SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION OF A HUMAN-POWERED VEHICLE

摘要

A method and system for computer-controlled shifting of a human-powered vehicle, such as a bicycle, is provided. Unlike previous automatic shifting systems that rely solely on a combination of hub speed and/or crank speed, this system creates a virtual image of the user's entire operating environment using a combination of hub speed, crank speed, inclination, and acceleration measurements. With this information, the system is able to understand the output torque and speed, and through control of the transmission, change the "gear ratio" to achieve a more desired operating condition based on the individual user's preferences. In addition, this system is designed to also work with a continuously variable transmission to avoid the shortfall of the state of the art systems, which can only get within a wide range of the optimal cadence because of the fixed ratios of a derailleur system. (Hereafter, the term "gear ratio" will be used for both actual gear ratios on derailleur-based systems and artificial gear ratios when used with CVTs)