IP Library Granted Patent US 11,884,357
Granted Patent B2
US 11,884,357 · App. 17/129,051 · Granted Jan 30, 2024

Suspension control system for suspension of human-powered vehicle

Inventor: Satoshi Shahana (Osaka, JP)
Assignee: Shimano Inc.
B62K25/08B62K25/286B62K2025/044B62K2025/047
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,884,357
App. No.
17/129,051
Granted
Jan 30, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A suspension control system is provided for a suspension of a human-powered vehicle. The suspension control system basically includes a detector and an electronic controller. The detector is configured to detect information relating to a running condition of the human-powered vehicle indirectly indicative of a pedaling state of the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to output a control signal to adjust an operating state of the suspension in accordance with the information detected by the detector.

Claims (38)

1. A suspension control system for a suspension of a human-powered vehicle, the suspension control system comprising: a detector configured to detect information relating to a running condition of the human-powered vehicle indirectly indicative of a pedaling state of the human-powered vehicle; and an electronic controller configured to output a control signal to adjust an operating state of the suspension in accordance with the information detected by the detector, the control signal including at least a first suspension control signal to set the suspension to a first operating state, and a second suspension control signal to set the suspension to a second operating state different from the first operating state, and the electronic controller being configured to output at least one of the first suspension control signal and the second suspension control signal to adjust the operating state of the suspension, wherein the control signal further includes a third suspension control signal to set the suspension to a third operating state different from the first operating state and the second operating state, the electronic controller being further configured to output the third suspension control signal to adjust the operating state of the suspension, wherein the operating state of the suspension includes at least one of a suspension stroke, a spring preload, and a lockout.

2. A suspension control system for a suspension of a human-powered vehicle, the suspension control system comprising: a fluctuation detector configured to detect information relating to a fluctuation in a running condition of the human-powered vehicle in a predetermined time interval, wherein the fluctuation includes at least one of a tire air pressure, a vehicle acceleration, a handlebar load, an assist power output, a chain state change, and a precise speed; and an electronic controller configured to output a control signal to adjust an operating state of the suspension in accordance with the information detected by the fluctuation detector, the control signal including at least a first suspension control signal to set the suspension to a first operating state, a second suspension control signal to set the suspension to a second operating state different from the first operating state, the electronic controller being further configured to output at least one of the first suspension control signal and the second suspension control signal to adjust the operating state of the suspension.

3. The suspension control system according to claim 2 , further comprising

a detector configured to detect information relating to the running condition of the human-powered vehicle indirectly indicative of a pedaling state of the human-powered vehicle,

the electronic controller being further configured to output the control signal to adjust the operating state of the suspension in accordance with the information detected by the detector.

4. The suspension control system according to claim 2 , wherein

the control signal further includes a third suspension control signal to set the suspension to a third operating state different from the first operating state and the second operating state,

the electronic controller being, further configured to output the third suspension control signal to adjust the operating state of the suspension.

5. The suspension control system according to claim 4 , wherein

the operating state of the suspension relates to at least one of a suspension stroke, a spring preload, damping and a lockout.

6. The suspension control system according to claim 2 , further comprising

an additional detector configured to detect additional information relating to at least one of a riding posture of rider riding the human-powered vehicle and a terrain condition, and

the electronic controller is configured to output the control signal to adjust the operating state of the suspension in accordance with the information in combination with the additional information.

7. The suspension control system according to claim 6 , wherein

the riding posture includes at least one of a sitting posture and a standing posture.

8. The suspension control system according to claim 6 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to adjust a damping value in accordance with the additional information relating to the terrain condition.

9. The suspension control system according to claim 2 , wherein

the control signal includes at least one of a front suspension adjustment signal and a rear suspension adjustment signal.

10. A bicycle comprising the suspension control system according to claim 2 , the bicycle further comprising:

a bicycle frame;

a front wheel coupled to the bicycle frame;

a rear wheel coupled to the bicycle frame; and

at least one of a front suspension provided between the bicycle frame and the front wheel and a rear suspension provided between the bicycle frame and the rear wheel.

11. The suspension control system according to claim 1 , further comprising

an additional detector configured to detect additional information relating to at least one of a riding posture of rider riding the human-powered vehicle and a terrain condition, and

the electronic controller is configured to output the control signal to adjust the operating state of the suspension in accordance with the information in combination with the additional information.

12. The suspension control system according to claim 11 , wherein

the riding posture includes at least one of a sitting posture and a standing posture.

13. The suspension control system according to claim 11 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to adjust a damping value in accordance with the additional information relating to the terrain condition.

14. The suspension control system according to claim 1 , wherein

the control signal includes at least one of a front suspension adjustment signal and a rear suspension adjustment signal.

15. A bicycle comprising the suspension control system according to claim 1 , the bicycle further comprising:

a bicycle frame;

a front wheel coupled to the bicycle frame;

a rear wheel coupled to the bicycle frame; and

at least one of a front suspension provided between the bicycle frame and the front wheel and a rear suspension provided between the bicycle frame and the rear wheel.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: SHAHANA, SATOSHI
To: SHIMANO INC.
Reel/Frame 054821/0851 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2020 100 276.9 · Jan 9, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210214040A1 · Jul 15, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,528,554