Bicycle operating device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bicycle operating device, which is arranged on a handle of a bicycle defining a second direction, and comprises a housing, a brake handle and a gear shifting assembly. The housing is provided with a mounting portion, a containing groove and a hydraulic unit. The housing defines a first end and a second end. The mounting portion is arranged at the first end and is sleeved on the handle. The hydraulic unit is arranged in the housing and comprises a cylinder chamber, an oil storage groove and a piston assembly. The oil storage groove is communicated with the cylinder chamber. The piston assembly is arranged in the cylinder chamber. The brake handle is pivotally connected to the housing. The present invention can effectively combine the brake system and the gear shifting system into one, thereby saving the assembling space. In addition, the oil storage groove and the cylinder chamber can be effectively protected from being damaged by external impact. Furthermore, the operation is convenient and ergonomic.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle operating device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a bicycle gear shifting device is used to change gear ratio to meet the requirement of low speed or high speed riding. By installing a gear shifting device on the handlebar of the bicycle, the gear shifting device is provided with a shifting lever and a cable reel. By shifting the shifting lever, the cable reel is driven to rotate, thereby pulling the gear shifting cable to perform gear shifting.

[0003] However, in order to improve the handling of the bicycle, more and more bicycles use disc brake system. The disc brake system requires an oil reservoir and an oil cylinder to be installed on the head of the bicycle to control the brake pad to clamp against the disc. This results in the head of the bicycle being too occupied in space due to the installation of the gear shifting device and the disc brake system, and causes inconvenience in operation for the rider. In addition, the above structure is easily damaged by external collision, and there is a problem to be improved.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a novel and advanced bicycle operating device to solve the above problems. SUMMARY

[0005] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a bicycle operating device which can effectively combine the brake system and the gear shifting system in one, save the assembly space, effectively protect the oil reservoir and the cylinder chamber from being damaged by external collision, and be convenient and ergonomic in operation.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides a bicycle operating device for being installed on a handlebar of a bicycle, the handlebar extending along a first axis, a forward direction of the bicycle defining a second direction, the bicycle operating device comprising a housing, a brake handle and a gear shifting assembly. The housing is provided with a mounting portion, a receiving groove and a hydraulic unit, the housing defining a first end and a second end opposite to each other along the second direction, the mounting portion being provided at the first end and sleeved on the handlebar, the hydraulic unit being provided in the housing and comprising a cylinder chamber, an oil reservoir and a piston assembly, the cylinder chamber extending approximately along the second direction and being approximately perpendicular to the first axis, the oil reservoir being communicated with the cylinder chamber, the piston assembly being provided in the cylinder chamber. The brake handle is pivoted to the second end of the housing, and the piston assembly is driven by pressing the brake handle to generate braking force. The gear shifting assembly comprises a cable reel, the cable reel being provided in the receiving groove and located between the frame center of the bicycle and the cylinder chamber as viewed from a vertical direction.

[0007] Preferably, as viewed from the vertical direction, the cylinder chamber is located on the side of the first axis away from the rider.

[0008] Preferably, the oil reservoir is provided above the cylinder chamber.

[0009] Preferably, the cylinder chamber has an outlet port located near the end of the cylinder chamber close to the grip.

[0010] Preferably, the outlet port is connected to a fluid outlet port, the fluid outlet port is connected to a hydraulic oil pipe, and the housing is provided with a gear cable outlet port for a gear cable to pass through, wherein the fluid outlet port is located between the gear cable outlet port and the grip.

[0011] Preferably, the cylinder chamber defines a cylinder axis, and the piston assembly is driven by the brake lever to move along the cylinder axis, which extends through the grip.

[0012] Preferably, the brake lever has a pivot center, the cable reel has a cable reel center, and the pivot center is located between the cable reel center and the cylinder axis.

[0013] Preferably, the container, the cylinder chamber, and the oil reservoir are integrally formed, and the outlet port is provided with an outlet port central axis that passes through the container.

[0014] Preferably, the transmission assembly further includes at least one shift lever, which is located below the cylinder chamber.

[0015] Preferably, the brake lever includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first pivot portion and a second pivot portion. The second pivot portion is located between the first pivot portion and the second section. The first pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing. The second pivot portion is connected to the piston assembly. The second section is pressable by the user.

[0016] The advantages of this invention are:

[0017] The bicycle operating device provided by this invention can effectively combine the braking system and the gear shifting system into one unit to save assembly space. In addition, it can effectively protect the oil reservoir and cylinder chamber from damage caused by collisions with external objects, and is easy to operate and conforms to ergonomics. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is an operational cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following examples illustrate possible implementations of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 This illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which a bicycle operating device is provided on a handlebar 9 of a bicycle, the handlebar 9 extending along a first axis L1, the forward direction of the bicycle defining a second direction L2, and the bicycle operating device includes a housing 1, a brake lever 3, and a gear shifting assembly 4.

[0024] The housing 1 is provided with a mounting part 11, a receiving groove 12 and a hydraulic unit 2. The housing 1 defines a first end 13 and a second end 14 opposite to each other along the second direction L2. The mounting part 11 is provided at the first end 13 and is sleeved on the handle 9. The hydraulic unit 2 is provided in the housing 1 and includes a cylinder chamber 21, an oil reservoir 22 and a piston assembly 23. The cylinder chamber 21 extends generally along the second direction L2 and is approximately perpendicular to the first axis L1. The oil reservoir 22 communicates with the cylinder chamber 21. The piston assembly 23 is provided in the cylinder chamber 21.

[0025] The brake lever 3 is pivotally connected to the second end 14 of the housing 1. By pressing the brake lever 3, the piston assembly 23 is driven to generate braking force, thereby controlling the brake to clamp the brake disc (not shown).

[0026] The gear shift assembly 4 includes a cable reel 41 disposed in the accommodating groove 12 and viewed from a vertical direction L3. The cable reel 41 is located between the center of the bicycle frame and the cylinder chamber 21.

[0027] Therefore, since the housing 1 is equipped with the mounting part 11, the receiving groove 12, and the hydraulic unit 2, the overall volume can be significantly reduced and the structure simplified. Furthermore, since the cylinder chamber 21 extends along the second direction L2, the swing of the brake lever 3 when pressed is directed towards the grip 9, allowing for easier movement of the piston assembly 23. Viewed from the vertical direction L3, the cylinder chamber 21 is located on the side of the first axis L1 away from the rider. Moreover, the cylinder chamber 21 is located between the grip 9 and the brake lever 3, effectively shielding it from damage by impacts from external objects.

[0028] Specifically, the oil reservoir 22 is located above the cylinder chamber 21 so that the oil in the oil reservoir 22 can be replenished into the cylinder chamber 21 by gravity.

[0029] The cylinder chamber 21 is provided with an outlet port 24, which is located near the end of the cylinder chamber 21 close to the handle 9. The outlet port 24 is connected to a fluid outlet port 25, which is connected to a hydraulic oil pipe 26. The piston assembly 23 outputs oil from the outlet port 24 to the fluid outlet port 25, and then flows through the fluid outlet port 25 to the hydraulic oil pipe 26 for braking. The housing 1 is provided with a gear cable outlet port 42 for a gear cable to pass through. The fluid outlet port 25 is located between the gear cable outlet port 42 and the handle 9 to prevent the fluid outlet port 25 from being impacted by external forces.

[0030] In this embodiment, the cylinder chamber 21 defines a cylinder axis 211, and the piston assembly 23 is driven to move along the cylinder axis 211 by the brake handle 3. The cylinder axis 211 extends through the grip 9. The brake handle 3 is provided with a pivot center 31, and the reel 41 is provided with a reel center 43. The pivot center 31 is located between the reel center 43 and the cylinder axis 211.

[0031] Furthermore, the container 12, the cylinder chamber 21, and the oil reservoir 22 are integrally formed, and the outlet port 24 is provided with an outlet port central axis 241, which passes through the container 12, so as to reduce the manufacturing cost of the housing 1.

[0032] Preferably, the transmission assembly 4 further includes at least one shift lever 44, which is located below the cylinder chamber 21 to facilitate the user's thumb to move the at least one shift lever. In this embodiment, the number of the at least one shift lever is two.

[0033] The brake lever 3 includes a first section 32 and a second section 33. The first section 32 includes a first pivot portion 34 and a second pivot portion 35. The second pivot portion 35 is located between the first pivot portion 34 and the second section 33. The first pivot portion 34 is pivotally connected to the housing 1. The second pivot portion 35 is connected to the piston assembly 23. The second section 33 is pressed by the user to push the piston assembly 23 with a larger torque.

[0034] The above description describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles applied thereto. For those skilled in the art, any obvious changes such as equivalent transformations or simple substitutions based on the technical solutions of the present invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bicycle operating device, characterized in that, A handlebar provided on a bicycle, the handlebar extending along a first axis, the forward direction of the bicycle defining a second direction, including: A housing having a mounting portion, a receiving groove, and a hydraulic unit, the housing defining a first end and a second end opposite to each other along the second direction, the mounting portion being disposed at the first end and for being sleeved onto the handle, the hydraulic unit being disposed in the housing and including a cylinder chamber, an oil reservoir, and a piston assembly, the cylinder chamber extending generally along the second direction and approximately perpendicular to the first axis, the oil reservoir communicating with the cylinder chamber, and the piston assembly being disposed in the cylinder chamber; A brake lever is pivotally connected to the second end of the housing. Pressing the brake lever drives the piston assembly to generate braking force. A gearbox assembly includes a spool disposed in the accommodating cavity and, viewed from a vertical direction, located between the center of the bicycle frame and the cylinder chamber. The cylinder chamber is provided with an outlet opening, which is located near the end of the cylinder chamber closest to the handle. The container, cylinder chamber, and oil reservoir are integrally formed, and the outlet port is provided with an outlet port center axis, which passes through the container.

2. The bicycle operating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Viewed from the vertical direction, the cylinder chamber is located on the side of the first axis away from the rider.

3. The bicycle operating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The oil reservoir is located above the cylinder chamber.

4. The bicycle operating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet port is connected to a fluid outlet port, which is connected to a hydraulic oil pipe. The housing is provided with a gear cable outlet port for a gear cable to pass through, wherein the fluid outlet port is located between the gear cable outlet port and the grip.

5. The bicycle operating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cylinder chamber defines a cylinder axis, and the piston assembly is driven by the brake lever to move along the cylinder axis, which extends through the grip.

6. The bicycle operating device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The brake lever has a pivot center, the cable reel has a cable reel center, and the pivot center is located between the cable reel center and the cylinder axis.

7. The bicycle operating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission assembly further includes at least one shift lever located below the cylinder chamber.

8. The bicycle operating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The brake lever includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first pivot portion and a second pivot portion. The second pivot portion is located between the first pivot portion and the second section. The first pivot portion is pivotally connected to the housing. The second pivot portion is connected to the piston assembly. The second section is pressable by the user.

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