IP Library Granted Patent US 9,656,723
Granted Patent B1
US 9,656,723 · App. 14/968,873 · Granted May 23, 2017

Electrical bicycle derailleur

Inventors: Hiroshi Tachibana (Osaka, JP); Takeshi Ueda (Osaka, JP); Yuta Mizutani (Osaka, JP); Keijiro Nishi (Osaka, JP); Takahiro Tabata (Osaka, JP)
Assignee: Shimano Inc.
B62M9/122
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,656,723
App. No.
14/968,873
Granted
May 23, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

An electrical bicycle derailleur includes a base member and a movable member movably arranged between a retracted position and an extended position. A linkage operatively couples the movable member to the base member. The linkage includes a first link member and a second link member. The first link member is disposed closer to the base member than the second link member. A motor unit is operatively coupled to the first and second link members to rotate the first and second link members. A linkage housing is configured to support the first and second link members and the motor unit. A first diameter of the first link member is different from a second diameter of the second link member and/or a first tooth number of the first link member is different from a second tooth number of the second link member.

Claims (41)

1. An electrical bicycle derailleur comprising:

a base member;

a movable member movably arranged between a retracted position and an extended position;

a linkage operatively coupling the movable member to the base member, the linkage including a first link member and a second link member, the first link member being disposed closer to the base member than the second link member;

a motor unit operatively coupled to the first and second link members to rotate the first and second link members; and

a linkage housing configured to support the first and second link members and the motor unit,

at least one of a first diameter of the first link member being different from a second diameter of the second link member and a first tooth number of the first link member being different from a second tooth number of the second link member.

2. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the first link member includes a first gear member connected to the base member, and the second link member includes a second gear member connected to the movable member.

3. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the first diameter of the first link member is larger than the second diameter of the second link member.

4. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the first diameter of the first link member is smaller than the second diameter of the second link member.

5. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the first tooth number of the first link member is larger than the second tooth number of the second link member.

6. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the first tooth number of the first link member is smaller than the second tooth number of the second link member.

7. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the linkage housing includes an internal space in which the first and second link members and the motor unit are at least partly disposed.

8. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the first link member directly engages the second link member.

9. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

at least one belt member operatively couples the first link member and the second link member such that rotation of the one of the first and second link members is transmitted to the other of the first and second link members via the at least one belt member, the motor unit being configured to rotate the second link member.

10. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the linkage further includes a third link member disposed between the first and second link members, the third link member operatively engages the first and second link members, and the linkage housing is configured to support the third link member.

11. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 10 , wherein

the linkage housing includes an internal space in which the first, second, and third link members and the motor unit are at least partly disposed.

12. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 10 , wherein

the first link member includes a first gear member connected to the base member, the second link member includes a second gear member connected to the movable member, and the third link member includes a third gear member disposed between the first and second gear members.

13. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 10 , wherein

the third link member directly engages the first and second link members.

14. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 10 , wherein

at least one belt member operatively couples the third link member and at least one of the first and second link members such that rotation of the third link member rotates the at least one of the first and second link members via the at least one belt member.

15. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

a first rotational direction of the first link member and a second rotational direction of the second link member are opposite.

16. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 1 , wherein

the motor unit includes an electrical motor and a speed reduction gear assembly, the electrical motor outputs drive power via the speed reduction gear assembly.

17. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 2 , wherein

the first link member includes a first axle coaxially arranged with the first gear member, and the second link member includes a second axle coaxially arranged with the second gear member.

18. The electrical bicycle derailleur according to claim 12 , wherein

the first link member includes a first axle coaxially arranged with the first gear member, the second link member includes a second axle coaxially arranged with the second gear member, and the third link member includes a third axle coaxially arranged with the third gear member.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2015
From: NISHI, KEIJIRO; TABATA, TAKAHIRO; TACHIBANA, HIROSHI; MIZUTANI, YUTA; UEDA, TAKESHI
To: SHIMANO INC.
Reel/Frame 037364/0110 →