system 2. For example, the shift device 10 may comprise two buttons, one for upshifting and one for downshifting, and the user can engage the buttons to scroll through a range of speed ratios. The user can hold the upshift button to begin scrolling through the speed ratios toward a greater speed, lower torque speed ratio. When the user releases the upshift button, the system 2 will cause the continuously variable transmission 4 to operate at the selected speed ratio. Similarly, the user can hold the downshift button to begin scrolling through the speed ratios in the opposing direction toward a lower speed, higher torque speed ratio. When the user releases the downshift button, the system 2 will cause the continuously variable transmission 4 to operate at the selected speed ratio. In other embodiments, the shift device 10 comprises a wheel where rotation of the wheel in one direction scrolls through speed ratios toward a greater speed, lower torque speed ratio, and rotation of the wheel in an opposing direction scrolls through speed ratios toward a lower speed, higher torque speed ratio.

[0130] In various embodiments, the speed ratios can be established by the shift device 10 rather than by the controller unit 6. Thus, even in a stepless shift mode, the system 2 can operate with predefined speed ratios. Here, the physical position of a lever or other component in the shift device 10 corresponds to the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission 4, and the shift device 10 can have a feature that holds or urges this lever into predefined positions that correspond to predefined speed ratios. For example, a spring-loaded detent can drive into the outer surface of the lever, which has a depression in the outer surface. When the user moves the lever such that the spring-loaded detent drives into the depression, this action holds or urges the lever in a particular position. Thus, the shift device 10 transmits this input to the controller unit 6, which causes the continuously variable transmission 4 to operate at a particular speed ratio. The lever can have a plurality of depressions corresponding to a plurality of speed ratios, and a user can swap out the lever or the shift device 10 to establish a different set of speed ratios.

[0131] Fig. 1C shows a further embodiment of the system 2 that has a continuously variable transmission 4, a controller unit 6, and an input device 8 but no shift device (10 in Fig. 1 A). The user may engage the input device 8 to define speed ratios in a profile among other actions described herein. The user may also select an automatic shift mode of operation for the bicycle and the system 2 where the system 2 can automatically change speed ratios without input from the user and without input from a shift device. Fig. ID shows an embodiment of the system 2 that has several components including a sensor 12 that is in operable communication with the controller unit 6. The sensor 12 can provide information to the controller unit 6 in the form of a sensor input. Based on this sensor input, the controller unit 6 can automatically cause the continuously variable transmission 4 to change speed ratios, as described with respect to Fig. 6A. For example, the sensor 12 may be a cadence sensor that detects the rate at which the user turns the crank of the bicycle. If the rate becomes too fast, this may indicate that the user does not have much resistance to pedaling and could benefit from a different speed ratio that would increase the speed of the bicycle. Thus, if the cadence detected by the sensor 12 exceeds a threshold value, the controller unit 6 automatically causes the continuously variable transmission 4 to upshift to another speed ratio for a higher speed, lower torque output to the wheel of the bicycle. Note that in any embodiment herein, the shift device 10 can be a part of / combined with the input device 8.

[0132] Similarly, the sensor 12 can be a torque sensor that measures the torque that a user applies to the crank of a bicycle. If the torque becomes too low, this may indicate that the user does not have much resistance to pedaling and could benefit from a different speed ratio that would increase the speed of the bicycle. Thus, if torque detected by the sensor 12 falls below a threshold value, the controller unit 6 automatically causes the continuously variable transmission 4 to upshift to another speed ratio for a higher speed, lower torque output to the wheel of the bicycle.

[0133] Other examples of sensors include, but are not limited to, a heart rate sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an orientation sensor (e.g., gyroscope), a wind speed sensor, a wind direction sensor, a moisture sensor, and a temperature sensor. The controller unit 6 can also consider inputs that may be determined by a sensor or otherwise, such as the current speed ratio of the transmission, a motor assist level associated with an electronic bicycle, battery state of charge, etc. The controller unit 6 can then use these inputs to determine the position and orientation of the bicycle, the weather, etc. as considerations for causing any action at the continuously variable transmission 4. In one example, the controller unit 6 can determine that the orientation of the bicycle, specifically the pitch, is angled uphill by a value that is above a predetermined threshold. Based on this information, the controller unit 6 can cause the continuously variable transmission 4 to downshift. Conversely, when the bicycle is oriented downhill, the controller unit 6 can cause the continuously variable transmission 4 to upshift.

[0134] The system 2 may also include a transceiver 14 that can exchange information with a network 16 such as the Internet. The transceiver 14 can relay information such as further inputs to the controller unit 6. For example, a user can download profiles, modes of operation, map data, geographic data, and other information from the network 16 via the transceiver 14 to the controller unit 6. In some embodiments, the user can transmit information from the controller unit 6 to the network 16 via the transceiver 14. This can be useful when the user desires to store a profile, a mode of operation, map data, trip data, geographic data, or other information at a remote location or share data with friends.

[0135] The system 2 may include a motor 17 in operable connection with a wheel of a bicycle. Electronic bikes or “e-bikes” are vehicles that incorporate a motor 17 to assist a user’s effort, for instance, when the user is traveling uphill, over long distances, or is otherwise exerting a high amount of effort. In the present disclosure, the controller unit 6 may direct the motor 17 to assist a user as an alternative to, or in combination with, causing the continuously variable transmission 4 to shift speed ratios. As described with respect to Fig. 6B, the controller unit 6 can cause the motor 17 to assist a user rather than shift speed ratios, under some conditions.

[0136] Fig. 2 shows a diagram of a controller unit 6 in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure where actions, input, outputs (for example, for output from the controller unit to the continuously variable transmission), and processes described herein can be executed. The controller unit 6 can have one or more components in operable communication with each other via a bus or other components. Here, the controller unit 6 has a storage device 18, a central processing unit (CPU) 20 for performing computational functions, a computer-readable storage media reader 22, and a working memory 24.

[0137] By way of example, the storage device(s) 18 may be a storage medium such as disk drives, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices such as a Random-Access Memory (RAM) and / or a Read-Only Memory (ROM), which can be programmable, flash- updateable and / or the like. The working memory 24 may be a storage medium such RAM and ROM devices as described above. As disclosed herein, the term “storage medium” may represent one or more devices for storing data, including ROM, RAM, magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and / or other machine-readable mediums for storing information. The computer-readable storage media reader 22 can further be connected to a computer-readable storage medium, together (and, optionally, in combination with storage device(s) 18) comprehensively representing remote, local, fixed, and / or removable storage devices plus storage media for temporarily and / or more permanently containing computer- readable information. A communications system or transceiver (14 in Fig. ID) may permit data to be exchanged with a network (16 in Fig. ID) and / or any other computer described above with respect to the computer environments described herein.

[0138] The controller unit 6 may also comprise software elements, shown as being currently located within a working memory 24, including a program 26 such as an operating system or other code. It should be appreciated that alternate embodiments of a controller unit 6 may have numerous variations from that described above. For example, customized hardware might also be used and / or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets), or both. Further, connection to other computing devices such as network input / output devices may be employed. Moreover, some or all of the components shown in Fig. 2 may be part of the input device (8 in Fig. ID) in some embodiments. In yet further embodiments, the controller unit 6 and the input device 8 may be the same physical device.

[0139] Figs. 3 A and 3B show flowcharts (methods) 28, 40 for setting up a profile of one or more speed ratios, which can be saved and recalled for subsequent trips. Fig. 3 A shows one embodiment of a method 28 for setting up a profile where a user can engage an input device (8 in Fig. ID) to set up the profile. An optional step anywhere in the method is the user defining 29 a maximum and / or minimum speed ratio. The user inputs 30 the number of speed ratios, and then sets 32 a value for each speed ratio. In some embodiments, the user selects the exact speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission (4 in Fig. ID) and assigns different values to different speed ratios of the profile. In other embodiments, the user selects a value which then corresponds to a speed ratio. Not all potential users may understand the exact value of a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission. Thus, in these embodiments, the user may enter “1” for the “lowest” gear, or speed ratio that provides the most torque and mechanical advantage, “10” for the “highest” gear, or speed ratio that provides the most speed, or anything therebetween.

[0140] The user can also customize other aspects of the operation of the continuously variable transmission. In Fig. 3 A, the user can set 34 the rate at which the continuously variable transmission changes between speed ratios. A fast rate may be appropriate for competitive racing, and a slow rate may be appropriate for casual riding. Again, in some embodiments, the user can specify the exact rate. In other embodiments, the user can specify “1” for the slowest rate, “10” for the fastest rate, or anything therebetween. In other embodiments, the user can set the time period in which the shift between adjacent speed ratios occurs.

[0141] Once values for all desired parameters are set, the user saves the profile 36, which can be stored in a storage device (18 in Fig. 2) of the controller unit (6 in Fig. 2). Then, the user can select 38 this profile later where the controller unit will cause the continuously variable transmission to operate in accordance with the profile. Where multiple profiles are saved, the user selects 38 the profile from among a plurality of profiles. Some embodiments may include all or some of the actions 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 or other actions in any combination. For instance, in one embodiment, a user sets a profile for a stepless shift mode where the user sets a minimum and a maximum speed ratio, as described with respect to Fig. 4.

[0142] Fig. 3B shows a flowchart 40 for setting up a profile where at least one value is automatically set by, for example, the controller unit (6 in Fig. 2). An optional step anywhere in the method is the user setting 41 a maximum and / or minimum speed ratio. Here, the user can set 42 the number of speed ratios, then the values for each speed ratio are set 44 in an automatic manner. The controller unit can automatically set these values in a number of ways. In one example, the controller unit sets the first speed ratio at a minimum value, the last speed ratio at a maximum value, and then sets the rest of the speed ratios therebetween such that the differences between adjacent speed ratios are equal. The profile is saved 46, and then a user can select 48 the profile for subsequent use. In another example, the controller unit receives an input such as geographic data derived from map data or trip data, and then automatically generates a profile based on trip length, elevation gain, elevation delta, etc. Here, the controller unit can compare the elevation gain to a set of thresholds to determine the number of speed ratios for a profile where the greater the elevation gain results in a greater number of speed ratios. For instance, the controller unit sets the number of speed ratios to one if the elevation gain is below a first threshold, sets the number of speed ratios to two if the elevation gain is at or above the first threshold but below a second threshold, sets the number of speed ratios to three if the elevation gain is at or above the second threshold but below a third threshold, etc. The user can control which values are automatically set. In some embodiments, the user would like the controller unit to automatically set the values for each speed ratio. Thus, the user sets values for all parameters in a profile except the values for each speed ratio. Then, the user can instruct the controller unit to automatically set the unspecified values, i.e., the values for each speed ratio. For the automatic mode, or any other mode, the user can work from template profiles when there are many parameters in a profile. The user may not care to set, manually or automatically, every possible parameter in a profile. Thus, the user can select a template profile that has predefined values for some or all of the parameters and then modify parameters as desired.

[0143] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart 50 for a stepless shift mode of operation of the continuously variable transmission system. Here, the user may optionally select 52 the stepless shift mode and optionally select a profile 54 that contains minimum and maximum speed ratios. Then, the user can engage a shift device to upshift 56 and downshift 58 in a stepless manner, rather than shift among a finite number of discrete speed or gear ratios. In other embodiments, the minimum and maximum speed ratios can be predefined by the manufacturer, and the user can select 52 the stepless shift mode and begin using the bicycle and continuously variable transmission system. In yet further embodiments, the stepless shift mode is the only mode or the default mode, and a user can simply begin using the bicycle and the continuously variable transmission system without selecting any mode.

[0144] Fig. 5 shows a flowchart 60 for a manual shift mode of operating the continuously variable transmission. Here, a profile has been previously defined by a user or otherwise, as described in Figs. 3A and 3B. Thus, a user can select 62 the manual shift mode of operation, select a profile 64, then ride the bicycle and upshift 66 and downshift 68 as desired. With the selected profile, the user has knowledge of the different speed ratios within the profile. Thus, like a traditional bicycle transmission with sprockets, cassettes, and chains, the user can pedal and travel with knowledge of the cadence and effort required at each speed ratio. When a different profile of speed ratios is desired, the user can select another profile without changing any of the hardware of the transmission.

[0145] Fig. 6A shows a flowchart 70 for an automatic shift mode of operating the continuously variable transmission. Here, the user can select the automatic shift mode 72 of operation, and then select a profile 74 of speed ratios. Notably, the user may select from among the same group of profiles for different modes of operation. Therefore, a user can select a profile in the manual shift mode of operation, and then the user can select the same profile in the automatic mode of operation.

[0146] Once the profile is selected 74, the controller unit (6 in Fig. 2) can automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to operate at different speed ratios including upshifting and downshifting, according to inputs from sensors. In Fig. 6A, the controller unit may receive, for instance, an input from a torque sensor that corresponds to a torque applied by a user to the pedals and crank of the bicycle. If the controller unit determines that the value of the input is above a threshold 76, then the controller unit can cause the continuously variable transmission to downshift 78 for easier pedaling. Similarly, if the controller unit determines that the value of the input is below a threshold 80, then the controller unit can cause the continuously variable transmission to upshift 82 to increase speed of the bicycle. The controller unit may also consider other inputs such as time. Once the user stops applying torque to the pedal to coast for a while, the user may not want to shift speed ratios. Thus, in some embodiments, the controller unit may determine that if the value of the input is below a threshold 80 for a time period (e.g., ten seconds), then the controller unit will cause the continuously variable transmission to upshift 82.

[0147] Another consideration for automatically upshifting or downshifting is cadence of the pedaling of the user. The cadence, or rate at which the crank turns, corresponds to the effort of a user pedaling where a slower cadence indicates a greater effort and a faster cadence indicates a lesser effort. Thus, referring to Fig. 6A, when the controller unit considers the cadence to upshift and downshift, the values of inputs and thresholds are reversed. If the value of the input is above a threshold, then the controller unit will cause the continuously variable transmission to upshift, and if the value of the input is below a threshold, then the controller unit will cause the continuously variable transmission to downshift. The controller unit can also consider combinations of torque, cadence, time, etc. where if the torque input is above a certain threshold and the cadence input is below a certain threshold, then the controller unit will automatically downshift.

[0148] When the continuously variable transmission includes a shift device, the user can manually override the automatic shift in speed ratios by engaging the shift device to upshift or downshift. As described herein, these overrides can be incorporated into a learning mode where the continuously variable transmission system changes thresholds for automatic shifting based on manual overrides. It will be further appreciated that a user can set the thresholds for upshifting and downshifting, which variables to consider (torque, cadence, time), etc. when setting up a profile. More generally, each speed ratio can have a condition for upshifting and a condition for downshifting, where each condition can be a threshold, a set of thresholds, or otherwise for determining when to shift speed ratios.

[0149] Fig. 6B shows another flowchart 71 for an automatic shift mode of operating the continuously variable transmission. Like the flowchart in Fig. 6A, a user can select the automatic shift mode 72 and then select a profile 74 for operation. Then, the system considers a value from a sensor such as a torque sensor compared to various thresholds. First, if the torque value is above an assist threshold 75, then the value is compared to an upper shift threshold 76. If the value is above the upper shift threshold 76, then the controller unit causes the continuously variable transmission to downshift 78. If the value is above the assist threshold 75 but below the upper shift threshold 76, then the controller unit causes a motor to assist 77 the effort of the user without causing the continuously variable transmission to shift speed ratios. With this arrangement, the system remains in the current speed ratio with assistance from the motor rather than shifting speed ratios.

[0150] If the torque value is not above the assist threshold 75, then the torque value is compared to a lower shift threshold 80 and the controller unit causes the continuously variable transmission to upshift 82 if necessary. In this embodiment, the motor assists a user when the torque value is between an assist threshold and an upper shift threshold, but it will be appreciated that the present disclosure encompasses any incorporation of a motor as part of an automatic shift mode or other mode. For instance, in some embodiments, the system can include a motor mode of operation where a user can turn on or turn off the assist thresholds and use of the motor. A user can set, manually or automatically, the assist thresholds, which can be stored in a profile. In various embodiments, the motor can continue propelling a bicycle or other vehicle when a user stops pedaling rather than shift any speed ratios. Furthermore, like the flowchart in Fig. 6A, when the controller unit considers a cadence to upshift and downshift, the values of inputs and thresholds are reversed.

[0151] Fig. 7 shows a flowchart 84 for a learning mode of operation. It will be appreciated that the modes of operation described herein are not mutually exclusive, and the controller unit can operate multiple modes of operation simultaneously. The learning mode is one such mode that can operate simultaneously with, for instance, the automatic shift mode. Thus, when operating the input device (8 in Fig. 2), the user can select (72 in Fig. 6A) the automatic shift mode and select 86 the learning mode. During operation, when the controller unit automatically causes the continuously variable transmission to change speed ratios, but if the user does not like the change, the user engages a shift device to change the speed ratio back to the previous speed ratio. This event is a manual override, and the controller unit receives 88 this input for possible future action.

[0152] The controller unit can take several actions once the controller unit receives 88 a manual override. In the instance where the controller unit received 88 a manual override after the controller unit automatically caused a downshift, the controller unit can change 90 the shift threshold. For instance, if the relevant value from a sensor in the automatic shift mode is torque, the controller unit can increase the threshold for a value from the sensor. In another embodiment, the controller unit can increase the threshold after two manual overrides in one trip. In a further embodiment, the controller unit can record a dataset of manual shifting points and thresholds from the user and set new thresholds for automatic shifting based on this dataset. In another embodiment, the controller unit can receive a manual override and begin a ten second timeout where the controller unit will not automatically cause any shifting of speed ratios. It will be appreciated that the controller unit can take any combination of these or other actions serially or simultaneously.

[0153] Fig. 8 shows a flowchart 92 for another learning mode of operation. Here, a user selects 94 the learning mode to collect 96 trip data during a test ride. The user can conduct the test ride, for example, between home and work. Then, the controller unit can take one or more actions based on the geographic data collected from the test ride and derived from the trip data. The controller unit can automatically set 98 a profile, including the number of speed ratios and the speed ratios themselves based on the trip length and elevation gain from the trip data. The controller unit can set a greater number of speed ratios with smaller differences between adjacent speed ratios when there is a larger elevation gain over a shorter distance. In another embodiment, the trip data can include cadence and torque information when the user upshifts or downshifts. The controller unit can, for instance, average multiple torque values for when a user downshifts from a third speed ratio to a second speed ratio to set the threshold torque value for an automatic shift mode.

[0154] Fig. 9 shows a flowchart 100 for a map mode of operation. The user can begin operation of the system by selecting 102 the map mode. Then, the controller unit (6 in Fig. ID) can automatically set 106 a profile in a number of ways. For instance, the controller unit may receive 104 map data via a transceiver (14 in Fig. ID) and a network (16 in Fig. ID) such as the Internet. Geographic data used to construct a profile can be derived from the map data. This geographic data can include, but is not limited to, information about an elevation delta within a geographic area. Here, the geographic area can be a circular shape with a radius of one mile, two miles, etc. or another shape that is predetermined or defined by the user. Within this geographic shape, the geographic data can have an elevation minimum and an elevation maximum where the elevation delta is the difference between these two values.

[0155] In another embodiment, the geographic area is a route plotted by the user, and then the relevant geographic data is derived from the map data and plotted route. With a large elevation delta within the geographic area, the controller unit may automatically set 106 a greater number of speed ratios. With a small elevation delta within the geographic area, the controller unit may automatically set 106 a smaller number of speed ratios.

[0156] The controller unit can automatically set 106 the profile and save the profile for future use. Thus, the user may select 102 the map mode and have the controller unit automatically set 106 a profile for a work commute, another profile for a local recreation area, etc. With a profile set, the user can then use another mode such as a manual shift mode to use the profile during the trip to work or the trip to the local recreation area.

[0157] While various embodiments of the system and method have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items. Further, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or steps described herein. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as embodiments of implementing the claimed systems and methods.

[0158] The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refer to any process or operation done without material human input when the process or operation is performed. However, a process or operation can be automatic, even though performance of the process or operation uses material or immaterial human input, if the input is received before the performance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to be material if such input influences how the process or operation will be performed. Human input that consents to the performance of the process or operation is not deemed to be “material.”

[0159] The term “bus” and variations thereof, as used herein, can refer to a subsystem that transfers information and / or data between various components. A bus generally refers to the collection communication hardware interface, interconnects, bus architecture, standard, and / or protocol defining the communication scheme for a communication system and / or communication network. A bus may also refer to a part of a communication hardware that interfaces the communication hardware with other components of the corresponding communication network. The bus may be for a wired network, such as a physical bus, or wireless network, such as part of an antenna or hardware that couples the communication hardware with the antenna. A bus architecture supports a defined format in which information and / or data is arranged when sent and received through a communication network. A protocol may define the format and rules of communication of a bus architecture.

[0160] A “communication modality” can refer to any protocol or standard defined or specific communication session or interaction, such as Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (“VoIP), cellular communications (e.g., IS-95, 1G, 2G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, 4G / IMT- Advanced standards, 3GPP, WIMAX™, GSM, CDMA, CDMA2000, EDGE, IxEVDO, iDEN, GPRS, HSPDA, TDMA, UMA, UMTS, ITU-R, and 5G), Bluetooth™, text or instant messaging (e.g., AIM, Blauk, eBuddy, Gadu-Gadu, IBM Lotus Sametime, ICQ, iMessage, IMVU, Lyne, MXit, Paltalk, Skype, Tencent QQ, Windows Live Messenger™ or Microsoft Network (MSN) Messenger™, Wireclub, Xfire, and Yahoo! Messenger™), email, Twitter (e.g., tweeting), Digital Service Protocol (DSP), and the like.

[0161] The term “communication system” or “communication network” and variations thereof, as used herein, can refer to a collection of communication components capable of one or more of transmission, relay, interconnect, control, or otherwise manipulate information or data from at least one transmitter to at least one receiver. As such, the communication may include a range of systems supporting point-to-point or broadcasting of the information or data. A communication system may refer to the collection of individual communication hardware as well as the interconnects associated with and connecting the individual communication hardware. Communication hardware may refer to dedicated communication hardware or may refer a processor coupled with a communication means (i.e., an antenna) and running software capable of using the communication means to send and / or receive a signal within the communication system. Interconnect refers to some type of wired or wireless communication link that connects various components, such as communication hardware, within a communication system. A communication network may refer to a specific setup of a communication system with the collection of individual communication hardware and interconnects having some definable network topography. A communication network may include wired and / or wireless network having a pre-set to an ad hoc network structure.

[0162] The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein refers to any tangible storage and / or transmission medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), or magnetic or optical disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, magneto-optical medium, read only memory (ROM), a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a random access memory (RAM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), and erasable programmable read only memory EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, a solid state medium like a memory card, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. When the computer-readable media is configured as a database, it is to be understood that the database may be any type of database, such as relational, hierarchical, object-oriented, and / or the like. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include a tangible storage medium or distribution medium and prior art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations of the present disclosure are stored. It should be noted that any computer readable medium that is not a signal transmission may be considered non-transitory.

[0163] The terms display and variations thereof, as used herein, may be used interchangeably and can be any panel and / or area of an output device that can display information to an operator or use. Displays may include, but are not limited to, one or more control panel(s), instrument housing(s), indicator(s), gauge(s), meter(s), light(s), computer(s), screen(s), display(s), heads-up display HUD unit(s), and graphical user interface(s).

[0164] The term “module” as used herein refers to any known or later developed hardware, software, firmware, artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, or combination of hardware and software that is capable of performing the functionality associated with that element.

[0165] The terms “determine,” “calculate,” and “compute,” and variations thereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any type of methodology, process, mathematical operation, or technique.

[0166] While the exemplary aspects, embodiments, options, and / or configurations illustrated herein show the various components of the system collocated, certain components of the system can be located remotely, at distant portions of a distributed network, such as a local area network (LAN) and / or the Internet, or within a dedicated system. Thus, it should be appreciated, that the components of the system can be combined in to one or more devices, such as a Personal Computer (PC), laptop, netbook, smart phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), tablet, etc., or collocated on a particular node of a distributed network, such as an analog and / or digital telecommunications network, a packet-switch network, or a circuit-switched network. It will be appreciated from the preceding description, and for reasons of computational efficiency, that the components of the system can be arranged at any location within a distributed network of components without affecting the operation of the system. For example, the various components can be located in a switch such as a private branch exchange (PBX) and media server, gateway, in one or more communications devices, at one or more users’ premises, or some combination thereof. Similarly, one or more functional portions of the system could be distributed between a telecommunications device(s) and an associated computing device.

[0167] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links connecting the elements can be wired or wireless links, or any combination thereof, or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable of supplying and / or communicating data to and from the connected elements. These wired or wireless links can also be secure links and may be capable of communicating encrypted information. Transmission media used as links, for example, can be any suitable carrier for electrical signals, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.

[0168] Optionally, the systems and methods of this disclosure can be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array such as PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means, or the like. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementing the methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the various aspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for the disclosed embodiments, configurations and aspects includes computers, handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital, analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Some of these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiple microprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and output devices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component / object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.

[0169] In embodiments, the disclosed methods may be readily implemented in conjunction with software using object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms. Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially or fully in hardware using standard logic circuits or very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) design. Whether software or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance with this disclosure is dependent on the speed and / or efficiency requirements of the system, the particular function, and the particular software or hardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems being utilized.

[0170] In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partially implemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executed on programmed general- purpose computer with the cooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this disclosure can be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as an applet, JAVA® or computer-generated imagery (CGI) script, as a resource residing on a server or computer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurement system, system component, or the like. The system can also be implemented by physically incorporating the system and / or method into a software and / or hardware system.

[0171] Although the present disclosure describes components and functions implemented in the aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations with reference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations are not limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents included in the present disclosure.

[0172] Examples of the processors as described herein may include, but are not limited to, at least one of Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 800 and 801, Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 610 and 615 with 4G LTE Integration and 64-bit computing, Apple® A7 processor with 64-bit architecture, Apple® M7 motion coprocessors, Samsung® Exynos® series, the Intel® Core™ family of processors, the Intel® Xeon® family of processors, the Intel® Atom™ family of processors, the Intel Itanium® family of processors, Intel® Core® i5-4670K and i7-4770K 22nm Haswell, Intel® Core® i5-3570K 22nm Ivy Bridge, the AMD® FX™ family of processors, AMD® FX-4300, FX-6300, and FX-8350 32nm Vishera, AMD® Kaveri processors, Texas Instruments® Jacinto C6000™ automotive infotainment processors, Texas Instruments® OMAP™ automotive-grade mobile processors, ARM® Cortex™-M processors, ARM® Cortex-A and ARM926EJ-S™ processors, other industry-equivalent processors, and may perform computational functions using any known or future-developed standard, instruction set, libraries, and / or architecture.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A system for transmitting power in a bicycle, comprising: a continuously variable transmission configured to translate power from a user to a wheel of the bicycle and configured to operate at any speed ratio within a range of speed ratios; a controller unit in operable communication with the continuously variable transmission; and an input device in operable communication with the controller unit, wherein the input device is configured to relay a speed ratio input from the user to the controller unit; wherein, based on the speed ratio input, the controller unit is configured to set a speed ratio of a profile that is stored in a storage device of the controller unit; wherein the controller unit is configured to cause the continuously variable transmission to operate at the speed ratio of the profile.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device is configured to relay a second speed ratio input from the user to the controller unit, and wherein, based on the second speed ratio input, the controller unit is configured to set a second speed ratio of the profile.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein, based on a speed ratio selection, the controller unit is configured to cause the continuously variable transmission to shift from the speed ratio to the second speed ratio of the profile.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein one of the input device or a shift device is configured to relay the speed ratio selection from the user to the controller unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the profile is one of a plurality of profiles that are stored on the storage device of the controller unit, wherein the input device is configured to relay a profile selection from the user to the controller unit to select one of the plurality of profiles for operation of the continuously variable transmission.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to transmit a sensor input to the controller unit, wherein, based on the sensor input, the controller unit is configured to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change from the speed ratio to a second speed ratio.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver in operable communication with a network and with the controller unit, wherein the transceiver is configured to relay a second profile from the network to the controller unit.

8. A system for transmitting power in a bicycle, comprising: a continuously variable transmission configured to translate power from a user to a wheel of the bicycle and configured to operate at any speed ratio within a range of speed ratios; a controller unit in operable communication with the continuously variable transmission; and a sensor configured to transmit a sensor input to the controller unit; wherein, based on the sensor input, the controller unit is configured to cause the continuously variable transmission to automatically shift from a first speed ratio to a second speed ratio.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor is a cadence sensor, and the sensor input corresponds to a rotation rate of a crank of the bicycle caused by pedaling of the user.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor is a torque sensor, and the sensor input corresponds to a torque applied to a crank of the bicycle caused by pedaling of the user.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller unit is configured to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change operation from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio when the sensor input exceeds a threshold value.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller unit is configured to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio when the sensor input falls below a threshold value.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein, based on a shift command from the user, the controller unit causes the continuously variable transmission to change from the second speed ratio to the first speed ratio in a manual override of the automatic shift from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein, based on the manual override, the controller unit changes a threshold value at which the sensor input exceeds or falls below to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change operation from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio.

15. The system of claim 8, further comprising an input device in operable communication with the controller unit, wherein the input device is configured to relay a threshold value input from the user to the controller unit to set a threshold value at which the sensor input exceeds or falls below to automatically cause the continuously variable transmission to change operation from the first speed ratio to the second speed ratio, wherein the threshold value is set for a profile that is stored in a storage device of the controller unit.

16. A system for transmitting power in a bicycle, comprising: a continuously variable transmission configured to translate power from a user to a wheel of the bicycle and configured to operate at any speed ratio within a range of speed ratios; and a controller unit in operable communication with the continuously variable transmission, wherein the controller unit is configured to receive geographic data; wherein, based on the geographic data, the controller unit is configured to automatically set a number of speed ratios and a value of each speed ratio in a profile; wherein the controller unit is configured to cause the continuously variable transmission to operate at a speed ratio of the profile.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an input device in operable communication with the controller unit, wherein the input device is configured to relay a mode selection input from the user to the controller unit, wherein, based on the mode selection input, the controller unit is configured to record trip data in a learning mode, and the geographic data is derived from the trip data.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the geographic data derived from the trip data comprises at least one of an elevation gain value or a trip length value.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a transceiver in operable communication with a network and with the controller unit, wherein the transceiver is configured to relay map data from the network to the controller unit, and the geographic data is derived from the map data.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the geographic data derived from the map data comprises an elevation delta value, which is a difference between a minimum elevation and a maximum elevation in a geographic area.

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