Pedal force sensor saves hard work on electric bike

ZEMIC has developed an electric bike pedal force sensor in conjunction with the Netherlands firm SPARTA. The sensor is a crucial component in the bike’s drive and control system that detects the pedal force applied, and through software settings determines a proportional amount of assisted motor power at the wheel. Rather than a speed sensor, this control gives the rider a more intuitive riding experience with increased efficiency and longer battery life. The e-bike has several settings including Cruise, Tour and Sport. The company are represented exclusively in the UK by Variohm EuroSensor, and worked closely with SPARTA from the outset to prototype, develop and mass-manufacture a competitively priced customised sensor for this cost-conscious and rapidly expanding market. In the European Union, 1.35 million e-bikes were sold in 2014 - almost double the 2011 sales. The sensor was developed with the EBCC of the Accell Group whose members include many globally recognised bike brand names including Raleigh and Diamondback in the UK. Variohm have been working with ZEMIC since 2008 and provide complete technical support and a full sales service across its wide range of load and force sensors with capacities from a few hundred grams to more than 500 tons. Product families include single point cells, compression cells, S-type, shear beam and spoke type load cells together with complete weighing assemblies, separate strain gauge circuits, junction boxes, mounting accessories and electronics.