An electric derailleur

Abstract

The application provides an electric derailleur, which comprises a fixed base, a driving device, a movable element, a chain guide and a connecting rod. The movable element is configured to be movable relative to the fixed base. The chain guide is rotatably connected to the movable element. The two ends of the connecting rod are pivotally connected to the movable element and the fixed base respectively. The driving device is arranged on the connecting rod. The driving device comprises a transmission shaft, which is configured to drive the movable element and the connecting rod to move relative to the fixed base. The transmission shaft is pivotally connected to the connecting rod and the movable element. The driving device further comprises a driving element, which is driven to rotate by the transmission shaft. The driving element is configured to drive the movable element and the connecting rod to move by applying force to the movable element. The electric derailleur provided by the application can improve the power transmission performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of bicycle technology, and more particularly to an electric derailleur. Background Technology

[0002] The derailleur is a crucial component of a multi-speed bicycle, used to shift the chain between different sized chainrings to achieve gear changes. Existing derailleurs include manual derailleurs pulled by steel cables and electric derailleurs driven by motors. Existing electric derailleurs typically include a motor assembly, a linkage, and a chain guide. The linkage and chain guide are pivotally connected, the chain passes through the chain guide, and the motor assembly applies power to drive the chain guide, thereby shifting the chain to different chainrings. The forward and reverse rotation outputs of the motor assembly can drive the chain guide to move in opposite directions, enabling back-and-forth chain switching between different chainrings. For example, Chinese invention patent application CN103707996A discloses an electric bicycle rear derailleur. However, in this prior art, the motor unit is mounted on a base component, and the motor's output drives a movable component via a linkage, which in turn moves the chain guide. This results in a long power transmission path and unsatisfactory power transmission performance.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new technical solution to overcome the problems existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an electric derailleur that improves power transmission performance.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: an electric derailleur, comprising a fixed base, a drive device, a movable component, a chain guide, and a connecting rod, wherein the movable component is configured to be movable relative to the fixed base, the chain guide is rotatably connected to the movable component, and both ends of the connecting rod are pivotally connected to the movable component and the fixed base, respectively; wherein the drive device is disposed on the connecting rod, and the drive device includes:

[0006] A drive shaft configured to drive the movable member and the connecting rod relative to the fixed base, wherein the drive shaft is pivotally connected to the connecting rod and the movable member; and

[0007] A toggle element, driven to rotate by the drive shaft, is configured to drive the movable element and the linkage to move by applying force to the movable element.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present application, the driving device includes a motor, the motor having an output end that is connected to the transmission shaft, the output end being located at the end of the connecting rod facing the movable member.

[0009] As a further improvement of the technical solution of this application, the connecting rod includes an upper connecting rod and a lower connecting rod that are pivotally connected to the fixed base and the movable member, respectively, and the upper connecting rod and the lower connecting rod move in response to the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed base.

[0010] As a further improvement of this application, a load limiting device is provided between the actuating member and the movable member. The load limiting device is configured to disconnect the transmission connection between the actuating member and the movable member when the load borne by the movable member exceeds a load threshold.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present application, the load limiting device includes a protrusion that connects the actuating member and the movable member simultaneously. The protrusion is configured to transmit power to the movable member in the rotational direction of the actuating member.

[0012] As a further improvement of the technical solution of this application, the protrusion is a ball, and the actuating member is provided with a hemispherical groove for accommodating a part of the ball.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present application, the load limiting device includes an elastic element that elastically abuts against the ball towards the actuating element.

[0014] As a further improvement of the technical solution of this application, a buffer is provided between the actuating member and the movable member, and the actuating member actuates the movable member to rotate through the buffer in at least one direction of movement.

[0015] As a further improvement of the technical solution of this application, the buffer is a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the transmission shaft, with one end of the torsion spring abutting the actuating member and the other end abutting the movable member.

[0016] As a further improvement of the technical solution of this application, an offset member is disposed between the upper connecting rod and the fixed base. The offset member is configured to provide an offset force to the upper connecting rod in a rotational direction relative to the fixed base, which is conducive to the movement of the upper connecting rod.

[0017] As a further improvement of the technical solution of this application, the biasing member is a torsion spring, one end of which abuts against the upper connecting rod and the other end of which abuts against the fixed base.

[0018] As a further improvement of this application, a battery module that provides power to the drive device is detachably attached to the fixed base.

[0019] As a further improvement to the present application, the electric derailleur includes a wireless communicator, which is configured in the battery module.

[0020] As a further improvement to the technical solution of this application, the derailleur is a bicycle rear derailleur.

[0021] The electric derailleur provided in this application has a drive unit mounted on a linkage. The drive unit includes a transmission shaft pivotally connected to the linkage and a movable component. The derailleur driven by the transmission shaft applies force to the movable component to drive the movable component and the linkage to move. This allows the power of the drive unit to be transmitted to the movable component more directly, rather than through the linkage, thus shortening the power transmission path and improving the power transmission performance. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit this application.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the electric derailleur of this application.

[0024] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the electric derailleur of this application.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the lower linkage and drive mechanism of the electric derailleur of this application.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the electric derailleur of this application after the chain guide has been removed.

[0027] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the electric derailleur of this application after the chain guide has been removed.

[0028] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the electric derailleur of this application after the chain guide has been removed.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the lower linkage, drive mechanism, and moving parts in the electric derailleur of this application.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100-Derailleur; 1-Fixed base; 11-First pivot; 12-Second pivot; 13-Third pivot; 14-Mounting part; 2-Upper connecting rod; 3-Lower connecting rod; 31-Inner shell; 32-Middle frame; 33-Outer shell; 34-Gear cover; 4-Moving part; 41-Mounting groove; 42-Load limiting device; 421-Ball bearing; 422-Elastic element; 5-Drive device; 51-Motor; 52-Gear set; 53-Screw; 54-Worm gear; 55-Drive shaft; 551-Actuating element; 5510-Hemispherical groove; 552-Buffer element; 6-Chain guide; 7-Battery module; 8-Offset component. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this patent document shall have the ordinary meaning understood by a person skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this patent specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms "an," "a," or "the" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. The terms "comprising" or "including" indicate that the element or object preceding "comprising" encompasses the element or object listed following "comprising" or its equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. Terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. These terms are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0034] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0036] Please see Figures 1 to 7 As shown, this application provides an electric derailleur 100 for moving a chain to switch between different sized derailleurs, thereby achieving speed change. The derailleur 100 includes a fixed base 1, a drive device 5, a movable component 4, a chain guide 6, a connecting rod, and a battery module 7. The connecting rod includes an upper connecting rod 2 and a lower connecting rod 3.

[0037] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fixed base 1 serves as a base for the upper connecting rod 2, the lower connecting rod 3, the movable part 4, the drive device 5, the chain guide 6, and the battery module 7 to be directly or indirectly mounted thereon. Simultaneously, the fixed base 1 is constructed to be suitable for mounting onto the bicycle frame, so that the derailleur 100 is mounted onto the bicycle frame via the fixed base 1. In this embodiment, the fixed base 1 is provided with a mounting part 14, through which the fixed base 1 and the entire derailleur 100 are connected to the bicycle frame. The mounting part 14 can be a screw, buckle, strap, etc., sufficient to achieve the connection between the fixed base 1 and the bicycle frame.

[0038] The movable component 4 is configured to be movable relative to the fixed base 1, and the chain guide 6 is rotatably connected to the movable component 4. The chain guide 6, configured to be movable relative to the fixed base 1, includes two generally parallel side plates and a sprocket connected between the two side plates. The bicycle chain passes through the two side plates of the chain guide 6 and is wound around the sprocket. When shifting gears is required, the chain guide 6 can be driven to move, thereby pushing the chain to switch between different sized sprockets, achieving gear changes. Simultaneously, the chain tension can be achieved through the sprocket.

[0039] Please refer to the following: Figure 4As shown, the two ends of the connecting rod are pivotally connected to the movable member 4 and the fixed base 1, respectively. That is, the two ends of the upper connecting rod 2 and the lower connecting rod 3 are pivotally connected to the fixed base 1 and the movable member 4, respectively. The fixed base 1, the upper connecting rod 2, the lower connecting rod 3, and the movable member 4 constitute a four-bar linkage. In this embodiment, the upper connecting rod 2 is generally plate-shaped and located above the lower connecting rod 3. One end of the upper connecting rod 2 is pivotally connected to the fixed base 1 via a second pivot 12, and the other end is pivotally connected to the movable member 4 via a third pivot 13. The lower connecting rod 3 is constructed as a mounting base for the drive device 5. One end of the lower connecting rod 3 is pivotally connected to the fixed base 1 via a first pivot 11, and the other end is pivotally connected to the movable member 4 via the transmission shaft 55 of the drive device 5. Please refer to the following: Figure 3 As shown, specifically, the lower connecting rod 3 includes an inner shell 31, a middle frame 32, an outer shell 33, and a gear cover 34. The inner shell 31 forms a space for installing the drive device 5. The middle frame 32 is fixed to the inner shell 31, and one end of the middle frame 32 is pivotally connected to the fixed base 1. The outer shell 33 covers the inner shell 31 and the middle frame 32 to cover the drive device 5. The gear cover 34 covers the gear set 52 of the drive device 5 to protect the gear set 52.

[0040] Please refer to this carefully. Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the driving device 5 is disposed on the connecting rod, specifically on the lower connecting rod 3. The driving device 5 includes a motor 51, a gear set 52 driven by the output end of the motor 51, a screw 53 driven to rotate by the gear set 52, a worm gear 54 meshing and transmitting with the screw 53, a transmission shaft 55 driven to rotate by the worm gear 54, and a deflector 551 sleeved on the transmission shaft 55. The transmission shaft 55 is configured to drive the movable member 4 and the connecting rod to move relative to the fixed base 1, and the transmission shaft 55 is pivotally connected to the lower connecting rod 3 and the movable member 4. The deflector 551 and the transmission shaft 55 are fixedly arranged relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the transmission shaft 55, that is, the transmission shaft 55 drives the deflector 551 to rotate synchronously. The deflector 551, driven to rotate by the transmission shaft 55, applies force to the movable member 4 to drive the movable member 4 and the connecting rod to move. The output end of the motor 51 is connected to the transmission shaft 55, and the output end is located at the end of the lower connecting rod 3 facing the movable member 4. The orientation of the motor 51's output end towards the movable member 4 facilitates connection to the transmission shaft 55. Furthermore, the connection between the lower connecting rod 3 and the movable member 4 provides more operational space compared to the connection between the lower connecting rod 3 and the fixed base 1, which is beneficial for the installation of components such as the gear set 52, screw 53, and worm gear 54. During operation, the motor 51 starts, driving the transmission shaft 55 to rotate via the gear set 52, screw 53, and worm gear 54. The rotation of the transmission shaft 55 drives the actuating member 551 to rotate, which in turn pushes the movable member 4 to move relative to the fixed base 1. The upper connecting rod 2 and the lower connecting rod 3 rotate around the second rotating shaft 12 and the first rotating shaft 11 in response to the movement of the movable member 4 relative to the fixed base 1.

[0041] This application arranges the drive device 5 on the lower connecting rod 3, and pivotally connects the drive shaft 55 of the drive device 5 to the lower connecting rod 3 and the movable member 4. The actuating member 551 driven by the drive shaft 55 applies force to the movable member 4 to drive the movable member 4 and the connecting rod to move. In this way, the power of the drive device 5 is not transmitted to the movable member 4 through the connecting rod, but is directly applied to the movable member 4, which can shorten the power transmission path and improve the power transmission performance.

[0042] Please see Figures 5 to 7As shown, a load-limiting device 42 is configured between the actuating member 551 and the movable member 4. The position where the lower connecting rod 3 connects to the movable member 4 has a larger operating space compared to the position where the lower connecting rod 3 connects to the fixed base 1, which facilitates the setting of the load-limiting device 42. The load-limiting device 42 is configured to disengage the transmission connection between the actuating member 551 and the movable member 4 when the load borne by the movable member 4 exceeds a load threshold. Specifically, the load-limiting device 42 includes a protrusion that connects the actuating member 551 and the movable member 4 simultaneously, and an elastic member 422 that elastically abuts against the protrusion towards the actuating member 551. The protrusion is configured to transmit power to the movable member 4 in the rotational direction of the actuating member 551. In this embodiment, the protrusion is a ball bearing 421, and the actuating member 551 has a hemispherical groove 5510 for accommodating a portion of the ball bearing 421. Approximately half of the ball bearing 421 is housed in the actuating member 551, and approximately the other half is housed in the movable member 4. When the actuating member 551 rotates, the ball bearing 421 applies force to the movable member 4, causing the movable member 4 to move. The elastic member 422 elastically abuts against the ball bearing 421 towards the actuating member 551, so that when the load on the movable member 4 does not exceed the load threshold, the ball bearing 421 remains housed in the hemispherical groove 5510 of the actuating member 551; when the load on the movable member 4 exceeds the load threshold, the ball bearing 421 compresses the elastic member 422, causing elastic deformation, and the ball bearing 421 disengages from the hemispherical groove 5510. At this time, the transmission connection between the actuating member 551 and the movable member 4 via the ball bearing 421 is disengaged. The load threshold can be adjusted by changing factors such as the elastic force of the elastic element 422 or the mating depth between the ball 421 and the hemispherical groove 5510. The size of the load threshold can be preset during factory production according to actual needs.

[0043] Furthermore, a buffer 552 is disposed between the actuating member 551 and the movable member 4. The actuating member 551 actuates the movable member 4 to rotate via the buffer 552 in at least one direction of movement. The buffer 552 is a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the drive shaft 55. One end of the torsion spring abuts against the actuating member 551, and the other end abuts against the movable member 4. The buffer 552 is placed between the actuating member 551 and the movable member 4 in a torsional compressed state. The buffer 552 can buffer the movement between the actuating member 551 and the movable member 4, avoiding impact caused by hard contact, which could affect the operation of the derailleur 100 and its service life.

[0044] Please refer to it again. Figure 2As shown, an offset member 8 is disposed between the upper connecting rod 2 and the fixed base 1. The offset member 8 is configured to provide an offset force to the upper connecting rod 2 in a rotational direction relative to the fixed base 1, which is conducive to the movement of the upper connecting rod 2. In this embodiment, the offset member 8 is a torsion spring, one end of which abuts against the upper connecting rod 2 and the other end of which abuts against the fixed base 1. When the upper connecting rod 2 moves in one direction with the movable member 4 and the chain guide 6, for example, driving the chain from the small wheel to the large wheel or from the large wheel to the small wheel, the offset member 8 is compressed to store force; when the upper connecting rod 2 moves in the opposite direction with the movable member 4 and the chain guide 6, the compressed offset member 8 releases its elastic force, thereby facilitating the chain derailleur operation.

[0045] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a battery module 7, which provides power to the drive unit 5, is detachably attached to the fixed base 1. The battery module 7 is configured as a relatively independent module, facilitating disassembly, maintenance, inspection, and replacement. The detachable attachment includes, but is not limited to, connections via snap-fit, screws, or magnetic adsorption. In one embodiment, the electric derailleur 100 is wirelessly connected to the user's operating device, such as a shifter used by the user to operate the derailleur 100. The electric derailleur 100 includes a wireless communicator that receives derailleur commands sent wirelessly by the shifter, activating the drive unit 5 to perform derailleur operation. In this embodiment, the wireless communicator is located within the battery module 7, bringing it closer to the outside for easier wireless signal transmission and reception, resulting in more sensitive control. In one embodiment, the derailleur 100 is a bicycle rear derailleur.

[0046] As can be seen from the above description of the specific embodiments, the electric derailleur 100 provided in this application has a drive device 5 configured on a connecting rod. The drive device 5 includes a transmission shaft 55 pivotally connected to the connecting rod and the movable member 4. The derailleur 551 driven by the transmission shaft 55 applies force to the movable member 4 to drive the movable member 4 and the connecting rod to move. In this way, the power of the drive device 5 is not transmitted to the movable member 4 through the connecting rod, but is directly applied to the movable member 4, which can shorten the power transmission path and improve the power transmission performance.

[0047] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electric derailleur, comprising a fixed base, a drive unit, a movable component, a chain guide, and a link, wherein the movable component is configured to be movable relative to the fixed base, the chain guide is rotatably connected to the movable component, and both ends of the link are pivotally connected to the movable component and the fixed base, respectively; characterized in that, The drive device is disposed on the connecting rod, and the drive device includes: A drive shaft configured to drive the movable member and the connecting rod relative to the fixed base, wherein the drive shaft is pivotally connected to the connecting rod and the movable member; and A toggle element, driven to rotate by the drive shaft, is configured to drive the movable element and the linkage to move by applying force to the movable element; A load limiting device is provided between the actuating component and the movable component. The load limiting device is configured to disconnect the transmission connection between the actuating component and the movable component when the load borne by the movable component exceeds a load threshold.

2. The electric derailleur as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive device includes a motor having an output end that is tractively connected to the drive shaft, the output end being located at the end of the connecting rod facing the movable member.

3. The electric derailleur as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage includes an upper linkage and a lower linkage that are pivotally connected to the fixed base and the movable member, respectively, and the upper linkage and the lower linkage move in response to movement of the movable member relative to the fixed base.

4. The electric derailleur as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The load limiting device includes a protrusion that connects both the actuating member and the movable member. The protrusion is configured to transmit power to the movable member in the rotational direction of the actuating member.

5. The electric derailleur as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The protrusion is a ball bearing, and the actuating member has a hemispherical groove for accommodating a portion of the ball bearing.

6. The electric derailleur as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The load limiting device includes an elastic element that elastically abuts against the ball towards the actuating element.

7. The electric derailleur as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A buffer is disposed between the actuating member and the movable member, and the actuating member actuates the movable member to rotate through the buffer in at least one direction of movement.

8. The electric derailleur as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The buffer is a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the drive shaft. One end of the torsion spring abuts against the actuating member, and the other end abuts against the movable member.

9. The electric derailleur as described in claim 3, characterized in that, An offsetting member is disposed between the upper connecting rod and the fixed base. The offsetting member is configured to provide an offsetting force to the upper connecting rod in a rotational direction relative to the fixed base, which is conducive to the movement of the upper connecting rod.

10. The electric derailleur as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The biasing component is a torsion spring, with one end of the torsion spring abutting against the upper connecting rod and the other end abutting against the fixed base.

11. The electric derailleur as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A battery module that provides power to the drive unit is detachably attached to the fixed base.

12. The electric derailleur as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The electric derailleur includes a wireless communicator, which is disposed in the battery module.

13. The electric derailleur as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The derailleur is a bicycle rear derailleur.

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