US-12618730-B2 - Torque sensor for a bicycle or an electric bicycle

Abstract

A torque sensor includes a sleeve member configured to be mounted on a center shaft, and a tubular sensor body arranged coaxially with the sleeve member. At least one outer surface of the sleeve member includes one or more magnetostrictive elements. The tubular sensor body includes a bobbin for mounting a sensor coil. An induced current in the sensor coil is detected in response to pedaling by a user. The tubular sensor body includes one or more inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a radial direction of the torque sensor, the one or more inclined surfaces being coupled with the sleeve member or the center shaft.

Inventors

• Che-Wei Hsu
• Tzu-Yang HSIAO
• Yu-Kai Lin

Assignees

• GIANT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20220524

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A torque sensor, comprising: a sleeve member configured to be mounted on a center shaft, wherein at least one outer surface of the sleeve member comprises one or more magnetostrictive elements; and a tubular sensor body arranged coaxially with the sleeve member, the tubular sensor body comprising a bobbin for mounting a sensor coil, wherein an induced current in the sensor coil is detected in response to pedaling by a user; wherein the tubular sensor body comprises one or more inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a radial direction of the torque sensor; wherein the one or more inclined surfaces comprise a first inclined surface being configured to abut the center shaft.
2. 2 . The torque sensor of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inclined surfaces comprise a second inclined surface parallel to and abutting a surface of the sleeve member.
3. 3 . The torque sensor of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inclined surfaces comprise a second inclined surface, and the torque sensor further comprises: an annular member surrounding the sleeve member and abutting the second inclined surface and the sleeve member.
4. 4 . The torque sensor of claim 3 , wherein the annular member includes a surface being parallel to and abutting the second inclined surface.
5. 5 . The torque sensor of claim 3 , wherein the annular member is configured to deform to eliminate a gap between the annular member and the sleeve member, or a gap between the annular member and the bobbin.
6. 6 . The torque sensor of claim 5 , wherein the annular member comprises one or more slits.
7. 7 . The torque sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first inclined surface is parallel to and abuts a surface of the center shaft.
8. 8 . The torque sensor of claim 1 , wherein the torque sensor further comprises: an annular member surrounding the sleeve member and abutting the first inclined surface and the center shaft.
9. 9 . The torque sensor of claim 8 , wherein the annular member includes a surface being parallel to and abutting the first inclined surface.
10. 10 . The torque sensor of claim 8 , further comprising: a spring compressed between the annular member and the center shaft.
11. 11 . The torque sensor of claim 8 , wherein the annular member is configured to deform to eliminate a gap between the annular member and the sleeve member, or a gap between the annular member and the bobbin.
12. 12 . The torque sensor of claim 1 , further comprising: an annular member surrounding the center shaft and configured to deform to eliminate a gap between the annular member and the bobbin, wherein the annular member and the sleeve member respectively include inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the radial direction and parallel to and abutting each other.
13. 13 . A torque sensor, comprising: a sleeve member configured to be mounted on a center shaft, wherein at least one outer surface of the sleeve member comprises one or more magnetostrictive elements; and a tubular sensor body arranged coaxially with the sleeve member, the tubular sensor body comprising a bobbin for mounting a sensor coil, wherein an induced current in the sensor coil is detected in response to pedaling by a user; wherein the center shaft comprises one or more inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a radial direction of the torque sensor, the one or more inclined surfaces being configured to abut the tubular sensor body.
14. 14 . The torque sensor of claim 13 , wherein the tubular sensor body includes a surface inclined with respect to the radial direction, the surface abutting the sleeve member.
15. 15 . The torque sensor of claim 13 , wherein the tubular sensor body includes a surface inclined with respect to the radial direction, the surface abutting the center shaft.
16. 16 . A torque sensor, comprising: a sleeve member mounted on a center shaft, wherein at least one outer surface of the sleeve member comprises one or more magnetostrictive elements; a tubular sensor body arranged coaxially with the sleeve member, the tubular sensor body comprising a bobbin for mounting a sensor coil, wherein an induced current in the sensor coil is detected in response to pedaling by a user; and an annular member abutting the tubular sensor body, the annular member comprising an inclined surface inclined with respect to a radial direction of the torque sensor, the inclined surface abutting the center shaft.
17. 17 . The torque sensor of claim 16 , wherein the annular member comprises: a deformable ring structure surrounding the sleeve member and located between the sleeve member and the tubular sensor body, wherein the inclined surface of the deformable ring structure abuts the sleeve member.
18. 18 . The torque sensor of claim 16 , wherein the annular member comprises: a deformable ring structure surrounding the sleeve member and located between the center shaft and the tubular sensor body, wherein the inclined surface of the deformable ring structure abuts with the tubular sensor body.
19. 19 . The torque sensor of claim 16 , wherein the annular member comprises: a deformable ring structure surrounding the center shaft and abutting the sleeve member and the center shaft, wherein the deformable ring structure is configured to eliminate a gap between the deformable ring structure and the bobbin, the inclined surface of the deformable ring structure being parallel to and abutting a surface of the sleeve member.
20. 20 . The torque sensor of claim 16 , wherein the annular member is configured to deform to eliminate a gap between the annular member and the sleeve member or a gap between the annular member and the tubular sensor body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates to a power measuring device for use with a bicycle or with an electric bicycle, and more particularly, to torque sensors that measure the torque in response to pedaling by a cyclist riding the bicycle or the electric bicycle. BACKGROUND Cycling has been popular for its various roles, including transportation, travel, leisure, exercise, sports, and competition. Cycling's popularity spans all demographics of users, and includes recreational riders, amateur riders, avid rides, professional riders, and athletes. In recent years, with the development of new technologies, various electric bicycles have become available that operate based on electric power or in a hybrid operating state involving both electric power and pedaling. In various bicycle or electric bicycle applications, a torque sensor that usually cooperates with the bottom bracket of the bicycle is applied to detect the torque generated by a cyclist during the pedaling movement, which can be processed and used as parameters for controlling the bicycle or the electric bicycle. However, in conventional designs, the accuracy and precision of the torque sensing are poor due to the undesired displacement of the torque sensor either along an axial direction or along a radial direction. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE Consistent with some embodiments, a torque sensor is provided. The torque sensor includes a sleeve member configured to be mounted on a center shaft, and a tubular sensor body arranged coaxially with the sleeve member. At least one outer surface of the sleeve member includes one or more magnetostrictive elements. The tubular sensor body includes a bobbin for mounting a sensor coil. An induced current in the sensor coil is detected in response to pedaling by a user. The tubular sensor body includes one or more inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a radial direction of the torque sensor, the one or more inclined surfaces being coupled with the sleeve member or the center shaft. Consistent with some embodiments, a torque sensor is provided. The torque sensor includes a sleeve member configured to be mounted on a center shaft and a tubular sensor body arranged coaxially with the sleeve member. At least one outer surface of the sleeve member includes one or more magnetostrictive elements. The tubular sensor body includes a bobbin for mounting a sensor coil. An induced current in the sensor coil is detected in response to pedaling by a user. The sleeve member or the center shaft includes one or more inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a radial direction of the torque sensor, and configured to abut the tubular sensor body. Consistent with some embodiments, a torque sensor is provided. The torque sensor includes a sleeve member mounted on a center shaft, a tubular sensor body arranged coaxially with the sleeve member, and an annular member abutting at least one of the sleeve member or the tubular sensor body. The sleeve member includes one or more magnetostrictive elements affixed to a surface of the sleeve member. The tubular sensor body includes a bobbin for mounting a sensor coil. An induced current in the sensor coil is detected in response to pedaling by a user. The annular member includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to a radial direction of the torque sensor. It is to be understood that the foregoing general descriptions and the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several exemplary embodiments and, together with the corresponding descriptions, provide examples for explaining the disclosed embodiment consistent with the present disclosure and related principles. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a torque sensor, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the torque sensor of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3A-3I are diagrams illustrating examples of arrangements of corresponding portions at a non-drive side of the torque sensor, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4A-4F are diagrams illustrating examples of arrangements of corresponding portions at a drive side of the torque sensor, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a deformable ring structure, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B illustrates an