US-12623742-B2 - Saddle sensor assembly, human-powered vehicle control system comprising saddle sensor assembly, saddle assembly comprising saddle sensor assembly, and seatpost assembly comprising saddle sensor assembly

Abstract

A saddle sensor assembly is provided to a saddle or seatpost. The saddle sensor assembly includes a first part, a second part, a third part and a sensor. The first part is configured to receive a load from a rider, and moves due to the load applied by the rider. The second part is provided closer to a seatpost than the first part. The first part is movable relative to the second part between a first position and a second position. The third part supports the first part and the second part. The third part is attached to at least one of the saddle and the seatpost. The sensor is provided to one of the first part and the second part. The sensor is configured to detect relative movement of at least one of the first part and the second part between the first position and the second position.

Inventors

• Nobukatsu Hara

Assignees

• SHIMANO INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20211224

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A saddle sensor assembly: a saddle having an opening; a load input configured to receive a load from a rider, and configured to be movable due to the load applied by the rider, the load input being disposed in the opening in the saddle; a sensor support provided between a seatpost and the load input, the load input being separately formed from the sensor support and the saddle so that the load input is configured to be movable relative to the sensor support between a first position and a second position, the load input being movably and pivotally connected to the sensor support about a fixed pivot point to facilitate movement between the first and second positions, the load input being an upper surface configured to be positioned above a seat surface of the saddle in a case where the saddle sensor assembly is attached, the upper surface of the load input being movable between the first and second positions relative to the sensor support; the fixed pivot point being a pivot pin connecting a front end of the load input and a front end of the sensor support, the load input being connected to the sensor support through the opening in the saddle, the pivot pin being disposed at a front end of the saddle; a mount supporting the load input and the sensor support, and configured to be attached to at least one of the saddle and the seatpost; and a sensor supported by the sensor support, wherein the sensor is configured to detect relative movement of at least one of the load input and the sensor support between the first position and the second position.
2. 2 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the load input is connected to the sensor support by a first connection and a second connection so that a distance between the first connection and the second connection is longer than a distance between the second connection and the sensor.
3. 3 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensed element protruding downward from the load input toward the sensor provided to the sensor support.
4. 4 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the sensed element is adjustably coupled to the load input to adjust a distance between the sensed element and the sensor.
5. 5 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the sensed element is threadedly coupled to the load input.
6. 6 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a contact sensor.
7. 7 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a non-contact sensor.
8. 8 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an adjuster adjustably connecting the sensor support in a longitudinal direction of the saddle.
9. 9 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the adjuster includes at least one opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the saddle, and the adjuster is adjustably connected to the sensor support by at least one positioning member that extends through the at least one opening in the adjuster.
10. 10 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the mount is configured to be attached to a pair of saddle rails of the saddle.
11. 11 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the mount is integrated with a saddle clamp of the seatpost.
12. 12 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a support structure configured to support the load input and the sensor support, wherein the support structure includes a damping part configured to dampen a load applied to the load input.
13. 13 . The saddle sensor assembly according to claim 12 , further comprising a restricting part configured to restrict movement of the load input and the sensor support relative to the support structure.
14. 14 . A human-powered vehicle control system comprising the saddle sensor assembly according to claim 1 , and further comprising a controller configured to receive a signal to the sensor, and configured to determine a rider's condition.
15. 15 . The human-powered vehicle control system according to claim 14 , wherein the rider's condition includes a rider's posture.
16. 16 . The human-powered vehicle control system according to claim 15 , wherein the rider's posture includes at least one of sitting and standing.
17. 17 . The human-powered vehicle control system according to claim 14 , wherein the rider's condition includes an estimation of a rider's fatigue.
18. 18 . The human-powered vehicle control system according to claim 14 , further comprising a data storage device electrically connected to the controller, and configured to store a reference value to determine the rider's condition.
19. 19 . The human-powered vehicle control system according claim 14 , further comprising a wireless communicator electrically connected to the controller, and configured to wirelessly transmit the rider's condition from the controller.
20. 20 . The human-powered vehicle control system according to claim 19 , wherein the wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly receive commands for the controller.

Description

BACKGROUND Technical Field This disclosure generally relates to a saddle sensor assembly, a human-powered vehicle control system comprising a saddle sensor assembly, a saddle assembly comprising a saddle sensor assembly and a seatpost assembly comprising a saddle sensor assembly. Background Information In recent years, some human-powered vehicles are provided with electric components or devices that are automatically adjusted based on at least one riding condition. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0046339 discloses adjusting a suspension of a bicycle based on a riding posture of a rider. SUMMARY Generally, the present disclosure is directed to various features of a saddle sensor assembly for a human-powered vehicle. The term “human-powered vehicle” as used herein refers to a vehicle that can be driven by at least human driving force, but does not include a vehicle using only a driving power other than human power. In particular, a vehicle solely using an internal combustion engine as a driving power is not included in the human-powered vehicle. The human-powered vehicle is generally assumed to be a compact, light vehicle that sometimes does not require a license for driving on a public road. The number of wheels on the human-powered vehicle is not limited. The human-powered vehicle includes, for example, a monocycle and a vehicle having three or more wheels. The human-powered vehicle includes, for example, various types of bicycles such as a mountain bike, a road bike, a city bike, a cargo bike, and a recumbent bike, and an electric assist bicycle (E-bike). In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a saddle sensor assembly is provided for a saddle. The saddle sensor assembly comprises a first part, a second part, a third part and a sensor. The first part is configured to receive a load from a rider. The first part is configured to be movable due to the load applied by the rider. The second part is provided closer to a seatpost than the first part. The first part is configured to be movable relative to the second part between a first position and a second position. The third part supports the first part and the second part. The third part is configured to be attached to at least one of the saddle and the seatpost. The sensor is provided to one of the first part and the second part. The sensor is configured to detect relative movement of at least one of the first part and the second part between the first position and the second position. With the saddle sensor assembly according to the first aspect, it is possible to reliably detect a load applied to the first part from a rider. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, the saddle sensor assembly according to the first aspect is configured so that the first part is movably connected to the second part. With the saddle sensor assembly according to the second aspect, the sensor can detect a load applied to the first part from a rider in accordance with the movement of the first part. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, the saddle sensor assembly according to the second aspect is configured so that the first part is pivotally connected to the second part. With the saddle sensor assembly according to the third aspect, the first part can be easily moved relative to the second part when a load is applied from a rider to the first part. In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the saddle sensor assembly according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is configured so that the first part is connected to the second part by a first connection and a second connection so that a distance between the first connection and the second connection is longer than a distance between the second connection and the sensor. With the saddle sensor assembly according to the fourth aspect, the first part can be firmly connected to the second part in a movable manner so as to reliably detect the relative movement of at least one of the first part and the second part. In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the saddle sensor assembly according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect is configured so that the first part has an upper surface configured to be positioned above a seat surface of the saddle in a case where the saddle sensor assembly is attached. With the saddle sensor assembly according to the fifth aspect, a load is applied from a rider to the first part can be quickly and reliably detected. In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the saddle sensor assembly according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect further comprises a sensed element protruding downward from the first part toward the sensor provided to the second part. With the saddle sensor assembly according to the sixth aspect, the sensor can be easily detect the movement of detect t