Claims:We claim:
1. A gear assembly (10) for a bicycle (100), said gear assembly (10) comprises a cog set (12) having plurality of tractional gears (12a-12n) (12a-12n) for providing multiple gear ratios characterized in that said gear assembly (10) comprises a non-tractional gear (14) .

2. The gear assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein said non-tractional gear (14) is mounted to a wheel shaft of said bicycle (100) through a set of ball bearings (16).

3. The gear assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein said cog set (12) is provided around said non-tractional gear (14).

4. An apparatus (200) for controlling movement of a bicycle (100) , said apparatus (200) comprises
? a cog set (12) having plurality of tractional gears; characterized in that said apparatus (200) comprises
? a non-tractional gear (14) mounted to a wheel shaft of the bicycle (100) through a set of ball bearings (16) ;
? said cog set (12) is mounted around said non-tractional gear (14) ; and
? a controller (22) to operate a derailleur (24) for shifting a drive chain (26) onto said non-tractional gear (14) based on a stop signal from an actuation unit (28).

5. The apparatus (200) of claim 4, wherein said controller (22) sends a deactivate command to operate said derailleur (24) for shifting the drive chain (26) onto said non-tractional gear (14) based on said stop signal.

6. The apparatus (200) of claim 4, wherein said non-tractional gear (14) stops transmission of drive force from said drive chain (26) to the wheel shaft upon shifting said drive chain (26) onto said non-tractional gear (14) for stopping said bicycle (100) .

7. The apparatus (200) of claim 4, wherein said controller (22) sends an activate command to operate said derailleur (24) for shifting the drive chain (26) from said non-tractional gear (14) onto one of the tractional gears (12a-12n) based on a start signal from said actuation unit (28).

8. The apparatus (200) of claim 4, wherein said tractional gear transmits the drive force from said drive chain (26) to the wheel shaft upon shifting said drive chain (26) onto said tractional gear (12).

9. The apparatus (200) of claim 4, wherein said actuation unit (28) is a switch in said bicycle (100).

10. The apparatus (200) of claim 9, wherein said switch is pressed manually by a bicycle user

11. The apparatus (200) of claim 4, wherein said actuation unit (28) is an electronic device.

12. The apparatus (200) of claim 4, wherein said actuation unit (28) is a portable electronic device (502) such as a mobile phone.

13. A method for controlling movement of a bicycle (100) , said method comprises
? receiving at least one of a stop signal and a start signal from an actuation unit (28) by a controller (22) in said bicycle (100) ; and
? operating a derailleur (24) for shifting a drive chain (26) onto a non-tractional gear (14) by said controller (22) upon receiving said stop signal.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprises:
? operating said derailleur (24) for shifting the drive chain (26) onto one of tractional gears (12a-12n) (12a-12n) by said controller (22) upon receiving said start signal from said actuation unit.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the actuation unit (28) is one of a switch in said bicycle (100) , an electronic device and a portable electronic device.

16. A bicycle sharing management system (500) comprises
? a processor for checking a balance credit in a user account;
? said processor sends a stop signal to a controller (22) in a bicycle (100) if the balance credit in said user account is below a threshold; and
? said controller (22) in the bicycle (100) operates a derailleur (24) to shift a drive chain (26) onto a non-tractional gear (14) based on said stop signal.

17. The bicycle sharing management system (500) of claim 16, wherein said processor sends an alert signal to the controller (22) in the bicycle (100) when the balance credit in the user account is nearing the threshold.

18. The sharing management system (500) of claim 16, wherein said processor sends a start signal to the controller (22) in the bicycle (100) based on a user input and the balance credit in the user account

19. The bicycle sharing management system (500) of claim 17, wherein said controller (22) operates the derailleur (24) to shift the drive chain (26) onto a tractional gear (12) based on said start signal.

20. The bicycle sharing management system (500) of claim 16, wherein the balance credit is in the form of at least one of money, points, and time
, Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling movement of a bicycle. More particularly, it relates to a bicycle sharing management system

Background of the invention:
[0002] Shared use of bicycles in the city and in the urban areas are increasing day by day. Presently, these shared bicycles are locked with the help of mechanical locks. These locks are motorized, automated, electronically controlled and connected. Locking and unlocking of the bicycles using the mechanical lock causes friction or the obstruction of the spokes. Sometimes, this type of locking creates weakness or even damages the spokes of the rear wheel. Sudden locking during the motion of the bicycle can also lead to accident and physical injury

[0003] A PCT patent publication WO19180609A1 discloses a system and a method to control the position of a plurality of shared vehicles in a service area. An electro mechanical device mounted on a shared vehicle is used for blocking or unblocking the movement of the vehicle.

[0004] Nowadays, physical locks are also prone to easy unlocking or breaking by the bicycle thieves. Hence, there is a need for a reliable antitheft apparatus, which would kill the intention of riding a bicycle by an unauthorized user or a thief.

Brief description of the invention:
[0005] The present invention provides a gear assembly for a bicycle. The gear assembly comprises a cog set having plurality of tractional gears for providing multiple gear ratios. The gear assembly comprises a non-tractional gear having a set of ball bearings. The non-tractional gear is mounted to a wheel shaft of the bicycle through the set of ball bearings. The cog set is provided around the non-tractional gear.

[0006] The present invention also provides an apparatus and a method for controlling movement of a bicycle. The apparatus comprises a cog set having plurality of tractional gears; and a non-tractional gear mounted to a wheel shaft of the bicycle through a set of ball bearings; the cog set is mounted around the non-tractional gear. A controller operates a derailleur for shifting a drive chain onto the non-tractional gear based on a stop signal from an actuation unit. The actuation unit is one of a switch in the bicycle, an electronic device and a portable electronic device.

[0007] The controller sends a deactivate command to operate the derailleur for shifting the drive chain onto the non-tractional gear based on the stop signal. The non-tractional gear stops transmission of drive force from the drive chain to the wheel shaft upon shifting the drive chain onto the non-tractional gear for stopping the bicycle.

[0008] The controller sends an activate command to operate the derailleur for shifting the drive chain from the non-tractional gear onto one of the tractional gears based on a start signal from the actuation unit. The tractional gear transmits the drive force from the drive chain to the wheel shaft upon shifting the drive chain onto the tractional gear.

[0009] A method for controlling movement of a bicycle comprises the steps of receiving at least one of a stop signal and a start signal from an actuation unit by a controller in the bicycle; and operating a derailleur for shifting a drive chain onto a non-tractional gear by the controller upon receiving the stop signal. The method further involves operating the derailleur for shifting the drive chain onto one of tractional gears by the controller upon receiving the start signal from the actuation unit.

[0010] The present invention also provides bicycle sharing management system comprising a processor for checking a balance credit in a user account. An actuation unit sends one of a stop signal and a start signal based on at least one of the balance credit in the user account and a user input. A controller in a bicycle operates a derailleur to shift a drive chain onto a non-tractional gear or remove the drive chain from the non-tractional gear based on the start signal or the stop signal. The balance credit includes at least one of money, points, and time.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0011] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0012] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a gear assembly for a bicycle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view and a side view of the non-tractional gear of a gear assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention,
[0014] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for controlling movement of a bicycle, according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0015] Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart for a method for controlling movement of a bicycle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and
[0016] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a bicycle sharing management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a gear assembly for a bicycle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gear assembly 10 comprises a cog set 12 with a plurality of tractional gears 12a-12n. The tractional gear is a gear, which transmits a drive force from a pedal or a drive unit to the wheel of a bicycle 100. In other words, tractional gears 12a-12n assist in moving the bicycle 100. The tractional gears 12a-12n provide multiple gear ratios. For example, a bicycle 100 can have 18 speed, 27 speed, and so on.

[0018] The gear assembly 10 additionally comprises a non-tractional gear 14. Fig. 2 illustrates a front view and a side view of the non-tractional gear 14 of a gear assembly 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. The non-tractional gear 14 is a gear, which does not assist in moving the bicycle 100. The non-tractional gear 14 is also called as “zeroth gear”. In an embodiment of the invention, the cog set 12 with tractional gears 12a-12n is placed around non-tractional gear 14. The non-tractional gear 14 gear comprises a set of ball bearings 16. For example, the ball bearings 16 are riveted to the inner periphery of the non-tractional gear 14. The non-tractional gear 14 is mounted to a wheel shaft 18 of the bicycle 100 through the set of ball bearings 16. Hence, the drive force is not transmitted to the wheel shaft 18, when the non-tractional gear 14 is selected, that is, when a drive chain is placed on to the non-tractional gear 14.

[0019] The non-tractional gear 14 helps in not transmitting the drive force to the wheels; hence, the rider or the user can select the non-tractional gear 14 when there is no need to ride the vehicle.

[0020] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for controlling movement of a bicycle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 20 comprises a cog set 12 having one or more tractional gears 12a-12n. Further, a non-tractional gear 14 is mounted to a wheel shaft 18 of the bicycle 100 through a set of ball bearings 16. The cog set 12 with tractional gears 12a-12n is mounted around the non-tractional gear 14. The cog set 12 with tractional gear 12a-12n and the non-tractional gear 14 constitute a gear assembly 10 of the bicycle 100. The apparatus 200 comprises a controller 22. The controller 22 operates a derailleur 24 for shifting a drive chain 26 onto the non-tractional gear 14 based on a stop signal received from an actuation unit 28. The controller 22 can be a microcontroller or a control chip. Upon receiving the stop signal from the actuation unit 28, the controller 22 sends a deactivate command to operate the derailleur 24 for shifting the drive chain 26 onto the non-tractional gear 14. This is explained in detail in the following paragraphs.
[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the controller 22 sends the deactivate command to a drive unit 29 such as a motor or a linear actuator, to operate the derailleur 24 for shifting the drive chain 26 onto the non-tractional gear 14 upon receiving the stop signal from the actuation unit 28. When the drive chain 26 is shifted or placed on the non-tractional gear 14 by the derailleur 24, the pedaling force or the drive force is not transmitted from the drive chain 26 to the wheel shaft 18. As a result, the bicycle does not move even when the user pedals or applies the pedaling force/drive force. Therefore, whenever there is a need to stop the bicycle or avoid riding the bicycle, a stop signal can be sent from the actuation unit 28 to the controller 22.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuation unit 28 is a switch or a button in the bicycle 100. The switch or the button is manually selected or operated by the rider or user of the bicycle 100 to mechanically change the gear to the zeroth position or mechanically shift the drive chain 26 onto the non-tractional gear 14. For example, the switch is a manual switch or an electronic switch. In the case of manual switch, the user manually operates to select or switch to the non-tractional gear 14 or the zeroth gear.

[0023] In case of electronic switch, whenthe user selects or presses the switch, a stop signal is generated by the switch and sent to the controller 22 to operate the derailleur 24 for selecting the zeroth gear or the non-tractional gear 14. That is, the controller 22 operates the derailleur 24 to shift the drive chain 26 onto the non-tractional gear 14.

[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuation unit 28 is an electronic device. The electronic device includes but not limited to a server, a control center, a transmitter, bicycle rental/sharing management center, etc. The electronic device sends start signal or stop signal to the controller 22 in a bicycle. For example, a bicycle rental/sharing management company may use an electronic device or a remote controller or management center to send a start signal or stop signal to regulate the user of bicycle in a particular area or parking space. The electronic device uses various communication technologies, including but not limited to, 4g, 5g, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, SigFox, etc.

[0025] In an another embodiment of the invention, the actuation unit 28 is a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, PDA, wearable electronic device such as smart band, etc. The portable electronic device sends a start signal or a stop signal by actuation of soft or hard button, or by means of an activity or user input. For instance, the start signal or the stop signal can be sent by selecting a soft key in an user interface of the portable electronic device. Similarly, the start signal or the stop signal is sent by moving the wearable electronic device in a specific pattern or gesture inputs. There are various ways of sending the start signal or the stop signal and the examples cited above must not be interpreted as limiting examples.

[0026] The controller 22 sends an activate command to operate the derailleur 24 for shifting the drive chain 26 from the non-tractional gear 14 onto one of the tractional gears 12a-12n based on a start signal from the actuation unit 28. When there is a need to move the bicycle 100 from a stationary state, the actuation unit 28 sends the start signal, which is received by the controller 22. The controller 22 sends the activate command to the drive unit 29 such as motor or linear actuator upon receiving the start signal to operate the derailleur 24 for shifting the drive chain 24 from the non-tractional gear 14 to a tractional gear 12a for example the first gear. The tractional gear 12a transmits the drive force from the drive chain to the wheel shaft 18 upon shifting the drive chain to the tractional gear 12a; thereby the bicycle 100 is movable.

[0027] Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart for a method for controlling movement of a bicycle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method involves receiving a stop signal or a start signal from an actuation unit 28 by a controller 22 in the bicycle 100, at step 400. At step 402, a derailleur is operated by the controller 22 for shifting a drive chain of the bicycle 100 onto a non-tractional gear 14, when the stop signal is received by the controller 22 from the actuation unit 28. Upon receiving a start signal from the actuation unit 28, the derailleur 23 is operated for shifting the drive chain 26 onto one of the tractional gears 12a-12n by the controller 22, at step 404. The actuation unit 28 includes but not limited to a manual or electronic switch in the bicycle 100, an electronic device or a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, PDA, etc.

[0028] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a bicycle sharing management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bicycle sharing management system 500 comprises a processor for checking a balance credit in a user account. To avail the bicycle rental or sharing services, the user has to open or create the user account. The user account can be created in multiple ways including but not limited to by giving necessary user details, credentials, etc., in a web form or in a form shown in a mobile application (apps) launched by the bicycle sharing management system. For simplicity, the mobile application is termed as bicycle sharing application in the following paragraphs.

[0029] To avail the bicycle rental/sharing services, the user account has to be deposited with sufficient balance credits such as money, token, points, or time. All these credits can be recharged by different ways. The processor periodically checks the balance credit in the user account and if the balance credit is below a threshold, the processor sends a stop signal to the controller 22 in the bicycle 100. The controller 22 in the bicycle 100 operates a derailleur 24 to shift a drive chain 26 onto a non-tractional gear 14 based on the stop signal. Additionally, when the balance credit is nearing the threshold, an alert signal is sent to a controller 22 in the bicycle 100 by the processor 402 for alerting the user. The user can be alerted in different ways like by light or sound/buzzer or both.

[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, the processor is a processor or a microcontroller or a computing logic in a portable electronic device 502 such as a mobile phone or a PDA. The processor or the microcontroller or the computing logic of the portable electronic device also acts an actuation unit. For instance, when the processor of the portable electronic device 502 recognizes that the balance credit in the user account is lesser than a threshold value, then it sends a stop signal automatically to the controller 22 in the bicycle 100.

[0031] Similarly, the processor sends a start signal to the controller 22 in the bicycle based on the user input and the balance credit in the user account. For example, when the user wants to use the rental bicycle 100, the user communicates his/her intention, by giving the user input. The user input can be pressing of a soft/hard key in the portable electronic device 502, launch of a command in the bicycle rental application (apps). Then, the processor 502 also checks the balance credit in the user account. If the balance credit is above the threshold, then the processor sends the start signal to the controller 22 in the bicycle.

[0032] The controller 22 in the bicycle operates the derailleur to shift the drive chain onto a tractional gear based on the start signal. In an embodiment, the controller 22 sends an activate command to a drive unit 29 such as motor or linear actuator to operate the derailleur for shifting the drive chain onto the tractional gear.

[0033] The present invention avoids the sudden locking of the bicycle and thereby prevents damage to the bicycle parts such as spokes and prevents physical injury to the user. User’s feeling and comfort are improved as sudden locking during the motion of the bicycle is avoided.

[0034] When using the rental cycle, and when the trip ends, gear shifts happen gradually to non-tractional gear. The non-transcational gear continues to rotate as the pedal rotates but the drive train is disengaged from the transmission and thus allow the wheel to rotate and reduces the speed and traction. The system is also compatible with the auto gear shifting bicycle. The position of the gear can be navigated from isolated state (zeroth gear state) to the first gear in smooth manner.

[0035] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.