Bicycle drive train

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10435112-B2
Application number	US-201715481465-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 7, 2017
Priority date	Apr 7, 2017
Publication date	Oct 8, 2019
Grant date	Oct 8, 2019

Abstract

A bicycle drive train comprises a sprocket assembly and a floating sprocket. The sprocket assembly comprises a first rotational center axis, a first sprocket, and a second sprocket. The first sprocket includes at least one first sprocket tooth and at least one first axially displaceable tooth with respect to the first rotational center axis. The second sprocket includes at least one second sprocket tooth. The at least one first axially displaceable tooth is displaceable relative to the at least one first sprocket tooth toward the at least one second sprocket tooth. The floating sprocket comprises a second rotational center axis and an axially sliding surface. The axially sliding surface is to support the floating sprocket movably relative to the sprocket assembly in an axial direction with respect to the second rotational center axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle drive train comprising:
a sprocket assembly comprising:
a first rotational center axis;
a first sprocket including at least one first sprocket tooth and at least one first axially displaceable tooth with respect to the first rotational center axis;
a second sprocket including at least one second sprocket tooth, the at least one first axially displaceable tooth being displaceable relative to the at least one first sprocket tooth toward the at least one second sprocket tooth; and
an actuator configured to move the at least one first axially displaceable tooth relative to the at least one first sprocket tooth, the actuator including a guide structure including a first guide and a second guide rotatably coupled to the first guide; and

a floating sprocket comprising:
a second rotational center axis offset from the first rotational center axis, one of the first rotational center axis and the second rotational center axis being coincident with a rotational center axis of a bicycle rear hub assembly in a state where the bicycle drive train is mounted to a bicycle body; and
an axially sliding surface to support the floating sprocket movably relative to the sprocket assembly in an axial direction with respect to the second rotational center axis.

2. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least one first axially displaceable tooth is pivotally displaceable about a first pivot axis relative to the at least one first sprocket tooth toward the at least one second sprocket tooth.

3. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , wherein
the actuator includes an electric motor.

4. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , further comprising
a chain tensioner to apply tension to a first chain coupling the sprocket assembly and the floating sprocket to transmit a rotational force between the sprocket assembly and the floating sprocket.

5. The bicycle drive train according to claim 4 , wherein
the chain tensioner is movable relative to the sprocket assembly in the axial direction.

6. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , wherein
the floating sprocket is a rear sprocket.

7. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , further comprising
a first chain coupling the sprocket assembly and the floating sprocket to transmit a rotational force between the sprocket assembly and the floating sprocket.

8. The bicycle drive train according to claim 7 , wherein
the first chain includes opposed pairs of link plates defining link spaces adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction of the first chain without another space between the link spaces, and
the link spaces have axial widths equal to each other.

9. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , further comprising
a housing, wherein
the sprocket assembly and the floating sprocket are provided in the housing.

10. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , further comprising
a front sprocket assembly including a crank axle and a front sprocket mounted on the crank axle.

11. The bicycle drive train according to claim 10 , wherein
the front sprocket is a single sprocket mounted to the crank axle.

12. The bicycle drive train according to claim 11 , wherein
the front sprocket includes at least one first front tooth and at least one second front teeth,
the at least one first front tooth has a first maximum axial width defined in the axial direction,
the at least one second front tooth has a second maximum axial width defined in the axial direction, and
the first maximum axial width is larger than the second maximum axial width.

13. The bicycle drive train according to claim 10 , further comprising
an intermediate sprocket coupled to the front sprocket with a second chain to transmit a rotational force between the intermediate sprocket and the front sprocket.

14. The bicycle drive train according to claim 13 , further comprising
the second chain coupling the intermediate sprocket and the front sprocket to transmit the rotational force between the intermediate sprocket and the front sprocket.

15. The bicycle drive train according to claim 13 , wherein
the second chain includes opposed pairs of link plates defining link spaces adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction of the second chain without another space between the link spaces, and
the link spaces have axial widths equal to each other.

16. The bicycle drive train according to claim 13 , further comprising
a one-way clutch coupling the intermediate sprocket to the first sprocket and the second sprocket such that the intermediate sprocket is rotatable relative to the first sprocket and second sprocket only in one rotational direction.

17. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , wherein
the sprocket assembly includes a crank axle defining the first rotational center axis, and
the first sprocket and the second sprocket are mounted on the crank axle.

18. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least one first sprocket tooth includes at least one first wide tooth and at least one first narrow tooth,
the at least one first wide tooth has a first maximum width defined in the axial direction,
the at least one first narrow tooth has a first additional maximum width defined in the axial direction, and
the first maximum width is larger than the first additional maximum width.

19. The bicycle drive train according to claim 18 , wherein
the at least one second sprocket tooth includes at least one second wide tooth and at least one second narrow tooth,
the at least one second wide tooth has a second maximum width defined in the axial direction,
the at least one second narrow tooth has a second additional maximum width defined in the axial direction, and
the second maximum width is larger than the second additional maximum width.

20. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , wherein
the sprocket assembly is a rear sprocket assembly.

21. The bicycle drive train according to claim 20 , further comprising
a front sprocket assembly including a crank axle and a front sprocket mounted on the crank axle.

22. The bicycle drive train according to claim 21 , further comprising
an intermediate sprocket coupled to the front sprocket with a second chain to transmit a rotational force between the intermediate sprocket and the front sprocket, wherein
the intermediate sprocket is coupled to the floating sprocket rotatable about the second rotational center axis.

23. The bicycle drive train according to claim 22 , further comprising
a one-way clutch coupling the intermediate sprocket to the first sprocket and the second sprocket to be rotatable relative to the first sprocket and second sprocket only in one rotational direction.

24. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , wherein
the floating sprocket is a front sprocket.

25. The bicycle drive train according to claim 24 , wherein
the sprocket assembly is a rear sprocket assembly.

26. The bicycle drive train according to claim 1 , wherein
the actuator is configured to move the first axially displaceable tooth relative to the at least one first sprocket tooth in response to a movement of a mechanical control cable, and
the actuator includes a cable attachment part to receive movement of the mechanical control cable.

27. The bicycle drive train according to

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Tetsuka Toshio

Classifications

• B62M9/14 Primary

  the wheels being laterally shiftable · CPC title

• B62M9/12

  the chain, belt, or the like being laterally shiftable {, e.g. using a rear derailleur} · CPC title

• B62M9/16

  Tensioning or adjusting equipment for chains, belts or the like · CPC title

• B62M1/36

  with rotary cranks, e.g. with pedal cranks (B62M1/34 takes precedence; combined with reciprocating levers B62M1/26; cranks which can be immobilised as foot rests B62M5/00) · CPC title

• B62M25/02

  with mechanical transmitting systems, e.g. cables, levers · CPC title