Electromechanical shifting systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11345440-B2
Application number	US-202016782733-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 5, 2020
Priority date	Oct 11, 2012
Publication date	May 31, 2022
Grant date	May 31, 2022

Abstract

A wireless control system for a bicycle may include a base part attachable to a bicycle and a movable part. The control system may also include an electric motor disposed on the electromechanical component and a control unit disposed on the electromechanical component for operating the electric motor to operate the electromechanical component, the control unit including a wireless receiver. The control system includes a wake sensor connected to the control unit, the wake sensor configured to communicate a wake signal to the control unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A derailleur for a bicycle, comprising:
a base part attachable to the bicycle;
a moveable part;
an electric motor disposed on the derailleur, the electric motor configured to move the moveable part; and
a control unit disposed on the derailleur for operating the electric motor, the control unit including a function button and a radio,
the control unit configured to generate a shift signal configured to cause the derailleur to perform a shift operation in response to operation of the function button, and
the control unit also configured to generate the shift signal in response to a wireless signal received by the radio.

2. The derailleur of claim 1 , wherein the derailleur is a front derailleur.

3. The derailleur of claim 2 , wherein the shift signal is a toggle shift signal.

4. The derailleur of claim 1 , wherein the derailleur is a rear derailleur.

5. The derailleur of claim 1 , further comprising a power source.

6. The derailleur of claim 5 , wherein the power source is disposed on the derailleur.

7. The derailleur of claim 6 , wherein the power source is disposed on the base part.

8. The derailleur of claim 5 , wherein the control unit is powered with power from the power source.

9. The derailleur of claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal is a wireless command signal transmitted by a master control unit.

10. The derailleur of claim 9 , wherein the master control unit is located in a shifter.

11. The derailleur of claim 1 , further comprising:
a chain guide attached to the moveable part.

12. The derailleur of claim 11 , further comprising:
a linkage interconnecting the base part to the moveable part to enable the moveable part to move relative to the base part.

13. The derailleur of claim 1 , wherein the radio is at least one of a transmitter and a receiver.

14. The derailleur of claim 1 , wherein the electric motor receives and executes the shift signal generated by the control unit, causing the derailleur to perform the shift operation.

15. The derailleur of claim 1 , wherein the operation of the function button includes the function button being pressed and released.

16. The derailleur of claim 1 , wherein a shift operation is at least one of an up-shift or a down-shift of a gear of the bicycle.

Assignees

• Sram Llc

Inventors

• Jordan Brian
• Squires Todd

Classifications

• F16H59/044

  consisting of electrical switches or sensors · CPC title

• H04W74/08

  Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA (hybrid access H04W74/02) · CPC title

• B62M9/132

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title

• B62M9/122

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title

• Y10T74/2003

  Electrical actuator · CPC title