IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,441,427
Granted Patent B2
US 12,441,427 · App. 18/306,193 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Electrical device and rotational device for human-powered vehicle

Inventors: Hitoshi Takayama (Sakai, JP); Junta Hamamoto (Sakai, JP); Susumu Endo (Sakai, JP)
Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
B62J45/20B62J43/30B62J45/414B62M3/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,441,427
App. No.
18/306,193
Granted
Oct 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electrical device of a rotational device for a human-powered vehicle comprises an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to operate with first power consumption in a first state and configured to operate with second power consumption lower than the first power consumption in a second state. The electronic controller is configured to change a state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where a first sleep condition is met for a first sleep determination time in the first state. The electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where a second sleep condition is met for a second sleep determination time in the first state. The second sleep determination time is shorter than the first sleep determination time.

Claims (133)

1. An electrical device of a rotational device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

an electronic controller configured to operate with first power consumption in a first state and configured to operate with second power consumption lower than the first power consumption in a second state;

the electronic controller being configured to change a state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where a first sleep condition is met for a first sleep determination time in the first state;

the electronic controller being configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where a second sleep condition is met for a second sleep determination time in the first state, the second sleep determination time being shorter than the first sleep determination time; and

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where the first sleep condition is met for the first sleep determination time after the second sleep condition is not met.

2. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where the electronic controller changes the state of the electrical device from the second state to the first state in response to axial acceleration defined in an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotational device.

3. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where the second sleep condition is met for the second sleep determination time after the electronic controller changes the state of the electrical device from the second state to the first state.

4. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to maintain the first state in a case where the second sleep condition is not met before the second sleep determination time elapses after the electronic controller changes the state of the electrical device from the second state to the first state.

5. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to maintain the first state in a case where the first sleep condition is not met before the first sleep determination time elapses after the second sleep condition is not met.

6. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein

the first sleep condition includes

that an amount of change in a rotational position sensed by a position sensor is less than a first movement threshold, and

that a force sensed by a force sensor is lower than a first force threshold.

7. The electrical device according to claim 6 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where the amount of change in the rotational position sensed by the position sensor is less than the first movement threshold and where the force sensed by the force sensor is lower than the first force threshold.

8. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein

the second sleep condition includes

that an amount of change in a rotational position sensed by a position sensor is less than a second movement threshold, and

that a force sensed by a force sensor is lower than a second force threshold.

9. The electrical device according to claim 8 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where the amount of change in the rotational position sensed by the position sensor is less than the second movement threshold and where the force sensed by the force sensor is lower than the second force threshold.

10. The electrical device according to claim 1 , further comprising

the position sensor configured to sense a rotational position of the rotational device.

11. The electrical device according to claim 10 , wherein

the position sensor is provided on a longitudinal line, and

the longitudinal line is defined to intersect with a rotational axis of the rotational device and a center axis of a pedal attachment hole of the rotational device.

12. The electrical device according to claim 10 , wherein

the position sensor includes an accelerometer, and

the accelerometer is configured to sense

radial acceleration defined in a radial direction with respect to a rotational axis of the rotational device,

rotational acceleration defined in a rotational direction with respect to the rotational axis, and

axial acceleration defined an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotational device.

13. The electrical device according to claim 12 , wherein

the first movement threshold includes a first radial acceleration threshold and a first rotational acceleration threshold, and

the first sleep condition includes that an amount of change in the radial acceleration is less than the first radial acceleration threshold and that an amount of change in the rotational acceleration is less than the first rotational acceleration threshold.

14. The electrical device according to claim 12 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state regardless of the axial acceleration, in a case where the amount of change in the radial acceleration is less than the first radial acceleration threshold for the first sleep determination time and where the amount of change in the rotational acceleration is less than the first rotational acceleration threshold for the first sleep determination time.

15. The electrical device according to claim 14 , wherein

the second movement threshold includes a second radial acceleration threshold and a second rotational acceleration threshold, and

the second sleep condition includes that the amount of change in the radial acceleration is less than the second radial acceleration threshold and that the amount of change in the rotational acceleration is less than the second rotational acceleration threshold.

16. The electrical device according to claim 12 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state regardless of the axial acceleration, in a case where the amount of change in the radial acceleration is less than the second radial acceleration threshold for the second sleep determination time and where the amount of change in the rotational acceleration is less than the second rotational acceleration threshold for the second sleep determination time.

17. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the second state to the first state in a case where a wake condition is met in the second state.

18. The electrical device according to claim 17 , wherein

the wake condition includes at least one of

that an amount of change in radial acceleration defined in a radial direction with respect to a rotational axis of the rotational device is greater than a radial acceleration threshold, and

that an amount of change in rotational acceleration defined in a rotational direction with respect to the rotational axis is greater than a rotational acceleration threshold.

19. The electrical device according to claim 18 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the second state to the first state in at least one of a case where the amount of change in the radial acceleration is greater than the radial acceleration threshold and a case where the amount of change in the rotational acceleration is greater than the rotational acceleration threshold.

20. A rotational device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

a crank arm; and

the electrical device according to claim 1 .

21. The rotational device according to claim 20 , wherein

the electrical device is at least partially provided to the crank arm.

22. The rotational device according to claim 20 , further comprising:

a crank axle; and

a sprocket, wherein

the crank arm is secured to the crank axle.

23. The rotational device according to claim 22 , wherein

the electrical device is at least partially provided to at least one of the crank axle, the crank arm, and the sprocket.

24. A rotational device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

a pedal axle;

a pedal body rotatably coupled to the pedal axle; and

the electrical device according to claim 1 .

25. The rotational device according to claim 24 , wherein

the electrical device is at least partially provided to at least one of the pedal axle and the pedal body.

26. An electrical device of a rotational device of a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

an electronic controller configured to operate with first power consumption in a first state and configured to operate with second power consumption lower than the first power consumption in a second state;

the electronic controller being configured to change the state of the electrical device from the second state to the first state in a case where a wake condition is met in the second state, the wake condition being free of axial acceleration defined an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotational device; and

the electronic controller being configured to maintain the second state in a case where the electronic controller recognizes that the axial acceleration changes in the second state.

27. The electrical device according to claim 26 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to change a state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where a first sleep condition is met for a first sleep determination time in the first state, and

the electronic controller is configured to change the state of the electrical device from the first state to the second state in a case where a second sleep condition is met for a second sleep determination time in the first state, the second sleep determination time being shorter than the first sleep determination time.

28. An electrical device of a rotational device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

a power-source sensor configured to sense an output voltage of an electric power source;

an electric component configured to be powered by the electric power source; and

an electronic controller electrically connected to the power-source sensor to obtain the output voltage sensed by the power-source sensor in response to power supply from the electric power source to the electric component, the electronic controller being configured to calculate a level of charge of the electric power source based on the output voltage.

29. The electrical device according to claim 28 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to obtain, as a first output voltage, the output voltage sensed by the power-source sensor in response to the power supply,

the electronic controller is configured to obtain, as a second output voltage, the output voltage sensed by the power-source sensor in response to decrease in the power supply, and

the electronic controller is configured to calculate the level of charge of the electric power source based on the first output voltage and the second output voltage.

30. The electrical device according to claim 28 , wherein

the electric component includes a wireless communicator, and

the electronic controller is configured to obtain the output voltage sensed by the power-source sensor in response to power supply from the electric power source to the wireless communicator.

31. The electrical device according to claim 28 , wherein

the electric component includes a light emitter, and

the electronic controller is configured to obtain the output voltage sensed by the power-source sensor in response to power supply from the electric power source to the light emitter.

32. The electrical device according to claim 28 , wherein

the level of charge includes a state-of-charge of the electric power source, and

the electronic controller is configured to calculate the state-of-charge based on the output voltage.

33. An electrical device of a rotational device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

an electric power source which is rechargeable;

a connector port to which a charging power source is electrically connected;

an electronic controller configured to be powered by the charging power source without being powered by the electric power source in a state where electricity is supplied from the charging power source to the connector port; and

a switching circuit electrically connected to the electric power source, the connector port, and the electronic controller to change power supply between the electric power source and the charging power source.

34. The electrical device according to claim 33 , wherein

the electric power source is electrically connected to the connector port, and

the electronic controller is configured to control supply of electricity from the charging power source to the electric power source via the connector port to charge the electric power source.

35. The electrical device according to claim 34 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to be powered by the electric power source in a state where electricity is not supplied from the charging power source to the connector port.

36. The electrical device according to claim 35 , wherein

the electronic controller is configured to be powered by the charging power source in a state where electricity is supplied from the charging power source to the electric power source via the connector port.

37. An electrical device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

a connector port to which an electric cable is detachably connected;

an electronic controller electrically connected to the connector port to communicate with a first external electrical device via the connector port and the electric cable; and

a protection circuit electrically connected to the connector port to restrict electrical operation from a second external electrical device to the electronic controller via the connector port.

38. The electrical device according to claim 37 , wherein

the electrical operation includes at least one of power supply and electric communication.

39. The electrical device according to claim 37 , wherein

the protection circuit is electrically connected to the connector port to allow communication between the electronic controller and the first external electrical device.

40. The electrical device according to claim 37 , wherein

the connector port includes a first line electrically connected to the electronic controller, and

the protection circuit includes a first pull-up resistor electrically connected to the first line.

41. The electrical device according to claim 40 , wherein

the first pull-up resistor has a first resistance value, and

the first resistance value is higher than or equal to 100 kΩ.

42. The electrical device according to claim 40 , wherein

the connector port includes a second line electrically connected to the electronic controller, and

the protection circuit includes a second pull-up resistor electrically connected to the second line.

43. The electrical device according to claim 42 , wherein

the second pull-up resistor has a second resistance value, and

the second resistance value is higher than or equal to 100 kΩ.

44. The electrical device according to claim 42 , wherein

the first pull-up resistor has a first resistance value,

the second pull-up resistor has a second resistance value, and

the second resistance value is equal to the first resistance value.

45. The electrical device according to claim 37 , wherein

the electronic controller includes a communicator circuit configured to communicate with the first external electrical device via the connector port based on asynchronous serial communication.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 22, 2023
From: TAKAYAMA, HITOSHI; HAMAMOTO, JUNTA; ENDO, SUSUMU
To: SHIMANO INC.
Reel/Frame 065302/0404 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240351656A1 · Oct 24, 2024
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Cited By (1)
US 12,715,534