IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,524,737
Granted Patent B2
US 11,524,737 · App. 16/414,858 · Granted Dec 13, 2022

Actuation device and telescopic apparatus

Inventors: Yuki Sakagawa (Sakai, JP); Toyoto Shirai (Sakai, JP); Yoshimitsu Miki (Sakai, JP)
Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
B62J1/06B62J1/00B62K19/36B62J2001/085F15B15/149F15B15/1428F15B15/16F15B2215/30
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,524,737
App. No.
16/414,858
Granted
Dec 13, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An actuation device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member, a movable member, and an actuator. The movable member is movably provided on the base member. The actuator is configured to be actuated by stimulation including at least one of electric stimulation and heat stimulation so as to move the movable member relative to the base member in a first direction by pulling the movable member.

Claims (108)

1. A telescopic apparatus for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

an actuation device including

a base member,

a movable member movably provided on the base member, and

an actuator configured to be actuated by stimulation including at least one of electric stimulation and heat stimulation so as to move the movable member relative to the base member in a first direction by pulling the movable member, wherein the actuator is configured to deform to pull the movable member in accordance with the stimulation; and

a hydraulic structure including a valve configured to control a fluid communication state between a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber, wherein

the movable member is movable relative to the hydraulic structure to operate the valve.

2. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the actuator is configured to be actuated by the stimulation so as to move the movable member relative to the base member in a second direction different from the first direction.

3. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein

the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

4. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the actuator includes a shape-memory alloy configured to deform to pull the movable member in accordance with the stimulation.

5. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the actuator includes a nylon fiber configured to deform to pull the movable member in accordance with the stimulation.

6. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the actuator includes an actuation wire configured to vary a total length of the actuation wire to pull the movable member in accordance with a change in the stimulation.

7. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein

the actuation wire is configured to decrease the total length of the actuation wire to pull the movable member in accordance with an increase in the stimulation, and

the actuation wire is configured to increase the total length of the actuation wire to release a pulling force of the actuation wire in accordance with a decrease in the stimulation.

8. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising

an adjustment structure configured to adjust a tension of the actuation wire.

9. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising

a positioning structure configured to maintain a position of the movable member.

10. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein

the actuation wire is configured to pull the movable member from a first initial position to a first actuated position, and

the positioning structure is configured to position the movable member relative to the base member in the first actuated position after the actuation wire pulls the movable member from the first initial position to the first actuated position.

11. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein

the positioning structure includes a lock member engageable with the movable member to position the movable member in the first actuated position.

12. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein

the movable member includes a first engagement part, and

the lock member includes a second engagement part engageable with the first engagement part to position the movable member in the first actuated position.

13. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein

the actuator includes an additional actuation wire configured to vary a total length of the additional actuation wire to move the movable member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

14. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising

an additional adjustment structure configured to adjust a tension of the additional actuation wire.

15. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein

the additional adjustment structure includes

an adjustment portion provided on the base member, the adjustment portion being coupled to the additional actuation wire,

a threaded hole provided on the adjustment portion, and

an adjustment member threaded into the threaded hole so as to change relative position between the adjustment portion and the base member.

16. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein

the additional actuation wire configured to disengage the second engagement part from the first engagement part.

17. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein

the lock member is movably coupled to the base member between

a lock position where the second engagement part is engaged with the first engagement part, and

a release position where the second engagement part is disengaged from the first engagement part, and

the additional actuation wire is configured to move the lock member from the lock position to the release position relative to the base member.

18. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein

the positioning structure includes a release member movable relative to the movable member between

a second initial position where the lock member is positioned in the lock position, and

a second actuated position where the release member is engaged with the lock member to position the lock member in the release position.

19. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein

the additional actuation wire includes

a first additional wire end portion coupled to the base member,

a second additional wire end portion opposite to the first additional wire end portion, the second additional wire end portion being coupled to the base member, and

an additional intermediate portion provided between the first additional wire end portion and the second additional wire end portion, the additional intermediate portion being coupled to the release member.

20. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein

the additional actuation wire is configured to pull the release member from the second initial position to the second actuated position in the second direction.

21. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein

the additional actuation wire is configured to decrease the total length of the additional actuation wire to pull the release member in accordance with an increase in the stimulation, and

the additional actuation wire is configured to increase the total length of the additional actuation wire to release a pulling force of the additional actuation wire in accordance with a decrease in the stimulation.

22. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein

the base member includes a groove extending along the first direction,

the actuation wire is provided in the groove, and

the groove includes an inclined groove inclined relative to the first direction.

23. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein

the groove includes a first groove and a second groove which is separate from the first groove, and

at least one of the first groove and the second groove includes the inclined groove.

24. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein

the first groove faces in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and

the second groove faces in the third direction.

25. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the base member includes a thermal conductor having electric insulation.

26. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the base member has a first coefficient of heat transfer,

the movable member has a second coefficient of heat transfer, and

the first coefficient of heat transfer is higher than the second coefficient of heat transfer.

27. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first tube configured to be coupled to the base member; and

a second tube telescopically and movably coupled to the first tube.

28. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 27 , wherein

the telescopic apparatus is a height adjustable seatpost assembly.

29. The telescopic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the base member has a guide recess, and

the movable member is slidably provided within the guide recess.

30. An actuation device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

a base member;

a movable member movably provided on the base member; and

an actuator configured to be actuated by stimulation including at least one of electric stimulation and heat stimulation so as to move the movable member relative to the base member in a first direction by pulling the movable member, wherein

the actuator is configured to deform to pull the movable member in accordance with the stimulation,

the actuator includes an actuation wire configured to vary a total length of the actuation wire to pull the movable member in accordance with a change in the stimulation, and

the actuation wire includes

a first wire end portion coupled to the base member,

a second wire end portion opposite to the first wire end portion, the second wire end portion being coupled to the base member, and

an intermediate portion provided between the first wire end portion and the second wire end portion, the intermediate portion being coupled to the movable member.

31. An actuation device for a human-powered vehicle, comprising:

a base member;

a movable member movably provided on the base member;

an actuator configured to be actuated by stimulation including at least one of electric stimulation and heat stimulation so as to move the movable member relative to the base member in a first direction by pulling the movable member, the actuator is configured to deform to pull the movable member in accordance with the stimulation, the actuator includes an actuation wire configured to vary a total length of the actuation wire to pull the movable member in accordance with a change in the stimulation; and

an adjustment structure configured to adjust a tension of the actuation wire, wherein

the movable member is movable relative to the base member between a first initial position and a first actuated position, and

the adjustment structure is configured to change the first initial position of the movable member relative to the base member.

32. The actuation device according to claim 31 , wherein

the movable member includes a first movable part and a second movable part,

the adjustment structure includes

a threaded hole provided on one of the first movable part and the second movable part, and

an adjustment member threaded into the threaded hole so as to change relative position between the first movable part and the second movable part.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2019
From: SAKAGAWA, YUKI; SHIRAI, TOYOTO; MIKI, YOSHIMITSU
To: SHIMANO INC.
Reel/Frame 050253/0654 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 16124137 · Sep 6, 2018
Related Publication 20200079453A1 · Mar 12, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,398,739