WO2004002810A1

WO2004002810A1 - Bicycle derailleur controlled with an endless cable

Info

Publication number: WO2004002810A1
Application number: PCT/PL2003/000053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wladyslaw Hura
Original assignee: Wladyslaw Hura
Priority date: 2002-06-28
Filing date: 2003-06-10
Publication date: 2004-01-08
Also published as: PL200388B1; AU2003251251A1; PL354793A1

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a bicycle derailleur, especially a rear derailleur, used to change the transmission ratios of gear wheels. A bicycle derailleur equipped with a cable moved by rotating a gear sleeve or a lever controlling a chain operating together with the gear wheels of a support and the gear wheels of a freewheel system, characteristic in that, it has an endless cable (6) or a cable ended with elements compensating play, preferably in the form of a spring or a cable whose ends are fixed inseparably on one common plate (42) connected with a gear sleeve (1) and led into a casing (19) inside which there is a gear or helical or drive or pulley mechanism for changing transmission ratios, equipped with a slide (22) including an arm (23) moving to and fro within a groove (27) equipped preferably with sealing (46), deflector (37) for a lever (25) and where the arm (23) outside casing (19) is connected with a spring joint (24), lever (25) and an elastic joint (26).

Description

BICYCLE DERAILLEUR CONTROLLED WITH AN ENDLESS CABLE

The object of the present invention is a bicycle derailleur, especially a rear derailleur, used to change the transmission ratios of gear wheels.

Bicycle derailleur systems are commonly known which have open mechanisms, that is such, in which the gear wheels of the support and freewheel and the control cables within those mechanisms do not have special guards. An exmaple of such an open rear derailleur is the bicycle derailleur described in Polish Patent Application No. P.326057.

Bicycle derailleur systems are also known, in which the derailleur mechanism is placed in the rear hub of the bicycle. An example of such a mechanism is the gear box in the rear bicycle hub described in Polish Patent Application No. P.326217.

Bicycle derailleur systems are also known in which the transmission ratio is controlled by electric small-power motors and hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders controlled by the cyclist at the handlebar. These solutions are free from most of the disadvantages of cable mechanisms, however, because of their manufacturing costs and large weight they have not been used widely so far. An example of such a solution is the bicycle transmission change mechanism described in Polish Patent Application No. P.326056.

Among the above-mentioned types of derailleur mechanisms, the most popular are open mechanism derailleur systems based on four-joint mechanisms operating together with the gear wheels of a support, chain and the gear wheels of a freewheel system with one-way control system through cables operating together with helical springs. The control cables enabling transmission ratio changes are activated with force exerted by the cyclist. The most popular solutions enabling this are lever mechanisms mounted on the internal side of the handlebar grips or "grip-shift" mechanisms where the rotation of a ring causes movement of the cable and which are also mounted on the internal side of the handlebar grips. Because of their design those derailleur systems are liable to being quickly put out of adjustment, which results in play, springs losing their parameters and steel cables elongation. Those derailleur systems have an open-type design and they need frequent maintenance operations and careful lubrication as they are subject to the action water, dust, mud and other random contamination. Those factors lead to increased noise during the operation of those mechanisms, increased resistance to cable movement and difficulties in operation in the case of both extreme wheels in the freewheel mechanism. In most cases the influence of those factors on the derailleur mechanism results ultimately in its destruction.

The present bicycle derailleur, which is equipped with a cable moved with the rotation of a gear sleeve or a lever controlling a chain operating with the gear wheels of a support and the gear wheels of a freewheel mechanism is characteristic in that it has an endless cable or a cable ended with play- compensation elements, preferably in the form of a spring or a cable whose ends are fixed inseparably on one common plate, girding on some part of the circumference the raceway of the gear sleeve, in which it is fixed pointwise and led into the casing, inside which there is a geared or helical or driver or pulley transmission ration change mechanism equipped with a slide with an arm moving to-and-fro within a groove equipped preferably with sealing, while the arm outside the casing is connected to a spring joint, lever and an elastic joint.

The present bicycle geared derailleur is characteristic in that there is a geared mechanism in its casing consisting of a geared wheel inseparably fixed to a cable wheel girded on some of its circumference with an endless cable fixed pointwise in the raceway of the cable wheel, whose rotation is prevented by a catch located, preferably separably, at the geared wheel while the geared wheel is meshed with a slide. The present bicycle helical derailleur is characteristic in that there is a helical mechanism in its casing consisting of a helical sleeve inseparably fixed to a cable wheel girded on some of its circumference with an endless cable fixed pointwise on the raceway of the cable wheel and that at the same time there is a slide located on the outside of the helical sleeve which is fixed inseparably to a driver pin, which go through the helical grooves of the helical sleeve and that a ball latch which prevents the helical sleeve from rotating is connected separably to the circumferential grooves of the cable wheel.

The present bicycle driver derailleur is characteristic in that that there is a driver mechanism in the casing consisting of a cable wheel girded on part of its circumference with an endless cable fixed pointwise on the raceway, in which wheel there is a driver pin fixed inseparably and connected separably with a slide equipped with grooves connected separably to a ball latch blocking the movement of the slide.

The present bicycle pulley derailleur is characteristic in that there is a pulley mechanism in its casing consisting of a pulley and two-pulley block where the axes of the two-pulley block and the pulley are fixed inseparably to the covers of the casing and the two-pulley block and the pulley are girded with an endless cable whose ends are fixed inseparably to a plate located inside a slide having grooves connected separably with a ball latch blocking the movement of the slide. The advantages of the present bicycle derailleur result from the use of two-way derailleur control mechanism using an endless cable and simple and reliable transmission ratio mechanisms located in a closed casing. The relocation of the gear blocking mechanism from the handlebar to the derailleur mechanism means that the derailleur operates reliably, transmission ratios are selected accurately and maintained in a stable way and that the derailleur will not be put out of adjustment and that it will be resistant to extreme operating conditions ^! and mechanical damage. It is possible to use the same transmission ratio change mechanisms in front derailleur systems. The use of a deflector which would deflect the lever during the movement of the arm eliminates the possibility of situations where the guide roller gets close to and is in contact with the largest wheels of the freewheel mechanism even when the chain is elongated to a large extent and the normal parameters of the elastic joint are no longer available.

The present invention is shown in example version in the enclosed drawings where Fig. 1 shows the gear sleeve in section and symmetry axis view, Fig. 2 - the cover in partial side and the cover and the gear sleeve in partial transverse section, Fig. 3 - expanded view of the cover plate showing the gear number markings and reference mark, Fig. 4 - the gear bicycle derailleur in side view and casing section view, Fig. 5 - the gear derailleur in section and symmetry axis view, Fig. 6 - the helical derailleur in side view and partial casing section, O 2004/002810

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Fig. 7 - the helical derailleur in section view along the casing of the spring joint and in partial symmetry axis view, Fig. 8 - the cross-section of the casing of the helical derailleur through the driver pin, Fig. 9 - the driver derailleur in section and view, Fig. 10 - symmetry axis section of the casing of the driver derailleur, Fig. 11 - the pulley derailleur in side view and partial casing section view, Fig. 12 - the pulley derailleur in partial section in the plane parallel to the axis of the pulley and the pulley block, Fig. 13 - the pulley derailleur in section along the casing with the pulley in front view, Fig. 14 - section through the axis of the spring joint and a view of the derailleur casing.

As shown in the drawing, transmission ration changes in all the described types of derailleur systems can be effected by the example mechanism consisting of a gear sleeve 1 located in a handlebar tube .11 , cover 2, grip 3, cover plate 4 with gear markings, reference point 5, adjustment screw 9, endless cable 6 with its connection point 10, adjustment screws 8, conduit 7 with the ends 28 of an endless cable 6 and two sockets 13 located in a frame 12. When the gear sleeve i is rotated manually, this causes the endless cable 6 to move and this movement is transferred into the transmission ratio change mechanism resulting in the required shift of a guide 14. When the guide 14 is positioned to operate with the chain wheel of the freewheel system 15, this is felt by the derailleur operator as significant increase in the resistance of the gear sleeve 1 The first transmission ratio is engaged when the guide 14 of the chain 17 is positioned opposite the largest chain wheel 16 of the freewheel system 15_ and it is locked in this position with the catch 29 of the derailleur. At that time the reference point 5 of the cover 2 should be positioned precisely opposite digit 1 on the cover plate 4 with transmission ratio numbers. The position of the reference point 5 in relation to the cover plate 4 is adjusted by turning the cover 2 after the adjustment screw 9 is loosened. Any possible elongation of the endless cable 6 is compensated with the adjusting screws 8.

The present geared bicycle derailleur consists of a casing 19, slide 22, arm 23, geared wheel 20 with a cable wheel 21, lever 25 and guide 14. The raceway 34 of the chain wheel 21 is girded with a cable 6 fixed pointwise in point 10. The lever 25 is connected with the arm 23 of the slide 22 through a spring joint 24. The other end of the lever 25 is fixed in the elastic joint 26 of the guide 14. In the casing 19 there is a ball latch 29 adjusting the position of the geared wheel 20. When the gear sleeve rotates, this causes the endless cable 6 to move, which in turn cause the chain wheel 21 and the gear wheel 20 to rotate. The rotation of the gear wheel 20 results in the corresponding movement of the slide 22, whose arm 23 through the spring joint 24, lever 25 and the elastic joint 26 causes the guide 14 to move parallel to the axis of the freewheel system 15, while the deflector 37 prevents the roller 18 of the guide 14 from contacting the wheels of the freewheel system 15. The movement of the guide 14 causes the chain 17 to mate the individual gear wheels of the freewheel system 15. The guide 14 is positioned accurately and blocked with a ball latch 29. The spring joint 24 causes the guide 14 to move in the direction of O 2004/002810

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the freewheel system 15 and away from it, depending on the diameter of the selected chain wheel and it furthermore maintains the position of the chain 17 with respect of the selected chain wheel of the freewheel system 15 maintaining at the same time the correct angle at which the chain 17 girds the chain wheel. The elastic joint 26 of the guide 14 ensures that the required tension of the chain 17 is maintained. The arm 23 is located in a groove 27 within the casing 19. The groove 27 may be helical in which case during the movement of the arm 23 it deflects from its vertical position, which results in additional movement of the roller 18 of the guide 14_in the direction of the freewheel system 15 and away from it.

The present helical derailleur consist of a casing 19 inside which there is a slide 22 fixed inseparably to the arm 23 of an helical sleeve 30 equipped with a raceway 34 for a cable 6 fixed pointwise in point 10 on the raceway 34 and helical grooves 32. The arm 23 of the slide 22 is connected through a spring joint 24 with a lever 25 and through an elastic joint 26 with a guide 14 while the deflector 37 prevents the roller 18 of the guide 14 from contacting the wheels of the freewheel system 15. There are grooves 33 on the circumference of the helical sleeve 30.

The rotation of the gear sleeve 1 causes movement of the endless cable 6, that in turn causes the helical sleeve 30 to rotate. During the movement of the helical sleeve 30, its helical groves 32, in which there is a driver pin 31 going through them, cause its movement along with the slide 22, in which it is fixed. The movement of the slide 22 through the arm 23 and the spring joint 24 is transmitted on the lever 25 and then on the guide 14. The moving guide 14 lays the chain 17 on the individual chain wheels of the freewheel system 15. A ball latch 29 and circumferential grooves 33 ensure precise positioning of the guide 14 opposite the selected chain wheel of the freewheel system 15, at the same time ensuring that its position is blocked. The spacing of circumferential grooves 33 is such that rotation of the helical sleeve 30 by one pitch results in the guide 14 of the chain 17 moving by one axial pitch of the spacing of the chain wheels in the freewheel system 15. The elastic joint 24 ensures that the guide 14 moves towards or away from the freewheel system 15 automatically, depending on the diameter of the selected chain wheel of the freewheel system 15 and ensures that the chain 17 girds each chain wheel at the correct angle. The elastic joint 26 in the guide 14 maintains the required tension of the chain 17.

The present driver derailleur consists of a casing 19, slide 22 with an arm 23, cable wheel 21 with the raceway 34 of an endless cable 6 and driver pin 3_1. On the raceway 34 of the cable wheel 21 the endless cable 6 is placed and fixed in point 10 of the raceway 34. The lever 25 is connected with the arm 23 of the slide 22 through a spring joint 24. The other end of the lever 25 is fixed in the elastic joint 26 of the guide 14. On the cylinder plane of the slide 22 there are grooves 36 with spacing identical to the spacing of the chain wheels of the freewheel system 15. The rotation of the gear sleeve 1 causes movement of the endless cable 6, which in turn causes the cable wheel 21 to revolve. As a result of the rotational movement of the cable wheel 2A the driver pin 31 moves the slide 22^ whose arm 25 is led in the groove 27 and through the spring joint 24 it causes the guide 14 of the chain 17 to move parallel to the axis of the freewheel system 15. The moving guide 14 of the chain 17 lays the chain 17 on the individual chain wheels of the freewheel system 15. Accurate positioning of the guide 14 with respect to the selected chain wheel of the freewheel system 15 with simultaneous blocking of its position is ensured with a ball latch 29 and grooves 36 made in the slide 22. The elastic joint 26 causes the guide 14 to move in the direction of and away from the freewheel system 15 depending on the diameter of the selected chain wheel of the freewheel system 15, and it furthermore maintains the position of the chain 17 with respect of the selected chain wheel of the freewheel system 15 maintaining at the same time the correct girding angle. The elastic joint 26 of the guide 14_ maintains the required tension of the chain 17.

The present pulley derailleur consists of a casing 19, slide 22 with an arm 23, cover 38_ to which a pulley 40 is fixed and cover 39 to which a double pulley block 41 is fixed. Inside the slide 22 there is a plate 42 secured with an expanding ring 43 in which both ends 44 of an endless cable 6 are fixed. Grooves 36 are made on the slide 22 with their spacing identical to the spacing of the chain wheels of the freewheel system 15. In the casing 19 a ball latch 29 - I l ¬

l^'s located and the passage areas 35 of the endless cable 6 going through the casing 19 are sealed with sealing elements 45.

The movement of the gear sleeve causes movement of the endless cable 6, which through the block pulley 41 and the pulley 40 causes to-and-fro movement of the slide 22 in the casing 19, depending on the direction of rotation of gear sleeve 1. The movement of the slide 22 through the spring joint 24, lever 25 and the elastic joint 26 is transmitted on the guide 14. The moving guide 14 lays the chain 17 on the individual gear wheels of the freewheel system 15. Accurate positioning of the guide 14 with respect of the selected chain wheel of the freewheel system 15 along with simultaneous blocking of its position is ensured with a ball latch 29 and grooves 36 in the slide 22. The spring joint 24 ensures automatic movement of the guide 14 towards and away from the freewheel system 15 and furthermore it maintains the required position of the chain 17 with respect to the selected chain wheel of the freewheel system 15 and ensures that the chain 17 girds it at the correct angle. The arm 23 of the slide 22 is led in a groove 27 made in the casing 19.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A bicycle derailleur equipped with a cable moved by rotating a gear sleeve or with a lever controlling a chain operating together with the gear wheels of a support and the gear wheels of a freewheel system, characteristic in that, it has an endless cable (6) or a cable ended with elements compensating play preferably in the form of a spring or a cable whose ends are fixed inseparably on one common plate (42), girding on some part of its circumference the raceway (34) of a gear sleeve (1), in which it is fixed pointwise in point (10) and led into a casing (19), inside which there is a gear or helical or driver or pulley mechanism for changing transmission ratios which is equipped with a slide (22) including an arm (23) moving to and fro within a groove (27) equipped preferably with sealing (46) and deflector (37) for a lever (25) while the arm (23) outside the casing (19) is connected with a spring joint (24), lever (25) and an elastic joint (26).

2. A bicycle derailleur according to claim 1, characteristic in that, inside a casing (19) there is a gear mechanism consisting of a gear wheel (20) connected inseparably with a cable wheel (21) girded on some part of its circumference with an endless cable (6) fixed pointwise in point (10) on the raceway (34) of a cable wheel (21), whose rotation secures a ball latch (29) preferably located separably at the cable wheel (20) while the cable wheel (20) is meshed with a slide (22).

3. A bicycle derailleur according to claim 1, characteristic in that, within a casing (19) there is a helical mechanism consisting of a helical sleeve (30) connected inseparably with a cable wheel (21) girded on some part of its circumference with an endless cable (6) fixed pointwise in point (10) of the raceway (34) of a cable wheel (21) and where outside the helical sleeve (30) there is a slide (22) connected inseparably with a driver pin (31) which goes through the helical grooves (32) of the helical sleeve (30) and where a ball latch (29) preventing the helical sleeve (30) from rotating is connected separably with the circumferential grooves (33) of the cable wheel

(21).

4. A bicycle derailleur according to claim 1, characteristic in that, within a casing (19) there is a driver mechanism consisting of cable wheel (21) girded on some part of its circumference with an endless cable (6) fixed pointwise in point (10) on a raceway (34) in which wheel (21) a driver pin (31) is fixed inseparably, connected separably with a slide (22) which has grooves (36) connected separably with a ball latch (29) blocking the movement of the slide (22).

5. A bicycle derailleur according to claim 1, characteristic in that, within a casing (19) there is a pulley mechanism consisting of a pulley (40) and a two-pulley block (41) where the axes of the two-pulley block (41) and pulley (40) are connected inseparably to the cover (38) and the cover (39) of the casing (19), and the two-pulley block (41) and pulley (40) are girded with an endless cable (6) whose ends (44) are fixed inseparably on a plate (42) located inside a slide (22) having grooves (36) connected separably with a ball latch (29) blocking the movement of the slide (22).