SHOCK ABSORBER

Abstract

A shock absorber assembly for cycling includes a shock absorber (2a, 2b) for connecting two subassemblies that are movable relative to each other, and a distance sensor (15) that is fixedly disposed in the interior of, or on, the shock absorber or on one of the two subassemblies. The distance sensor senses, detects or determines measurement values that represent a momentary spacing between the two subassemblies, which spacing varies during cycling. The distance sensor (15) may be a time-of-flight sensor that uses light in the ultraviolet, visible or infrared wavelength range. A bicycle (1), such as a mountain bike or a racing bike, may include such a shock absorber assembly mounted thereon.

Claims

1. A shock absorber assembly comprising: a shock absorber configured to connect first and second subassemblies that are movable relative to each other, and a distance sensor fixedly disposed in the interior of, or on, the shock absorber or on one of the first and second subassemblies, the distance sensor being configured to determine measurement values representative of a spacing between the first and second subassemblies.

2. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is a time-of-flight sensor comprising a light source in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared wavelength range.

3. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second subassemblies are displaceable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis.

4. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 3, wherein: the shock absorber comprises a cylinder configured to be fixedly coupled to one of the first and second subassemblies and a piston configured to be fixedly coupled to the other of the first and second subassemblies; and the distance sensor is disposed in an interior of the shock absorber.

5. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 4, wherein: the cylinder and the piston define an air-spring chamber filled with a gas and/or air, and the distance sensor is disposed in the cylinder.

6. The shock absorber according to claim 5, wherein the air-spring chamber is the exclusive spring element of the shock absorber.

7. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 6, wherein the distance sensor is disposed on the longitudinal axis and/or is oriented to emit light along, or essentially along, the longitudinal axis.

8. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 4, wherein: the distance sensor is disposed on a base of the cylinder, and an opposing face of the piston is reflective.

9. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 8, wherein, at a maximum compression of the shock absorber, the distance sensor is spaced 0.1 to 50 mm from the opposing face of the piston.

10. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 3, wherein: the shock absorber is a front-wheel shock absorber, the first subassembly comprises a head tube of a bicycle frame and/or a fork steerer tube of a front-wheel fork, the second subassembly comprises a front wheel and/or a mudguard, and the distance sensor is fixedly disposed on the first subassembly and emits light toward the second subassembly along or parallel to a fork-steerer-tube axis.

11. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 3, wherein: the shock absorber is a rear-wheel shock absorber, the distance sensor is attached to a section of the shock absorber that is fixedly connected to the first subassembly, which section comprises a bottom bracket, and the distance sensor emits light along, or essentially along, a longitudinal axis of the shock absorber and/or emits light toward the second subassembly.

12. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is configured to periodically determine the measurement values at a sampling rate of 0.01 to 1000 kHz.

13. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control and/or read-out the distance sensor.

14. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit and/or a receiving unit configured to communicate data, wirelessly or by wire, between the shock absorber and one or more external operating units at a frequency between 0.01 Hz and 1000 kHz.

15. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one adjusting unit configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of the shock absorber selected from the group consisting of spring stiffness, damping rate during compression and damping rate during rebound.

16. The shock absorber assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one further sensor selected from the group consisting of a speed sensor, a position sensor, an acceleration sensor and a gyroscopic sensor, and a processor configured to take into account measurement values of the at least one further sensor while processing the measurement values and/or while generating display information and/or adjustment-information.

17. A shock absorber system comprising: at least one shock absorber assembly according to claim 1, and at least one operating unit configured to communicate data with the shock absorber.

18. The shock absorber system according to claim 17, further comprising: a processor configured to process the measurement values to determine the instantaneous spacing between the movable components; a display configured to display operating-state information and/or adjustment information of the shock absorber; and a storage means for storing one or more of the measurement values, processed measurement values, operating information, adjustment information, and display information.

19. The shock absorber system according to claim 18, wherein the operating unit is configured as a portable computer.

20. The shock absorber system according to claim 19, further comprising: at least one further sensor selected from the group consisting of a speed sensor, a position sensor, an acceleration sensor and a gyroscopic sensor, and a processor configured to take into account measurement values of the at least one further sensor while processing the measurement values and/or while generating the display information and/or the adjustment-information.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further objects, embodiments and advantages of the present teachings are described below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying Figures. The exemplary embodiments represent preferred embodiments that do not restrict the teachings in any way. The appended Figures are schematic representations that do not necessarily reflect the actual proportions but provide improved clarity and understanding of the exemplary embodiments.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bicycle.

[0046] FIG. 2A shows a cross-section through a shock absorber assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 2B shows a cross-section through a shock absorber assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a shock absorber system.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a shock absorber assembly.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a shock absorber assembly.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a shock absorber assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 1 in the form of a full-suspension mountain bike including a rear-wheel shock absorber 2a and a front-wheel shock absorber 2b mounted in a suspension fork.

[0053] A cross-section through the front-wheel shock absorber 2b installed in the suspension fork according to a first exemplary embodiment of a shock absorber assembly is depicted in FIG. 2A. The construction principle is identical for a rear-wheel shock absorber 2a. The shock absorber 2b is air sprung and comprises a cylinder 11 and a piston 12 that enclose an air-spring chamber 13, which is filled with air in the present exemplary embodiment. The cylinder 11 is fixedly connected to the fork crown 14, forms the upper section of the suspension fork, and itself submerges into (is slidably disposed within) a telescoping tube (lower leg) that forms one side of the lower section of the suspension fork. It is noted that another cylinder and piston, e.g., without the distance sensor according to the present embodiment, may be provided in a second, parallel telescoping tube (lower leg) that is disposed on the opposite side of the front wheel and thereby forms the other side of the lower section of the suspension fork.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the cylinder 11 is fixedly connected to a fork steerer tube and also fixedly connectedwith respect to the longitudinal direction of the shock absorber 2bto a head tube of the bicycle frame (that is, as viewed from the rotational movement of the fork steerer tube in the head tube). Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the fork crown, the fork steerer tube, and the head tube are parts of the first subassembly.

[0055] The piston 12 is fixedly connected via a piston rod to the lower section of the suspension fork, to which the front wheel is also attached. The lower section of the suspension fork and the front wheel are thus parts of the second subassembly.

[0056] When the upper section of the suspension fork submerges into and rebounds out of the lower section of the suspension fork during cycling, the piston 12 moves relative to the cylinder 11 along the longitudinal axis of the shock absorber. In the present embodiment, this longitudinal axis is also (coincides with) the axis of symmetry of the shock absorber and the piston rod is also located on this longitudinal axis. When the upper section of the suspension fork submerges into the lower section of the suspension fork, the relative distance between the piston 12 and the cylinder 11 (or the cylinder base 11) is reduced and the air-spring chamber 13 is compressed, so that a counterforce is generated for the rebounding (i.e. the subsequent extension back to the point of origin of the shock absorber).

[0057] In the air-spring chamber 13, a distance sensor 15 in the form of a time-of-flight sensor (TOF sensor) is disposed on the cylinder base 11, which may be formed by one or more spacers 17 (two spacers 17 in the present exemplary embodiment). As indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2A, the TOF sensor 15 emits light pulses toward the piston 12, receives the light reflected by the opposing side of the piston 12, and determines the transit time of the light pulse. From these measurement values (transit time), the (momentary) relative distance between the TOF sensor 15 or the cylinder 11 and the piston 12 and thus the operating or compression state of the shock absorber 2b can then be deduced in an instantaneous and direct manner.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the shock absorber 2b comprises a mechanism for adjusting the spring stiffness and this mechanism comprises a rotary knob 16 and one or more spacers 17. With the aid of the rotary knob 16, a user can move the spacer(s) 17 along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 11 and thus reduce or increase the volume of the air-spring chamber 13. The spring stiffness is thereby respectively increased or reduced. The shock absorber 2b further comprises damping elements, which are not depicted in more detail but are generally also adjustable, whereby the damping rate or the various damping rates can be adjusted.

[0059] In the present exemplary embodiment, the TOF sensor 15 is an integrated TOF sensor 15; that is, it forms a structural unit with an associated control unit 18 for controlling and reading-out the TOF sensor 15, and with a transmission unit 19 for wireless transmission of the measurement values to an external operating unit 31 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, an energy supply (not shown) in the form of a battery or rechargeable battery is integrated in the physical unit of the TOF sensor 15. Alternatively, the power supply can also be effected in a wired manner, for example, via the fork crown 14. In the case of a rechargeable battery, such a wired connection can also be used for charging the rechargeable battery. As a further alternative, contactless (wireless, inductive) charging of the rechargeable battery integrated in the subassembly of the TOF sensor 15 can also be provided.

[0060] In a second exemplary embodiment of the present teachings shown in FIG. 2B, the distance sensor 15 is disposed on the side of the piston 12 and faces towards the air-spring chamber 13. The signal or light from the distance sensor 15 is emitted along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 11 toward the cylinder base 11 that is disposed opposite the piston 12. In this embodiment, the cylinder base 11 is preferably lightly colored (for example, white) and/or designed in a reflective manner for reflecting the measurement- or light-signals back towards the sensor 15.

[0061] In the second exemplary embodiment as well, the distance sensor 15 may be an integrated TOF sensor 15 and it may be disposed in an integral structural unit with an associated control unit 18 for controlling and reading-out the TOF sensor 15, and with a transmission unit 19 for wireless transmission of the measurement values to an external operating unit 31 (see FIG. 3). Similar to the first exemplary embodiment, an energy supply (not shown) in the form of a battery or rechargeable battery may be integrated in the physical unit of the TOF sensor 15. Alternatively, the power supply can also be effected in a wired manner, for example, via the fork crown 14. If the energy source is a rechargeable battery, such a wired connection can also be used for charging the rechargeable battery. As a further alternative, contactless (wireless, inductive) charging of the rechargeable battery integrated in the subassembly of the TOF sensor 15 can also be provided.

[0062] A shock absorber system 30 is depicted in FIG. 3 and comprises the shock absorber assembly depicted in FIG. 2A having the front-wheel shock absorber 2b, although the shock absorber assembly depicted in FIG. 2B also may be utilized in this shock absorber system 30. The shock absorber system 30 further comprises the integrated TOF sensor 15 (with the control unit 18 and transmission unit 19). Accordingly, a communication connection to an external operating unit 31 can be produced. Because the operating unit 31 includes a receiving means (receiver) 32 corresponding to the transmission unit 19, it can thus read out and process measurement values determined (sensed, detected) by the TOF sensor 15. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the operating unit 31 further comprises a display means (e.g., an LCD screen, such as a touchscreen) 33 for displaying information to a user/cyclist. The operating unit 31 is, for example, a portable computer (mobile computer or mobile device), such as a smartphone, a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, a head-mounted optical display, etc.) or the like. The operating unit 31 further comprises software 34 that includes instructions for processing the measurement values received from the shock absorber 2b and for depicting the results of processing these measurement values and/or operating and/or adjustment information on the display means 33. Using the depicted adjustment information, the user can make manual adjustments to the shock absorber 2b, for example, using the rotary knob 16; in the present case, for example, the spring stiffness can be changed.

[0063] In the present exemplary embodiment, the shock absorber system depicted in FIG. 3 also comprises a rear-wheel shock absorber 2a or a rear-wheel shock absorber assembly, which also comprises a TOF sensor 15, a transmission unit 19, and an adjusting unit 16, whose functions and construction are analogous to the above-described front-wheel shock absorber 2b. Accordingly the operating unit 31 can also communicate with the rear-wheel shock absorber assembly 2a and output corresponding information about the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a on the display means 33.

[0064] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the shock absorber system 30 also comprises a further acceleration sensor 3 that is disposed on the frame of the bicycle 1. This acceleration sensor 3 measures the acceleration exerted on the frame of the bicycle while cycling and also communicates with the operating unit 31, which then also uses the data of the acceleration sensor 3 when generating the display information, such as the operating and/or adjustment information. Alternatively or additionally, a speed sensor and/or a position sensor can be provided. Furthermore, in addition or in the alternative, one or more other sensors, such as an acceleration sensor, a speed sensor, and/or a position sensor, may be provided in or on the shock absorber, i.e. as a structural unit with the shock absorber, optionally in the interior of the shock absorber.

[0065] Optionally, one or both of the assemblies comprising the front and/or rear shock absorbers 2a, 2b may further comprise a display means (e.g., an LCD screen, such as a touchscreen) 33 for displaying information to a user/cyclist. In such embodiments, one or both of the assemblies comprising the front and/or rear shock absorbers 2a, 2b further comprises software 34 that includes instructions for processing the measurement values received from the shock absorber 2a, 2b and for depicting the results of processing these measurement values and/or operating and/or adjustment information on the display means 33.

[0066] A third exemplary embodiment of the present teachings is depicted in FIG. 4, wherein the (integrated) TOF sensor 15 is disposed externally on the front-wheel shock absorber 2b. In this embodiment, the TOF sensor 15 is fixedly disposed on or in the first subassembly, which in the present case comprises the head tube 40 of the bicycle frame, the fork steerer tube 41 of the suspension fork, and the fork crown 14. More precisely, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, the TOF sensor 15 is disposed in the interior of the fork steerer tube 41 and emits light signals parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suspension fork or of the front-wheel shock absorber 2b toward a mudguard 42 that is a part of the second subassembly, which further comprises the lower section of the suspension fork (e.g., the telescoping tubes/lower legs) and the front wheel. In the present exemplary embodiment an opening (not shown) on the lower side of the fork steerer tube 41 is provided for the exit of the light signals of the TOF sensor 15 from the interior of the fork steerer tube 41 and for the entry of the light signals reflected by the mudguard 42.

[0067] By determining the relative distance between the TOF sensor disposed in the fork steerer tube 41 and the mudguard 42, the compression state of the front-wheel shock absorber 2b can in turn be instantaneously deduced. Alternatively, it is also possible to reflect the light signals of the TOF sensor 15 to another component of the second subassembly, such as, for example, a stabilizer of the lower section of the suspension fork, which, for example, fixedly connects the two telescoping tubes (lower legs).

[0068] A fourth exemplary embodiment of the present teachings is depicted in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, one side (end) of a rear-wheel shock absorber 2a is rotatably attached in a known manner in the vicinity of the bottom bracket 50 at the transition between the down tube 51 and the seat tube 52. The other side (end) of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a is rotatably attached to the seat stay 54 via a rocker link (bellcrank) 53. The TOF sensor 15 is disposed externally and directly on the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a at a location of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a that is part of a first subassembly, which in this exemplary embodiment comprises the bottom bracket 50, the down tube 51, and the seat tube 52, or is associated with this first subassembly.

[0069] The TOF sensor 15 emits light signals parallel or essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a toward the rocker link 53 (second subassembly) and receives reflected light signals from there, whereby the distance between the rocker link 53 and the part of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a associated with the first subassembly can be directly detected. In this embodiment, this distance changes in a manner approximately identical to the spacing of the piston 12 and the cylinder 11 (or the cylinder base 11) in the front shock absorber 2a, whereby the compression state of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a can be directly deduced. Alternatively, the deviation resulting from the rotational movement of the rocker link 53 can also be removed, for example, using a known lookup table that sets the spacing of TOF sensor 15 and rocker link 53 in relation to the actual compression state or the distance between the piston 12 and the cylinder 11 (or the cylinder base 11) of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a.

[0070] In a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present teachings depicted in FIG. 6, one side (end) of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a is attached, likewise in a known manner, to the underside of a top tube of the bicycle frame, and the other side is attached to the seat stay. The TOF sensor 15 is in turn disposed at a location of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a that is associated with a first subassembly that comprises the top tube in this exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the TOF sensor 15 emits light signals parallel or essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a toward the seat stay (second subassembly) and receives light signals from there. The mountings may be rotatable on both sides of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a; however, the rotational movement at these mountings is smaller during deflection than in the third exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 5. As a result, the deviation between the distance determined by the TOF sensor 15 and the actual compression state of the rear-wheel shock absorber 2a is smaller and usually negligible, so that, for example, a recalculation using a lookup table (as described in connection with the third exemplary embodiment) can be omitted.

[0071] Additional representative, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present teachings are described in the following.

[0072] 1. Shock absorber assembly comprising:

[0073] a shock absorber (2a, 2b) that connects two subassemblies that are movable relative to each other, and

[0074] a distance sensor (15) that is fixedly disposed in the interior of, or on, the shock absorber or on a first of the two movable subassemblies, and that is configured to determine measurement values that represent a spacing between the two subassemblies.

[0075] 2. Shock absorber assembly according to the preceding embodiment 1, wherein the distance sensor (15) is a time-of-flight sensor that preferably uses light in the ultraviolet, in the visible, or in the infrared wavelength range.

[0076] 3. Shock absorber assembly according to the preceding embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the subassemblies are displaceable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis.

[0077] 4. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the distance sensor (15) is disposed in the interior of the shock absorber (2a, 2b), and a cylinder (11) of the shock absorber (2a, 2b) and a piston (12) of the shock absorber (2a, 2b) are respectively fixedly connected to any one of the two movable subassemblies.

[0078] 5. Shock absorber assembly according to the preceding embodiment 4, wherein the cylinder (11) and the piston (12) define an air-spring chamber (13) that is preferably filled with a gas, with a gas mixture, and/or with air, and/or in which the distance sensor (15) is disposed.

[0079] 6. Shock absorber according to the preceding embodiment 5, wherein the shock absorber exclusively uses the air-spring chamber (13) as a spring element.

[0080] 7. Shock absorber assembly according to the preceding embodiment 4, 5, or 6, wherein the distance sensor (15) is disposed on the longitudinal axis and/or is oriented to emit light along, or essentially along, the longitudinal axis.

[0081] 8. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments 4 to 7, wherein the distance sensor (15) is disposed on a cylinder base (11), and an opposing side of the piston is preferably configured in a light and/or reflective manner.

[0082] 9. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments 4 to 8, wherein, at a maximum compression of the shock absorber, the distance sensor (15) is disposed at a distance of 0.1 to 50 mm from the piston (12).

[0083] 10. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments 4 to 9, wherein the distance sensor (15) is disposed on a side of the piston (12) facing the air-spring chamber (13), and a cylinder base (11) is preferably designed in a lightly colored and/or reflective manner.

[0084] 11. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the shock absorber is a rear-wheel shock absorber (2a) or a front-wheel shock absorber (2b).

[0085] 12. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the shock absorber is a front-wheel shock absorber (2b), the first of the two movable subassemblies comprises a head tube of a bicycle frame and/or a fork steerer tube of a front-wheel fork, the second of the two movable subassemblies comprises a front wheel and/or a mudguard, and the distance sensor (15) is fixedly disposed on the first subassembly and preferably emits light toward the second subassembly, preferably along or parallel to a fork-steerer-tube axis.

[0086] 13. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the shock absorber is a rear-wheel shock absorber (2a), wherein the distance sensor is disposed fixedly, preferably externally, on a section of the shock absorber fixedly connected to the first movable subassembly, which section comprises the bottom bracket, and preferably emits light along, or essentially along, a longitudinal axis of the shock absorber and/or emits light toward the second movable subassembly, in particular of a rocker link (bellcrank) of the rear-wheel suspension.

[0087] 14. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein a spring travel of the shock absorber is at least or at most 10 mm, 20 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, and/or 300 mm.

[0088] 15. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the distance sensor (15) is configured to determine the measurement values continuously or at predetermined points of time, preferably periodically.

[0089] 16. Shock absorber assembly according to the preceding embodiment 15, wherein the distance sensor (15) is configured to determine the measurement values periodically and/or at a frequency in the range between from 0.01 to 1000 kHz.

[0090] 17. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a control unit (18) for controlling and/or reading-out the distance sensor (15).

[0091] 18. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a transmission- and/or receiving unit (19) for wired or wireless transmission of data between the shock absorber and one or more external operating units (31), preferably at a frequency between 0.01 Hz and 1000 kHz.

[0092] 19. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising one or more adjusting units (16) for adjusting one or more operating parameters of the shock absorber, in particular spring stiffness and/or damping rate during deflection and/or rebound, which adjusting units (16) are preferably speed-dependent, wherein the adjusting unit(s) are preferably driven mechanically or by electric motor.

[0093] 20. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a processing means for processing the measurement values, in particular for determining the spacing between the movable components (11, 12).

[0094] 21. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a display means for the display of information, preferably of operating-state information and/or adjustment information of the shock absorber.

[0095] 22. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a storage means for the storing of data, such as measurement values, processed measurement values, operating information, adjustment information, and/or display information.

[0096] 23. Shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one further sensor (3), in particular a speed-, position-, acceleration-, and/or gyroscopic sensor, wherein the processing means (34) is preferably further configured to take into account measurement values of the further sensor in the display and/or the processing of the measurement values and/or in the determination of display- and/or adjustment-information, wherein the further sensor is preferably structurally integrated in or with the distance sensor.

[0097] 24. Shock absorber system (30) comprising

[0098] at least one shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, and

[0099] at least one operating unit (31) comprising a receiving- and/or transmitting means (32) for the communication of data between the shock absorber and the operating unit.

[0100] 25. Shock absorber system (30) according to the preceding embodiment 24, further comprising a processing means (34) for processing the measured values, in particular for determining the spacing between the movable components.

[0101] 26. Shock absorber system (30) according to the preceding embodiment 24 or 25, further comprising a display means (33) for the display of information, preferably of operating-state information and/or of adjustment information of the shock absorber.

[0102] 27. Shock absorber system (30) according to the preceding embodiment 24, 25, or 26, further comprising a storage means for the storing of data, such as measurement values, processed measurement values, operating information, adjustment information, and/or display information.

[0103] 28. Shock absorber system (30) according to any one of the preceding embodiments 24 to 27, wherein the operating unit (31) is configured as a portable computer, in particular as a smartphone.

[0104] 29. Shock absorber system (30) according to any one of the preceding embodiments 24 to 28, further comprising at least one further sensor (3), in particular a speed-, position-, acceleration-, and/or gyroscopic sensor, wherein the processing means is preferably further configured to take into account measurement values of the further sensor(s) in the display and/or the processing of the measurement values and/or in the determination of display- and/or adjustment-information.

[0105] 30. Bicycle (1) comprising a shock absorber assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments 1 to 23 and/or a shock absorber system according to any one of the preceding embodiments 24 to 29, wherein the bicycle is preferably a mountain bike or a racing bike.

[0106] Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention were described above in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide improved shock absorbers for cycling.

[0107] Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the above-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.

[0108] All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter, independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. In addition, all value ranges or indications of groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter.

[0109] Although some aspects of the present disclosure have been described in the context of a device, it is to be understood that these aspects also represent a description of a corresponding method, so that each block or component of a device, such as the processing unit or processor, is also understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. In an analogous manner, aspects which have been described in the context of or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device, such as the processing unit or processor.

[0110] Depending on certain implementation requirements, exemplary embodiments of the processing unit or processor of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware and/or in software. The implementation can be configured using a digital storage medium (storage means), for example one or more of a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a flash memory, on which electronically readable control signals (program code) are stored, which interact or can interact with a programmable hardware component such that the respective method is performed.

[0111] A programmable hardware component can be formed by a processor, a computer processor (CPU=central processing unit), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit (IC), a computer, a system-on-a-chip (SOC), a programmable logic element, or a field programmable gate array (FGPA) including a microprocessor.

[0112] The digital storage medium (storage means) can therefore be machine- or computer readable. Some exemplary embodiments thus comprise a data carrier or non-transient computer readable medium which includes electronically readable control signals which are capable of interacting with a programmable computer system or a programmable hardware component such that one of the methods described herein is performed. An exemplary embodiment is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a non-transient computer-readable medium) on which the program for performing one of the methods described herein is recorded.

[0113] In general, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, in particular the processing unit or processor, are implemented as a program, firmware, computer program, or computer program product including a program, or as data, wherein the program code or the data is operative to perform one of the methods if the program runs on a processor or a programmable hardware component. The program code or the data can for example also be stored on a machine-readable carrier or data carrier. The program code or the data can be, among other things, source code, machine code, bytecode or another intermediate code.

[0114] A program according to an exemplary embodiment can implement one of the methods during its performing, for example, such that the program reads storage locations or writes one or more data elements into these storage locations, wherein switching operations or other operations are induced in transistor structures, in amplifier structures, or in other electrical, optical, magnetic components, or components based on another functional principle. Correspondingly, data, values, sensor values, or other program information can be captured, determined, or measured by reading a storage location. By reading one or more storage locations, a program can therefore capture, determine or measure sizes, values, variable, and other information, as well as cause, induce, or perform an action by writing in one or more storage locations, as well as control other apparatuses, machines, and components.