Determining power output from a crank drive by measuring reaction force at the support bearing housing and angular velocity

摘要

Determining power output from a crank drive by measuring the reaction force at the support bearing housing and the angular velocity of the crank drive. The invention is particularly suited for determining the power output at a bicycle crank. One or more crankshaft support bearing housings including rolling element bearings are configured to include load sensors between the bearing outer race and the housing bearing location annular recess such that bearing load is transferred to the bearing housings via the load sensors. The detected load is the reaction force from the bearing housings that is proportional to the applied force at the crank drive. The angular velocity of the crank drive is also measured and from these measurements the power output from the crank drive is calculated. Temperature sensing means are also included, to enable temperature compensation means of the sensors. Electronic means are also provided to collate reaction force and angular velocity data from the sensors, and to wirelessly transmit the data.