Bicycle component system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11196450-B2
Application number	US-202017025514-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2020
Priority date	Sep 9, 2016
Publication date	Dec 7, 2021
Grant date	Dec 7, 2021

Abstract

A bicycle component device includes a bicycle component and a battery. The bicycle component includes an electric assist unit, an electric shift device and an operation device. The electric assist unit is configured to assist in rotation of a crank. The electric shift device is configured to move a bicycle chain between sprockets. The operation device is configured to perform wireless communication with the electric shift device. The battery is configured to supply power to the bicycle component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle component system comprising:
an electric assist unit configured to assist in rotation of a crank, the electric assist unit configured to function in multiple operation modes having different assist ratios, the multiple operation modes being changed by a user operation to switch the multiple operation modes;
an electric shift device configured to move a bicycle chain between sprockets;
an operation device configured to perform wireless communication with the electric shift device; and
a battery configured to supply power to the electric assist unit and the electric shift device,
the operation device comprising a base coupled to a bicycle, an operation member configured to receive an input from a user, a communication device, and an attachment portion attached to the communication device.

2. The bicycle component system according to claim 1 , wherein
the electric shift device is an electric rear derailleur that is configured to be driven by an actuator.

3. The bicycle component system according to claim 1 , wherein
the electric shift device is an electric front derailleur configured to be driven by an actuator.

4. The bicycle component system according to claim 2 , wherein
the operation device includes a first operating device that is wirelessly connected to the rear derailleur to perform wireless communication with the electric rear derailleur.

5. The bicycle component system according to claim 4 , wherein
the first operating device includes an electric controller and the communication device, the communication device being configured to transmit a wireless signal.

6. The bicycle component system according to claim 5 , wherein
the communication device is configured to transmit a shift up signal or a shift down signal as the wireless signal to an electric controller of the electric rear derailleur.

7. The bicycle component system according to claim 6 , wherein
the electric controller of the electric rear derailleur is configured to operate the actuator to increase a bicycle transmission ratio based on the shift up signal.

8. The bicycle component system according to claim 6 , wherein
the electric controller of the electric rear derailleur is configured to operate the actuator to decrease a bicycle transmission ratio based on the shift down signal.

9. The bicycle component system according to claim 1 , wherein
the battery is configured to be coupled to a down tube of the bicycle.

10. The bicycle component system according to claim 1 , further comprising
a cycle computer including a display configured to show at least one of an operation mode of the electric assist unit, a transmission position of an electric front derailleur, a transmission position of an electric rear derailleur, and a riding state of a bicycle.

11. The bicycle component system according to claim 10 , wherein
the cycle computer is configured to switch the multiple operation modes of the electric assist unit based on the user operation.

12. The bicycle component system according to claim 10 , wherein
the cycle computer is configured to be arranged on the handlebar.

13. The bicycle component system according to claim 1 , wherein
the operation device further includes a power generator that generates power in a state in which the operation member of the operation device is operated,
the communication device is configured to transmit a wireless signal with the power generated by the power generator,
the attachment portion is removably attached to the communication device, and
the communication device is attachable to another attachment portion of another bicycle component in a removable manner.

14. The bicycle component system according to claim 1 , wherein the operation device further comprises an inner cavity, and the communication device is at least partially located in the inner cavity.

15. A bicycle component system comprising:
an electric assist unit configured to assist in rotation of a crank, the electric assist unit configured to function in multiple operation modes having different assist ratios;
an electric shift device configured to move a bicycle chain between sprockets;
an operation device configured to receive an input from a user and to perform wireless communication with the electric shift device and the electric assist unit; and
a battery configured to supply power to the electric assist unit and the electric shift device,
the operation device comprising a base coupled to a bicycle, an operation member configured to receive an input from a user, a communication device, and an attachment portion attached to the communication device.

16. The bicycle component system according to claim 15 , wherein the operation device further comprises an inner cavity, and the communication device is at least partially located in the inner cavity.

17. A bicycle component system comprising:
an electric assist unit configured to assist in rotation of a crank, the electric assist unit configured to function in multiple operation modes having different assist ratios;
an electric shift device configured to move a bicycle chain between sprockets;
an operation device configured to perform wireless communication with the electric shift device;
a battery configured to supply power to the electric assist unit and the electric shift device; and
a cycle computer configured to be operated by a user to switch the multiple operation modes of the electric assist unit,
the operation device comprising a base coupled to a bicycle, an operation member configured to receive an input from a user, a communication device, and an attachment portion attached to the communication device.

18. The bicycle component system according to claim 17 , wherein the operation device further comprises an inner cavity, and the communication device is at least partially located in the inner cavity.

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Masuda Takaya
• Suzuki Takafumi

Classifications

• B62M6/55

  power-driven at crank shafts parts · CPC title

• B62M25/08 Primary

  with electrical or fluid transmitting systems · CPC title

• B62K23/06

  Levers · CPC title

• H04B1/3822

  specially adapted for use in vehicles (H04B1/3827 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62M9/122

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title