A crank apparatus includes a crank arm having at least one cavity on one of the surfaces of the crank arm, at least one thin material layer embedded within the at least one cavity and having an exposed outer surface, and at least one sensing element attached to the outer surface of the thin material layer. The crank arm is manufactured of a material with non-uniform strain characteristics, the thin material layer is manufactured of a material with uniform strain characteristics, the crank arm is adapted to be deformed by a force, the thin material layer is adapted to be deformed correspondingly with the deformation of the crank arm, the at least one sensing element is adapted to measure the corresponding strain of the thin material layer to measure the force applied on the crank arm. A bicycle and a stationary exercise bicycle equipped with the crank apparatus are further provided.

In certain embodiments, a gaming pedal assembly comprises a base platform and a pedal arm rotatably coupled to the base platform at a first mounting location that provides a first axis of rotation for the pedal arm relative to the base platform. The gaming pedal assembly further includes a piston assembly having a resistance profile, the piston assembly coupled to the pedal arm at a coupling location that provides a second axis of rotation for the piston assembly relative to the pedal arm. The piston assembly is rotatably coupled to the base platform at a second mounting location that provides a third axis of rotation for the piston assembly relative to the base platform. The piston assembly compresses according to the resistance profile of the piston assembly in response to a user interface region of the pedal arm receiving a pressing force.

A crank measurement system includes four bend-sensing strain gauges located on one surface of a crank and oriented parallel to a neutral axis of the crank to sense bend strain induced in the crank. Two of the bend-sensing strain gauges are located above the neutral axis, and the other two bend-sensing strain gauges are located below the neutral axis. The system also includes two shear-sensing strain gauges located on the one surface and oriented to sense shear strain induced in the crank. The shear-sensing strain gauges are located on opposite sides of the neutral axis. The system may also include up to four axial-sensing strain gauges located on the one surface and oriented to sense axial strain induced in the crank. An electronics module receives strain data from the strain gauges, and determines from the strain data one or more of force, torque, and power applied to the crank.

An electric weight sensing skateboard using one or more strain gauge systems to detect rider-induced strain on one or both trucks, an inertial sensor to detect accelerations and balance position, and wheel speed sensors. Throttle is controlled by rider position, for example, lean forward to increase speed, lean back to slow down. Several drive methods include a driver position detection velocity setpoint control, torque setpoint control, and direct velocity/torque control. A throttle remote is note required. Rider weight activates the motors.

An electronic device includes a receiver, a computer memory device and a processor for calculating a human input force and/or a human input power that are inputted to a drive train of a human powered vehicle. The receiver receives first information with respect to torque applied to the drive train, and receives at least one of second information with respect to a gear engagement state and third information with respect to a crank rotational speed. The computer memory device has prestored correction factors with respect to the gear engagement state. The processor calculates the human input force based on the first information, the second information and at least one of the prestored correction factors, and/or calculates the human input power based on the first information, the second information, the third information, and at least one of the prestored correction factors.

In certain embodiments, a gaming pedal assembly comprises a base platform and a pedal arm rotatably coupled to the base platform at a first mounting location that provides a first axis of rotation for the pedal arm relative to the base platform. The gaming pedal assembly further includes a piston assembly having a resistance profile, the piston assembly coupled to the pedal arm at a coupling location that provides a second axis of rotation for the piston assembly relative to the pedal arm. The piston assembly is rotatably coupled to the base platform at a second mounting location that provides a third axis of rotation for the piston assembly relative to the base platform. The piston assembly compresses according to the resistance profile of the piston assembly in response to a user interface region of the pedal arm receiving a pressing force.

A method in which at least one piezoceramic sensor, which converts every mechanical force to which it is subjected into an electrical signal and having a Curie temperature higher than 200° C., is solidarized directly onto the surface of a metal support element of a vehicle braking element, which during use faces a vehicle element to be braked. While in contact with such a surface, an electrical circuit is implemented that picks up and eventually processes the electrical signal, the electrical circuit being connected with a connector integrated with the metal support element. An electrically insulating layer sandwiches the at least one piezoceramic sensor and the electrical circuit, and a block of friction material with an underlying damping layer is formed upon the electrically insulating layer. After forming the block of friction material, the piezoceramic sensor is polarized by applying a predetermined potential difference thereto by means of the connector.

A bi-directional force sensor which includes a first body and a second body. The first body has a first portion and a second portion. The second body also has a first portion and a second portion. The second body interlocks with the first body with the first portion of the second body positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the first body and the second portion of the first body positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the second body. A first sensor is positioned between the first portion of the first body and the first portion of the second body. A second sensor is positioned between the second portion of the first body and the first portion of the second body. This bi-directional force sensor was developed for use in assessing cycling technique.

An electronic device includes a receiver, a computer memory device and a processor for calculating a human input force and/or a human input power that are inputted to a drive train of a human powered vehicle. The receiver receives first information with respect to torque applied to the drive train, and receives at least one of second information with respect to a gear engagement state and third information with respect to a crank rotational speed. The computer memory device has prestored correction factors with respect to the gear engagement state. The processor calculates the human input force based on the first information, the second information and at least one of the prestored correction factors, and/or calculates the human input power based on the first information, the second information, the third information, and at least one of the prestored correction factors.

A device for measuring a torque applied to a rotating member, comprising: a first rotating member on which a torque to measure is applied; a second rotating member; a free wheel comprising a primary ring and a secondary ring coaxial with and configurable between a coupled movement condition and a free movement condition; sensing means interposed between the first rotating member and the second rotating member and configured to detect an angular phase shift between the two rotating members. During the coupled movement condition, the free wheel is elastically deformable so that the relative position of the secondary ring is angularly shifted with respect to the position of the primary ring with an increase in the torque applied to the first rotating member and the sensing means detect the phase shift for the calculation of the applied torque.