Patent · US Expired

Method and system for computer-controlled bicycle gear shifting

US5261858A · kind A · utility

95Cited by
5References
45Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 1992
Grant dateNov 16, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 19, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62M25/08
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for computer-controlled shifting of a bicycle is provided. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a computer system that detects speed, hub speed, and crank speed, determines the optimum bicycle gear selection to maintain a desired cadence, and shifts the bicycle to the optimum bicycle gear. The computer also inputs a shift up and shift down signals from the cyclist to override the computer-selected gear. When the cyclist indicates a shift up or down, the computer adjusts the desired cadence. The computer determines the gear selection to ensure a uniform transition from the current gear to the next gear. The computer ensures that when shifting from the current gear to the next gear, the bicycle does not transition through a gear that is not between the current and next gears.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.