FR3086634A1 - DEVICE FOR MODULATING A POWER PROVIDED BY A CYCLIST - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention relates to a device for modulating a power supplied by a cyclist for training and measuring physical effort suitable for operating with a bicycle (1) characterized in that it comprises a motor device (2) fixable on the bicycle (1) to provide a driving torque, a braking device (3) fixable on the bicycle (1) to provide a braking torque, and a device for controlling and piloting (8) the devices motor (2) and braking (3) configured to provide setpoint data.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for modulating a power to simulate training for cycling performance which can be used on a bicycle traveling on the road.

Generally, an amateur or professional sports cyclist, if he wants to progress (or maintain his form) must compel himself to train regularly and according to specific exercises which will make evolve in particular the power which he is able to deliver during given durations.

Thus, for example, to improve your MQP (Maximum Aerobic Power, i.e. the power delivered at the maximum oxygen consumption), you should do exercises while driving at power levels proportional to this PMA (by example, after heating, sequences alternating passages of 30 sec at 125% of the PMA followed by passages of 30 sec at 60% of the PMA).

This type of exercise can be easily performed on a physical training device at home (commonly called "home trainer" in English), provided that the equipment has a power sensor and is controllable in power.

The document WO 9823332 A1 describes a method and a device for simulating the pedaling forces as a function of any type of course. This device is intended in particular for training for cyclists and for rehabilitation on bicycles and it can in particular simulate slopes, descents and display a certain amount of information on a television screen (today computer, smartphone or digital tablet). In addition, it allows the load on the trainer to be realistic in both "brake" and "engine" modes.

However, the disadvantage of such a device is that it is static and cannot be integrated into a bicycle traveling on a road. The exercise must necessarily be performed at home.

This involves other drawbacks which include noise generated in the apartment and which can annoy the neighborhood, lack of indoor ventilation which implies a higher body temperature, heavy sweating and strong mineral losses.

An alternative is to try to do these exercises on the road. In this case, the difficulty for the cyclist is to be able to regulate the power delivered while the conditions vary (wind, slope, rolling resistance, etc.). The slightest variation in one of these parameters greatly varies the power required to move at a given speed. Thus, it is almost impossible to deliver 250 watts in a descent without wind at 10% (except to drive at 100 km / h) while in a coast at 10% these same 250 watts are not enough to reach 10 km / h.

An example of a device integrated on a bicycle is described in the document FR2586575 which is an effort scheduler for training the cyclist.

It is a removable device allowing the cyclist to apply on his bicycle a resistance that can be programmed mechanically depending on the mileage. This system can be used on the road or on rollers. The resistance is applied by a roller system coming to bear on the rear wheel, the roller being more or less braked according to the resistance or the effort required.

Although such a device is removable, usable on the road and mechanically programmable to apply a resistance that can vary depending on the kilometer point, it does not, however, make it possible to apply a driving force, or to control in power or in heart rate. It also does not allow viewing and recording of data.

The present invention thus aims to remedy the drawbacks listed above and in particular aims to propose a device which can be dismantled and easily installed, making it possible to be used on the road, and making it possible to modulate a power to be delivered according to external parameters and according to a desired power profile.

Thus, to achieve at least the abovementioned objectives, among others, the present invention proposes, according to one aspect, a device for modulating a power supplied by a cyclist for training and measuring physical efforts adapted to function with a bicycle and the invention is characterized in that it comprises a motor device which can be fixed on the bicycle to provide a motor torque, a braking device which can be fixed on the bicycle to provide a braking torque, and a device for controlling and control of the motor and braking devices configured to provide setpoint data.

The effect of having a device that can be fully fixed to a bicycle is that it can be used on the road and allows the power to be delivered to be modulated according to external parameters when traveling on a road.

According to one embodiment, the motor and / or braking device is fixable on a hub of a wheel of said bicycle.

In this way, the device is easily and quickly removable, easy to install and allows a cyclist to keep his bike which has the effect of saving costs.

According to one embodiment, the motor and / or braking device can be fixed to a crankset of said bicycle.

The effect of positioning the motor and / or braking device on a crankset is in particular to have a gain in bulk.

According to one embodiment, the motor and / or braking device is fixable on a transmission system of said bicycle. Typically this transmission system can be a bicycle chain.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a battery capable of delivering or storing energy.

The effect of such a battery is to recover energy produced during the operation of the bicycle or to supply energy to the various elements operating electrically.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a device for measuring the power supplied by the cyclist.

Such a device allows the control and piloting device of the motor and braking devices to know the instantaneous power supplied by the cyclist and makes it possible to adapt the piloting as a function of the set datum.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a device for measuring the speed of movement of said bicycle.

Such a device makes it possible to calculate the power supplied by the cyclist.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a device for measuring the pedaling cadence and a device for calculating a reduction ratio.

Likewise, such a device makes it possible to calculate the power supplied by the cyclist.

The effect of such a configuration is to be able to have a device allowing a decoupling between the power supplied by the cyclist, a profile of the road and the speed of movement. The speed of movement being the result of the speed of rotation of the legs and the gear ratio, and the power required being the sum of the power supplied by the cyclist and that (positive or negative) supplied by the motor device.

According to one embodiment, the setpoint data is composed of power cycles programmed as a function of time.

According to one embodiment, the setpoint data is composed of power cycles programmed as a function of a distance.

According to one embodiment, the setpoint data is a function of a user's heart rate.

According to one embodiment, the setpoint data is a route profile to be simulated.

According to one embodiment, the control and piloting device is a smartphone or a commercial system such as a geolocated GPS counter.

Brief presentation of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the device according to the invention will appear on reading the following description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, with reference to the appended figures described below where:

FIG. 1 illustrates a device for modulating a power according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a graph representing the variations of a power supplied and the compensations carried out by the device with a target power of 250W;

FIG. 3 illustrates a graph representing a power cycle program to be supplied according to a time;

Figure 4 illustrates graphs of examples of variable power profile management;

FIG. 5 illustrates a graph of a power profile produced by the cyclist following a programmed profile;

FIG. 6 illustrates a graph of a power profile in operation in a mode of limitation of the maximum power delivered by the cyclist;

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph of a power profile in operation in a mode for limiting the maximum heart rate of a cyclist.

Detailed description of the invention

In general and according to the invention, a device for modulating a power supplied by a cyclist for training and / or measuring physical efforts comprises a motor device for supplying a motor torque, and a device for braking to provide braking torque.

The modulation device also comprises a device for controlling and piloting the motor and braking devices. This control and piloting device is configured to supply setpoint data and therefore to pilot the motor and braking devices.

As visible in FIG. 1 which represents the modulation device in one embodiment, said device comprises the motor device 2 which is fixed on a bicycle 1 and more particularly on a wheel 4 of the bicycle 1. More precisely the motor device 2 is attached to the rear wheel and provides engine torque at the rear wheel in a drive mode. This rear wheel comprises a hub 5 and according to the invention the motor device 2 is integrated at the level of the hub 5. In another embodiment of the invention also visible in FIG. 1, the bicycle 1 comprises a crankset 6 which integrates the motor device 2.

In alternative embodiments, not shown, the drive device 2 is fixed to the front wheel of the bicycle 1 at the hub 5 so as to provide a driving torque at the front wheel in a traction mode or it is fixed to the two wheels of the bicycle 1.

The braking device 3 is also fixed on the bicycle 1 to provide a braking torque. In the preferred embodiment of Figure 1 this braking device 3 is integrated on the bicycle 1 at the rear wheel. More specifically, it is integrated at the hub 5 of the wheel. In an alternative embodiment also visible in FIG. 1, the bicycle comprises rear brakes 7 which integrate the braking device 3. The braking device 3 can also be integrated at the level of the crankset 6.

In alternative embodiments, not shown, the braking device 3 is integrated on the front wheel of the bicycle 1, either at the hub 5, or coupled to the brakes of the front wheel.

In order to control the motor and braking devices, the bicycle 1 comprises a control and piloting device 8. This is integrated at the level of the handlebar 9 of the bicycle 1. It thus makes it easy to be accessible to a user and its purpose is to have input power profile setpoint data. Naturally, it is connected to the motor 2 and braking 3 devices or to the battery 11 by any known means such as wired connections or wireless connections.

Without limitation, this control and piloting device 8 is a smartphone or a commercial system such as a geolocated GPS counter.

In order for the control and piloting device 8 to function at its best, data is acquired via measuring devices. Thus we can meet devices reporting data such as power, speed, cadence, heart rate, altitude, GPS positioning as a function of time.

To this end, the power modulation device comprises a device for direct measurement of the power supplied by the cyclist or indirect, that is to say supplied by a device for measuring the speed of movement of said bicycle, and a device for measuring the pedaling cadence (not shown). The power is then calculated from a gear ratio.

The modulation device further comprises a battery 11 capable of delivering or storing energy recovered during a movement.

The engine and braking devices of the bicycle 1 are controlled by the control and steering device 8 according to a precise instruction. This setpoint is conveyed in setpoint data transmitted by the control and steering device 8 to the engine and braking devices of the bicycle 1.

Without limitation, this setpoint data is composed of power cycles programmed as a function of time or is composed of power cycles programmed as a function of a distance.

In another version, the setpoint data is a function of the cyclist's heart rate (HR) allowing, for sports practice, physical exercises in given HR areas (sports practice). It may also, for people returning to physical activity after an illness, or suffering from a heart problem, limit or regulate the power supplied by the cyclist on the basis of a power limit value or simply heart rate.

The following cases are operating modes of the device according to different set values.

As already stated, the device consists in regulating, at a given value, the power supplied by the cyclist whatever the road conditions (slope, wind, rolling resistance of the road surface ...). In addition, the speed of movement being proportional to the cadence of pedaling and to the development ratio, a cyclist pedaling for example at 85 rpm on a reduction of 50 × 15 drives at around 35 km / h. On the pan, for a total weight of 80 kg, the power required is approximately 250 watts. If the cyclist wishes to ride at this constant power, the invention makes it possible to provide the additional power (by the motor device) necessary for the movement if the power required is greater or, conversely, the invention brakes (by the braking device) the cyclist + bike assembly if the required power is lower.

Figure 2 is a first example where the value of the setpoint data is 250 W over a distance of 3.5 km. The power required to move the cyclist + bike assembly is given by the curve (Bh), the given speed is represented on the curve (Bb) and the movement is made on a road having a variable slope profile given by the curve ( Rb). The invention allows the cyclist to remain at a constant power of 250 Watts visible to the curve (R) by providing the differential power which is given by the curve (V).

Figures 3 to 5 show a second example of a programmed power cycle. In this case, the invention allows the cyclist to program, as a function of time, different power levels at which he wishes to ride. The invention, as in the previous example, provides power or brakes the cyclist + bicycle assembly as shown in FIG. 4 and as indicated in FIG. 5, which represents curves of power (P) and heart rate ( F), the cyclist performs the planned exercise independently of the road conditions.

A third example shown in Figure 6 is to limit the maximum power provided by the cyclist.

In this case, the invention makes it possible to limit the power supplied by the cyclist to a chosen value. The system, as a function of the gear ratio, of the pedaling cadence, of the road profile, determines the total power necessary for the movement visible on the curve (B) of FIG. 6. As a function of the power supplied by the curved cyclist ( V) of FIG. 6 and of the power ceiling fixed by the cyclist (150 watts in the example), the system delivers the power compensation represented on the curve (R).

A fourth example is to drive with a different road profile from the actual road.

In this example, the system simulates a route profile different from the actual profile and the effort that the cyclist must provide no longer corresponds to the effort required to travel on the actual route but to that related to the simulated profile and its speed. displacement. It is thus possible, for example, to drive on a flat road by simulating the rise of a large percentage (ascent of a pass) or, conversely, to simulate movement on a flat road while the real road is going up.

A fifth example shown in FIG. 7 consists in driving while limiting the heart rate.

In this example, the system described by the invention makes it possible to limit the effort made by the cyclist by targeting a maximum heart rate not to be exceeded. Thus, the system, when it detects an overshoot of the maximum heart rate (fixed at 160 bpm and represented by the curve V), limits the effort of the cyclist by compensating for the difference between the power necessary for movement (Curve R) and the limited power (curve Vt). This prevents the cyclist from seeing his heart rate continue to increase above the ceiling value (Curve B).

A sixth example is to set the cyclist's heart rate within a given range, which is variable or not.

In this example, the system described by the invention provides additional power or, on the contrary, resistance to the movement of the cyclist in order to maintain the heart rate of the latter between a low and a high terminal. When his heart rate drops below the low value, the system brakes to increase the effort of the cyclist and conversely, when the heart rate goes above the high limit, the system brings an increase in power, reducing the effort of the cyclist.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a bicycle equipped with a modulation device according to any one of the combinations of characteristics described above.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment of the modulation device, described above by way of example, on the contrary, it embraces all the variant embodiments.

Claims (14)

Claims 1) Device for modulating a power supplied by a cyclist for training and / or measuring physical effort suitable for operating with a bicycle (1) characterized in that it comprises a motor device (2) which can be fixed to the bicycle (1) to provide a driving torque, a braking device (3) fixable on the bicycle (1) to provide a braking torque, and a control and piloting device (8) of the driving devices (2) and brake (3) configured to supply setpoint data to the motor (2) and brake (3) devices. 2) A device for modulating a power according to claim 1 characterized in that the motor (2) and / or braking (3) device can be fixed on a hub (5) of a wheel (4) of said bicycle ( 1). 3) A device for modulating a power according to claim 1 characterized in that the motor (2) and / or braking (3) device is fixable on a pedal (6) of said bicycle (1). 4) A device for modulating a power according to claim 1 characterized in that the motor (2) and / or braking (3) device is fixable on a transmission system of said bicycle (1). 5) Device for modulating a power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a battery (11) capable of delivering or storing energy. 6) Device for modulating a power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for measuring the power supplied by the cyclist. 7) Device for modulating a power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for measuring the speed of movement of said bicycle (1). 8) Device for modulating a power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for measuring the pedaling cadence and a device for calculating a reduction ratio. 9) Device for modulating a power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reference data is composed of power cycles programmed as a function of time. 10) Device for modulating a power according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the setpoint data is composed of power cycles programmed as a function of a distance. 11) Device for modulating a power according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the setpoint data is a function of a user's heart rate. 12) Device for modulating a power according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the setpoint data is a road profile. 13) Device for modulating a power according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control and piloting device (8) is a smartphone or a commercial system such as a GPS counter. 14) Bicycle for training and / or measuring physical effort of a cyclist, characterized in that the bicycle comprises a power modulation device according to one of the preceding claims.