Front gear changer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9890838-B2
Application number	US-201313755040-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 31, 2013
Priority date	Oct 18, 2012
Publication date	Feb 13, 2018
Grant date	Feb 13, 2018

Abstract

An electromechanical front gear changer for a bicycle is provided, the bicycle having a chain, including a base member attachable to the bicycle. A linkage is movably coupled to the base member. A chain guide is movably coupled to the linkage for contacting the chain. A motor is supported by the base member. A gear transmission is driven by the motor to move the linkage. A CPU is provided for controlling the motor and a power supply is supported by the base member to power the motor and the CPU.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An electromechanical front gear changer for a bicycle having a chain, comprising:
a base member attachable to the bicycle;
a housing attached to the base member, wherein the housing includes electrical contacts which are surrounded by one or more power supply seals;
a linkage movably coupled to the base member;
a chain guide movably coupled to the linkage for contacting the chain;
a motor supported by the base member;
a gear transmission driven by the motor to move the linkage;
a processor for controlling the motor; and
a power supply supported by the base member and disposed rearwardly of the base member relative to the forward direction of the bicycle, the power supply providing power to the motor and the processor.

2. The electromechanical front gear changer of claim 1 , further comprising:
a receiver for receiving wireless signals and powered by the power supply, wherein the processor is in operative communication with the receiver and processes the received wireless signals.

3. The electromechanical front gear changer of claim 2 , wherein the housing is non-movably attached to the base member.

4. The electromechanical front gear changer of claim 2 , wherein the motor, the gear transmission, receiver, and processor are positioned within the housing.

5. The electromechanical front gear changer of claim 4 , wherein the housing is formed of a material permitting the passage of wireless signals therethrough.

6. The electromechanical front gear changer of claim 5 , wherein the housing is made of plastic.

7. The electromechanical front gear changer of claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises a front housing portion positioned adjacent a front of the front gear changer and a rear housing portion positioned behind the front housing portion.

8. The electromechanical front gear changer of claim 7 , wherein the receiver is positioned in or adjacent the front housing portion.

9. The electromechanical front gear changer of claim 7 , wherein the power supply is removably coupled to the rear housing portion.

10. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 1 , further comprising:
a power supply housing,
wherein the housing comprises a frontal area and a front housing portion and a rear housing portion relative to the forward direction of the bicycle, and the power supply housing is removably coupled to the rear housing portion and sized and shaped to not contribute to the frontal area.

11. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 10 , further comprising a latching mechanism for the removable coupling of the power supply housing to the rear housing portion.

12. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 11 , wherein the latching mechanism includes a latch movably mounted on one of the power supply housing and the housing.

13. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 12 , wherein the latching mechanism includes a catch disposed on the other of the power supply housing and the housing positioned to cooperate with the latch.

14. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 10 , wherein the electrical contacts are on the rear housing portion.

15. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 14 , further comprising terminals disposed on the power supply housing and positioned to contact the electrical contacts for electrical connection therebetween.

16. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts are pins which include tips that are spring-loaded.

17. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 10 , further comprising a printed circuit board positioned within the housing and attached to the rear housing portion, and wherein the electrical contacts are mounted directly on the printed circuit board and extend to the outside of the rear housing portion.

18. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 15 , further comprising a power supply face seal disposed on one of the power supply housing and the rear housing portion and wherein the power supply face seals to the other of the power supply housing and the rear housing portion and surrounds the terminals and the electrical contacts when the power supply housing is attached to the housing.

Assignees

• Sram Llc

Inventors

• Shipman Christopher
• Jordan Brian
• Santurbane Mark
• Tsao Henry

Classifications

• F16H9/06 Primary

  engaging a stepped pulley · CPC title

• B62M9/132 Primary

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title

• B62M9/122

  electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof · CPC title

• B62J43/30

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

• B62J43/20

  characterised by the mounting · CPC title