Bicycle derailleur

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12420890-B2
Application number	US-202318326454-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 31, 2023
Priority date	May 7, 2021
Publication date	Sep 23, 2025
Grant date	Sep 23, 2025

Abstract

A bicycle derailleur includes a base member mountable to a bicycle frame and a cage assembly moveably coupled to the base member. One or both of a motor and/or electrical generator system may be coupled to and moveable with the cage assembly. The motor is operable to move the cage assembly. The electrical generator system includes a generator and a generator drive system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle derailleur comprising:
a base member mountable to a bicycle frame;
a moveable member moveably coupled to the base member, wherein the moveable member is moveable in opposite first and second directions relative to the base member;
a cage assembly attached to the moveable member, the cage assembly rotatable in a rotation direction relative to the moveable member; and
a motor coupled to and moveable with the cage assembly in the first direction, the second direction, and the rotation direction, and wherein the motor is operable to move the cage assembly in the opposite first and second directions.

2. The bicycle derailleur of claim 1 wherein the moveable member is moveably coupled to the base member with a linkage, and wherein the cage assembly is rotatably coupled to the moveable member.

3. The bicycle derailleur of claim 2 wherein the linkage comprises first and second links extending between the base member and the moveable member, wherein the base member, the first and second links and the moveable member define a four-bar linkage.

4. The bicycle derailleur of claim 2 wherein the cage assembly is rotatably coupled to the moveable member about a laterally extending axis.

5. The bicycle derailleur of claim 2 further comprising a shifting drive system coupled between the motor and the linkage, wherein the shifting drive system comprises an input from the motor and an output coupled to the linkage.

6. The bicycle derailleur of claim 5 wherein the output comprises a lead screw rotatable in first and second opposite rotation directions, wherein the lead screw is threadably engaged with a crank arm, wherein the crank arm is moveable in opposite first and second axial directions in response to the rotation of the lead screw in the opposite first and second rotation directions, and wherein the crank arm is coupled to the linkage.

7. The bicycle derailleur of claim 5 wherein the input has a first rotational speed, and wherein the output has a second rotational speed, wherein the first rotational speed is greater than the second rotational speed.

8. A bicycle derailleur comprising:
a base member mountable to a bicycle frame;
a cage assembly moveably coupled to the base member, wherein the cage assembly is moveable in opposite first and second directions relative to the base member;
a motor coupled to and moveable with the cage assembly in the opposite first and second directions, and wherein the motor is operable to move the cage assembly in the opposite first and second directions; and
an electrical generator system coupled to and moveable with the cage assembly, wherein the electrical generator system supplies power to the motor.

9. The bicycle derailleur of claim 8 wherein the electrical generator system comprises a generator and an energy storage device, wherein the generator generates energy stored in the energy storage device, and wherein the motor is electrically coupled to, and powered by, the energy storage device.

10. The bicycle derailleur of claim 9 wherein the energy storage device comprises at least one capacitor.

11. The bicycle derailleur of claim 9 wherein the cage assembly comprises a housing, and wherein the electrical generator system comprises a generator drive system coupled to the generator, wherein the generator drive system comprises a chain pulley rotatably coupled to the housing about a first rotation axis.

12. The bicycle derailleur of claim 11 wherein the generator drive system comprises a generator transmission operably coupled between the chain pulley and the generator.

13. The bicycle derailleur of claim 12 wherein the chain pulley has a first rotational speed and the generator has a second rotation speed, wherein the generator transmission provides a ratio between the first and second rotation speeds of between and including 20:1 and 50:1.

14. The bicycle derailleur of claim 12 wherein the generator transmission comprises at least first and second pulleys rotatably coupled to the housing about second and third rotation axes respectively, and a belt engaged with the first and second pulleys, wherein the first and second pulleys have a pulley ratio greater than 1.

15. The bicycle derailleur of claim 14 further comprising a belt tensioner coupled to the housing and operable to adjust a tension of the belt.

16. The bicycle derailleur of claim 14 wherein the generator transmission further comprises a first spur gear fixed to and rotatable with the chain pulley about the first rotation axis, a first pinion gear engaged by the first spur gear and rotatable about a fourth rotation axis spaced from the first rotation axis, a second spur gear fixed to and rotatable with the first pinion gear about the fourth rotation axis, and a second pinion gear engaged by the second spur gear and rotatable about the second rotation axis spaced from the fourth rotation axis, wherein the first pulley is fixed to and rotatable with the second pinion gear about the fourth rotation axis, and wherein the generator comprises a rotor fixed to the second pulley and rotatable with the second pulley about the third rotation axis.

17. The bicycle derailleur of claim 12 wherein the generator transmission comprises a drive member defining a second rotation axis and a gear comprising a clutch coaxially mounted with the drive member, wherein the clutch provides for one-way rotational engagement between the drive member and the gear, wherein the gear is rotatable with the drive member in a first rotation direction of the drive member, and wherein the drive member is rotatable relative to the gear in a second rotation direction of the drive member opposite the first rotation direction.

Assignees

• Sram Llc

Inventors

• Shipman Christopher
• Hahn Sage

Classifications

• B62M9/122 Primary

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title

• B62M9/124

  Mechanisms for shifting laterally · CPC title

• B62M2009/12406

  Rear derailleur comprising a rigid pivoting arm · CPC title

• B62M9/126

  Chain guides; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• B62M9/1242 Primary

  characterised by the linkage mechanisms · CPC title