Control device and control system including control device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11066122-B2
Application number	US-201916426688-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 30, 2019
Priority date	May 30, 2019
Publication date	Jul 20, 2021
Grant date	Jul 20, 2021

Abstract

A control device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The control device is basically provided with a controller. The controller is configured to be connected to at least one component of the human-powered vehicle such that the controller is free from executing normal activation of the at least one component in accordance to a first input in a first mode. The controller is configured to operate at least one of an actuator and an indicator in accordance to the first input in a second mode. The first mode is switched into the second mode in accordance to a second input different from the first input.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A control device for a human-powered vehicle, the control device comprising:
a controller configured to activate at least one component of the human-powered vehicle in response to a user operation of at least one remote actuating device and further configured to operate the at least one component of the human-powered vehicle in at least a first mode and a second mode based on a first input that does not include the user operation of the at least one remote actuating device,
the controller being connected to the at least one component of the human-powered vehicle such that, in the first mode, the controller is configured to activate the at least one component based on the first input, and in the second mode, the controller is configured to automatically operate at least one of an actuator and an indicator based on the first input,
the first mode being switched into the second mode based on a second input different from the first input, and
the second mode configured to allow manual operation of the at least one component.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising
a user interface, wherein
the controller is configured to switch from the first mode into the second mode based on the second input applied to the user interface.

3. The control device according to claim 2 , wherein
the first input is applied to the user interface with a first operating duration, and
the second input is applied to the user interface with a second operating duration different from the first operating duration.

4. The control device according to claim 2 , wherein
the first input is applied to the user interface with a movement in a first operating direction, and
the second input is applied to the user interface with a movement in a second operating direction different from the first operating direction.

5. The control device according to claim 2 , wherein
the first input is applied to the user interface with a first operating amount, and
the second input is applied to the user interface with a second operating amount different from the first operating amount.

6. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein
the controller is configured to switch from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting a predetermined condition of the human powered vehicle.

7. The control device according to claim 6 , further comprising
a user interface, wherein
the actuator is operated based on an operation of the user interface in the second mode.

8. A control system comprising the control device according to claim 1 , the control system further comprising
the at least one component of the human-powered vehicle.

9. The control system according to claim 8 , wherein
the at least one component includes one of a transmission, a suspension, a seatpost assembly, a brake device, and a drive assist unit that is operated by the actuator.

10. The control system according to claim 9 , wherein
the at least one component includes the transmission which includes a chain guide that is operated by the actuator.

11. The control system according to claim 9 , wherein
the at least one component includes the suspension which includes a valve that is operated by the actuator.

12. The control system according to claim 9 , wherein
the at least one component includes the seatpost assembly which includes a valve that is operated by the actuator.

13. The control system according to claim 9 , wherein
the actuator is provided to the one of the transmission, the suspension, the seatpost assembly, the brake device, and the drive assist unit.

14. The control system according to claim 8 , wherein
the at least one component includes one of a lamp and a display device.

15. The control system according to claim 14 , wherein
the indicator is provided to one of the lamp and the display device.

16. The control system according to claim 8 , further comprising
an additional control device configured to operate the at least one component based on a user input while in the first mode, the user input being different from the first and second inputs,
the controller of the control device being configured to switch from the first mode to the second mode upon detecting disconnection between the additional control device and the at least one component.

17. The control system according to claim 8 , further comprising
a wireless communication unit electrically connected to the controller of the control device.

18. The control system according to claim 8 , further comprising
a power supply unit electrically connected to the controller of the control device.

19. The control system according to claim 18 , wherein
the power supply unit is electrically connected to the at least one component.

20. A control system for a human-powered vehicle, the control system comprising:
at least one component of the human-powered vehicle; and
a control device, the control device comprising:
a controller configured to operate the at least one component of the human-powered vehicle in at least a first mode and a second mode,
the controller being connected to the at least one component of the human-powered vehicle such that, in the first mode, the controller is configured to activate the at least one component based on a first input that does not include a user operation of at least one remote actuating device, and in the second mode, the controller is configured to automatically operate at least one of an actuator and an indicator based on the first input,
the first mode being switched into the second mode based on a second input different from the first input, and
the second mode configured to allow manual operation of the at least one component.

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Suzuki Takafumi
• Usui Makoto

Classifications

• B62K25/04 Primary

  for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork (for sidecars, forecars or the like B62K27/06) · CPC title

• B62M9/122

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title

• B62M25/08

  with electrical or fluid transmitting systems · CPC title

• B62K2025/044

  Suspensions with automatic adjustment · CPC title

• B62M6/45

  Control or actuating devices therefor · CPC title