Abstract:
A system for controlling gear shifting in a transmission of a cycle, includes at least one gear wheel or sprocket on which a transmission element is engaged to perform transmission of motion as a result of movement in a predetermined direction. The gear shifting is carried out by changing the position of engagement of the transmission member with respect to the at least one gear wheel or sprocket. The system further includes at least one sensor for detecting the movement in corresponding direction of movement of the motion transmitting element for generating a signal and a control unit for controlling the change of the position of the element for transmitting motion with respect to the at least one gear wheel or sprocket when the signal indicates that the element for transmitting motion is moving in the given direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention tackles the problem of controlling gear shifting in cycles and has been developed with particular attention paid to the possible application to competition bicycles. In any case, the reference to this possible application, and in particular the reference to the application to racing bicycles, must not be interpreted as limiting the possible field of application of the invention. 
     Over the last few years there has developed, in the cycle sector, the tendency to associate to the cycle sensors of various nature so as to be able to acquire information of various kinds regarding the use/behaviour of the means, the aim being to be able to intervene through actuators to modify—according to certain criteria, and acting both in an automatic way and according to specific commands issued by the user ? the conditions of use/behaviour of the means, in particular as regards its set. 
     In particular, the present invention has been developed with specific reference to the servo systems which carry out positioning of the transmission chain of the cycle in a position corresponding to the front derailleur and to the rear derailleur. 
     In drive trains mounted on cycles of a more sophisticated type it is envisaged that the toothing of the crankwheel and sprockets on which the derailleurs act are not all made up of teeth that are the same. Instead, the teeth are arranged in ordered sets and the teeth comprised within each set have a sequence of differentiated geometries such as to facilitate shifting of the chain, the foregoing in order to create, within the corresponding toothing, points or areas in which the movement of shifting of the chain is facilitated. Said points or areas are referred to simply as “facilitating portions”. 
     If a command for shifting of the chain position is issued at an inopportune moment, the correct positioning of the chain may be at least momentarily hindered, and hence delayed. 
     This drawback, which is anyway noticeable in systems for control of gear-shifting of a manual type, becomes particularly troublesome in cycles in which the change of transmission ratio is controlled by an automatically operated actuator, which is governed by an electronic control system. Such a system is usually configured to co-ordinate the various interventions of modification of set of the cycle itself (both according to the commands issued by the user and in an altogether automatic way), so as to optimize the performance of the cycle and, more in general, of the cycle-user system. 
     As is recognized, for example, in the European patent application EP-A-1 010 612 (on the other hand published after the date of priority of the present application), in the framework of these systems, the attempt to control shifting of the chain at a wrong moment may give rise to various problems. 
     For example, in addition to an undesired retardation in actuation of the command, a problem may arise linked to the fact that the actuator involved by the command ends up being activated (and hence absorbing energy) for an interval of time in which the actuator itself is not able to ensure that the action requested will be carried out. During this interval, the actuator absorbs power from supply sources (typically batteries) mounted on the cycle, this amounting to energy which, to all effects, ends up being wasted without obtaining any useful result. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the present invention is to provide a solution that is able to overcome the drawbacks outlined above. 
     According to the present invention, this purpose is achieved thanks to a process having the characteristics specifically called for in the claims which follow. 
     The invention also relates to the corresponding system, as well as to components usable in the context of the aforesaid system and/or for implementation of the aforesaid process. 
     Basically, the solution according to the invention is along the lines of innovation that have led to an increasing sophistication in the control systems usable on cycles, and in particular on competition bicycles, with the aim of acquiring information that may be used for optimizing the supply of energy, avoiding the waste that occurs in systems designed usually to be supplied via batteries, with the evident need to prevent the cycle from being rendered heavy by batteries that are too cumbersome and/or weigh too much. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the solution according to the invention involves using a transducer that may be positioned in alignment with the crank axle of the cycle. This is preferably a transducer of a potentiometric type, capable of detecting information, such as: 
     movement of the transmission element of the cycle (whether this is a chain or a belt); 
     the corresponding direction of movement; 
     the angular position (or “phase”) of the corresponding toothing of the gear wheel driven by the crank axle of the cycle; and 
     the pedal cadence. 
     This information may be, at least in part, used to condition activation of members of the cycle moved by means of actuators which draw energy from power-supply sources, such as batteries mounted on the cycle itself. 
     This applies in particular as regards the operation of the front and/or rear derailleur in order to obtain carrying-out of the shifting operation at the most favourable moment, i.e., when the chain is in a position that exactly corresponds to one of the “facilitating portions” referred to in the introductory part of the present description. 
     In this connection, it should be noted that shifting of the chain, or more in general of the element for transmitting motion, may take place properly only if the element itself is moving; otherwise, there is the risk of causing waste of energy and undesirable stresses on the mechanical parts. 
     A pure and simple signal of movement is not, however, sufficient, given that, if the chain moves in a direction opposite to the desired one (i.e., in the direction opposite to the direction of pedalling to make the cycle advance), again an undesired result is obtained. 
     Consequently, the solution according to the invention in general involves performance of the operation of gear shifting according to whether it is recognized that the chain itself is moving, and in the desired direction (i.e., in the same direction as that of pedalling to make the cycle advance), as well as to whether the gear wheel involved in gear shifting is in a given angular position (in turn corresponding to the location of the chain in a position that corresponds to one of the aforesaid facilitating portions). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will now be described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a cycle, such as a competition bicycle, equipped with a system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the cycle represented in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating, as a whole, the structure of a sensor that may be mounted on the cycle represented in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the structure of another sensor that may be mounted on the aforesaid cycle; 
     FIGS. 5 and 6, each of which comprises two parts designated by a) and b), illustrate in greater detail the criteria of operation of the sensor of FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a possible example of implementation of the process according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the attached drawings, the reference number  1  designates, as a whole, a cycle, such as a competition bicycle, for example a racing bicycle. 
     The structural and constructional characteristics of such a cycle are to be deemed altogether known, and hence such as not to require a detailed description herein. In this connection, persons skilled in the sector will appreciate that the possibilities of use of the solution according to the invention are certainly not limited to the type of cycle illustrated. 
     In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the use is envisaged of a sensor  2  located in a position corresponding to the crank axle C 1 . In embodiments of the invention considered less preferred, it is possible to envisage the use (either together with or as an alternative to the sensor  2 ) of a second sensor  3  located in a position corresponding to the chain-tensioner. 
     The fact that in the drawings of FIGS. 1 and 2 the possible co-presence of the sensors  2  and  3  is illustrated is therefore due solely to the aim of not rendering the present description needlessly burdensome. 
     The system further comprises two actuators, designated by  4  and  5 , designed to control, respectively, the front derailleur and the rear derailleur of the cycle. 
     Both the sensors  2  and/or  3  and the actuators  4 ,  5  are connected, for example by means of respective communication lines (not visible in the drawings, but of a known type), to a processing unit  6  located preferably, at least in part, in the vicinity of the handlebars of the cycle. 
     In its process and system aspects, the invention regards the modalities according to which the action of change of transmission ratio of the cycle is performed. 
     In a further aspect, the invention regards preferred solutions for obtaining the sensors  2  and  3 . 
     In any case, at least in its process and system aspects, the solution according to the invention is irrespective both of the specific characteristics of the sensors  2  and  3  and of the specific characteristics of the actuators  4  and  5 . 
     Passing now to a detailed examination of the structure of the sensor  2  (FIG.  3 ), it may be noted that it basically comprises a stator element  10 , which includes for example a small disk made of electrically insulating material designed to be mounted in a fixed position with respect to the frame of the cycle  1 . In particular, the element  10  has a central opening  12  through which it is possible to extend the crankpin H 1  of the crank axle C 1  of the cycle. 
     Provided on the element  10  are two concentric circular channels on strips  14  and  16 , respectively outer and inner, both of which are electrically conductive, and at least one of which (for example, the strip  14 , in the example illustrated) is made of electrically resistive material. 
     The two ends of the strip  14  terminate in two end pins, designated by  140  and  141 , which may be connected respectively: 
     to a power-supply source V (it may, for instance, be one of the power-supply batteries provided, in a known way, on the cycle), and 
     to a ground terminal G. 
     Connection of the pin  140  to the power source V is preferably by means of an electronic switch  150 , the function of which will be better explained in what follows. 
     The inner strip  16 , which is here supposed as being simply a strip, made of metal material, is connected to a further pin  142 , which may in turn be connected to the processing unit  6 . 
     Also connected to the same processing unit  6  is a further pin  143 , which is in turn connected to a pad  18  made of electrically conductive material, the said pad being set between the strips  14  and  16  at a point corresponding to one of the ends of the strip  14  itself. 
     Finally, the reference number  20  designates a rotating brush, made of electrically conductive material, mounted on a rotating member, which may be driven in rotation by the crankpin H 1 . 
     The set of parts described basically defines a voltage divider of a resistive type, in which, once the value of the supply voltage V applied to the pin  140  has been set, the level of voltage detectable on the pin  142  basically depends upon the angular position of the brush  20 , and hence upon the angular position of the crankpin H 1 . 
     By sliding on both of the strips  14  and  16 , the brush  20  establishes an electrical connection between the strip  16  (which here is assumed as having a continuous circular development and being made of electrically conductive material) and the strip  14  (here configured as an open ring, with the two ends that are connected to the pins  140  and  141  being adjacent but not connected to one another). 
     With every turn of the crankpin H 1  of the bottom bracket, the pad  18  and the pin  143  connected to it are short-circuited, for example towards the pin  141  and/or the end of the strip  14  connected thereto, so as to force the pin  143  to the ground voltage. 
     The output signal of the sensor  2  is basically a sawtooth signal, which assumes a maximum value when the crankpin H 1  is in the angular position corresponding to the location of the brush  20  at the end of the channel  14  corresponding to the pin  140 , and a minimum value (virtually, zero) when the crankpin H 1  localizes the brush  20  at the opposite end of the channel  14 , i.e., at a point corresponding to the pin  141 . 
     The fact that the aforesaid sawtooth signal has an inclined rising edge or an inclined falling edge evidently depends, given the same position of installation of the sensor  2 , upon the direction of rotation imparted to the crank axle, and hence to the chain K. 
     In any case, with an appropriate operation of threshold-setting (carried out directly on the analog signal present on the pin  142 , or else on the numeric version obtained following upon an analog-to-digital conversion in the transmission/acquisition phase by the unit  6 ), it is possible to identify precisely whether the gear wheel to which the sensor is associated (in the example of embodiment here illustrated, the wheel moved by the crank axle) is in one of the angular positions corresponding to the location of the chain K at one of the facilitating portions, i.e., at the start of the sequence of teeth that facilitate the shifting that it is intended to impart on the chain K. 
     In addition, again depending upon the aforesaid operation of threshold-setting, the unit  6  is able to verify that the output signal of the sensor  2  varies in time, an indication of the fact that the corresponding gear wheel and the chain K drawn along by it are moving. Finally, detection of the slope (angular coefficient) of the leading and/or trailing edges of the signal in question enables the unit  6  to identify the direction of movement (forwards or backwards) of the chain K itself. 
     The set of parts described may be made in the form of an electromechanical component basically resembling a normal rotating potentiometer, with the possibility of inserting the corresponding component inside a shell or, in any case, in a protective structure (for example, in a so-called “potting box”), so as to enable proper operation even in a hostile environment, as is required by its envisaged installation in a position corresponding to the crank axle of a cycle. 
     Persons skilled in the sector will, on the other hand, appreciate that the exemplary embodiment illustrated (which corresponds to an embodiment that is currently preferred) can undergo numerous variations, such as: 
     reversal of the role of the strips  14  and  16  (i.e., with the strip  14  made altogether of a conductive material, and the strip  16  made of a resistive material); 
     kinematic reversal of the roles of the brush  20  and of at least one of the strips  14  and  16 , namely, with the brush  20  mounted in a stationary position and with one of the strips that rotates together with the crankpin H 1  of the crank axle; or 
     location of the pad  18  in a position corresponding to the end of the strip  14  connected to the pin  140 ; in this case, the passage of the brush  20  in front of the pad  18  causes the pin  143  to be forced no longer to the ground voltage but to the battery voltage V. 
     Yet further variant embodiments are evidently within the reach of a person skilled in the sector, without prejudice to the possibility of making a sensor of a potentiometric type that is able to supply at output (on the pin  142 , in the exemplary embodiment illustrated) a first signal which uniquely identifies the angular position currently reached by the crankpin H 1  of the crank axle, with the further possibility of generating a reference signal which indicates passage of the crankpin H 1  through a pre-determined angular position, as well as signals identifying movement and direction of movement of the chain K. 
     The sensor  3  is, instead, made in such a way as to be located in a position corresponding to the chain-tensioner normally provided in a position corresponding to the rear end of the chain K of the cycle. 
     The chain-tensioner in question is usually made up of a pair of oscillating arms or half-cages  22  provided with respective upper ends  24  designed to be connected together at a point corresponding to a cage articulation pin or pivot  26 , which enables their installation on the frame of the cycle  1  with the possibility of oscillation about a pivot axis X 26  extending in the horizontal direction. 
     Mounted between the aforesaid upper ends, in such a way that it can turn about its own axis X 25 , is a first top pulley or roller  25 , usually having a lenticular profile. 
     The arms or half-cages  22  then have respective bottom ends  28  designed to be connected together by means of a pivot  30 , on which there is mounted, in such a way that it can turn about its own axis X 32 , a bottom pulley or roller  32  (usually having a lenticular profile). 
     The chain K of the cycle is mounted in such a way as to engage on the top and bottom rollers  25  and  32  so that it describes a general S-shaped path. 
     The possible movement of oscillation (in practice, of swinging) of the arms  22  about the axis X 26  causes a corresponding movement of the bottom pulley or roller  32 , with the result that the latter is able to keep the chain K tensioned, absorbing and compensating the variations in the path of movement of the chain K induced by the fact that the chain itself engages in different positions corresponding to the sprockets of the transmission of the cycle. 
     In any case, the set of parts that has just been described and the corresponding criteria of operation correspond to solutions which are of themselves amply known, and which consequently do not require any detailed illustration herein, also because they are in themselves irrelevant for the purposes of implementation and understanding of the invention. 
     The invention envisages in fact configuring at least one of the rollers  25 ,  32  (in the example of embodiment illustrated, the roller  32 ) as the rotor part of a sensor, the stator part of which, designated, as a whole by  34 , is mounted on one of the arms or half-cages  22 . 
     In the case in point, there is applied, on the roller  32  (possibly by integration at the fabrication-process level, for example by means of co-moulding), an element  36  of magnetic material (such as plastoferrite) having, in the example here illustrated, a general C-shaped conformation with a pre-determined angular extension, such as an angular extension of 180°. 
     The stator part  34  of the sensor preferably comprises two end instruments or pickups  35 , such as two Hall-effect sensors, or reed relays, mounted on a corresponding arm or half-cage  22  in angular positions staggered by 90° with respect to the axis of rotation X 32  of the roller  32 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates, in its two parts set one above the other and designated by a) and b), a possible sequence of rotation of the element  36  within a single turn of the roller  32 , according to whether the roller  32  in question is moving (as viewed in FIG. 5) in a clockwise direction (FIG. 5 a ) or in a counter-clockwise direction (FIG. 5 b ). 
     With reference to the direction of movement of the chain K, which engages on the roller  32 , the aforesaid two directions of rotation may be considered as corresponding, respectively, to the forward movement and to the backward movement of the chain K itself. 
     It will be recalled that, as used within the present description, the term “forward” indicates the direction of movement of the chain corresponding to the direction of movement imparted on the chain K when the crank axle of the cycle is driven in the direction that produces forward movement of the cycle itself. 
     Likewise, the two parts a) and b) of FIG. 6 represent two timing diagrams corresponding to the behaviour of the output signals of the two end instruments or pickups  35 —the two signals being designated by  351  and  352 , which may be viewed collectively as a second signal—when the chain K moves, respectively, forwards (signals  351  and  352  of FIG. 6 a ) and backwards (signals  351  and  352  of FIG. 6 b ). 
     The aforesaid signals appear intrinsically as logic-type signals (i.e., as signals that present alternately a high logic level and a low logic level according to whether the respective end instrument or pickup  35  is currently passing in front of the magnetic element  36  or is at some distance from it). 
     Through a logic combination of the signals  351  and  352  generated by the end instruments or pickups  35  it is possible to recognize uniquely whether the movement of the roller  32  (and hence of the chain K) is taking place in one direction or the other. All this takes place according to criteria that are in themselves amply known (for example, from the techniques of use of the so-called “optical encoders”), and consequently does not require any specific illustration herein. 
     What has been previously said for the sensor  2  also applies to the sensor  3 . A person skilled in the sector is in fact able to define, on the basis of the indications provided previously, solutions that are functionally equivalent to the one just described. 
     In particular, the aforesaid sensing action may be carried out, for example, using the roller  25  instead of the roller  32 , or else using sensors or pickups  35  different from the ones described, or, yet again, using two sensors, one of which is associated to one roller and the other to the other roller. 
     It should, however, be said that, above all from the technological point of view (association to the roller  32  of an element  36  of magnetic material), the solution just described proves particularly advantageous in that it enables a simple, reliable sensor assembly to be obtained, which moreover affords low power consumption and is able to operate properly even in a hostile environment, such as that of the transmission of a cycle. 
     Again as regards power consumption, it has already been said that there may be associated to the sensor  2  (possibly, by direct integration) an element  150  which has the function of electrical switch able to interrupt connection of the sensor  2  to the voltage source V when activation of the corresponding sensing function is not wanted. 
     In particular, when the switch  150  is in the open position, the resistive element represented by the strip  14  is not connected to the voltage V, and hence there is no absorption of electrical energy. 
     The switch  150  is preferably connected to the unit  6  by means of a respective line  151  in such a way as to cause the sensor  2  itself to be in practice activated only when the unit  6  deems it necessary to have available the corresponding signal. 
     This typically occurs when the unit  6  has available (either because it is received from outside as a result of a positive command issued by the user of the cycle, or because it is processed by the unit  6  itself according to the particular conditions of operation of the cycle) a command aimed at obtaining the change of transmission ratio of the cycle. 
     A similar arrangement may be provided, at the sensor  3 , with a switch  152  which activates the end instruments or pickups  35  only following upon reception of a corresponding activation signal from the unit  6 . 
     The modalities for carrying out the action of front-derailleur shifting will now be described with reference to the embodiment of the invention currently preferred, i.e., assuming that only the sensor  2  is present, which is able to supply a signal that, processed by the unit  6 , enables identification both of the angular position of the crank axle of the cycle, and hence of the gear wheel driven by the latter, and movement and direction of movement of the chain K. 
     At the moment in which the need to carry out a change of front-derailleur gear ratio arises, the unit  6  activates the sensor  2  (for example, by bringing the switch  150 , typically represented by an electronic switch, such as a transistor) into a closed position, so as to activate the sensor  2  itself. The corresponding output signal picked up on the pin  142  enables the unit  6  to identify in a unique way the angular position reached by the crankpin H 1  of the crank axle, as well as the movement and the direction of movement of the corresponding gear wheel, and hence of the chain K. 
     The aim of what has been described above is to permit the unit  6  to enable the corresponding actuator (in the example of embodiment illustrated, the actuator  4  associated to the front derailleur) with optimal advance for obtaining the required shifting of the chain properly; it having been detected simultaneously that the chain K is moving forwards, thus preventing the start of any attempt at gear-shifting when the chain is stationary, or else when the chain is moving backwards. 
     This operating mode is schematically illustrated in the flowchart of FIG.  7 . 
     Here, starting from an initial step  100 , the step  101  identifies the reception (or, in any case, processing) by the unit  6  of the request for a chain-positioning command, namely, for gear shifting. 
     The next step  102  is the one in which the unit  6  activates the sensor  2  so as to have available the corresponding signal. 
     After a selection step  103  (the function of which will be illustrated in what follows, and which is here assumed as having the output NO), the signal coming from the sensor  2  undergoes, in a step  104 , verification of whether the chain is actually moving. 
     The output NO from step  104  indicates that the chain K is not moving. 
     In these conditions, the unit  6  goes back to step  103 . 
     The output YES from step  104 , instead, indicates that the chain K is moving, and then, in a subsequent step  105 , the unit  6  verifies whether the signal coming from the sensor  2  indicates that the chain K is moving forwards. 
     The output NO from step  105  causes return to step  103 . In the event of output YES from step  106 , the unit  6  verifies, in a subsequent step  106 , whether the value of the signal of the sensor  2  is such as to indicate that the chain is in a position corresponding to one of shift facilitating portions. 
     Also in this case, in the event of an output NO, the unit  6  returns to step  103 . In the event of an output YES, instead, the unit  6  sends, to the actuator  4 , the command for gear shifting (step  107 ), whilst also deactivating the sensor. It then moves on to a an arrest step  108 . 
     If, for the various reasons specified previously (chain stationary or else moving backwards, location in a position not corresponding to a facilitating portion) there is a return to step  103 , the unit  6  verifies whether the time elapsed from the moment in which the unit  6  itself received or processed the gear-shifting command signal is longer than a pre-determined threshold value equal to T. 
     If this interval is shorter than the threshold value (output NO from step  103 ), the unit  6  repeats the sequence of steps described previously, in order to verify whether, in the meantime, the user has started to pedal again and so to move the chain K forwards, in particular bringing the chain into a position corresponding to one of the facilitating portions, so as to establish indications favourable for gear shifting. 
     If, instead, the conditions unfavourable for shifting of the chain persist for a certain time interval (output YES from step  103 ), the unit  6  moves onto a step  109 , hence interpreting the gear-shifting command received or processed as a non-executable command, possibly because it has been issued in an erroneous way, and so carries out a reset to clear the gear-shifting command; then it moves on to an end step  110 . 
     In these conditions, for example, the unit  6  will be able to send, to the user, a signal (for example an acoustic and/or light signal) aimed at pointing out the fact that, even though the user has issued a command for gear shifting, he is behaving in a way which is not consistent with the command given (for example, because he is not pedalling or he is pedalling backwards). 
     It will be appreciated that the criteria of operation described above are implementable, in a sub-optimal way, operating exclusively according to the signal of movement and direction of movement of the chain K, the foregoing being aimed at rendering the execution of the gear-shifting operation uniquely conditional on the fact that the chain K is moving forwards. In this case, evidently the information on the angular positioning of the gear wheel, and hence the information on the positioning of the chain K with respect to the shift facilitating portions, is not available. 
     Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to what is described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. This applies in particular to the possibility of applying the criteria of operation described above with reference to the gear wheel associated to the crank axle (and hence to the corresponding derailleur) also, or exclusively, to the rear derailleur. 
     At least in principle, it is also possible to envisage sensing the position of the chain K, in particular the position with respect to the toothing of the gear wheel moved by the crank axle, by exploiting the signal generated by a sensor, such as the sensor  3 , associated to the chain-tensioner. 
     Yet a further possible variant embodiment may envisage use of the sensor  2  for generating the signal of angular position of the gear wheel, and use of the sensor  3  for generating the signal of movement and direction of movement of the chain K. The solution based on the use of the sensor  2  alone proves, however, particularly advantageous in terms of precision and reliability of operation of the system.