TWM527838U - Bicycle chain protection device - Google Patents

Description

Bicycle chain protection device

The present invention relates to chain protection devices, and more particularly to bicycle chain protection devices for protecting bicycle chains.

U.S. Patent No. 6,533,690 discloses a chain protection device for preventing a chain from falling off a sprocket when traveling on a rough road surface or downhill slope where the chain is easily detached. A conventional chain protection device includes a mounting member that can be attached to a frame of a bicycle, and a pair of chain guards that are fixed to an upper portion and a lower portion of the mounting member. A pair of chain guards are configured to oppose the chains, respectively. When driving, the chain is located where it is easily accessible to the chain guard at all times.

In the conventional chain protector device, since the chain is located at a position where it is easy to contact with the chain protector at any time, contact between the chain and the chain protector is generated when traveling, thereby generating sliding resistance between the chain and the chain protector. The resulting treading loss.

The subject of the present invention is a bicycle chain protection device that suppresses the sliding resistance between the chain and the chain guard.

The bicycle chain protection device of the present invention is used to protect the bicycle chain. The bicycle chain protection device includes a mounting member and a chain guard. The mounting member can be mounted to a bicycle. The chain protector is mounted to be movable relative to the mounting member. The chain guard is selectively held between the first position and the second position facing the chain under the front sprocket of the bicycle in a state of being attached to the bicycle. The second position is a position that deviates outward in the radial direction of the rotation center axis of the front sprocket from the first position.

In the bicycle chain protector, the chain guard is selectively held in a state in which the chain member is attached to the bicycle, and the first position facing the chain and the radial direction toward the center of rotation compared to the first position. The second position where the outside is deviated. Therefore, when the chain is easily disengaged, the chain guard is held at the first position, so that the chain guard is opposed to the chain and the chain is not easily detached from the front sprocket. At this time, the chain slides on the chain guard to generate sliding resistance. However, when the chain is in a state in which the chain is not easily detached, the chain guard is held in the second position, so that the chain guard is separated from the chain so that it does not generate sliding resistance. Here, the position of the chain guard is selectively held at a first position facing the chain and a second position closer to the radially outer side than the first position. Therefore, by changing the position of the chain guard in response to the running state, the sliding resistance of the chain can be suppressed.

The chain guard may be attached to the mounting member so as to be movable around the rotation axis between the first position and the second position. With this configuration, the moving structure of the chain guard can be simply configured.

The rotation axis may also extend in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotation center axis of the front sprocket. With this configuration, since the rotation shaft of the front sprocket is disposed in parallel with the rotation axis of the chain guard, the chain guard can be easily approached and separated toward the radial direction of the front sprocket.

The bicycle chain protector further includes a biasing member that biases the chain guard toward either of the first position and the second position. According to this configuration, as long as the chain guard is moved to the opposite side in the biasing direction, the movement structure of the chain guard can be easily formed.

The biasing member biases the chain guard toward the second position. With this configuration, the chain guard is biased toward the second position where the sliding resistance does not frequently occur in the traveling state. Therefore, the sliding resistance is more suppressed.

The bicycle chain protection device further includes an operation member that moves the chain guard around the rotation axis. With this configuration, since the chain guard is moved via the operating member, the chain guard can be moved by the operating members of various configurations.

It is also possible to rotatably mount the actuating member to the mounting member around the axis of rotation, and to move the chain guard in response to rotation about the axis of rotation. With this configuration, the chain guard can be easily moved by the action member.

It is also possible to mount the chain guard to the actuating member so as to be swingable with respect to the actuating member within a predetermined range around the axis of rotation. With this configuration, the impact can be absorbed when the obstacle is in contact with the chain guard during running.

The action member may also include a cable mounting portion for mounting a cable that operates the actuating member. With this configuration, when the cable is attached to the cable mounting portion, the chain guard can be remotely operated via the cable and the operating member.

The bicycle chain protection device further includes an electric actuator that moves the operating member. With this configuration, the operating member can be remotely operated in an electrically controllable manner by the electric actuator.

The bicycle chain protection device further includes a hydraulic cylinder that moves the operating member. With this configuration, by operating the hydraulic cylinder with the operating member, the chain guard can be operated remotely with a simple configuration.

The bicycle chain protection device further includes a pneumatic cylinder that moves the operating member. With this configuration, by operating the pneumatic cylinder with the operating member, the chain guard can be operated remotely with a simple configuration.

The bicycle chain protection device further includes an operation member including a manual operation portion that moves the operation member by operating the manual operation portion. With this configuration, by moving the operating member with the operating member, the chain guard can be operated remotely with a simple configuration.

Other types of bicycle chain protection devices of the present invention are used to protect the bicycle chain. The bicycle chain protection device includes a mounting member, a chain guard, an operating member, an actuator, and a control unit. The mounting member can be mounted to a bicycle. The chain protector is mounted to be movable relative to the mounting member. The operating member moves the chain guard in a state of being attached to the bicycle, and moves to a first position facing the chain below the front sprocket of the bicycle and a rotation center toward the front sprocket compared to the first position. Axis The radial outer side is offset between the second positions. The actuator is electrically controllable to move the action member. The control unit controls the actuator to move the chain guard to the first position or the second position according to at least one of a road surface state, a state of the bicycle during traveling, and a state of the bicycle component.

In the bicycle chain protection device, when the attachment member is attached to the bicycle, the actuator is controlled by the control unit under the front sprocket of the bicycle, and the operation member causes the chain guard to be in the first position and the first position. Move between 2 positions. The first position is a position facing the chain, and the second position is a position that is displaced outward in the radial direction of the rotation center axis from the first position. The control unit controls the actuator to move the chain guard to the first position when the running state in which the chain is easily detached. Thereby, the chain guard is not detached from the front sprocket when the chain guard is opposed to the chain. At this time, the chain slides on the chain guard to generate sliding resistance. However, when the running state in which the chain is not easily detached, the control unit moves the chain guard to the second position. Thereby, the chain guard is separated from the chain, and no sliding resistance is generated. Here, the actuator is controlled in accordance with at least any one of the state of the bicycle at the time of traveling and the state of the bicycle component. Specifically, the actuator is operated by the actuator to move the chain guard to a first position facing the chain and a second position closer to the radially outer side than the first position. Therefore, the position of the chain guard is changed in response to the running state, so that the sliding resistance of the chain can be suppressed.

The chain guard may be attached to the mounting member so as to be movable around the rotation axis between the first position and the second position. With this configuration, the moving structure of the chain guard can be simply configured.

The bicycle chain protection device further includes a detection unit. The detecting unit detects at least one of vibration of the bicycle, inclination of the traveling direction of the bicycle, a position of the seat post of the bicycle component, or a state of the suspension device. With this configuration, the running state of the bicycle can be judged by the vibration of the bicycle, the inclination of the traveling direction of the bicycle, the height of the seat cushion, or the state of the suspension device.

Other types of bicycle chain protection devices of the present invention are used to protect a bicycle chain that is engaged with a front sprocket having a central axis of rotation. The bicycle chain protection device includes: a mounting member and a chain protector. The mounting member can be mounted to a bicycle. The chain guard is mounted to be rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to the central axis of rotation relative to the mounting member. The chain guard is selectively held between the first position facing the chain and the second position different from the first position around the rotation axis in a state of being attached to the bicycle.

In the bicycle chain protector, the chain guard attached to the mounting member is disposed in the vicinity of the position where the chain of the front sprocket is apart from each other, and is held at the first position facing the chain and the first position Any position in the second position that is different in position. Thereby, in the first position, the chain guard is not easily detached from the front sprocket when the chain guard is opposed to the chain. In the second position, the chain guard is separated from the chain, and no sliding resistance is generated. Therefore, the sliding resistance of the chain can be suppressed.

With the present invention, the sliding resistance of the chain can be suppressed.

10, 110, 210, 310‧‧‧ bicycle chain protection device

12, 112, 312‧‧‧ installation components

14, 114‧‧‧ Chain protectors

46‧‧‧Blasting members

72, 172, 272‧‧‧ action components

73‧‧‧ Cable installation

76‧‧‧Operating components

78‧‧‧ Cable

104‧‧‧Front sprocket

172a‧‧‧Electric actuator

172b‧‧‧Motor

184‧‧‧Detection Department

272a‧‧‧Cylinder

CH‧‧‧Chain

X‧‧‧Rotary axis

Y‧‧‧ Rotation Center Axis

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an operation member including a bicycle chain protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bicycle chain protection device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bicycle chain protection device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the bicycle chain protection device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a right side view of the bicycle chain protection device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a left side view of the bicycle chain protection device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 5 of the bicycle chain protector of the second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of a control system of the second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a view showing a modification of the second embodiment, which is a view corresponding to Fig. 5 of the bicycle chain protection device including the seat post.

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 5 of the bicycle chain protector of the third embodiment.

Figure 11 is a bicycle chain protection device according to a fourth embodiment. Figure equivalent to Figure 5.

<First Embodiment>

In the first embodiment, the bicycle chain protection device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting member 12, a chain guard 14, a biasing member 46, an operating member 72, and an operating member that manually moves the operating member 72. 76. The chain guard 14 is mounted to be movable relative to the mounting member 12. The bicycle chain protector 10 of the first embodiment is attached to, for example, a bottom bracket suspension 100 of a bicycle. The bottom bracket suspension 100 is part of the frame of the bicycle and can be mounted with a bottom bracket for rotatably mounting the crankshaft of the bicycle in the interior space. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom bracket suspension 100 includes a plurality of first hub portions 102 for fixing the mounting members 12 (for example, two to five, three in the first embodiment). The first hub portion 102 has a screw hole 102a into which a fastening member 13 to be described later is screwed.

In the following description, "front", "back", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower", and the same meaning, mean that the user is riding on the saddle of the bicycle toward the handlebar ( "Before," "back," "left," "right," "up," and "down."

As shown in Fig. 3, the mounting member 12 can be mounted to a bicycle. The mounting member 12 is an annular plate-like member having an opening 16 at the center for allowing the crank to extend. On the outer peripheral side of the mounting member 12, in the circumference The plurality of fastening members 13 such as bolts are used to attach the mounting member 12 to the plurality of first hub portions 102 (for example, two to five, and three in the first embodiment). The groove portion 18. The plurality of groove portions 18 are curved and formed in an arc shape. In Fig. 3, one fastening member 13 is shown, and the illustration of the other two fastening members is omitted. The mounting member 12 is attached to the bottom bracket suspension 100, and the fastening member 13 is screwed into the screw hole 102a of the first hub portion 102 through the groove portion 18, whereby the mounting member 12 is fixed to the bottom bracket suspension 100. By moving the attachment member 12 in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of groove portions 18, the attachment position around the rotation center axis Y of the front sprocket 104 of the attachment member 12 can be adjusted. The mounting member 12 can also be mounted to the opening of the bottom bracket suspension 100 together with the crank.

The attachment member 12 has a second boss portion 20 that protrudes in the radial direction at the outer peripheral portion. The second hub portion 20 has a mounting hole 24 that mounts the chain guard 14 to the mounting member 12 so as to be movable around the rotation axis X. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation axis X extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotation center axis Y of the front sprocket 104. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis X is a different axis from the rotation center axis Y, and the rotation center axis Y may be aligned with the rotation axis.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the chain guard 14 is selectively attached to the first position facing the chain CH under the front sprocket 104 of the bicycle in a state of being attached to the bicycle. Between the second position that is not in contact with the chain CH. For example, the first position is a position close to the chain CH, and the second position is a position farther away from the chain CH than the first position. In the present embodiment, the chain guard 14 is in the first position and The second position is attached to the mounting member 12 so as to be movable around the rotation axis X. The chain guard 14 is swingably attached to the action member 72 with respect to the action member 72 in a predetermined range around the rotation axis X. In the fifth and sixth figures, the first position is displayed by a solid line, and the second position is displayed by a two-dot chain line. In the first embodiment, when a foreign object such as a stone collides with the chain guard 14 during traveling, it is possible to swing to a dotted line closer to the rotation center axis Y (that is, the chain CN) than the first position or the second position. The third position shown. Thereby, the impact caused by the collision of the foreign matter during running is alleviated, and the chain guard 14 is not easily damaged. In the present embodiment, the pivot axis of the swing mechanism of the chain guard 14 is shown to be identical to the rotational axis X for changing the holding position of the chain protector 14, and it may be made to be different from each other. heart. In the present invention, the swinging mechanism of the chain guard 14 with respect to the mounting member 12 or the operating member 72 is not essential and may be omitted. The position of the chain guard 14 may be fixed to the attachment member 12 at the first position and the second position, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the chain guard 14 has a lower portion 28, an upper portion 30, and a protection portion 31. The upper portion 30 is integrally formed at an upper portion of the lower portion 28. The protection portion 31 is provided to allow the chain CH to contact to protect the chain CH. The lower portion 28 has a mounting portion 62 for detachably mounting the protective portion 31.

The upper portion 30 is integrally formed in the lower portion 28. The upper portion 30 is configured to mount the chain guard 14 to the mounting member 14. The upper portion 30 is divided into a first portion 30a and a second portion 30b in which a gap 30c is provided therebetween. The first part 30a and the second part 30b are separated by a gap 30c The partition is arranged in the X direction of the rotation axis. The first portion 30a has a first mounting hole 32a and a first groove portion 34a in which a spacer 38 that functions as a swing shaft function is attached.

The second portion 30b has a second mounting hole 32b and a second groove portion 34b to which the spacer 38 is attached. The second hub portion 20 is inserted into the gap 30c. In a state in which the second hub portion 20 is inserted into the gap 30c, the first attachment hole 32a, the second attachment hole 32b, and the attachment hole 24 are arranged in an axial direction and arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axis X. The spacer 38 is inserted into the first mounting hole 32a, the second mounting hole 32b, and the mounting hole 24, and the mounting bolt 42 and the nut 36 screwed to the mounting bolt 42 are inserted into the spacer 38. A washer 44 is installed between the nut 36 and the second portion 30b. In the first portion 30a, the spring member 46 and the operating member 72 to which the sleeve 40 and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 40 are attached are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axis X. The mounting bolt 42 is inserted into the spacer 38 from the operating member 72 side through the operating member 72 and the sleeve 40, and is screwed into the nut 36 inserted from the side of the chain guard 14 . Thereby, the chain guard 14 is swingable around the rotation axis X and movably mounted to the mounting member 12. The spacer 38 has an axial length that allows both the sleeve 40 and the operating member 72 to penetrate.

The first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b are provided to swing the chain guard 14 to a third position to be described later. The first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b are provided to move the chain guard 14 to the first position by the operating member 72 and to the rotation center axis Y of the front sprocket 104 with respect to the first position. The radial outer side is offset between the second positions. The first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b allow the connecting bolt 50 for operation to pass through. The connecting bolt 50 penetrates the link member 74 which will be described later of the operating member 72, and the connecting bolt 50 is screwed into the nut member 48. The nut member 48 is inserted into the first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b, and the link member 74 is coupled to the link member 74. Chain protector 14. As shown in Fig. 5, the first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b define the upper limit 52 and the lower limit 54 when the chain guard 14 is swung in the first position and the second position of the chain guard 14 respectively.

The protection unit 31 protects the chain CH by contacting the chain CH as shown in Fig. 4 . The protection portion 31 has a contact member 64 and a case member 68 that are in contact with the chain CH. The contact member 64 is formed to be bent in a C shape so as to surround the surrounding portion of the mounting portion 62, and is elastically engaged with the mounting portion 62. The contact member 64 is elastically deformed by the contact of the chain CH. The outer casing member 68 is fixed to the mounting portion 62 by the screw member 70 to prevent the contact member 64 from coming off. The contact member 64 is in contact with the chain CH when the chain guard 14 is at the first position and the third position, and is separated from the chain CH when it is at the second position.

The sleeve 40 has a cylindrical portion 40a on which the elastic member 46 is attached, a flange portion 40b having a larger diameter than the tubular portion 40a, and a through hole 40c through which the spacer 38 is inserted. The flange portion 40b is provided to position the biasing member 46.

As shown in Fig. 3, the biasing member 46 is used to bias the chain guard 14 to either the first position or the second position. In the present embodiment, the biasing member 46 biases the chain guard 14 to the second position. The biasing member 46 is an example of the first biasing member. The biasing member 46 can also bias the chain guard 14 to the first position. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the bomb The pressing member 46 has a first end portion 46a and a second end portion 46b. The biasing member 46 is, for example, a helical coil spring attached to the tubular portion 40a of the sleeve 40. The first end portion 46a is hooked to the screw member 56 provided on the mounting member 12. The screw member 56 is screwed into any one of a plurality of (for example, three) female screw portions 58 formed in the mounting member 12. By changing the screwing position of the screw member 56, the spring pressure of the biasing member 46 can be adjusted. The second end portion 46b is hooked to the chain guard 14. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the pin portion 60 that is hooked on the first portion 30a of the chain guard 14 that faces the mounting member 12 is protruded. The second end portion 46b may be locked to the operating member 72.

The action member 72 moves the chain guard 14 around the rotation axis X. The operating member 72 is rotatably attached to the mounting member 12 around the rotation axis X, and moves the chain guard 14 in response to the rotation about the rotation axis X. The operation member 72 is coupled to the operation member 76 via a cable 78 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 (refer to FIG. 1). As shown in Fig. 6, the cable 78 is a conventional Bowden type cable that operates the operating member 72. The cable 78 has an inner cable 78a that is fixedly coupled to the pipe joint 78c at both ends, and an outer casing that accommodates the inner cable 78a so as to be freely movable. The inner cable 78a is coupled to the operating member 72 and the operating member 76. The outer casing 78b is accommodated in the outer engagement portion 106 of the attachment member 12 at an adjustable engagement position.

The operating member 72 is coupled to the sleeve 40 and the chain guard 14 by a mounting bolt 42. The operating member 72 has a cable attaching portion 73 for mounting the cable 78 and a link member 74 coupled to the chain guard 14. The cable mounting portion 73 is swingable around the axis of rotation X Mounted on the spacer 38. The cable attachment portion 73 has a tubular portion 73a and a cable locking portion 73b. The tubular portion 73a is rotatably attached to the spacer 38. The tubular portion 73a has a through hole 73c through which the spacer 38 is inserted, and the cable locking portion 73b is provided on the outer peripheral side of the tubular portion 73a, and the outer peripheral portion is curved to be substantially 1/4 circular. The cable locking portion 73b has a pipe joint accommodating portion 73d that accommodates the pipe joint 78c so as not to be movable in the cable drawing direction, and a pipe joint accommodating portion 73d that is formed in the outer peripheral portion for guiding the inner cable 78a. Protection groove 73e. The link member 74 is provided on the tubular portion 73a so as to rotate integrally with the tubular portion 73a. In the present embodiment, the link member 74 is configured integrally with the tubular portion 73a, and can be configured as a different individual.

The link member 74 has a coupling hole 74a that can face the first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b of the chain guard 14. The connection bolt 50 that is screwed to the nut member 48 is inserted into the connection hole 74a, the first groove portion 34a, and the second groove portion 34b, and the chain guard 14 and the operation member 72 are coupled. The first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b are movable relative to the coupling bolt 50 between the upper end and the lower end thereof. The chain guard 14 is swingably attached to the action member with respect to the action member 72 in a predetermined range around the rotation axis X. Since the chain guard 14 is biased toward the second position by the biasing member 46, the connecting bolt 50 is disposed at the upper end of the first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b in a normal state.

As shown in Fig. 1, the operating member 76, for example, can position the inner cable 78a of the cable 78 in two positions. The operating member 76 can be used, for example, as an operating member that can operate the front sprocket that can switch the chain CH between the two sprocket wheels. The operating member 76 has: for winding the inner cable 78a A winding lever 80 is wound around a stage, and a recovery lever 82 that returns the wound inner cable 78a to a stage. The winding lever 80 and the return lever 82 are an example of a manual operation portion. When the chain guard 14 is at the second position and the winding lever 80 is operated, the operating member 72 moves the chain guard 14 from the second position to the first position. When the chain guard 14 is in the first position and the recovery lever 82 is operated, the operating member 72 moves the chain guard 14 from the first position to the second position.

In the bicycle chain protection device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present configuration, when the user operates the operation member 76, the chain guard 14 can be moved to any of the first position and the second position. For example, on a downhill slope of a rough road surface, the vibration of the bicycle is intense, so that the chain CH is easily detached from the front sprocket 104. Therefore, it is preferable for the user to select the first position where the protection portion 31 of the chain guard 14 is close to the chain CH and opposed thereto. In this case, the user operates the winding lever 80 of the operating member 76. When the winding lever 80 is operated, the inner cable 78a is wound up by a predetermined length. Thereby, the operating member 72 moves in the clockwise direction as viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 5, and the chain guard 14 located at the second position indicated by the two-dot chain line moves over the elastic pressure of the elastic member 46 to The first position shown by the solid line. When the chain guard 14 is moved to the first position, the chain CH is easily detached, and the chain guard 14 is easily contacted. Therefore, sliding resistance is generated when pedaling. However, the pedal is not operated downhill without causing sliding resistance.

On the other hand, for example, when going downhill to a flat pavement, it is necessary to step on it. In this case, if the sliding resistance is generated, a pedaling loss occurs. Therefore, the CH on the flat pavement is not easy to take off. Therefore, it is preferable for the user to move the chain guard 14 from the first position to the second position. In this case, the user operates the return lever 82 to release the inner cable 78a by a predetermined length. Thereby, the moving member moves in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 5 by the elastic pressure of the biasing member 46, and the chain guard 14 is moved to the second position indicated by the two-dot chain line.

Here, the position of the chain guard 14 is selectively held at a first position facing the chain CH and a second position closer to the radially outer side than the first position. Therefore, by changing the position of the chain guard 14 in response to the running state, the sliding resistance of the chain CH can be suppressed.

<Second Embodiment>

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the members having the same structures as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the members corresponding to the different structures are used for the three-digit symbol display of 100 in the first embodiment. .

In the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the operating member 172 of the bicycle chain protector 110 includes an electric actuator 172a. The chain guard 14 is then moved by the electric actuator 172a. The electric actuator 172a includes, for example, a motor or an electromagnetic coil. In the present embodiment, the electric actuator 172a includes a motor 172b. The electric actuator 172a is an example of an electrically controllable actuator. The rotation of the motor 172b is transmitted to the chain guard 114 by deceleration by the speed reduction mechanism 172c.

In the second embodiment, the bicycle chain protector 110 further includes the mounting member 112 above the front sprocket 104. There is an increased chain guard 115 fixed at a first position opposite to the chain CH.

In the second embodiment, for example, the elastic member 146 of the spiral coil spring is disposed between the output shaft 172d of the speed reduction mechanism 172c and the chain guard 114. Thereby, when the chain guard 114 is in the first position or the second position, even if the foreign object collides with the chain guard 114, the chain guard 114 swings to the third position. Therefore, even if a foreign object collides, the front sprocket 104, the chain guard 114, and the chain CH are not easily damaged.

The electric actuator 172a is controlled by a control unit 182 including a microcomputer as shown in Fig. 8. The control unit 182 is connected to the detection unit 184. The detecting unit 184 detects at least one of the inclination of the traveling direction of the bicycle, the position of the saddle as the bicycle component, the presence or absence of the saddle ride, the state of the suspension device, or the rotation of the crank (with or without stepping on). The detecting unit 184 includes, for example, an inductor for detecting, for example, magnetism, current, strain, torque, rotation of a pulley of a rear derailleur, rotation of a rear hub, and the like; and at least one of detecting an acceleration sensor for tilting . In the present embodiment, the chain guard 114 is disposed at any of the first position and the second position, for example, by the presence or absence of rotation of the crank and the inclination of the bicycle.

For example, when the crank is rotated, when the acceleration sensor does not detect a predetermined lower inclination, the control unit 182 arranges the electric actuator 172a to arrange the chain guard 114 at the second position. When the crank is not rotated, the control unit 182 controls the electric actuator 172a to arrange the chain guard 114 at the first position regardless of whether it is tilted or not. For example, when the crank rotates, when the acceleration sensor detects a predetermined lower inclination, it controls The manufacturing unit 182 arranges the electric actuator 172a to arrange the chain guard 114 at the first position.

In the second embodiment, the user can change the position of the chain guard 114 in accordance with at least one of the running state of the bicycle and the state of the bicycle component without the user's operation. The operation description of the second embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit 182 of the chain guard 114 and an operation member (for example, a circuit switch) (not shown) may be connected by circuit wiring, and the chain guard 114 may be operated by an operation signal from the operation member. For example, the control unit 182 of the chain guard 114 and an operation member (for example, a circuit switch) (not shown) can be connected by wireless communication, and the chain guard 114 can be operated by a wireless operation signal from the operating member.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>

In the modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the bicycle chain protection device 110 is connected to the seat post 187 via the circuit wiring 186. The seat cushion 187 is an example of the bicycle component of the present invention. A saddle 188 is attached to the upper end of the seat post 187. The seat post 187 can adjust the seat cushion height, for example, electronically or mechanically. The seat post 187 can transmit information related to the height of the seat cushion to the bicycle chain protector 110. In the bicycle chain protector 110, the control unit 182 controls the electric actuator 172a to move the chain guard 114 to the first position or the second position in response to the information transmitted from the seat post 187. For example, when the seat cushion position of the saddle 188 is displayed in a solid line, the chain guard 14 is moved to the first position, and when the height of the seat cushion is as indicated by the two-dot chain line, The electric actuator 172a is controlled to move the chain guard 14 to the second position. As other bicycle components, a front suspension device or a rear suspension device (hereinafter referred to as a suspension device) may be electrically connected to the bicycle chain protection device 110, and the bicycle chain protection may be electronically controlled in accordance with the state of the suspension device. Device 110. For example, the position of the chain guard 114 of the bicycle chain protector 110 may be switched from the second position to the first position in response to the switching operation of the locking function of the suspension device from opening to closing.

<Third embodiment>

In the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, in the bicycle chain protector 210, the operating member 272 includes a cylinder 272a that presses the air pressure or the hydraulic pressure of the chain guard 14. The cylinder 272a is a single-acting cylinder that is movable in one direction and is rotatably attached to the mounting member 212. At the front end of the piston rod 272c of the cylinder 272a, a single-protrusion fork end 272d that can be inserted into the gap 30c is provided. A pin member 292 for fitting to the first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b is attached to the fork end 272d. The cylinder 272a is coupled to an operation member (not shown) provided in the bicycle by a pneumatic or hydraulic tube 290. The operating member has an air pressure source or a hydraulic pressure source, and supplies air or hydraulic oil compressed in response to the operation of the operating member to the rod portion side of the cylinder 272a.

The operating member has, for example, an operating lever that is switched to a pressure supply state and a pressure liberation state each time the operation lever is operated. Similarly to the first embodiment, the chain guard 14 is biased by the biasing member 46 to the second position displayed by the two-dot chain line. When the operating member is in a pressure supply state At the time, the compressed air or the operating oil is supplied to the rod side of the cylinder 272a. Thereby, the chain guard 14 moves to the first position against the elastic pressure of the elastic member 46. When the operation member is operated again in the pressure liberation state, the pressure on the rod side of the cylinder 272a becomes "0", and the chain guard 14 moves to the second position by the elastic pressure of the biasing member 46. Here, since the chain guard 14 can be moved by air pressure or oil pressure, the chain guard 14 can be operated remotely with a simple mechanical configuration.

<Third embodiment>

In the bicycle chain protector 310 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , the chain guard 114 and the operating member 172 having the same structure as that of the second embodiment are placed up and down via the center axis of rotation Y in two mountings. Member 312. In the eleventh embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the second embodiment are used, and the description of the structure of the third embodiment will be omitted.

<Other Embodiments>

The above description of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, the plural embodiments and modifications described in the present specification can be arbitrarily combined as needed.

(a) In the above embodiment, the chain guard 14 is biased toward the second position by one biasing member, and the chain guard 14 located at the first position or the second position is moved from the third position to the first position or the first position. 2 position spring pressure, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to install components and chains A resilient member is disposed between the protectors and between the actuating member and the chain protector. For example, a biasing member may be disposed between the mounting member and the chain guard, and between the mounting member and the operating member.

(b) In the above embodiment, the bicycle chain protector 10 corresponding to the one front sprocket 104 is exemplified, and the present invention is also applicable to a bicycle chain protector corresponding to the front sprocket of a plurality of different numbers of teeth. In this case, a plurality of contact members corresponding to the size of each front sprocket may be arranged in the protection portion 31 in the center of the rotation center axis Y.

(c) In the modification of the first embodiment described above, the seat cushion stay 187 and the bicycle chain protector 110 are connected by circuit wiring, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the case of the bicycle chain protection device according to the first embodiment, the seat cushion stay 187 may be coupled to the bicycle chain protection device by the cable 78. In this case, a cable control mechanism capable of mechanically or electronically controlling the winding of the cable 78 may be provided on the side of the seat post 187. The seat cushion height of the seat cushion 187 or the seat cushion 187 can be paired with the bicycle chain protection device 110 in a wireless communication manner.

(c) In the first embodiment described above, the bicycle chain protector 10 is disposed below the front sprocket 104 of the bicycle, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the bicycle chain protector may be disposed, for example, on the front sprocket. Above 104.

(d) In the above embodiment, the first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b are provided, and the chain guard is made movable to the third position, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead of the first groove portion 34a and the second groove portion 34b, A circular hole is formed so that the chain guard does not be closer to the center axis of rotation Y than the first position.

(e) In the above embodiment, the chain guards 14 and 114 are attached to the attachment members 12 and 112 so as to be swingable around the rotation axis X between the first position and the second position, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The chain guard can also be attached to the mounting member, for example, in such a manner as to be linearly movable up and down.

(f) Although the motor is disclosed as the electric actuator in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. The electric actuator can also be an electromagnetic coil that can be moved to two positions.

10‧‧‧Bike chain protection device

12‧‧‧Installation components

14‧‧‧Chalk protectors

28‧‧‧ lower part

30a‧‧‧Part 1

30c‧‧‧ gap

31‧‧‧Protection Department

46‧‧‧Blasting members

46b‧‧‧2nd end

50‧‧‧Link bolt

56‧‧‧screw components

60‧‧‧ Department of Sales

64‧‧‧Contact members

68‧‧‧ Shell components

72‧‧‧Action components

74‧‧‧Connector components

100‧‧‧Bottom bracket suspension

102‧‧‧1st hub

104‧‧‧Front sprocket

Claims (17)

A bicycle chain protection device for protecting a bicycle chain; the bicycle chain protection device is provided with: a mounting member and a chain protector; the mounting member can be mounted on the bicycle; the chain protector is installed to be opposite to the above The mounting member moves; the chain guard is mounted in the bicycle, and is positioned below the front sprocket of the bicycle to be selectively held at a first position opposite to the chain, and The first position is further between the second positions that are radially outward of the rotation center axis of the front sprocket. The bicycle chain protector according to claim 1, wherein the chain guard is attachable to the mounting member so as to be movable around the rotation axis between the first position and the second position. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation axis extends in a direction substantially parallel to an axial direction of the rotation center axis of the front sprocket. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 2, further comprising: a biasing member that biases the chain guard toward either of the first position and the second position. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member biases the chain guard toward the second position. Bicycle chain protection device such as patent application scope 2 Further, the present invention further includes an operating member that moves the chain guard around the rotation axis. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 6, wherein the operating member is rotatably attached to the mounting member around the rotating shaft center, and the chain guard is moved in response to rotation around the rotating shaft center. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 7, wherein the chain guard is swingably attached to the operating member with respect to the operating member in a predetermined range around the rotation axis. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 6, wherein the operation member includes a cable attachment portion for attaching a cable for operating the operation member. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 6, wherein the operating member includes an electric actuator that moves the chain guard. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 6, wherein the operating member includes a hydraulic cylinder that moves the chain guard. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 6, wherein the operating member includes a pneumatic cylinder that moves the chain guard. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 7, further comprising an operation member including a manual operation portion that moves the operation member by operating the manual operation portion. A bicycle chain protection device for protecting a bicycle chain; the bicycle chain protection device includes: a mounting member, a chain guard, an action member, an actuator, and a control portion; the mounting member is mountable to the bicycle; The chain guard is mounted to be movable relative to the mounting member; the actuating member moves the chain guard in a state of being attached to the bicycle, below the front sprocket of the bicycle, to: face the chain The first position is between the second position that is displaced outward in the radial direction of the rotation center axis of the front sprocket compared to the first position; the actuator is electrically controllable to move the operating member; The control unit controls the actuator to move the chain guard to the first position and the second position according to at least one of a road surface state, a state of the bicycle during traveling, and a state of a bicycle component. a location. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 14, wherein the chain guard is movably attached to the mounting member between the first position and the second position around a rotation axis. The bicycle chain protection device according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect a vibration of the bicycle, a tilt of a traveling direction of the bicycle, and the bicycle component At least any one of the position of the saddle or the state of the suspension device. A bicycle chain protection device for protecting: a bicycle chain with a front sprocket that rotates a central axis; the bicycle chain protection device comprises: a mounting member, a chain protector; the mounting member is mountable to the bicycle; the chain protector is mounted relative to The mounting member is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation center axis; the chain guard is selectively held at a first position facing the chain in a state of being attached to the bicycle, Between the second position different from the first position around the rotation axis.