JP3905918B2 - Bicycle electric speed change operation mechanism - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric shift operation mechanism for a bicycle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric shift operation mechanism for a bicycle in which a shift wire is not used and shift is performed by an electric switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the operation force of a finger applied to the operation lever has been transmitted to the drive portion of the bicycle transmission mechanism by a wire having one end fixed to the operation lever. Recently, an electric switch has been used to drive a drive unit of a bicycle speed change mechanism without using an operation lever.
[0003]
Such an electrical switch is provided on the handle. As disclosed in JP-A-5-338581 or US Pat. No. 5,358,451, a plurality of electrical switches are provided at a plurality of portions of the handle in order to cope with a quick shift, that is, to improve responsiveness. Is provided.
[0004]
The shift operation and the brake operation are often related to each other. In this way, it is desired that the related shift operation and brake operation be performed more quickly by an electric switch.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made based on such a technical background, and achieves the following objects.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide an electric shift operation mechanism for a bicycle that performs a speed change operation and a brake operation quickly.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle electric speed change operation mechanism that can quickly perform a brake operation after a step-up operation.
[0008]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electric speed change operation mechanism for a bicycle that performs a step-up operation and a step-down operation separately and performs these operations and brake operations quickly.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the following means are adopted.
[0010]
The bicycle electric speed change operation mechanism according to the present invention includes a manual electric switch. The electrical switch is provided on the brake lever. The brake lever is provided on the handle. The finger holding the handle is placed near the brake lever while driving. Conversely, a brake lever is arranged near the grip portion of the handle that is gripped during traveling. When going down a hill, etc., the handle is gripped with the finger touching the brake lever.
[0011]
The speed change operation is performed when the speed is changed or the speed is to be changed. If the speed is increased, the need for braking increases. Since the integral of the acceleration of the speed from the start to the stop is always constant and zero, the brake operation and the acceleration operation are in an integrated relationship. This relationship involves an operation of shifting.
[0012]
Since the electrical switch is provided on the brake lever, the time between the speed reduction operation and the speed change operation is shortened. When the speed increases down the slope, the possibility of two operations increases. As the speed increases, the necessity for a shift operation for increasing the gear position increases, and the necessity for a brake operation also increases. In such a running state, a gearshift operation can be performed almost simultaneously with the decision making of the gearshift because a part of the finger is applied to the brake lever to prepare for a saddle.
[0013]
If the determination of the shift stage is automated, the electrical switch is used to start the transmission mechanism.
[0014]
When the electric switch is used for changing the gear position, it is desirable to provide the electric switch for raising the gear position particularly on the brake lever. It is often desirable to provide an electrical switch for lowering the step on the brake lever. If the vehicle is running at high speed in a high level state on the flat ground and the brake is applied, and the vehicle is going to run at a high speed again when the vehicle is in a low speed state, the level is lowered. In this case, the step lowering operation can also be performed quickly.
[0015]
In some cases, it is better to provide an electrical switch for lowering the stage than the brake lever. When accelerating at a low speed, it is preferable to hold the handle firmly with fingers. In other words, if the hand is moved away from the steering wheel and accelerated, the transmission efficiency of the pedaling force to the crank is not good and dangerous. Therefore, at the time of acceleration, it is desirable to provide it in the vicinity of the grip portion of the handle gripped with fingers.
[0016]
As a switch provided in the brake lever, a seesaw switch is preferable. The movable portion of the seesaw switch has a neutral position and a movable position where both ends of the movable portion are displaced in opposite directions. When the finger is released from the movable part, it is urged to return to the neutral position by itself. Such a seesaw switch may be provided on the handle.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing Embodiment 1 of a bicycle electric transmission operating mechanism according to the present invention. The bicycle includes a body frame 1, a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, and a handle frame 4 that support the body frame 1. The handle frame 4 is provided on the front wheel fork 5 in the same body. A handle 6 is provided as a part of the handle frame. In the sports car, a plurality of grip portions 7A and 7B are provided at a plurality of positions of the handle 6. It is not necessary to specify which part of the handle the grip portion is. The handle portion indicated by reference numeral 7C is also a grip portion.
[0018]
A movable sensor 9 is attached to the spoke 8 of the front wheel 2. The stationary sensor 11 is fixed to the vehicle body frame 1. The stationary sensor 11 can output one electrical pulse while the movable sensor 9 makes a round.
[0019]
With such a sensor, a periodic function sequence of the wheel is obtained. The description of how to find it is omitted. An appropriate gear position is determined by the computer from the periodic function sequence. The electric transmission operating mechanism for a bicycle according to the present invention is particularly effective when used as an operation switch for an automatic transmission mechanism.
[0020]
An exterior transmission mechanism 12 is provided on the body frame 1. The speed change mechanism 12 includes a rear wheel shaft side speed change mechanism 12A and a crankshaft side speed change mechanism 12B. The speed change mechanism 12 is a well-known common mechanism including a derailleur.
[0021]
An electrical switch 14 for a shift command is provided at an appropriate part of the handle frame 4. A suitable part of the handle 6 is a brake lever 15. The brake lever 15 is movable with respect to the handle. The brake lever 15 is located in front of the grip portion 7C. The grip portion 7C and the brake lever 15 can be gripped simultaneously with one finger.
[0022]
2 and 3 show in detail the first embodiment of the positioning relationship between the brake lever 15 and the electrical switch 14. In FIG. 3, the traveling direction of the bicycle is indicated by an arrow A. The brake lever 15 is attached to a handle (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) via a mounting portion 16. The attachment portion 16 is included in the handle.
[0023]
If the front surface in the traveling direction of the brake lever 15 is referred to as the front surface, the electrical switch 14 is attached to the back surface side of the brake lever 15. The electrical switch 14 includes a casing 21, a seesaw type movable portion 22, a return spring 20, a movable side electrical contact 24, and a fixed side electrical contact 25.
[0024]
The seesaw-type movable portion 22 is formed by both side bulging portions that swell on both sides (upper side and lower side), that is, an upper bulging portion 22D and a lower bulging portion 22U. The subscripts D and U are symbols indicating a lowering of the level and an increase of the level, as will be described later. Both bulging portions 22D and 22U are movable in opposite directions, and generally reciprocate on an arc.
[0025]
The upper bulging portion 22D has an upper slope 23D that is a pushing surface, and the lower bulging portion 22U has a lower slope 23U that is a pushing surface. The face of the finger contacts these slopes. The seesaw-type movable unit 22 from which the finger is separated can return to the neutral position shown in the figure by the action of the spring 20.
[0026]
The movable electrical contact 24 is formed of an upper movable electrical contact 24D and a lower movable electrical contact 24U. The upper movable electrical contact 24D is fixed to the upper bulging portion 22D. The lower movable electrical contact 24U is fixed to the lower bulging portion 22U. The fixed-side electric contact 25 is formed of an upper fixed-side electric contact 25D and a lower fixed-side electric contact 25U.
[0027]
When the upper slope 23D is pushed, the upper movable side electrical contact 24D and the upper fixed side electrical contact 25D are connected, and when the lower slope 23U is pushed, the lower movable side electrical contact 24U and the lower fixed side electricity are connected. The contact 25U is connected. One such connection generates one electrical signal.
[0028]
A set of the upper bulging portion 22D, the upper movable side electrical contact 24D, and the upper fixed side electrical contact 25D constitutes one set of second electrical switch 14D. A set of the lower bulging portion 22U, the lower movable electrical contact 24U, and the lower fixed electrical contact 25U constitutes another set of first electrical switches 14U.
[0029]
The second electrical switch 14D emits an electrical signal for operating the transmission mechanism 12 in the direction in which the step is lowered, and the first electrical switch 14U provides an electrical signal for operating the transmission mechanism 12 in the direction in which the step is raised. To emit. When in the neutral position, no electrical signal is emitted. The level rises by one step by one electrical signal in the upward direction. The level is lowered by one step by one electrical signal in the downward direction.
[0030]
The surface on which the upper bulging portion 22D and the lower bulging portion 22U are displaced is a vertical surface. This vertical plane is orthogonal to the traveling direction A. The upper bulging portion 22D and the lower bulging portion 22U are substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction and are movable in the horizontal direction.
[0031]
The thumb is applied to the grip portion 7C of the handle 6, the other fingers are turned around the front surface of the brake lever 15, and the surface of the fingertip portion of one finger (the surface on the palm side) is applied to the seesaw-type movable portion 22. . When the finger is moved leftward (or rightward) while moving slightly upward, the upper bulging portion 22D is pushed leftward (or rightward).
[0032]
When the finger is moved leftward (or rightward) while moving slightly downward, the upper bulging portion 22D is pushed leftward (or rightward). In this way, a slight movement of one finger increases the gear position or lowers the gear position. By pressing the seesaw type movable portion 22 twice, the gear position can be changed in two steps.
[0033]
4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the positioning relationship between the brake lever 15 and the electrical switch 14. The point that the electrical switch 14 is composed of the first electrical switch 14U and the second electrical switch 14D is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the brake lever 15 is provided with the first electrical switch. The switch 14U is different from the first embodiment in that the brake lever 15 is not provided with the second electrical switch 14D.
[0034]
The first electrical switch 14U is not formed as a seesaw switch. The first electrical switch 14U reciprocates only in one direction, and generates an electrical signal for raising the level. The movable surface is a vertical surface, and the vertical surface is orthogonal to the traveling direction, as in the first embodiment. While the finger is away, the first electrical switch 14U returns to the return position and does not generate an electrical signal. A description of the internal contact structure is omitted.
[0035]
Two second electrical switches 14D are provided at different positions. The two second electrical switches 14 </ b> D are provided on the mounting portion 16 that is the same body as the handle 6. The second electrical switch 14D is formed of a front second electrical switch 14DF and a rear second electrical switch 14DR. The front-side second electrical switch 14DF is a front end portion of the attachment portion 16 and is disposed at a position directly above the brake lever 15.
[0036]
The movable direction of the movable part of the front-side second electrical switch 14DF is on a vertical plane including a traveling direction line, as shown by an arrow B in FIG. The rear second electrical switch 14DR is disposed at a position near the handle 6 at the rear end of the attachment portion 16. As shown by an arrow C in FIG. 5, the movable direction of the movable portion of the rear second electrical switch 14DR is on the vertical plane including the traveling direction line, and is obliquely crossed in the horizontal direction.
[0037]
The front-side second electrical switch 14DF and the rear-side second electrical switch 14DR are positioned so as to be easily pushed by the thumb of a finger that firmly holds the handle or the handle-like body. Immediately before the pedal force is transmitted to the crank vigorously to shift from the high speed state to the low speed state, the stage is lowered by the second electrical switch close to the handle. Since the second electrical switch 14D is provided with two bodies, it is possible to select one body closer to the portion of the handle that has been gripped so far and perform a quick step-down.
[0038]
The above has mainly described the case where the electrical switch is used to change the gear position. However, when the determination of the gear position is automated, it is used as a switch for starting the speed change mechanism. Also in this case, the electric switch can be provided not only on the brake lever but also on the handle, so that the speed change operation can be performed smoothly and quickly.
[0039]
When a plurality of two types of electrical switches are provided, at least one of the first type and second type electrical switches is respectively a handle (including a bracket) or a body frame (crank that supports a human body). A vehicle body frame that supports the shaft).
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
In the bicycle electric speed change operation mechanism according to the present invention, the continuity between the brake operation and the acceleration operation is improved. That is, the speed change operation performed at the time of transition between both operations is performed quickly, and the operation control is smoothed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an electric transmission operating mechanism for a bicycle according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the first embodiment relating to the arrangement of electrical switches;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the electrical switch of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a second embodiment related to the arrangement of electrical switches;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the electrical switch of FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Body frame 2 ... Front wheel 3 ... Rear wheel 4 ... Handle frame 5 ... Front wheel fork 6 ... Handle 8 ... Spoke 9 ... Movable side sensor 11 ... Fixed side sensor 12 ... Transmission mechanism 14 ... Electric switch 14U ... 1st electric Switch 14D ... Second electrical switch 14DF ... Front side second electrical switch 14DR ... Back side second electrical switch 15 ... Brake lever 16 ... Mounting portion 22 ... Seesaw type movable portion

Claims (2)

A mounting portion (16) fixed to the handle of the bicycle;
A brake lever (15) supported so as to be swingable with respect to the mounting portion (16) and for braking the bicycle;
A first electrical switch (14U) for operating the speed change mechanism of the bicycle;
Two second electrical switches (14DF, 14DR) provided in addition to the first electrical switch (14U) for operating the speed change mechanism of the bicycle;
The first electrical switch (14U) and the second electrical switch (14DF, 14DR) are for performing different shifting operations,
The first electrical switch (14U) is supported by the brake lever (15) itself at a position on the rear side in the bicycle traveling direction with respect to the brake operation grip of the brake lever (15),
The opening / closing operation part (22U) for opening and closing the first electrical switch (14U) is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane on which the brake lever (15) swings,
The two second electrical switches (14DF, 14DR) perform the same shifting operation, and one of the two second electrical switches (14DF, 14DR) is a front end portion of the mounting portion (16). A bicycle electric transmission operating mechanism, wherein the other is arranged at the rear end of the mounting portion (16) . A bicycle electric speed change operation mechanism according to claim 1,
The first electrical switch (14U) is for increasing the gear position,
The second electrical switch (14DF, 14DR) is an electrical shift operation mechanism for a bicycle that is for lowering a shift position.

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