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Shimano Files Patents for Powermeter Cranksets, Measures Effort in Multiple Planes

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Shimano powermeter crankset patents filed

Shimano has filed several patent applications for a powermeter crankset, integrating the strain gauge directly inside both left and right crank arms.

The application using the drawings shown here was filed in April 2012 as an addendum to an earlier March filing. It was published last September. The claims of the patent include a crank body, including the axle, a sensor support member inside the crank body and a power sensing device consisting of a strain gauge and semiconductor sensor to detect the strain.

In laymen’s terms, it shows a strain gauge inside the crank arm. Now, for the details…

Shimano powermeter crankset patents filed

 

From the outside, this would probably look like any other Shimano crankset. Everything’s hidden inside, with the strain gauge inserted through a bore above the pedal mount. Wires connect it to a battery in the axle, and somewhere on the system are transmitters to wirelessly send the data to a computer. The images suggest there could be a charging port on either end of the axle (but probably just the non-drive side since Shimano’s drive side crank is a closed design), but knowing how long batteries last in current power meters, it wouldn’t be that big a deal if it were fully enclosed. There’s also likely a plug to connect both sides to the battery to enable easy non-drive crank arm removal and total battery removal.

Shimano powermeter crankset patents filed

Where things get really interesting is in the planes of force measured:

  • Fig. 18 – driving torque
  • Fig. 19 – out-of-plane force
  • Fig. 20 – radial force
  • Fig. 21 – torsional moment force

The photo at the top of the post shows four sensors, one touching each wall of the crank arm, which would deform along with the crankarm under pedaling forces and let it measure flex in all directions. At present, it’s probably more data than any cycling computer can digest, but so was the hi-res output on the Factor Vis Vires at first. Maybe it’ll usher in new measurement metrics, or maybe it’s just a way of combining more and more data to present a more accurate measurement of your actual power output. The patent suggests the strain gauges and support structure will be permanently bonded inside the crank arms.

Shimano powermeter crankset patents filed

The filing also mentions that the effort calculated could also be used to “aiding operating a component of the bicycle”. Some of the other drawings show a commuter bike equipped with the system and a cycling computer. That could mean they’re looking at ways of integrating it into their STEPS e-bike systems using a less costly method of crank integration (it mentions a bolt-in/on version), providing motorized assist based on input.

But it’s far more fun to read that the filing mentions it could “wirelessly (or with wires) transmit information to one or more electrical bicycle components such as the cycle computer, the electronic front derailleur and the electronic rear derailleur.” Hmmm…the new D-Fly Di2 wireless transmitter just got more interesting.

Of course, all of this is speculation, and it’s likely the scope of the filing intentionally covers pie in the sky thinking to keep options open (for them, and closed to others). Shimano doesn’t comment on products or rumors until things are officially released. But, last time we found Shimano’s patents, some of them were quite telling of products to come (and some definitely were not). These fall into the “entirely possible” category and would usher in the sleekest power meter integration on the market. Time will tell…

Check out the full application on the USPTO website.

Huge thanks to Tehan for the tip!

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ifbikes
ifbikes
10 years ago

The 7900 crank in their drawings tells me they started on this a really long time ago.

jcoudright
jcoudright
10 years ago

I’m sure this has to be designed around the crankset on their new fit bike that is out right now. It can even display the exact location of the pressure zones on your pedals.

Freddie T
Freddie T
10 years ago

The 26″ inch wheels and quill stem date it back even further as well.

zscs
zscs
10 years ago

Interesting. Just another thing that I saw recently (and put the things around Shimano’s new electric “concepts” more clear probably); have you seen this photos from Shimano’s new XTR 2015 electric drivetrain? http://www.twentyniner.ch/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5013
(You can found further pictures at other sites.)

Robo
Robo
10 years ago

Since the dawn of Di2, I’ve said, combine it with a power meter, set a desired power output and cadence, run it through a computer, and let the system shift automatically for you. Auto trans on a bike. Here we go…

Argh
Argh
10 years ago

In sports cycling constant power is not the issue. Good pedalling, power use in approprate situation is “the win”.

For city riding.. okay.. but it is too pricy 🙂

Star
Star
10 years ago

@Freddie, best comment!
And now the quality and durability and prices get better as Shimano rolls crank based power out to the far reaches of the world.

Shawn Moore
10 years ago

Since the introduction of the d-fly wireless transmitter and the ant+ capable Pro SCIO computer, I’ve been wondering if this was the direction Shimano was heading.

Mr guy
Mr guy
10 years ago

Where’s the di2 dropper post!!??!!

alloycowboy
alloycowboy
10 years ago

An Automatic transmission on a bicycles is a really dumb idea because it would never been in the right gear for sudden rapid terain changes.

As for Shimano’s internal crank powermeter it is a fail because you need to be able to change the battery easily so external is obviously the way to go. I suspect both Sram and Shimano are talking to Stages to license the technology or buy the company out right.

Mangobike1
Mangobike1
10 years ago

@alloycowboy. Don’t you think Shimano would have the power meter running off the Di2 battery (if that system is in place)? Or you could use that battery as the brain for the system. Even if you didn’t want Di2.

bikejedi
bikejedi
10 years ago

could definetely see this as a further push by shimano to finally bring some modular integration to e-bikes. I doubt it is a blueprint for a production crank…who wants to buy a crank that is not only flexy, but allows you to measure it. Measuring flex or strain has been part of electric assist systems for a few years now, but has been within the motor hub along with various external sensors around the bb and or crank arms…would be nice to see it all integrated

Ben
Ben
10 years ago

It would be nice to see a link to the patent in the article.

For those interested:

http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20130233092

Sean
Sean
10 years ago

@ alloycowboy
the battery would go in the hollow axle. easy peasy.

David
David
10 years ago

This published application is a “continuation in part” of a US application filed March 7, 2012. The corresponding Japanese application could be up to a year earlier under PCT rules.

sr. lobo
sr. lobo
10 years ago
stewart williams
10 years ago

Shimano is great at copying others and then claiming it is their own, just look at the new Verve crank sets, this technology has been out and in use long before 2012.

http://www.vervecycling.com

Ronny
Ronny
10 years ago

Gee this article is bringing out all the big ideas. I doubt Shimano gets it wrong if they decide to do a power meter.

Thomas
Thomas
10 years ago

How long before “Cease and Desists” are sent to power meter competitors. Nothing like using patents to kill off all the little guys.

Tim
Tim
10 years ago

@Thomas – the “little guys” could invent and file patent applications too…..

Cease and desist letters can only be sent once the patent has been granted – and that won’t likely be the case for a good 2/3 years.

Tawe
Tawe
10 years ago

Just remember, you’ve still got to turn the pedals round & round & round yourself.
It’s only another powermeter. It can potentially be incorporated into Di2, to give you “the most efficient gear”, but you’ve still got to turn those pedals. No powermeter is a substitute for that.

Dave B
Dave B
10 years ago

“How long before “Cease and Desists” are sent to power meter competitors. Nothing like using patents to kill off all the little guys.”
Apparently you don’t understand what patents allow. If other makes and designs are already in existence, Shimano can’t patent their design since a patent has to be “novel” and “unobvious”. If Shimano is granted patents on these power meters, they are not using someone else’s design and cannot force them out of business.

Freddie T
Freddie T
10 years ago

I bet they are going to do a electronic dropper post that will sync itself to the optimum height for power output. And as you fatigue, it’ll make changes to compensate. That’ll be the new way the pros “add” weight to their bikes to meet the minimums. No more lead plugs in the crank spindle.

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
10 years ago

@Stewart Williams: Shimano is stealing nothing here.

Hopefully Shimano will release a better a computer–one that actually records–to go with their power meter if or when it comes out. The Pro SCIO isn’t up to the task.

A power meter from a company as big as Shimano could really put pressure on other power meter makers to lower prices, especially if Shimano could leverage some economies of scale for its pricing.

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