Classified, the brand behind the wireless two-speed hub that eliminates the need for a front derailleur, has filed a patent application for a ‘self-powered system for a bicycle’ that could signal the end of dead batteries for electronic drivetrains.
Classified seems to have set out plans to develop an electronic drivetrain with its two-speed hub at the centre, but powered by the kinetic energy of the rotation of the hub, combined with solar energy.
The patent suggests a bike's crankset could be brought into the equation, too, in terms of charging the system. Classified recently introduced an aero crankset to move a step closer to offering a near-complete groupset.
The patent application, in the vague language we’ve come to expect from such legal documents, describes a system for recharging a geared drivetrain. Specifically, that’s the batteries powering both sensors and shifting actuators. It also cryptically includes braking in the description.
State of play
As good as Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM’s electronic groupsets are, they all require regular recharging, whether that’s the simplicity of SRAM’s universal batteries (individually powering the derailleurs), Camagnolo’s compact and convenient EPS batteries or Shimano’s internal long-life option.
All are easy to maintain but rely on the rider regularly checking charge levels. Indeed, many of us will have forgotten to recharge their system and been left with a dead battery midway through a ride, rendering us unable to change gear.
Campagnolo, SRAM and, in particular, Shimano have dominated the groupset market for decades now, but Classified has attempted to shake things up since entering the fray in 2021.
The Classified Powershift hub provides the gearing range of a 2x setup (a crankset with two chainrings and a front derailleur), but, because the hub mimics the functionality of a front derailleur, uses only a single chainring (with no derailleur) up-front.
Initially seen as something of a niche product, it has gained traction with gravel riders, especially with brands such as Ridley, Hunt, ENVE and Mavic offering bikes and wheels with the hub.
At last year’s Eurobike trade show, Classified and TRP announced a team-up on a groupset that offers a 1x 16 range on the Classified/TRP Vista wireless group.
How will it work?
The newly filed patent application shows (in very simple diagrammatic form) a system for harvesting kinetic energy through a ‘stator’ (a stationary part of an electric motor or generator that creates a magnetic field to drive a rotating component) mounted on a torque support element, in turn mounted to the dropout. This part is configured to induce an electric current as it’s passed by magnets (41) mounted on the rotating wheel.
Most likely mounted to the disc rotor, every rotation of the wheel will then generate a small electric charge (depending on the number of magnets used). Although the illustrations show little in the way of detail, a similar system could also be included within the crank setup.
Even the front wheel could be called into duty because all it would require is for the stator to be attached to a fixed point, and the magnet to something rotating. The stator assembly becoming part of the thru-axle would make sense with Classified’s current hub, because this is where the induction coils and battery are housed.
Also shown within the patent application’s drawings are ‘photovoltaic elements’ (aka, solar cells) shown on shifters, crankset outer surfaces, or indeed any exterior surface that could be called into service.
Deeper into the application, within claim 22, is a passage that explains how “an electronic brake sensor configured for transmitting an electronic brake signal upon sensing a user actuation thereof and an electronic brake actuator configured for receiving the electronic brake signal and actuating a brake action upon receipt of the electronic brake signal”.
Does that mean Classified is also looking into experimenting with wireless electronic braking? Only time will tell.
What does this all mean?
Weird and wonderful patent applications are nothing new, and much of this stuff never sees the light of day, so while we don’t expect Classified to suddenly emerge any time soon with a solar-panel laden, electric-harvesting drivetrain with wireless-actuating brakes, it shows a potential direction of travel for the upstart electronics innovators.
It’s worth noting that, according to Forbes, around 97 per cent of all patents never recoup the cost of filing them. It could be that Classified’s latest application is more of a PR stunt than a sign of things to come, or simply early protection of a far-fetched idea, but we'll bet engineering teams in Chicago, Vincenza and Sakai City will have taken note.
