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.

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.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass configured to rotate in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle, the driven mass coupled to a shaft, where rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The apparatus further comprises a hardware controller. The hardware controller identifies output power parameters for the vehicle and generate a control signal based on the identified output power parameters for the vehicle. The apparatus also comprises a generator that generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input and a conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the generator. The conditioning circuit receives the electrical output from the generator and the control signal from the hardware controller, generates a charge output based on the electrical output and the control signal, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass configured to rotate in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle, the driven mass coupled to a shaft, where rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The apparatus further comprises a hardware controller. The hardware controller identifies output power parameters for the vehicle and generate a control signal based on the identified output power parameters for the vehicle. The apparatus also comprises a generator that generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input and a conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the generator. The conditioning circuit receives the electrical output from the generator and the control signal from the hardware controller, generates a charge output based on the electrical output and the control signal, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle.

The present invention provides a generator for a bicycle which can be applied to a rim of all kinds of bicycle wheels, comprising: a rotating body 30 which is arranged to be adjacent to or to make contact with the rim 10, wherein eddy current induction magnet 35 is installed along an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 30; a rotation shaft 62 whose one side end part is fixed at a center of the rotating body 30; and a generation unit 60 which is arranged at the other side end part of the rotation shaft 62, wherein at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 30 is arranged farther outside than an outer circumferential surface of the eddy current induction magnet 35.

The present invention provides a generator for a bicycle which can be applied to a rim of all kinds of bicycle wheels, comprising: a rotating body 30 which is arranged to be adjacent to or to make contact with the rim 10, wherein eddy current induction magnet 35 is installed along an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 30; a rotation shaft 62 whose one side end part is fixed at a center of the rotating body 30; and a generation unit 60 which is arranged at the other side end part of the rotation shaft 62, wherein at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 30 is arranged farther outside than an outer circumferential surface of the eddy current induction magnet 35.

A bicycle electric power generating device includes a shaft member, a rotation body coaxially rotatable relative to the shaft member, an armature provided on one of the shaft member and the rotation body and a magnet having circumferentially arranged poles provided on the other one to rotate relative to the armature. The armature includes a first yoke with at least one first yoke pieces, a second yoke with at least one second yoke pieces, and a coil. The first and second yoke pieces are arranged parallel to an axis of the shaft member so as not to overlap with each other in a circumferential direction of the shaft member. The magnet includes a first magnet facing the first yoke pieces in a radial direction of the shaft member and a second magnet facing the second yoke pieces in the radial direction.

A bicycle hub includes a hub axle, a hub body, an electric power generator, a freewheel and an electric unit. The hub body is rotatable around the hub axle. The electric power generator is disposed between the hub axle and the hub body. The electric power generator is configured to generate electric power by a relative rotation of the hub axle and the hub body. The freewheel is configured to support a sprocket. The freewheel is connected to the hub body and is rotatable around the hub axle. The electric component is disposed between the hub axle and the freewheel in a radial direction with respect to the center axis. The electric unit is electrically connected to the electric power generator.

A bicycle hub includes a hub axle, a hub body, an electric power generator, a freewheel and an electric unit. The hub body is rotatable around the hub axle. The electric power generator is disposed between the hub axle and the hub body. The electric power generator is configured to generate electric power by a relative rotation of the hub axle and the hub body. The freewheel is configured to support a sprocket. The freewheel is connected to the hub body and is rotatable around the hub axle. The electric component is disposed between the hub axle and the freewheel in a radial direction with respect to the center axis. The electric unit is electrically connected to the electric power generator.

A smart bicycle includes various integrated electrical accessories. The bicycle frame has an integrated computer processor, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, horn and rear light. The stem of the bicycle has an integrated visual display that provides performance and directional information to the user. The fork of the bicycle has integrated lights and the front wheel can have an integrated dynamo generator that can power the electrical components and charge a system battery. The ride data can be transmitted to a smartphone and/or system servers, which can also store, analyze and display the rider data.