Hub assembly for human-powered vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11858292-B2
Application number	US-202117459366-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 27, 2021
Priority date	Aug 27, 2021
Publication date	Jan 2, 2024
Grant date	Jan 2, 2024

Abstract

A hub assembly is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The hub assembly is basically provided with a hub axle, a hub body, an electric component and a user input device. The hub body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle to rotate around a rotational center axis of the hub assembly. The user input device is electrically coupled to the electric component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hub assembly for a human-powered vehicle, the hub assembly comprising:
a hub axle;
a hub body rotatably mounted on the hub axle to rotate around a rotational center axis of the hub assembly;
an electric component; and
a user input device electrically coupled to the electric component.

2. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the electric component includes an electric circuit board, and wherein
the user input device is electrically connected to the electric circuit board.

3. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the electric component is non-rotatably disposed with respect to the rotational center axis.

4. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the electric component is disposed in the hub body.

5. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the user input device is spaced from in an axial direction with respect to the electric component.

6. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the user input device does not include a wireless communication receiver.

7. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the hub axle includes a cable receiving passageway axially extending between the electric component and the user input device.

8. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising
a first bearing rotatably supporting a first end of the hub body on the hub axle; and
a second bearing rotatably supporting a second end of the hub body on the hub axle, and wherein
the electric component is disposed between the first bearing and the second bearing, and the user input device is disposed between the first bearing and an axial end of the hub axle.

9. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the user input device is disposed outside of the hub body.

10. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , wherein
the user input device is disposed inside of the hub body.

11. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising
a sprocket support body rotatably disposed around the rotational center axis to transmit a driving force to the hub body while rotating in a driving rotational direction around the rotational center axis.

12. The hub assembly according to claim 11 , wherein
the user input device is disposed inside of the sprocket support body.

13. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising
an end cap disposed on an axial end of the hub axle, and
the user input device is operably accessible through an opening in the end cap.

14. The hub assembly according to claim 13 , wherein
the end cap includes a rotation restriction part configured to couple the hub axle to a vehicle body of the human-powered vehicle so that rotation of the hub axle relative to the vehicle body is restricted.

15. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising
a double nut including a first nut having a first tool engaging structure and a second nut having a second tool engaging structure, and wherein
the first nut and the second nut are threadedly engaged with an external thread of the hub axle,
the first tool engaging structure and the second tool engaging structure face outward in an axial direction,
the first tool engaging structure is disposed radially outward of the second tool engaging structure with respect to the rotational center axis when viewed from the axial direction.

16. The hub assembly according to claim 15 , wherein
the user input device is located on an axial outward side of the double nut with respect to the rotational center axis, and at least partly aligned with the double nut in the axial direction.

17. The hub assembly according to claim 15 , wherein
the first tool engaging structure and the second tool engaging structure are accessible with a tool in the axial direction.

18. The hub assembly according to claim 15 , further comprising
a first bearing rotatably supporting a first end of the hub body on the hub axle; and
a second bearing rotatably supporting a second end of the hub body on the hub axle, and wherein
the first nut includes an inner race that supports a plurality of rolling elements of the first bearing.

19. The hub assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising
an electric power generator provided to the hub body, and configured to generate electric power by rotation of the hub body.

20. The hub assembly according to claim 19 , wherein
the electric component includes at least one capacitor electrically connected to the electric power generator.

21. A hub assembly for a human-powered vehicle, the hub assembly comprising:
a hub axle;
a rotating body rotatably mounted on the hub axle to rotate around a rotational center axis of the hub assembly; and
a double nut including a first nut having a first tool engaging structure and a second nut having a second tool engaging structure, the first nut and the second nut being threadedly engaged with an external thread of the hub axle, the first tool engaging structure and the second engaging structure facing outward in an axial direction with respect to the rotational center axis,
the first tool engaging structure being disposed radially outward of the second tool engaging structure with respect to the rotational center axis when viewed from the axial direction.

22. The hub assembly according to claim 21 , further comprising
an electric component located adjacent an axial end of the hub axle on an axial outward side of the double nut with respect to the rotational center axis.

23. The hub assembly according to claim 22 , further comprising
a detected part disposed on the rotating body, and
a rotation detection sensor configured to detect the detected part,
the electric component is disposed on the hub axle and includes the rotation detection sensor.

24. The hub assembly according to claim 21 , further comprising
a first bearing rotatably supporting a first end of the rotating body on the hub axle; and
a second bearing rotatably supporting a second end of the rotating body on the hub axle, and wherein
the first nut includes an inner race of the first bearing.

25. The hub assembly according to claim 21 , wherein
the first nut and the second nut are disposed inside of the rotating body.

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Yamazaki Azusa
• Niki Kazutaka
• Ueda Takeshi

Classifications

• B60B27/0047 Primary

  characterised by functional integration of other elements · CPC title

• B60B27/0005

  with ball bearings · CPC title

• B60B27/023

  specially adapted for bicycles · CPC title

• B60B27/04

  housing driving means, e.g. sprockets · CPC title

• B62J45/00

  Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for · CPC title