TW202227311A - Operating device for human-powered vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

An operating device is for a human-powered vehicle. The operating device includes a base, a positioning ratchet, a positioning member, a release pawl, a second release member and a support. The positioning member includes a contact part and a positioning pawl that moves between a holding position and a releasing position. The positioning pawl engages the positioning ratchet to selectively establish predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet. The positioning pawl is disengaged from the positioning ratchet to permit the positioning ratchet to move in a releasing direction where the positioning pawl is in the releasing position. The release pawl contacts the contact part to disengage the positioning pawl from the positioning ratchet. The second release member includes a disengaging portion that disengages the release pawl from the positioning member. The support supports the release pawl after the disengaging portion disengages the release pawl from the positioning member.

Description

Operating device for man-powered vehicles

This disclosure generally relates to an operating device configured for use with a man-powered vehicle.

Human-powered vehicles, such as bicycles, are typically provided with one or more operating devices for operating one or more components. In the case of bicycles, examples of some of these components include derailleurs (eg, derailleurs or inner derailleur hubs), suspensions, and seatposts. The operating device is typically provided on the human-powered vehicle at a location (eg, on the handlebars) for the rider to easily operate the operating device. The operating device is often connected to the assembly using eg wrap-around control cables.

Generally, the present disclosure relates to various features of operating devices for human-powered vehicles. As used herein, the term "human-powered vehicle" refers to a vehicle capable of being driven by at least human propulsion, but does not include a vehicle that uses propulsion power other than human power alone. In particular, vehicles using only an internal combustion engine as driving power are not included in human-powered vehicles. Human-powered vehicles are generally conceived as compact, lightweight vehicles that sometimes do not require a license for driving on public roads. There is no limit to the number of wheels on a human-powered vehicle. Human-powered vehicles include, for example, unicycles and vehicles with three or more wheels. Human-powered vehicles include, for example, various types of bicycles, such as mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes, cargo bikes, and recumbent bikes, and electric bicycles (E-bikes).

In view of the state of the known art and according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an operating device is provided for use with a man-powered vehicle. The operating device basically includes a base, a positioning ratchet, a positioning member, a release pawl, a second release member, and a support. The positioning ratchet is supported so as to be movable relative to the base between a plurality of predetermined positions. The positioning ratchet includes a plurality of positioning ratchet teeth. The positioning member includes a contact part and a positioning pawl that is supported so as to be movable relative to the base between a holding position and a releasing position. The positioning pawl engages the positioning ratchet with the positioning pawl in the retaining position to selectively establish a predetermined position of the positioning ratchet relative to the base. The positioning pawl is disengaged from the positioning ratchet with the positioning pawl in the release position to allow the positioning ratchet to move in the release direction relative to the base. The release pawl is configured to contact the contact part of the positioning member to disengage the positioning pawl from the positioning ratchet. The second release member includes a disengagement portion configured to disengage the release pawl from the positioning member after the positioning ratchet has moved from one of the predetermined positions to the other of the predetermined positions during the release operation. The support is constructed to support the release pawl after the disengagement portion of the second release member disengages the release pawl from the positioning member.

With the operating device according to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a reliable release operation of the positioning ratchet.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to the first aspect is constructed such that the support is further constructed to apply a reaction force to the release pawl in response to movement of the release pawl away from the positioning member by the second release member claw.

With the operating device according to the second aspect, it is possible to reliably control the release pawl during the release operation.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to the first or second aspect is constructed such that the support is pivotally mounted to the base.

With the operating device according to the third aspect, it is possible that the support can move with the release pawl during the release operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to third aspects is constructed such that the support is biased in a direction toward contact with the release pawl.

With the operating device according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to easily maintain the contact between the support and the release pawl during the release operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is constructed such that the support includes an abutment that contacts the base to avoid and release the pawl when the operating device is in a non-operating state touch.

With the operating device according to the fifth aspect, it is possible that the support does not interfere with the initial movement of the release pawl during the release operation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is constructed such that the release pawl includes a plurality of release portions configured in a single progression of the release pawl The contact parts of the positioning member are sequentially contacted in the release operation to change the number of predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet.

With the operating device according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to achieve a multi-stage release operation in a single progressive release operation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is constructed such that the release pawl has a stepped surface that contacts the support when the release pawl is returning toward the rest position pieces.

With the operating device according to the seventh aspect, it is possible to achieve a reliable and uniform contact force on the release pawl with the support for each of the release stages.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects further includes a first release member supported in a manner movable between a first position and a second position relative to the base . The first release member is operatively coupled to the positioning pawl by releasing the pawl to move the positioning pawl from the retaining position to the releasing position in response to the first release member moving from the first position to the second position.

With the operating device according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to reliably control the movement of the positioning ratchet by using the first release member during the release operation.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to the eighth aspect is constructed such that the release pawl is pivotally mounted to the first release member.

With the operating device according to the ninth aspect, the bicycle operating device is constructed so that a smooth release operation can be reliably achieved.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to the eighth aspect is constructed such that the first release member is biased toward the first position by the biasing element.

With the operating device according to the tenth aspect, the first release operation returns to the first position after being operated, so that the first release member is ready for the next release operation.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects is constructed such that the first release member is pivotally mounted to the base.

With the operating device according to the eleventh aspect, a smooth release operation can be reliably achieved.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects further includes a release lever member movably configured relative to the base to release the first release member from the first release member A position is moved to a second position.

With the operating device according to the twelfth aspect, it is possible that the user can easily perform the release operation.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to the twelfth aspect is constructed such that the release lever is pivotable relative to the base about the first lever axis in the first operating direction from the rest position to the second An operating position and a manner of pivoting from the rest position to the second operating position about the second lever axis in a second operating direction different from the first operating direction are configured.

With the operating device according to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to move the release lever in two different directions to perform the release operation.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects is constructed such that the second release member is displaced by the first release member moving from the first position toward the second position The positioning pawl is moved from the holding position to the releasing position when the first release member is moved from the first position toward the second position from the initial position toward the operating position.

With the operating device according to the fourteenth aspect, the bicycle operating device is constructed so that a smooth release operation can be reliably achieved.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects is constructed such that the second release member further includes a contact portion configured to be removed from the positioning pawl when the positioning ratchet is removed. When released, the positioning ratchet contacts and moves.

With the operating device according to the fifteenth aspect, the bicycle operating device is constructed so that a smooth release operation can be reliably achieved.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects further includes a stopper pawl that can stop the release movement of the positioning ratchet relative to the base at the stopper pawl The stop position and the stop pawl are configured in such a way that the release movement of the positioning ratchet is allowed to move between the non-stop position.

With the operating device according to the sixteenth aspect, it is possible to limit the release movement of the positioning ratchet to release only one ratchet position during the release operation.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to the sixteenth aspect is constructed such that the positioning member includes a stop pawl such that the positioning pawl and the stop pawl are pivotably mounted to the base as a single unit .

With the operating device according to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to simplify the configurations of the positioning pawl and the stopper pawl

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects further includes a wire winder provided to the positioning ratchet.

With the operating device according to the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to operate the cable actuating assembly with the operating device.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to the eighteenth aspect is constructed such that the wire winder and the positioning ratchet are biased in the release direction relative to the base.

With the operating device according to the nineteenth aspect, it is possible to reliably release the cable from the operating device.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, the operating device according to any one of the first to nineteenth aspects further includes a handlebar attachment coupled to the base.

With the operating device according to the twentieth aspect, it is possible to attach the operating device to the handlebar to improve the operability of the operating device.

Also, other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed operating device will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which in conjunction with the accompanying drawings discloses preferred embodiments of the operating device .

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art in the field of human-powered vehicles (eg, bicycles) will appreciate from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims provided by the accompanying claims. and its equivalents for the purpose of the present invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 4 , the operating device 10 is provided for use with a man-powered vehicle V. FIG. In particular, a portion of the handlebar H of the man-powered vehicle V is shown equipped with the operating device 10 according to one illustrative embodiment. Here, the man-powered vehicle V is a bicycle, and the operating device 10 is a bicycle operating device 10 constructed in particular for a rear derailleur. However, the operating device 10 can be used to position other types of components than the rear derailleur of a bicycle.

Here, the operating device 10 includes a handlebar attachment 12 . The operating device 10 is arranged on the right side of the handlebar H so as to be operated by the right hand of the rider, for example by a handlebar adapter 12 . Alternatively, the operating device 10 can be constructed as a mirror image and arranged on the left side of the handlebar H. Although the handlebar H is a flat handlebar (MTB handlebar) in the depicted embodiment, the operating device 10 can be constructed to be mounted on other types of handlebars such as a drop handlebar (road handlebar) . The handlebar adapter 12 is constructed to be mounted to the handlebar H in a conventional manner. The handlebar attachment 12 is preferably made of a strong rigid material such as a metal material or a reinforced resin material.

Here, the handlebar attachment 12 has a handlebar holder 12a and a locking bolt 12b for locking the handlebar holder 12a around the handlebar H, as seen in FIG. 5 . Although the handlebar gripper 12a is shown as a one-piece unitary member (ie, a non-articulated gripper), the handlebar gripper 12a can be an articulated gripper with a pair of curved jaws, this one The pair of curved jaws are pivotally connected at one end and adjustably coupled at the other end by a locking bolt 12b.

In the depicted embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1 , the operating device 10 is constructed to be operatively coupled to the vehicle (bicycle) assembly VC via a control cable C. Preferably, as seen in Figure 1, the control cable C is a conventional bicycle operating cable with a jacket C1 covering an inner wire C2. In other words, the control cable C is a Bowden type cable in which the inner wire C2 is slidably received within the outer casing C1. The inner wire C2 has a cable nipple or attachment barrel C3 (see Figure 9) for attaching the inner wire C2 to the manipulation device 10, as discussed below. The operating device 10 operates the bicycle component VC by selectively pulling and releasing the inner wire C2. Thus, the operating device 10 constitutes a bicycle cable operating device. The operating device 10 comprises a housing 14 in which the inner wire C2 of the control cable C is drawn into and released from the housing 14 .

In the depicted embodiment, the operating device 10 is constructed as a derailleur for controlling the gears of a derailleur device (bicycle component VC) such as a derailleur or an inner derailleur hub. However, the operating device 10 can be used as needed and/or desired as a bicycle control device for operating other types of bicycle components (eg, suspension, adjustable seatpost, etc.). In the depicted embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the operating device 10 has a plurality of predetermined steps or positions. When the bicycle component VC is a rear derailleur, the predetermined stage or position of the operating device 10 corresponds to the gear position of the rear derailleur.

In order to operate the control cable C, the operating device 10 also includes a release lever 16 . The release lever 16 is an example of a user-operated lever. In the depicted embodiment, release lever 16 is a wire release lever used to release control cable C from housing 14 . In this case, the operating device 10 also includes a pull rod element 18 . The pull lever 18 is an example of a user-operated lever. In the depicted embodiment, the pull rod 18 is the wire pull rod used to control the pull of the cable C into the housing 14 . Although the operating device 10 of the depicted embodiment uses two operating members (eg, two levers), the operating device 10 is not limited to this particular configuration. For example, the operating device 10 can be reconfigured if needed and/or desired so that the release lever 16 is also used as a pull lever. Therefore, the inner wire C2 is sent out of the casing 14 in response to the operation of the release lever 16 , and the inner wire C2 is pulled into the casing 14 in response to the operation of the pulling rod 18 .

Here, for example, the housing 14 includes an upper (first) case and a lower (second) case 14b. The upper and lower shells are coupled together by fasteners. The upper and lower shells of the housing 14 are rigid rigid members made of a suitable material such as hard plastic or a lightweight metal such as aluminum. However, the housing 14 can have a variety of configurations as needed and/or desired. Since the shape, size and material of housing 14 can be virtually any suitable shape, size and material, the composition of housing 14 will not be discussed in greater detail here.

In the depicted embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the release lever 16 can be moved in the first operating direction D1 from the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) to the first operating position ( FIG. 2 ) to perform Release operation of inner wire C2. Again, as seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the release lever 16 can be moved in the second operating direction D2 from the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) to the second operating position ( FIG. 3 ) to effect the release of the inner wire C2 operate. The second operation direction D2 is different from the first operation direction D1. For example, as in the depicted embodiment, the second operating direction D2 is opposite to the first operating direction D1. As used herein, the term "rest position" refers to a state in which a component (eg, release lever 16 ) remains stationary without requiring the user to hold the component. On the other hand, the term "actuated position" as used herein refers to a temporary state in which a member (eg, the release lever 16 ) is temporarily held in a position due to an external force being input into the operating device 10 .

As explained below, the operating device 10 can be operated to change the number of predetermined positions in a single continuous release operation according to the amount of movement of the release lever 16 in the first operating direction D1 from the rest position (FIG. 1). . In particular, when the release lever 16 is operated from the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) in the first operating direction D1 or the second operating direction D2 , one, two or three of the predetermined positions are in the release lever 16 can be changed in a single continuous release operation. The number of stages or predetermined positions that occur depends on how far the release lever 16 is moved from the rest position in either the first operating direction D1 or the second operating direction D2.

In the depicted embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the pull rod 18 can be moved from the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) to the operating position ( FIG. 4 ) in the third operating direction D3 to perform internal The pulling operation of the wire C2. As explained below, the operating device 10 can be operated to change a plurality of predetermined positions in a single continuous drawing operation according to the amount of movement of the drawing rod 18 in the third operating direction D3. In particular, when the draw bar 18 is operated from the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) in the third operating direction D3 , one, two or three of the predetermined positions are in a single continuation of the draw bar 18 Can be changed during a release operation.

Referring now to Figures 5-9, the operating device 10 will now be discussed in more detail. The operating device 10 includes a base 20 . The base 20 supports the internal components of the operating device 10 . The release lever 16 is configured to be movable relative to the base 20 in the first operating direction D1 from the rest position to the operating position. The release lever 16 is configured in such a manner that it can also move relative to the base 20 from the rest position to the operating position in the first operating direction D1 different from the second operating direction D2.

In the depicted embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the housing 14 is constructed to cover the base 20 and the internal components of the operating device 10 . The housing 14 is removably attached to the base 20 . In the assembled state of the operating device 10 , the housing 14 is fixed to the base 20 . Thus, the housing 14 can be considered as part of the base 20 of the operating device 10 . In other words, although the housing 14 is described as a separate component from the base 20 , the upper and lower shells of the housing 14 can be considered part of the base 20 , where the housing 14 is a stationary support integral with the base 20 part.

As will be explained below, the release lever 16 is pivotable relative to the base 20 about a first lever axis A1 (see FIG. 11 ) in a first operational direction D1 from the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) to the first operational position (eg, Fig. 2) is configured. Here, it is possible to change up to three predetermined positions in a single successive release operation of the release lever 16 in the first operating direction D1. Thus, the operating device 10 effectively has three first operating positions in the first operating direction D1. Again, the release lever 16 is pivotable relative to the base 20 about a second lever axis A2 (see FIG. 11 ) from the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) in a second operating direction D2 different from the first operating direction D1 The way to the second operating position (eg, FIG. 3 ) is configured. For example, as in the depicted embodiment, it is possible to change up to one of the predetermined positions in a single successive release operation of the release lever 16 in the second operating direction D2. Thus, the operating device 10 effectively has a second operating position in the second operating direction D2. The first rod axis A1 is parallel to the second rod axis A2. It can be possible to change up to three predetermined positions in a single successive release operation of the release lever 16 in the second operating direction D2.

The pull rod 18 is configured to be movable relative to the base 20 from a rest position ( FIG. 1 ) to an operating position ( FIG. 4 ). The pulling lever 18 is pivoted in the third operating direction D3 about the second lever axis A2 to perform the pulling operation. When the pull lever 18 is operated by the user, the release lever 16 remains stationary in its rest position. Also, when the release lever 16 is operated in the first operating direction D1 by the user and in the second operating direction D2 by the user, the pulling lever 18 remains stationary at its rest position.

The base 20 is a stationary component relative to the handlebar H, as discussed below. Here, the handlebar attachment 12 is coupled to the base 20 . Rather, the handlebar attachment 12 is removably attached to the base 20 . Alternatively, however, the handlebar attachment 12 may be attached directly to the housing 14 , which in turn is attached to the base 20 . In the assembled state of the operating device 10 , the handlebar attachment 12 is fixed to the base 20 . Thus, the handlebar attachment 12 can also be considered as part of the base 20 of the operating device 10 , wherein the handlebar attachment 12 is a stationary support member integral with the base 20 .

Here, the base 20 is primarily constructed on a first or seat panel 22 and a second or top panel 24 . The seat plate 22 and the top plate 24 are coupled together to form the inner frame or base member of the operating device 10 . The seat plate 22 and the top plate 24 are rigid plate members made of suitable materials such as metallic materials or reinforced composite materials. Here, the seat plate 22 and the top plate 24 are sheet metal parts that are bent to the depicted shapes.

As seen in FIGS. 5-10 , the base 20 further includes fixing bolts 26 and fixing nuts 28 for coupling the base plate 22 and the top plate 24 together. In the depicted embodiment, as seen in FIG. 8, the fixing bolt 26 has a head portion 26a and a shaft portion 26b. The shaft portion 26b is provided with external threads 26c. The fixing nut 28 is screw-locked to the external thread 28c of the shaft portion 28b. Alternatively, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 10 , a fixing plate 30 and an anti-rotation buckle 32 can be provided on the base 20 to prevent rotation of the fixing nut 28 relative to the base 20 .

7 to 9 , the release lever 16 includes an attachment portion 16a provided inside the housing 14 and a lever portion 16b extending from the attachment portion 16a to the outside of the housing 14 . The attachment portion 16a is movably attached to the base 20, as discussed below. The attachment portion 16a and the lever portion 16b are formed, for example, from a single piece of metal, wherein the lever portion 16b has a plastic user contact portion 16c molded on the lever portion 16b.

Likewise, the pull rod 18 includes an attachment portion 18 a provided inside the housing 14 and a rod portion 18 b extending from the attachment portion 18 a to the exterior of the housing 14 . The attachment portion 18a is pivotably attached to the base 20, as discussed below. The lever portion 18b is configured such that the user moves the lever portion 18b to pivot the pull lever 18 relative to the base 20 . The attachment portion 18a and the lever portion 18b are formed, for example, from a single piece of metal, wherein the lever portion 18b has a plastic user contact portion 18c molded on the lever portion 18b.

In the depicted embodiment, the release lever 16 is movably mounted to the seat plate 22 of the base 20 by means of a support pin 34 that defines the first lever axis A1 (see FIG. 11 ). Specifically, the support pins 34 are fixed to the bottom side of the seat plate 22 by deforming (riveting) the ends of the support pins 34 in the openings 22a ( FIG. 11 ) in the seat plate 22 . The attachment portion 16a has a curved slot 16a1 having a center of curvature on the first rod axis A1, and the support pin 34 is movably arranged in the curved slot 16a1. In this way, when the release lever 16 is moved in the first operation direction D1 to perform the release operation, the support pin 34 contacts one end of the curved slot 16a1 so that the release lever 16 is at the first shaft pivot axis A1 pivot on.

The release lever 16 is also pivotable about a second lever axis A2 defined by the central axis of the fixing bolt 26 . In this case, the release lever 16 is moved in the second operation direction D2 to perform the release operation. By moving the release lever 16 in the second operating direction D2, the release lever 16 pivots on the second lever axis A2 due to the support pin 34 engaging the curved slot 16a1. Thus, the lever portion 16b is configured such that the user moves the lever portion 16b to pivot the release lever 16 relative to the base 20 in the first operating direction D1 or the second operating direction D2.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the handlebar adapter 12 is coupled to the seat plate 22 and the top plate 24 . Here, the handlebar attachment 12 is coupled to the seat plate 22 by a first bolt 36 and is coupled to the top plate 24 by a second bolt 38 . Here, the base 20 is also provided with a cylindrical adjuster 40 adjustably coupled to the seat plate 22 to variably fix the contact point of the end of the outer casing C1 relative to the base 20 .

As mentioned above, the release lever 16 and the pulling lever 18 are configured to be movable relative to the base 20 to release or pull the inner wire C2 relative to the base 20 . In particular, the fixing bolts 26 pivotably support the release lever 16 and the pulling lever 18 on the seat plate 22 and the top plate 24 . In this way, the release lever 16 is movable relative to the seat plate 22 from the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) in the first operating direction D1 to the first operating position ( FIG. 2 ) and in the second operating direction D2 to The second operating position (FIG. 3) is configured. Likewise, in this manner, the pull rod member 18 is configured to be movable relative to the seat plate 22 from a rest position (FIG. 1) to an operating position (FIG. 4).

Here, the release lever 16 and the pull lever 18 are biased relative to the base 20 to their rest positions. In other words, the release lever 16 and the pull lever 18 are constructed to have a trigger action such that each of the release lever 16 and the pull lever 18 are moved from the rest position to the operating position and released automatically returns to the rest position. In the depicted embodiment, as seen in FIG. 11 , the biasing element 42 is provided to bias the release lever 16 and the pull lever 18 towards their rest positions. Here, the biasing element 42 is operatively disposed between the release lever 16 and the pull lever 18 . The biasing element 42 applies a biasing force on the release lever 16 such that the release lever 16 is biased against the support pin 34 to establish the rest position of the release lever 16 . The biasing element 42 also applies a biasing force to the pull rod member 18 so that the pull rod member 18 is biased against the downwardly extending flange 22b of the top seat plate 22 to establish the rest position of the pull rod member 18 . Here, the biasing element 42 is, for example, a torsion spring mounted on the fixing bolt 26 .

As seen in FIGS. 11-15 , the operating device 10 also includes a positioning ratchet 44 . The positioning ratchet 44 is supported so as to be movable relative to the base 20 between a plurality of predetermined positions. The positioning ratchet 44 is supported so as to be movable relative to the base 20 in a first direction R1 and a second direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1. Here, the positioning ratchet 44 is pivotally mounted on the fixing bolt 26 to pivot about the second lever axis A2. Thus, the positioning ratchet 44 is constructed to pivot about the second lever axis A2. The operating device 10 also includes a positioning member 46 . Here, the positioning ratchet 44 includes a plurality of positioning ratchet teeth 44a. Positioning member 46 is movably supported relative to base 20 to selectively engage positioning ratchet teeth 44a to establish a plurality of predetermined positions. The positioning ratchet 44 and the positioning member 46 define a positioning mechanism of the operating device 10 that is operated in response to operation of the release lever 16 and the pull lever 18 . Here, the positioning member 46 is constructed to pivot about a pivot axis A3 that is offset and parallel to the first lever axis A1 and the second lever axis A2. Specifically, the positioning member 46 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 48 supported between the seat plate 22 and the top plate 24 . The pivot axis A3 is defined by the central longitudinal axis of the pivot pin 48 .

Here, the positioning member 46 includes a positioning pawl 46a. As discussed in more detail later, the positioning pawl 46a is supported in a manner movable relative to the base 20 between a retaining position and a release position. The positioning pawl 46a engages the positioning ratchet 44 with the positioning pawl 46a in the holding position to selectively establish a predetermined position of the positioning ratchet 44 relative to the base 20 . That is, the positioning pawl 46a engages with one of the positioning ratchet teeth 44a with the positioning pawl 46a in the holding position. The positioning pawl 46a is disengaged from the positioning ratchet 44 with the positioning pawl 46a in the release position to allow the positioning ratchet 44 to move relative to the base 20 in the release direction. That is, the positioning pawl 46a is disengaged from the positioning ratchet teeth 44a when the positioning pawl 46a is in the release position. During the release operation, as explained below, the positioning pawl 46a is disengaged from the release ratchet 44 with the positioning pawl 46a in the release position to allow the positioning ratchet 44 to move in the second direction R2 relative to the base 20 .

In this embodiment, the operating device 10 also includes a stop pawl 46b. As discussed in more detail later, the stop pawl 46b is in a stop position relative to the base 20 where the stop pawl 46b stops the release movement of the positioning ratchet 44 and the stop pawl 46b allows the release movement of the positioning ratchet 44 The way to move between the non-stop positions is configured. The stop pawl 46b is provided to ensure that the positioning ratchet 44 moves only one of the predetermined positions within a certain movement range of the release lever 16 . In the depicted embodiment, the operating device 10 can perform up to three release operations with a single incremental movement of the release lever 16 in the first operating direction D1. In the depicted embodiment, the operating device 10 can perform up to one release operation with a single incremental movement of the release lever 16 in the second operating direction D2. In any case, the stop pawl 46b is configured to limit movement of the positioning ratchet 44 during a release operation using the release lever 16, as discussed below. Here, the stop pawl 46b is biased toward the non-stop position, as explained later.

That is, as seen in FIGS. 20 to 27, the stop pawl 46b is moved from the non-stop position (FIGS. 20, 24 and 27) to the stop position (FIG. 27) in response to the release operation of the release lever 16. 23 and Figure 26). In the non-stop position (FIGS. 20, 24 and 27), the stop pawl 46b is located outside the travel path of the positioning ratchet teeth 44a so that the stop pawl 46b does not contact the positioning ratchet teeth 44a. In the stop position (FIGS. 23 and 26), the stop pawl 46b is moved into the travel path of the positioning ratchet teeth 44a so that the stop pawl 46b contacts one of the positioning ratchet teeth 44a to temporarily stop positioning Movement of the ratchet 44 . Then, after temporarily stopping the movement of the positioning ratchet 44, by the positioning ratchet 44 being biased in the second direction R2, the positioning ratchet 44 moves the stopper pawl 46b back to the non-stopping position (FIGS. 24 and 27 ). ), as explained later.

Also, in this embodiment, the positioning member 46 includes a detent pawl 46b such that the detent pawl 46a and the detent pawl 46b are pivotally mounted to the base 20 as a single unit. Here, the stop pawl 46b and the positioning pawl 46a are formed as a one-piece member that is pivotably mounted to the base 20 by means of a pivot pin 48 . In other words, in the depicted embodiment, the positioning pawl 46a and the stop pawl 46b are a single member that is pivotally mounted between the seat plate 22 and the top plate 24 by means of the pivot pin 48 . Thus, when the stop pawl 46b moves between the non-stop position (FIGS. 20, 24 and 27) and the stop position (FIGS. 23 and 26), the stop pawl 46b is on the pivot axis A3 pivot. However, the positioning pawl 46a and the stop pawl 46b can be constructed as separate members pivoting on the same pivot axis, or separate members pivoting on different pivot axes.

As seen in FIGS. 10 , 11 and 16-19 , the biasing element 50 is supported on the pivot pin 48 for biasing the positioning member 46 against the flange or abutment 22e of the top seat plate 22 , to establish the rest position of the positioning member 46 . Accordingly, the biasing element 50 biases the positioning pawl 46a toward engagement with the positioning ratchet 44 and biases the detent pawl 46b out of engagement with the positioning ratchet 44 . Here, the biasing element 50 is a spring with coil sections arranged on the pivot pin 48 . The biasing element 50 has a first free end 50a disposed in the hole of the positioning member 46 and a second end 50b contacting a portion of the base 20 . Here, the biasing force acting on the positioning member 46 is adjustable. In particular, in the depicted embodiment, the base 20 is provided with an adjustment member 52 that is rotatably mounted between the seat plate 22 and the top plate 24 . The adjustment member 52 has a first abutting portion 52a, a second abutting portion 52b, and a third abutting portion 52c. By rotating the adjusting member 52, the second end portion 50b of the biasing element 50 selectively contacts one of the first abutting portion 52a, the second abutting portion 52b, and the third abutting portion 52c. When the adjustment member 52 is rotated to contact the second end 50b of the biasing element 50 with the first abutting portion 52a, the biasing element 50 is preloaded to generate a low biasing force. When the adjustment member 52 is rotated to contact the second end portion 50b of the biasing element 50 with the second abutting portion 52b, the biasing element 50 is preloaded to generate an intermediate biasing force. When the adjustment member 52 is rotated to contact the second end portion 50b of the biasing element 50 with the third abutting portion 52c, the biasing element 50 is preloaded to generate a high biasing force.

As seen in FIGS. 8-10 , the operating device 10 also includes a wire winder 54 disposed on the positioning ratchet 44 . Basically, the positioning ratchet 44 is non-removably coupled to the wire winder 54 such that the wire winder 54 and positioning ratchet 44 move relative to the base 20 as a unit. Therefore, the wire winder 54 is fixed in the first direction R1 and the second direction R2 with respect to the positioning ratchet 44 . Accordingly, the position of the wire winder 54 relative to the base 20 is selectively established by selectively engaging and disengaging the positioning ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning pawl 46a. Here, the wire winder 54 and the positioning ratchet 44 are separate components that are coupled together to move as a unit. Alternatively, the positioning ratchet 44 can be integrally formed as part of the wire winder 54 to be a one-piece member.

The wire winder 54 includes a cable holder 54a. The inner wire C2 is attached to the cable holder 54a of the wire winder 54 by the cable attachment barrel C3. The wire winder 54 is pivotally mounted to the base 20 by means of the fixing bolts 26 . The wire winder 54 pivots relative to the base 20 in a first direction R1 corresponding to the pulling direction, and pivots relative to the base 20 in a second direction R2 corresponding to the releasing direction.

10 and 11 , preferably, the wire winder 54 and positioning ratchet 44 are biased relative to the base 20 in the release direction. A biasing element 56 is disposed between the top plate 24 of the base 20 and the wire winder 54 to bias the wire winder 54 in the second direction R2. Here, the biasing element 56 is a coil torsion spring having a first free end engaged in a recess of the wire winder 54 and a second free end engaged in a recess of the top plate 24 of the base 20 . The biasing element 56 is preferably preloaded to bias the wire winder 54 against the abutment portion 24a of the top plate 24 of the top base 20 in the second direction R2.

Optionally, the operating device 10 can also include a gear position indicator operatively coupled to the wire winder 54 to indicate the current gear position of the wire winder 54 . Since gear indicators are often used in operating devices, the gear indicators operatively coupled to wire winder 54 will not be shown or discussed in detail here.

In the depicted embodiment as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12 , in order to realize the release operation of the wire winder 54 , the operating device 10 also includes a release pawl 58 and a support 60 . As explained in more detail below, the release pawl 58 is configured to move the positioning member 46 such that the positioning pawl 46a moves from the holding position to the releasing position in response to a release operation using the release lever 16 . Preferably, as in the illustrated embodiment, the operating device 10 further comprises a first release member 61 . As explained below, the first release member 61 is operatively coupled to the positioning pawl 46a to move the positioning pawl 46a from the holding position in response to the first release member 61 moving from the first position to the second position to the release position. In other words, the positioning pawl 46a is disengaged by the first release member 61 moving from the first position to the second position. More precisely, in response to the release operation of the release lever 16 , the first release member 61 is moved from the first position to the second position such that the positioning pawl 46 a is disengaged from one of the positioning ratchet teeth 44 a of the positioning ratchet 44 . Therefore, the wire winder 54 and the positioning ratchet 44 can move in the second direction R2 in response to the release lever 16 being operated in the first operation direction D1 or the second operation direction D2 when the release operation is performed.

More preferably, as in the depicted embodiment, the operating device 10 also includes a second release member 62 . Here, the first release member 61 is operatively coupled to the second release member 62 by releasing the pawl 58 . In this way, the movement of the release lever 16 is transmitted to the second release member 62 via the first release member 61 and the release pawl 58 . The release pawl 58 is a separate part different from the first release member 61 and the second release member 62 , which are also separate parts. The operating device 10 can be reconfigured in such a way that one or both of the first release member 61 and the release pawl 58 are omitted.

Basically, the first release member 61 is supported so as to be movable relative to the base 20 between a first position and a second position. Here, the first release member 61 is responsive to the movement of the release lever 16 in the first operating direction D1 from the rest position to the operating position relative to the base 20 about a pivot axis (here, the second lever The axis A2) is configured in such a way that it pivots between the first position and the second position. In this way, the release lever 16 is configured to be movable relative to the base 20 to move the first release member 61 from the first position to the second position. In other words, the first release member 61 is moved from the first position to the second position in response to the release lever 16 being released by being moved from the rest position in the second operating direction D2. In the depicted embodiment, the first release member 61 is constructed to pivot about the second lever axis A2 if the release lever 16 is operated in the first operating direction D1 or the second operating direction D2. Therefore, the first release member 61 is moved in response to the release lever 16 being operated in the first operation direction D1 or the second operation direction D2 to perform the release operation.

The first release member 61 is biased toward the first position by a biasing element (eg, the biasing element 42). In the depicted embodiment, the biasing element 42 is used to bias the first release member 61 towards the first position and to bias the release lever 16 and the pull lever 18 toward each of their respective rest positions One is biased. The biasing element 42 exerts a biasing force directly on the pulling rod 18 in the second direction R2 about the second rod axis A2.

Here, the biasing element 42 is, for example, a torsion spring mounted on the fixing bolt 26, wherein the first free end of the torsion spring is hooked on the pull rod 18, and the second free end of the torsion spring is hooked on the pull rod 18. hooked on the arm of the first release member 61 . The biasing element 42 exerts a biasing force directly on the pulling rod 18 in the second direction R2 about the second rod axis A2 and applies the biasing force in the first direction R1 about the second rod axis A2 Applied directly to the first release member 61 . Accordingly, the pull rod 18 and the first release member 61 are biased in opposite directions about the second rod axis A2.

The release lever 16 is engaged with the first release member 61 such that the biasing force exerted by the biasing element 42 on the first release member 61 is transmitted to the release lever 16 and applied to the user on the release lever 16 The operating force is transmitted to the release lever 16 . In this manner, the release lever 16 is operatively biased against the support pin 34 by the biasing element 42 to establish the rest position of the release lever 16 and the rest position of the first release member 61 .

Preferably, as in the depicted embodiment, the first release member 61 is supported so as to be movable relative to the base 20 for when the release lever 16 is moved from the first position (the initial position) of the first release member 61 . One, two or three release stages in which a predetermined position is achieved in a single progressive movement. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, the first release member 61 can be in a first position corresponding to the initial or resting position, a second position corresponding to the first release stage, and a second release stage relative to the base 20 is supported in a manner of movement between the third position and the fourth position corresponding to the third release stage. Of course, the operating device 10 can, if necessary and/or desired, be constructed to perform only a single release operation in a single incremental movement of the release lever 16 from the first position (the initial position) of the first release member 61 .

As seen in FIG. 11 , the first release member 61 is coupled to the release lever 16 to receive a user operating force applied to the release lever 16 . More precisely, as seen in Figure 20, the release lever 16 is shown in the rest position and the first release member 61 is shown in the first position, which is also the rest position. The release lever 16 includes a force-transmitting lug or finger 16a2 and a force-transmitting surface 16a3 that engage the first release member 61 when they are in their resting positions, as shown in FIG. seen in 20. The first release member 61 includes a force-receiving projection or finger 61a and a force-receiving surface 61b that engage the release lever 16 when they are in their rest positions, as shown in FIG. seen in 20. Specifically, with the release lever 16 and the first release member 61 at their rest positions, the force transmission projection 16a2 of the release lever 16 contacts the force reception projection 61a of the first release member 61, and the release lever The force-transmitting surface 16a3 of the member 16 contacts the force-receiving surface 61b of the first release member 61 . The contact between the force transmitting convex portion 16a2 and the force receiving convex portion 61a, and the contact between the force transmitting surface 16a3 and the force receiving surface 61b are maintained by the biasing force of the biasing member 42. With this configuration, from their rest position, the release levers 16 can be moved in the first operating direction D1 or the second operating direction D1 or the second by pivoting the first release member 61 in the second direction R2 about the second lever axis A2 It is moved in the operation direction D2 to perform the release operation.

As seen in Figures 11-14, the positioning member 46 also includes a contact member 46c. The release pawl 58 is configured to contact the contact part 46c of the positioning member 46 to disengage the positioning pawl 46a from the positioning ratchet 44 . In particular, when the first release member 61 is rotated in the second direction D2 about the second lever axis A2, the release pawl 58 is also rotated in the second direction D2 about the second lever axis A2, such that The release pawl 58 contacts the contact part 46c of the positioning member 46 to pivot the positioning member 46 on the pivot pin 48 . In this way, when the stop pawl 46b pivots on the pivot pin 48 from the non-stop position to the stop position, the positioning pawl 46a pivots on the pivot pin 48 from the holding position to the release position.

Preferably, the release pawl 58 includes a plurality of release portions 58a. The release portion 58a is configured to sequentially contact the contact parts 46c of the positioning member 46 in a single progressive release operation of the release pawl 58 to change the number of predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet 44 . Accordingly, the user can selectively change one or more of the predetermined positions in a single incremental release operation of the release lever 16 operatively coupled to the release pawl 58 .

The release pawl 58 is configured to be disengaged from the positioning member 46 by the second release member 62 . As seen in FIGS. 11-14 , the second release member 62 includes a disengagement portion 62a that is configured during a release operation after the positioning ratchet 44 moves from one of the predetermined positions to the other of the predetermined positions The release pawl 58 is disengaged from the positioning member 46 . The supporter 60 is constructed to support the release pawl 58 after the release pawl 58 is disengaged from the positioning member 46 by the disengagement portion 62 a of the second release member 62 . Thus, when the release pawl 58 is disengaged from the positioning member 46 by the second release member 62 , the release pawl 58 contacts the support 60 to control the movement of the release pawl 58 . Here, the release pawl 58 has a stepped surface 58b that contacts the support 60 when the release pawl 58 is returning towards the rest position. In particular, the support 60 is pivotally mounted to the base 20 . Again, the support member 60 is biased in a direction towards contact with the release pawl 58 . In this way, the support 60 is configured to apply a reaction force to the release pawl 58 when the release pawl 58 contacts the support 60 with the release pawl 58 returning toward the rest position, as explained later .

Here, in the depicted embodiment, the release pawl 58 is pivotally mounted to the first release member 61 . In particular, the release pawl 58 is pivotably mounted to the first release member 61 by means of a pivot pin 64 defining a pivot axis A4. Preferably, a biasing element 66 is provided on the pivot pin 64 to bias the release pawl 58 relative to the first release member 61 to a rest position. Here, the release pawl 58 has an abutment portion 58c that abuts against the abutment portion 61c of the first release member 61 when the release pawl 58 is in the rest position. More precisely, the biasing element 66 is a torsion spring operatively disposed between the release pawl 58 and the first release member 61 to bias the abutment 58c of the release pawl 58 against the first release member 61 of the abutting portion 61c.

Again, in the depicted embodiment, the support 60 is pivotally mounted to the seat plate 22 of the base 20 . In particular, the support 60 is a one-piece member that is snap fitted to the seat plate 22 of the base 20 by means of prongs 60a, as seen in FIGS. 11 and 15 . Here, as seen in FIGS. 11 , 14 and 15 , the support 60 includes an abutting portion 60 b that contacts the base 20 to avoid and release the operating device 10 in a non-operating state ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) The pawls 58 are in contact. Basically, the support 60 is also configured to apply a reaction force to the release pawl 58 in response to movement of the release pawl 58 away from the positioning member 46 by the second release member 62 .

The second release member 62 is supported so as to be movable relative to the base 20 between an initial position ( FIG. 20 ) and an operating position ( FIG. 21 ). In particular, the second release member 62 is attached to the positioning member 46 in a pivotable manner about a pivot axis A3 that is offset and parallel to the second lever axis A2 of the first release member 61 . Rather, the second release member 62 is pivotally mounted to the base 20 by means of a pivot pin 48 , which also pivotally supports the positioning member 46 . Here, the second release member 62 is moved from the initial position to the operating position by the release pawl 58 engaging the positioning member 46 and pivoting the positioning member 46 about the pivot axis A3. Furthermore, when the release member 62 is in the operating position, the release member 62 is moved by the positioning ratchet 44 to an actuated position in which the release pawl 58 is disengaged from the positioning member 46 (FIG. 23). Specifically, the second release member 62 includes a contact portion 62b. The contact portion 62b is configured to be contacted and moved by the positioning ratchet 44 when the positioning ratchet 44 is released from the positioning pawl 46a.

The second release member 62 is biased to the initial position relative to the positioning member 46 by a biasing element 68 operatively disposed between the positioning member 46 and the second release member 62 . Here, the biasing element 68 is a coil compression spring. The biasing element 68 biases the second release member 62 about the pivot pin 48 so that the abutment portion 62c abuts against the abutment positioning member 46 to establish an initial position, which is also the rest position. In this way, the second release member 62 can pivot about the pivot axis A3 with the positioning member 46 as a unit, and relative to the positioning member 46 about the pivot axis A3 by compressing the biasing element 68 .

The second release member 62 is moved from the initial position toward the operating position by the first release member 61 moving from the first position toward the second position. In particular, in response to the release lever 16 being moved from the rest position to the first operation position in the first operation direction D1 or the second operation direction D2, the second release member 62 releases the pawl via the first release member 61 , 58 and the positioning member 46 to move from the initial position to the operating position. Rather, the release pawl 58 and the first release member 61 are moved together in response to the operation of the release lever 16 . Accordingly, one of the release portions 58a of the release pawl 58 engages the contact part 46c of the positioning member 46 to pivot the positioning member 46 and the second release member 62 together as a unit about the pivot axis A3. When the positioning member 46 is pivoted by the first release member 61 via the release pawl 58, the positioning pawl 46a is moved from the holding position to the release position by the first release member 62 moving from the first position towards the second position . Then, with the second release member 62 in the operating position, the contact portion 62b is positioned in the path of the ratchet teeth 44 of the positioning ratchet 44 . When the positioning ratchet 44 rotates in the second direction R2 due to the positioning pawl 46a in the release position, one of the ratchet teeth 44 of the positioning ratchet 44 will contact the second release member 62, as seen in FIGS. 22 and 23 . . This rotation of the positioning ratchet 44 will then pivot the second release member 62 to the actuated position to disengage the release pawl 58 from the positioning member 46 . That is, the disengagement portion 62a of the second release member 62 will pivot the release pawl 58 against the biasing force of the biasing element 66 out of contact with the positioning member 46 . This movement of the release pawl 58 away from the positioning member 46 causes the release pawl 58 to contact the support 60 . Preferably, the support 60 is pivotally mounted to the base 20 and is biased towards contact with the release pawl 58 . Here, the biasing element 70 is operatively disposed between the seat plate 22 and the support 60 . For example, the biasing element 70 is a torsion spring. In the depicted embodiment, the biasing element 70 has a coil portion that is mounted to the first post 60c of the support 60 , a first foot that engages the second post 60c of the support 60 , and a second leg that engages the seat plate 22 . Two feet.

As seen in FIGS. 20 to 29 , when the release lever 16 is moved in the first operating direction D1 , the release lever 16 pivots on the first lever axis A1 and the first release member 61 surrounds the second The rod axis A2 is moved in the second direction R2. Again, depending on the amount of movement of the release lever 16 in the first operating direction D1, one, two or three release stages of predetermined positions are performed. Furthermore, when the release lever 16 is moved in the second operating direction D2, the release lever 16 and the first release member 61 pivot together on the second lever axis A2 so that the first release member 61 surrounds the second The rod axis A2 moves in the second direction R2.

Basically, when performing the release operation, the user applies an operation force to the release lever 16 in the first operation direction D1 or the second operation direction D2. This operating force of the release lever 16 is then transmitted to the first release member 61 so that the first release member 61 pivots in the second direction R2 about the second lever axis A2. The first of the release portions 58a of the release pawl 58 then engages the contact part 46c of the positioning member 46 to pivot both the positioning member 46 and the second release member 62 together about the pivot axis A3. That is, when the positioning member 46 and the second release member 62 are pivoted together about the pivot axis A3 , the contact portion 62b of the second release member 62 moves into the path of the positioning ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 . The pivotal movement of the positioning member 46 about the pivot axis A3 causes the positioning pawl 46a to disengage from one of the positioning ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 . In this way, the positioning ratchet 44 and the wire winder 54 move together in the second direction R2. When the positioning ratchet 44 moves in the second direction R2, the positioning ratchet 44 contacts the contact portion 62b of the second release member 62 to pivot the second release member 62 relative to the positioning member 46 about the pivot axis A3 towards the actuated position The positioning member 46 and the second release member 62 are then pivoted together about the pivot axis A3.

In particular, one of the positioning ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 contacts the contact portion 62b of the second release member 62 to pivot the second release member 62 about the pivot axis A3 towards the actuated position. This movement of the second release member 62 about the pivot axis A3 towards the actuated position causes the disengagement portion 62a of the second release member 62 to disengage the release portion 58a of the release pawl 58 from the contact part 46c of the positioning member 46 . By the user further operating the release lever 16 without moving the release lever 16 back toward the rest position, the second and third persons releasing the release portion 58a of the pawl 58 can be released as discussed above. Engagement with the contact part 46c of the positioning member 46 in sequence in the same manner to perform two additional release stages of positioning the predetermined position of the ratchet 44. When the release lever 16 is released and returned to the rest position, the first release member 61 pivots back to the first position in the first direction R1 about the second lever axis A2, and the release pawl 58 and the first The release member 61 is moved back to its rest position.

As seen in FIG. 28, the release lever 16 has a first stopper 16a4 and a second stopper 16a5. The first stopper 16a4 may be in contact with the base 20 to limit the rotation of the release lever 16 in the first operation direction D1. In particular, the seat plate 22 is provided with a downwardly extending flange 22d, which forms an abutment portion for restricting the upward rotation of the release lever 16 in the first operating direction D1. The second stopper 16a5 may contact the base 20 when the release lever 16 is moved in the first operating direction D1 to limit relative movement between the release lever 16 and the lever axis (second lever axis A2). In other words, during the movement of the release lever 16 in the first operating direction D1, it is possible that the release lever 16 may move relative to the support pin 34 provided in the curved slot 16a1. If the release lever 16 were to move relative to the support pin 34, the second stop 16a5 would contact the downwardly extending flange 22d of the seat plate 22 to limit the release lever 16 relative to the support defining the second lever axis A2 The amount of movement of pin 34.

The operating device 10 is constructed to perform the pulling operation of the wire winder 54 and the positioning ratchet 44 by using the pulling rod 18 . As seen in FIG. 15 mentioned above, the pulling rod member 18 is biased into contact with the abutment portion 22 b of the seat plate 22 by the biasing force of the biasing member 42 . In this way, the pulling rod 18 is in a position ready for pulling operation. The user can perform a single stage operation of the wire winder 54 and positioning ratchet 44 as seen in Figures 30-34, or by rotating the pull rod 18 further in the third operating direction D3 to apply the wire Multi-stage operation of winder 54 and positioning ratchet 44 .

In order to realize the pulling operation of the wire winder 54 and the positioning ratchet 44 , the operating device 10 further includes a pulling pawl 80 . Here, the pulling pawl 80 is mounted pivotably relative to the base 20 about the pivot axis A5, as seen in FIG. 30 . Rather, the pull pawl 80 is pivotally mounted on the pull rod 18 to selectively engage the ratchet of the positioning ratchet 44 in response to movement of the pull rod 18 from the rest position to the operating position Teeth 44a. In this manner, the pull pawl 80 is moved by movement of the pull rod 18 and pivots on the pull rod 18 to selectively engage and disengage the ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 . Thus, the positioning ratchet 44 is moved from one of the predetermined positions to a different one of the predetermined positions in response to the pull rod 18 being moved from the rest position to the operating position. Rather, the pulling pawl 80 selectively engages one of the positioning ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 to move the wire winder 54 in the first direction R1 during the pulling operation. When the positioning ratchet 44 moves in the first direction R1 during the pulling operation, the wire winder 54 pivots relative to the base 20 in the first direction R1 corresponding to the cable pulling direction. Depending on the amount of movement of the pull rod 18 about the second rod axis A2, the wire winder 54 can be moved to one or more of the predetermined positions. Thus, the positioning ratchet 44 is moved from one of the predetermined positions to a different one of the predetermined positions in response to the pull rod 18 being moved from the rest position to the operating position. Again, the number of stages or predetermined positions that are varied depends on how far the user pivots the pull rod 18 from the rest position.

Here, the pulling pawl 80 includes a protrusion 81 and a protrusion 82 configured to selectively engage the ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 during the pulling operation. The pull pawl 80 is pivotally mounted on the pull rod 18 by means of a pivot pin 84 . In this way, the protrusions 81 and 82 are selectively pivoted toward and away from the ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 .

Preferably, as in the depicted embodiment, the pull pawl 80 is biased toward engagement with the positioning ratchet 44 . Here, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15 , a biasing member 86 is provided between the pull rod 18 and the pull pawl 80 for biasing the pull pawl 80 toward engagement with the positioning ratchet 44 pressure. For example, as in the depicted embodiment, the biasing element 86 can be a torsion spring having its coil portion mounted on the pivot pin 84 and having the pull rod 18 and the pull pawl 80 engaged, respectively, The opposite free end.

As seen in Fig. 30, the pull rod 18 is in the rest position and the positioning ratchet 44 is in one of the predetermined positions. In the rest position of the positioning ratchet 44 , the protrusion 81 of the pulling pawl 80 is biased into contact with one of the ratchet teeth 44 a of the positioning ratchet 44 . In this way, the convex portion 82 of the pulling pawl 80 is maintained out of contact with the ratchet teeth 44 a of the positioning ratchet 44 .

Since the biasing element 86 biases the pull pawl 80 toward engagement with the positioning ratchet 44 in the depicted embodiment, the pull pawl 80 is preferably moved out of the path of the ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 during the release operation . In the depicted embodiment, the positioning pawl 46a is constructed to disengage the pulling pawl 80 from the positioning ratchet 44 . In particular, the positioning pawl 46a is configured to disengage the pulling pawl 80 from the positioning ratchet 44 in response to the positioning pawl 46a moving from the holding position toward the release position. The positioning pawl 46a is configured to contact the disengagement member 88 of the pulling pawl 80 to move the pulling pawl 80 in response to the disengaging movement of the positioning pawl 46a from the positioning ratchet 44 . In this way, the pull pawl 80 does not interfere with movement of the positioning ratchet 44 in the second direction during the release operation.

Referring now to Figures 30-34, the cable pulling operation using the pulling rod 18 will now be discussed. Here, when the pulling lever member 18 is moved from the rest position ( FIG. 30 ) toward the operating position in the third operating direction D3 , one of the ratchet teeth 44 a of the positioning ratchet 44 contacts the convex portion 82 . In particular, the pull pawl 80 engages one of the ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 for rotating the positioning ratchet 44 in the first direction R1. As seen in FIG. 34 , when the pull lever member 18 has been released and returned to the rest position, the protrusion 81 contacts the ratchet teeth 44a of the positioning ratchet 44 so that the pull pawl 80 can catch the ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet 44 44a.

In understanding the scope of the invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives as used herein are intended as open-ended terms to define the occurrence of said features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but The presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps is not excluded. The foregoing also applies to words of similar meaning, such as the terms "comprising", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms "portion," "section," "portion," "member," or "element" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements unless indicated otherwise.

The following directional terms used here are "facing the frame side", "not facing the frame side", "forward", "rearward", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", " above, below, up, down, top, bottom, side, vertical, horizontal, vertical and transverse, and any other similar Directional terms refer to those directions of a human-powered vehicle field (eg, a bicycle) in an upright riding position and equipped with an operating device. Accordingly, these directional terms employed to describe the operating device should be interpreted relative to a human-powered vehicle (eg, a bicycle) equipped with the operating device in an upright riding position on a horizontal surface. The terms "left" and "right" are used to designate "right" when viewed from the rear of a man-powered vehicle (eg, bicycle) with reference to the right side, and when viewed from behind the field of man-powered vehicles (eg, a bicycle) In the case of the left side as a reference, specify "left".

As used in this disclosure, the phrase "at least one of" means a desired selection of "one or more." For an example, the term "at least one of" as used in this disclosure means "only a single choice" or "two choices of both" if the number of choices is two. For another example, the term "at least one of" as used in this disclosure means "only a single choice" or "equal to or greater than two choices" if the number of choices is equal to or greater than three random combination".

Also, it will be understood that, although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, for example, a first element discussed above could be termed a second element, and vice versa, without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The terms "attached" and "attached" as used herein encompass: a configuration in which an element is directly secured to another element by directly securing the element to the other element; An element is secured to an intermediate member and then the intermediate member is secured to another element such that the element is indirectly secured to the configuration of the other element; and an element is integrally formed with another element (ie, an element is essentially is part of another component). This definition also applies to words of similar meaning, such as: "joined", "connected", "coupled", "mounted", "bonded", "fixed" and derivatives thereof. Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially," "approximately," and "approximately," as used herein, mean an amount of variation in the modified term such that the end result does not change significantly.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the invention is not deviated from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims Below, various variations and modifications can be made here. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise, the size, shape, location, or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired so long as such changes do not materially affect their intended functions. Unless specifically stated otherwise, components shown as being directly connected or in contact with each other can have intervening structures disposed therebetween, so long as such changes do not materially affect their intended function. The functions of one element may be performed by two elements, and vice versa, unless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. All advantages need not be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Each feature that is unique from the prior art, whether alone or in combination with other features, should also be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functionality embodied by such feature concept. Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions of embodiments in accordance with the present invention are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

10: Operating device 12: Handlebar Attachment 12a: Handlebar Gripper 12b: Locking bolt 14: Shell 16: Release lever 16a: Attachment part 16a1: Bend slot 16a2: Force transmission protrusion 16a3: Force Transmission Surfaces 16a4: First stop 16a5: Second stop 16b: Rod part 16c: Plastic user contact parts 18: Pull rod 18a: Attachment part 18b: Rod part 18c: Plastic user contact parts 20: base 22: Seat plate 22a: Opening 22b: Downward extending flange, abutting part 22d: Downward extending flange 22e: Abutment 24: Top Plate 24a: Abutment 26: fixing bolts 26a: Head Section 26b: Shaft part 26c: External thread 28: Fixing nut 28b: Shaft part 28c: External thread 30: Fixed plate 32: Anti-rotation buckle 34: Support pin 36: First Bolt 38: Second Bolt 40: Barrel adjuster 42: Bias element 44: Positioning Ratchet 44a: Ratchet teeth 46: Positioning components 46a: Positioning pawl 46b: Stop pawl 46c: Contact parts 48: Pivot Pin 50: Bias element 50a: First free end 50b: Second end 52: Adjustment components 52a: The first abutting part 52b: Second contact part 52c: The third abutment 54: Silk Winder 54a: Cable holder 56: Bias element 58: Release the pawl 58a: Release part 58b: Step surface 58c: Abutment 60: Supports 60a: Fork 60b: Abutting part 60c: first column 60d: Second column 61: First release member 61a: Force receiving protrusion 61b: Force Receiving Surface 61c: Abutment 62: Second release member 62a: Breakaway part 62b: Contact part 62c: Abutment 64: Pivot Pin 66: Bias element 68: Bias element 70: Bias element 80: Pull the pawl 81: convex part 82: convex part 84: Pivot Pin 86: Bias element 88: Disengage parts A1: The axis of the first rod A2: The axis of the second rod A3: Pivot axis A4: Pivot axis A5: Pivot axis C: Control cable C1: coat C2: inner silk thread C3: Cable Attachment Barrel D1: The first operating direction D2: The second operating direction D3: The third operating direction H: handlebar R1: first direction R2: Second direction V: human vehicle VC: Vehicle Components

Referring now to the accompanying drawings which form part of this original disclosure:

[ FIG. 1 ] is a top view of a portion of a handlebar of a human-powered vehicle (eg, a bicycle) equipped with an operating device according to an illustrative embodiment, in which a first user operating member (ie, a release lever) and The second user operating member (ie, the pull rod) is in the rest position.

[ FIG. 2 ] is a top view of the operating device coupled to the handlebar as shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the release lever has been moved from the rest position to the first operating position in the first operating direction to Perform the cable release operation.

[ FIG. 3 ] is a top view of the operating device coupled to the handlebar as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein the release lever has been moved from the rest position to the second operation in the second operating direction position to perform the cable release operation.

[ FIG. 4 ] is a top view of the operating device coupled to the handlebar as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , wherein the pull lever member has been moved from the rest position to the operating position in the third direction to Perform the cable pulling operation.

[ FIG. 5 ] is a perspective view of the operating device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , wherein the housing has been removed to expose the internal components of the operating device.

[ FIG. 6 ] is a partially exploded perspective view of the internal parts of the operating device shown in FIG. 5 .

[Fig. 7] is a top view of selected internal components of the operating device depicted in Figs. 1 to 6 with the release lever and the pull lever in their rest positions.

[FIG. 8] is a bottom view of selected internal components of the operating device depicted in FIG. 7 with the release lever and the pull lever in their rest positions.

[Fig. 9] is a side view of selected internal components of the operating device depicted in Figs. 7 and 8 with the release lever and the pull lever in their rest positions.

[ FIG. 10 ] is a further partially exploded perspective view of the internal components of the operating device shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 .

[ FIG. 11 ] is a further partially exploded perspective view of selected internal components of the operating device shown in FIG. 10 .

[FIG. 12] is a top view of the positioning mechanism and other selected internal components of the operating device shown in FIG. 11, showing the positioning mechanism and selected internal components associated with the release operation and the pulling operation.

[FIG. 13] is a first top perspective view of selected internal components of the operating device depicted in FIG. 12, showing the positioning mechanism and selected internal components associated with the release and pull operations.

[ FIG. 14 ] is a second top perspective view of the positioning mechanism of the operating device depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 , showing the positioning mechanism and selected internal components associated with the release operation and the pull operation.

[FIG. 15] is a lower perspective view of the positioning mechanism of the operating device depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13, showing the positioning mechanism and selected internal components associated with the release operation and the pull operation.

[ FIG. 16 ] is a top view of a part of the positioning mechanism of the operating device shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , showing an adjustment member for adjusting the biasing force of the biasing member for the positioning member, wherein the adjustment member is located at High bias pressure position.

[Fig. 17], similar to Fig. 16, is a top view of the portion of the positioning mechanism with the adjustment member in the high biasing force position, but with the top plate shown in phantom.

[Fig. 18] is a top view of the portion of the positioning mechanism shown in Figs. 16 and 17, but with the adjustment member in an intermediate biasing force position.

[FIG. 19] is a top view of the portion of the positioning mechanism shown in FIGS. 16-18, but with the adjustment member in the low biasing force position.

[ FIG. 20 ] is a top view of selected components of the operating device depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4 with the release lever in the rest position and the positioning pawl engaged with the positioning ratchet to establish a predetermined position of the positioning ratchet one of.

[ FIG. 21 ] is a top view of selected components of the operating device depicted in FIG. 20 , wherein the release lever has been moved in the first operating direction from the rest position of FIG. 20 toward the operating position such that the first release The member engages the positioning member to initiate pivoting the positioning member away from the positioning ratchet.

[FIG. 22] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device depicted in FIGS. 20 and 21, wherein the release lever has been further moved in the first operating direction from the position of FIG. 21 toward the operating position, so that the first operating direction A release member pivots the second release member together with the positioning pawl towards the cable release position, which causes the positioning ratchet to begin to rotate towards the contact stop pawl.

[Fig. 23] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device shown in Figs. 20-22 with the release lever in the same position as shown in Fig. 22, but with the positioning ratchet in the cable release direction Rotates and contacts the stop pawl and the second release member, which in turn causes the positioning member to rotate, causing the positioning pawl to rotate back into the path of the positioning ratchet, which in turn causes the second release member to disengage the first release member from the positioning member , while the support contacts the second release member to provide a reaction force on the first release member that counteracts the urging force of the second release member.

[FIG. 24] is a top view of selected components of the operating device depicted in FIGS. 20-22, wherein the release lever has been moved in the first operating direction from the position of FIG. 23, so that the first release stage is completed And the first release member engages the positioning member in preparation for the second release stage and causes the positioning ratchet to engage the positioning pawl.

[Fig. 25] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device depicted in Figs. 20 to 24, wherein the release lever has been moved from the position of Fig. 24 in the first operating direction so that the positioning member begins to be positioned The member pivots away from the positioning ratchet.

[FIG. 26] is a top view of selected components of the operating device depicted in FIGS. 20-25, wherein the release lever has been moved from the position of FIG. 25 in the first operating direction so that the positioning ratchet is released when the cable is released rotates in the direction and contacts the stop pawl and the second release member, which in turn causes the positioning member to rotate, causing the positioning pawl to rotate back into the path of the positioning ratchet, which in turn causes the second release member to remove the first release member from positioning The member disengages while the support contacts the second release member to provide a reaction force on the first release member that counteracts the urging force of the second release member.

[ FIG. 27 ] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device depicted in FIGS. 20 to 26 , wherein the release lever has been further moved in the first operating direction from the position of FIG. 26 so that the second release stage This is done and the first release member engages the detent member in preparation for the third release stage and causes the detent ratchet to engage the detent pawl.

[ FIG. 28 ] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device depicted in FIGS. 20 to 27 , wherein the release lever has been further moved from the position of FIG. 27 in the first operating direction, so that the third release stage This is done and the first release member engages the positioning member and causes the positioning ratchet to engage the positioning pawl.

[Fig. 29] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device depicted in Figs. 20 to 28, wherein the release lever has been released so that the release lever has returned to the rest position.

[Fig. 30] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device shown in Figs. 1 to 4, with the pull rod in the rest position and the positioning ratchet in one of the predetermined positions.

[FIG. 31] is a top view of selected components of the operating device depicted in FIG. 30, wherein the pull lever has been moved from the rest position toward the operating position in the third operating direction so that the pull pawl engages Position one of the ratchet teeth of the ratchet to begin the cable pulling operation.

[Fig. 32] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device depicted in Figs. 30 and 31, wherein the pull lever member has been further moved in the third operating direction from the position of Fig. 31, so that the positioning ratchet is The pull pawl rotates and one of the ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet contacts the positioning pawl to begin pivoting the positioning pawl away from the path of the ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet.

[Fig. 33] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device depicted in Figs. 30 to 32, wherein the pull lever member has been further moved in the third operating direction from the position of Fig. 32, so that the positioning ratchet is further The pulled pawl rotates and the positioning pawl engages one of the ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet to establish a new position of the positioning ratchet.

[Fig. 34] is a top view of selected parts of the operating device depicted in Figs. 30-33, wherein the pull rod and pull pawl have been returned to their resting positions.

16: Release lever

16a: Attachment part

16a1: Bend slot

16b: Rod part

16c: Plastic user contact parts

18: Pull rod

18a: Attachment part

18b: Rod part

18c: Plastic user contact parts

22: Seat plate

22a: Opening

22b: Downward extending flange, abutting part

22d: Downward extending flange

34: Support pin

42: Bias element

44: Positioning Ratchet

44a: Ratchet teeth

46: Positioning components

46a: Positioning pawl

46b: Stop pawl

46c: Contact parts

48: Pivot Pin

50: Bias element

50a: First free end

50b: Second end

52: Adjustment components

54: Silk Winder

54a: Cable holder

58: Release the pawl

58a: Release part

58b: Step surface

60: Supports

60a: Fork

60b: Abutting part

60c: first column

60d: Second column

61: First release member

62: Second release member

62a: Breakaway part

62b: Contact part

64: Pivot Pin

66: Bias element

68: Bias element

70: Bias element

80: Pull the pawl

84: Pivot Pin

A1: The axis of the first rod

A2: The axis of the second rod

D1: The first operating direction

D2: The second operating direction

D3: The third operating direction

R1: first direction

R2: Second direction

Claims (20)

An operating device for a man-powered vehicle, the operating device comprising: base; a positioning ratchet supported in a manner movable between a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base, the positioning ratchet including a plurality of positioning ratchet teeth; A positioning member, which includes a contact part and a positioning pawl, the positioning pawl is supported relative to the base in a manner movable between a holding position and a releasing position, the positioning pawl is in the holding position of the positioning pawl engaging the positioning ratchet to selectively establish the predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet relative to the base, the positioning pawl disengaging from the positioning ratchet to allow the positioning ratchet with the positioning pawl in the release position move relative to the base in the release direction; a release pawl configured to contact the contact part of the positioning member to disengage the positioning pawl from the positioning ratchet; A second release member including a disengagement portion configured to release the pawl after the positioning ratchet moves from one of the predetermined positions to the other of the predetermined positions during a release operation disengaged from the positioning member; and a support configured to support the release pawl after the release pawl of the second release member disengages the release pawl from the positioning member. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein The support is further configured to apply a reaction force to the release pawl in response to movement of the release pawl away from the positioning member by the second release member. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein The support is pivotally mounted to the base. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein The support is biased toward contact with the release pawl. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein The support includes an abutting portion contacting the base to avoid contact with the release pawl when the operating device is in a non-operating state. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein The release pawl includes a plurality of release portions configured to sequentially contact the contact part of the positioning member in a single progressive release operation of the release pawl to change the positions of the positioning ratchet The number of people in the predetermined position. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein The release pawl has a stepped surface that contacts the support when the release pawl is returning towards the rest position. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, also including a first release member supported movably relative to the base between a first position and a second position, the first release member being operatively coupled to the positioning pawl by the release pawl a pawl for moving the positioning pawl from the holding position to the releasing position in response to the first releasing member moving from the first position to the second position. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein The release pawl is pivotally mounted to the first release member. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein The first release member is biased toward the first position by a biasing element. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein The first release member is pivotally mounted to the base. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 8, further comprising A release lever is movably configured relative to the base to move the first release member from the first position to the second position. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein The release lever is pivotable relative to the base in a first operating direction about a first lever axis from a rest position to a first operating position and about a second lever axis in a different direction from the first operating direction is configured in a manner of pivoting from the rest position to the second operating position in the second operating direction. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein The second release member is moved from the initial position toward the operating position by the first release member moving from the first position toward the second position, and The positioning pawl is moved from the holding position to the release position when the first release member moves from the first position toward the second position. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein The second release member further includes a contact portion configured to be contacted and moved by the positioning ratchet when the positioning ratchet is released from the positioning pawl. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, also including a stop pawl that can be relative to the base between a stop position where the stop pawl stops the release movement of the positioning ratchet and a non-stop position where the stop pawl allows the release movement of the positioning ratchet The way to move is configured. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein The positioning member includes the stop pawl such that the positioning pawl and the stop pawl are pivotally mounted to the base as a single unit. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, also including A wire winder is provided on the positioning ratchet. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein The wire winder and the positioning ratchet are biased in the release direction relative to the base. An operating device for a man-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, also including A handlebar adapter is coupled to the base.

Images