Patent ID: 7090602

Claim:
A power saving apparatus for an assisting apparatus that uses power from a rotating member to assist the operation of a bicycle transmission, wherein the power saving apparatus comprises: a rotating member engaging member that moves between a rotating member engaging position, wherein the rotating member engaging member is capable of engaging the rotating member as the rotating member rotates while the bicycle is being operated so that power from the rotating member assists the operation of the bicycle transmission while the rotating member engaging member engages the rotating member, and a rotating member disengaging position, wherein the rotating member engaging member is disengaged from the rotating member as the rotating member rotates while the bicycle is being operated; a setting mechanism that sets the rotating member engaging member toward the rotating member engaging position; and a power saving unit that saves power communicated between the setting mechanism and the rotating member engaging member when the setting mechanism attempts to move the rotating member engaging member into the rotating member engaging position and the rotating member engaging member encounters a force that resists the rotating member engaging member being in the rotating member engaging position.