Hub for human-powered vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12145402-B2
Application number	US-202117221224-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 2, 2021
Priority date	Apr 2, 2021
Publication date	Nov 19, 2024
Grant date	Nov 19, 2024

Abstract

A hub is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The hub comprises a hub axle, a hub body, a sprocket support structure, a detected part and a rotation detection sensor. The hub axle has a center axis. The hub body is rotatably disposed around the center axis. The sprocket support structure is rotatably disposed around the center axis to transmit a driving force to the hub body while rotating in a driving rotational direction around the center axis. The detected part is provided to the sprocket support structure. The rotation detection sensor is configured to detect the detected part to detect rotation of the sprocket support structure around the center axis and being disposed in the hub body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hub for a human-powered vehicle, the hub comprising:
a hub axle having a center axis;
a hub body rotatably disposed around the center axis;
a sprocket support structure rotatably disposed around the center axis to transmit a driving force to the hub body while rotating in a driving rotational direction around the center axis;
a detected part provided to the sprocket support structure; and
an electric component disposed in the hub body between the hub axle and the hub body in the radial direction with respect to the center axis, the electrical component comprising
a housing defining an internal space,
a circuit board accommodated in the internal space, and
a rotation detection sensor disposed in the internal space and configured to detect the detected part to detect rotation of the sprocket support structure around the center axis and being disposed in the hub body.

2. The hub according to claim 1 , wherein
the rotation detection sensor includes a magnetic sensor, and
the detected part includes a magnet.

3. The hub according to claim 2 , further comprising
a coupling body coupled to the hub body and disposed between the magnetic sensor and the detected part, the coupling body being at least partially made of a non-magnetic material or having an opening.

4. The hub according to claim 1 , wherein
the rotation detection sensor includes an optical sensor, and
the detected part includes a reflective member.

5. The hub according to claim 4 , further comprising
a coupling body coupled to the hub body and disposed between the optical sensor and the detected part, the coupling body being at least partially made of a transparent material or having an opening.

6. The hub according to claim 1 , wherein
the sprocket support structure includes an outer body configured to support at least one sprocket and an inner body coupled to the hub body to rotate therewith, and
the outer body is coupled to the inner body to rotate together in the driving rotational direction around the center axis, and is configured to rotate relative to the inner body in a non-driving rotational direction around the center axis.

7. The hub according to claim 6 , further comprising
a coupling body coupled to the hub body and the inner body, and disposed between the rotation detection sensor and the detected part.

8. The hub according to claim 1 , wherein
the circuit board is provided in the hub body, and
the rotation detection sensor is provided on the circuit board.

9. The hub according to claim 1 , wherein
the electrical component further comprises an electronic controller provided on the circuit board and configured to receive a detection signal from the rotation detection sensor.

10. The hub according to claim 1 , further comprising
an electrical cable electrically connected to the electric component and passing axially through a space between the sprocket support structure and the hub axle.

11. The hub according to claim 10 , wherein
the hub axle includes a groove, and
the electric cable is accommodated in the groove.

12. The hub according to claim 1 , further comprising
an electric power generator disposed in the hub body, and configured to generate electric power by rotation of the hub body, and
the electric component being electrically connected to the electric power generator.

13. The hub according to claim 1 , further comprising
an electric power generator disposed in the hub body, and configured to generate electric power by rotation of the hub body.

14. The hub according to claim 13 , further comprising
an electrical cable electrically connected to the electric power generator and passing axially through a space between the sprocket support structure and the hub axle.

15. The hub according to claim 14 , wherein
the hub axle includes a groove, and
the electric cable is accommodated in the groove.

16. The hub according to claim 1 , wherein
the housing is provided inside the hub body.

17. A hub for a human-powered vehicle, the hub comprising:
a hub axle having a center axis;
a hub body rotatably disposed around the center axis;
a coupling body including an outer peripheral portion coupled to the hub body and an inner peripheral portion positioned radially inward of the outer peripheral portion with respect to a radial direction of the center axis;
a sprocket support structure rotatably disposed around the center axis to transmit a driving force to the hub body, the sprocket support structure including
an outer body configured to support at least one sprocket, and
an inner body coupled to the hub body via the coupling body to rotate therewith, the outer body being coupled to the inner body to rotate together in the driving rotational direction around the center axis, and the outer body being configured to rotate relative to the inner body in a non-driving rotational direction around the center axis;

a fixing member attached to the inner peripheral portion of the coupling body and attaching the inner body to the coupling body; and
a retainer removably coupled to the hub body, and retaining the coupling body to the hub body.

18. The hub according to claim 17 , wherein
the fixing member is a tubular member having a first end portion abutting the inner body, and a second end portion coupled to the inner peripheral portion of the coupling body.

19. The hub according to claim 17 , wherein
the inner peripheral portion of the coupling body is threadedly connected to the fixing member.

20. The hub according to claim 17 , wherein
the outer peripheral portion of the coupling body includes a first coupling structure having at least one of a spline and a groove,
the hub body includes a second coupling structure having at least one of a spline and a groove, and
the first coupling structure mates with the second coupling structure to non-rotatably couple the coupling body to the hub body.

21. The hub according to claim 17 , wherein
the inner body includes a third coupling structure having at least one of a spline and a groove,
the coupling body includes a fourth coupling structure having at least one of a spline and a groove, and
the third coupling structure mates with the fourth coupling structure to non-rotatably couple the inner body to the coupling body.

22. The hub according to claim 17 , wherein
the inner body is axially retained between the coupling body and a contact surface of the fixing member.

23. The hub according to claim 17 , wherein
the fixing member has a tool engagement portion.

24. The hub according to claim 23 , wherein
the fixing member has an annular inner surface that includes the tool engagement portion.

25. The hub according to claim 17 , further comprising
an electric component disposed in the hub body between the hub axle and the hub body in the radial direction with respect to the center axis, and
an electrical cable electrically connected to the electric component and passing axially through a space between the fixing member and the hub axle.

26. The hub according to claim 25 , wherein
the hub axle includes a groove, and
the electric cable is accommodated in the groove.

27. The hub according to claim 25 , further comprising
an electric power generator disposed in the hub body, and configured to generate electric power by rotation of the hub body, and
the electric c

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Yamazaki Azusa
• Niki Kazutaka
• Ueda Takeshi

Classifications

• B62J45/423

  on or besides the wheel · CPC title

• G01D5/30

  the beams of light being detected by photocells · CPC title

• G01D5/245

  using a variable number of pulses in a train · CPC title

• B62J45/20

  Cycle computers as cycle accessories · CPC title

• H02K7/1846 Primary

  structurally associated with wheels or associated parts (dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12) · CPC title