Control assembly for a wireless electromechanical bicycle shifting system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11845512-B2
Application number	US-202218066622-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 15, 2022
Priority date	Apr 4, 2014
Publication date	Dec 19, 2023
Grant date	Dec 19, 2023

Abstract

A bicycle control assembly may be provided for operating an electromechanical gear shifting device. The control assembly includes a graspable housing mountable to the bicycle, a power supply connected to the control assembly disposed in the housing, a first operating member movably connected to the housing, and electronic componentry disposed on the first operating member. The electronic componentry may include an electrical switch, a controller in communication with the electrical switch and configured to generate a signal to change a shift position of the gear shifting device responsive to an input from the electrical switch, and an antenna in communication with the controller and configured to send the signal. The control assembly may also include a cable extending from the housing to the first operating member connecting the power supply and the electronic componentry.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bicycle control assembly for operating an electromechanical gear shifting device, comprising:
a graspable housing mountable to the bicycle, the housing including an internal compartment;
a shift member movably connected to the housing, the shift member including a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion movably supported by the housing;
an electrical switch disposed on the shift member;
a controller in communication with the electrical switch configured to generate a signal to change a shift position of the gear shifting device responsive to an input from the electrical switch;
a power supply disposed in the compartment and providing power to the controller and the electrical switch; and
a brake lever pivotally connected to the housing on a brake lever pivot,
wherein the shift member has an opening that is located to accommodate the passage therethrough of the brake lever pivot and permit the shift member to be moved without interference from the brake lever pivot.

2. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electrical switch is disposed at the distal portion of the shift member.

3. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a housing access cover configured to provide access to the internal compartment.

4. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an antenna on the shift member and in communication with the controller to send the signal.

5. The bicycle control assembly of claim 4 , wherein the distal portion includes an internal compartment and the antenna is housed within the internal compartment of the distal portion.

6. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bicycle control assembly has a centerline and the power supply is oriented parallel to the centerline.

7. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bicycle control assembly has a centerline and the power supply is oriented along the centerline.

8. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the power supply is a coin shaped battery.

9. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the power supply is positioned on a front side of a holder that holds and electrically contacts the power supply.

10. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing is of a one-piece construction.

11. The bicycle control assembly of claim 10 , wherein the housing is formed of an injection molded thermoplastic.

12. The bicycle control assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a cable that electrically connects the power supply with the electrical switch.

13. The bicycle control assembly of claim 12 , wherein the cable extends along the interior of the shift member.

Assignees

• Sram Llc

Inventors

• Shipman Christopher
• Morris Matthew C

Classifications

• B62J43/30

  for providing power to equipment other than for propulsion · CPC title

• B62M9/132

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title

• B62M9/122

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title

• B62M25/08 Primary

  with electrical or fluid transmitting systems · CPC title

• B62K23/06

  Levers · CPC title