Variable speed control device and bicycle

Abstract

The invention provides a variable speed control device and a bicycle. The variable speed control device comprises a main body and a variable speed operation unit, a speed change positioning component arranged on the speed change operation unit can selectively maintain the winding component at a first output position, a second output position or a third output position; a pushing piece of the variable-speed positioning component is in linkage fit with the operating component, and correspondingly provides power for movably switching the coiling component at any output position in the first direction; the locking piece can allow the winding component to move in a one-way intermittent mode and limit the winding component to the output position driven by the pushing piece. The unlocking piece directly controls the locking piece so as to release the limitation on the coiling component; when the unlocking piece is controlled to trigger the locking piece to release limiting, the winding component can correspondingly reset and rotate to a first output position in a self-adaptive manner; therefore, the speed change control is simplified, the speed change system can be automatically reset after the lock is unlocked, and the convenience of user operation is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of bicycles, and in particular to a speed change control device and a bicycle. Background Art

[0002] The bicycle speed controller specifically relates to a hand shift on a multi-stage road bicycle, which includes a front derailleur, a rear derailleur and a speed control device. The front derailleur is installed under the seat and on the riser of the frame, and is used to control the meshing and switching of the chain with each sprocket of the front sprocket group (or toothed disc). The rear derailleur is installed on the rear fork of the frame, and is used to control the meshing and switching of the chain with each sprocket of the rear sprocket group (or flywheel). Thereby, different speed ratios are generated to realize the function of speed change. The speed control device is used to control the action of the front derailleur and the rear derailleur, and drive the chain to switch and mesh with each sprocket. The controller is usually installed on the handlebars, which is convenient for the rider to control by hand.

[0003] At present, especially when the left-handed control of the front derailleur drives the chain to engage and switch with each sprocket of the front sprocket group (or toothed disc), the chain is in the derailleur bracket of the front derailleur, and the manufacturing errors and plane runout errors of the front derailleur, chain, and front sprocket group make it easy for the front derailleur to rub against the chain, and the position control and guidance during the speed change process are relatively cumbersome and inconvenient. At the same time, there are still many defects and deficiencies in the speed change positioning and unlocking operation, which lead to problems such as difficult user operation, slow response, and poor feedback. In view of this, this application is specially proposed. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a speed control device and a bicycle to solve the above problems.

[0005] The present invention adopts the following scheme:

[0006] The present application provides a speed control device, comprising a main body and a speed operation unit accommodated in the main body; the speed operation unit comprises an operating member, a winding member and a speed positioning member; the winding member is used to be connected to an external chain-shifting device, and is controlled by the operating member to implement the reel-and-release line output; the speed positioning member can selectively maintain the winding member in a first output position, a second output position, or a third output position, so as to define different guiding positions for the chain-shifting device; the speed positioning member comprises: a pushing member, a locking member, and an unlocking member; the pushing member is linked and coordinated with the operating member, and correspondingly provides power for movably switching the winding member in any output position along a first direction; the locking member can allow the winding member to move in a unidirectional intermittent form, and limit the winding member to the output position driven by the pushing member; the unlocking member directly operates the locking member to release the limit on the winding member; wherein, when the unlocking member is operated to trigger the locking member and release the limit, the winding member can adaptively return to the first output position or the previous output position.

[0007] As a further improvement, the shift positioning member is responsive to the operating member to move the take-up member along a first direction from the first output position to the second output position, and the third output position is beyond the second output position.

[0008] As a further improvement, the first output position corresponds to a first guide position for the derailleur device, the second output position corresponds to a second guide position for the derailleur device, and the third output position corresponds to a third guide position for the derailleur device; and the distance between the first guide position and the second guide position is greater than the distance between the third guide position and the second guide position, so as to form a larger amount of movement acting on the winding member.

[0009] As a further improvement, the larger distance is configured to be between 2 and 5 times the smaller distance.

[0010] As a further improvement, a mounting seat is installed in the main body; the pushing member and the winding member are synchronously rotatably arranged on the mounting seat through an active shaft, and the mounting seat is provided with an elastic biasing member that can provide the winding member with automatic reset rotation along a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0011] As a further improvement, the pushing member is configured as a ratchet structure, the operating component is provided with a finger lever with a pawl structure, and the ratchet structure is correspondingly provided with a plurality of ratchet parts that can adapt to the pawl structure; the finger lever abuts against and drives the pushing member and the winding member to rotate along the first direction along the pressure direction, and allows the pushing member to rotate freely relative to the finger lever when returning to rotation along the second direction.

[0012] As a further improvement, a release ratchet that cooperates with the locking member is correspondingly provided on the active shaft, and the locking member is configured as a release pawl that is matched with the release ratchet; wherein the unlocking member is configured as a release rod, and the release rod is operably connected to the release pawl; in the non-operating state, the release pawl is always kept in a tendency to disengage from the release ratchet by a torsion spring, and in the operating state, the release pawl is operably biased onto the release ratchet to quickly position the first output position after the winding member is reset.

[0013] As a further improvement, the driving shaft is provided with a synchronously rotatable positioning ratchet, the positioning ratchet is adjacent to the winding member, and the locking member is also provided with a positioning pawl matching the positioning ratchet to allow the winding member to rotate freely along the first direction in a unidirectional intermittent manner; wherein the positioning pawl is linked to the release rod, and in the non-operating state, the positioning pawl is operably biased to the positioning ratchet by another torsion spring, and in the operating state, the positioning pawl and the positioning ratchet are disengaged from each other; and, the positioning ratchet is respectively provided with a first ratchet corresponding to the first output position, a second ratchet corresponding to the second output position, and a third ratchet corresponding to the third output position along the circumferential direction, and the height of the second ratchet is greater than the height of the third ratchet; and, the positioning ratchet and the release ratchet are an integral part, or are fixed to each other as a whole.

[0014] As a further improvement, the winding member is configured as a winding seat with a speed-changing wire, and the length of the wire is changed by rotating the winding seat in forward and reverse directions, thereby driving the chain shifting device to move the chain accurately to the corresponding sprocket to achieve speed change; and the chain shifting device is a front derailleur, which is used to control the engagement and switching of the external chain on the two sprockets of the crankset; and the main body is also provided with a brake lever, which is used to implement braking control on an external bicycle; and a clamp ring is also provided, which is used to detachably equip the main body on the handlebar of a bicycle.

[0015] The present application further provides a bicycle, comprising a vehicle body and the above-mentioned speed control device; the speed control device is correspondingly installed on the handlebar on the left hand side of the vehicle body, and is used to control the action of the front derailleur, so that the chain engages and switches between the sprockets to achieve speed regulation operation.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention can achieve the following technical effects:

[0017] 1. The speed control device of the present application, with the coordinated cooperation of the operating member, the winding member and the speed positioning member, is connected to the external chain shifting device through the reel-up and reel-down line of the winding member, so as to accurately control the engagement of the chain with different sprockets, and the speed positioning member provides a plurality of selectable guide positions for the chain shifting device through the precise setting of the first output position, the second output position, and the third output position, so as to realize the precise speed shifting adjustment of multiple gears.

[0018] 2. The pusher cooperates with the operating member to provide power for movement in the first direction, and can efficiently control the switching of the winding member between various output positions, making the speed change smoother, reducing the lag during operation, and improving the riding experience.

[0019] 3. In addition, the locking member allows the winding member to operate in the form of unidirectional intermittent motion. When the pushing member drives the winding member to reach any output position, the locking member can stably maintain it in this position, ensuring the precise engagement of the chain and the sprocket, and preventing speed change failure caused by misoperation. Then, by manipulating the unlocking member, the limit of the winding member by the locking member can be released, so that the winding member can adaptively return to the initial first output position or the previous output position, which not only simplifies the speed change control, but also ensures that the speed change system can automatically reset after the lock is released, thereby improving the convenience of user operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the speed control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the right figure is a partial disassembly diagram;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the speed control device according to an embodiment of the present invention from other viewing angles;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a speed change operation unit of a speed change control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective;

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure from other perspectives;

[0025] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a speed shift operating unit of a speed shift control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a pusher of a speed control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8is a schematic structural diagram of a release ratchet and a positioning ratchet of a speed control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure from other perspectives;

[0029] Fig.10 Schematic diagram of the chain guide and its guide position generated by the speed control device of the embodiment of the present invention by operating the derailleur device.

[0030] icon:

[0031] 1-main body; 11-mounting seat; 12-driving shaft; 13-elastic biasing member; 14-releasing ratchet; 15-positioning ratchet; 151-first ratchet; 152-second ratchet; 153-third ratchet; 16-brake lever; 17-clamp ring;

[0032] 2-speed shifting operation unit; 21-finger lever; 22-winding seat; 23-pushing member; 231-ratchet structure; 232-ratchet portion; 24-locking member; 241-release pawl; 242-positioning pawl; 25-unlocking member; 251-release lever;

[0033] L1-first output position; T1-second output position; T2-third output position; F1-large sprocket; F2-small sprocket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Example

[0036] Combination Figures 1 to 10 This embodiment provides a speed control device, including a main body 1 and a speed operation unit 2 accommodated in the main body 1.

[0037] The speed change operation unit 2 includes an operating member, a winding member, and a speed change positioning member. The winding member is used to be connected to an external chain shifting device, and is controlled by the operating member to implement the reeling and releasing line output. The speed change positioning member can selectively maintain the winding member in the first output position L1, the second output position T1, or the third output position T2, thereby defining different guiding positions for the chain shifting device.

[0038] The shift positioning member comprises: a pusher 23, a locking member 24, and an unlocking member 25. The pusher 23 cooperates with the operating member to provide power for switching the winding member in any output position along the first direction. The locking member 24 allows the winding member to move in a unidirectional intermittent manner and limits the winding member to the output position driven by the pusher 23. The unlocking member 25 directly operates the locking member 24 to release the limit of the winding member.

[0039] When the unlocking member 25 is manipulated to trigger the locking member 24 and release the limit, the winding member can adaptively return to the first output position L1 or the previous output position. By definition, the first output position L1 is the previous output position of the second output position T1, and the second output position T1 is the previous output position of the third output position T2.

[0040] In the above, the locking member 24 allows the winding member to operate in the form of unidirectional intermittent motion. When the pushing member 23 drives the winding member to reach any output position, the locking member 24 can stably maintain it in this position, ensuring the precise engagement of the chain and the sprocket, and preventing speed failure caused by misoperation. Then, by manipulating the unlocking member 25, the limit of the winding member by the locking member 24 can be released, so that the winding member can adaptively return to the initial first output position L1 or the previous output position, which not only simplifies the speed control, but also ensures that the speed system can automatically reset after the lock is released, thereby improving the convenience of user operation.

[0041] like Fig.10 As shown, in this embodiment, the shift positioning member responds to the operating member to move the take-up member from the first output position L1 to the second output position T1 along the first direction, and the third output position T2 exceeds the second output position T1. Further, the first output position L1 corresponds to the first guide position used for the derailleur device, the second output position T1 corresponds to the second guide position used for the derailleur device, and the third output position T2 corresponds to the third guide position used for the derailleur device.

[0042] In the above, the first output position L1 is the initial position, and the first guide position defined at this time corresponds to meshing the chain with the small sprocket F2 of the toothed disk to adjust to a low speed. The winding member is triggered by the operating member to switch from the first output position L1 to the second output position T1, and the second guide position defined at this time corresponds to meshing the chain with the large sprocket F1 of the toothed disk to adjust to a high speed. The third output position T2 beyond the second output position T1 can provide a third guide position farther than the second guide position when switching to a high speed, so as to quickly and conveniently move the chain to mesh with the large sprocket F1.

[0043] The distance between the first guide position and the second guide position is greater than the distance between the third guide position and the second guide position, so as to form a larger movement amount acting on the winding member. Different movement amounts can directly provide feedback to the user's hand feeling of turning the switch, and the larger movement amount required for the larger distance formed between the first guide position and the second guide position is defined as a first gear, while the smaller movement amount required for the smaller distance formed between the third guide position and the second guide position is defined as a half gear, so as to be more ergonomic.

[0044] Preferably, the greater distance is configured to be between 2 and 5 times the smaller distance. More preferably, at 2.5 times, the different guide positions defined by the distance difference reach the best operating state. Thus, by setting the third output position T2 at a farther distance than the second output position T1, on the one hand, the gap between the chain support of the front derailleur and the chain can be adjusted to avoid friction. On the other hand, when switching from the position of the small sprocket F2 to the position of the large sprocket F1, the chain needs to pass through a series of auxiliary structures on the large sprocket F1 to crawl to the large sprocket F1 for engagement. However, there are various manufacturing errors, which make it impossible for the chain to quickly reach the large sprocket F1, thereby shifting the front derailleur to the farther third guide position, so that the chain can be quickly shifted to the position of the large sprocket F1. In addition, if there is friction between the chain and the front derailleur, the front derailleur can be flexibly returned to the first guide position, further playing a role in assisting the chain shifting.

[0045] like Figures 3 to 6As shown, in this embodiment, a mounting seat 11 is installed in the main body 1. The pusher 23 and the winding member are synchronously rotatably arranged on the mounting seat 11 through a driving shaft 12, and the mounting seat 11 is provided with an elastic biasing member 13 that can provide the winding member with automatic reset rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Obviously, the coaxially arranged winding member and the pusher 23 can rotate synchronously to perform switching control of the output position. And under the action of the elastic biasing member 13, the winding member can automatically reset and rotate after the locking member 24 releases the limit on the winding member. Among them, the elastic biasing member 13 is preferably a torsion spring or a spring sheet accommodated in the mounting seat 11.

[0046] In this embodiment, the push member 23 is configured as a ratchet structure 231, and the operating member is provided with a finger lever 21 with a pawl structure, and the ratchet structure 231 is correspondingly provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth 232 that can be adapted to the pawl structure. The finger lever 21 abuts against and drives the push member 23 and the winding member to rotate in a first direction along the pressure direction (from top to bottom), and allows the push member 23 to rotate freely relative to the finger lever 21 when resetting and rotating in a second direction. It should be mentioned that the ratchet structure 231 can rotate in a single direction relative to the pawl structure, and is locked in the reverse direction, which belongs to the existing mechanical connection structure, so it will not be described here.

[0047] Furthermore, the driving shaft 12 is provided with a release ratchet 14 corresponding to the locking member 24, and the locking member 24 is configured as a release pawl 241 matched with the release ratchet 14. The unlocking member 25 is configured as a release rod 251, and the release rod 251 is operably connected to the release pawl 241. In the non-operating state, the release pawl 241 always maintains a tendency to separate from the release ratchet 14 through a torsion spring, and in the operating state, the release pawl 241 is operably biased to the release ratchet 14 to quickly locate the first output position L1 after the resetting of the winding member.

[0048] Specifically, the driving shaft 12 is provided with a synchronously rotatable positioning ratchet 15, the positioning ratchet 15 is adjacent to the winding member, and the locking member 24 is also provided with a positioning pawl 242 matched with the positioning ratchet 15, so as to allow the winding member to rotate freely along the first direction in a unidirectional intermittent manner. The positioning pawl 242 is linked with the release rod 251, and in the non-operating state, the positioning pawl 242 is operably biased to the positioning ratchet 15 by another torsion spring, and in the operating state, the positioning pawl 242 and the positioning ratchet 15 are separated from each other.

[0049] In the above, in the non-operating state, the release lever 251 is located at the initial position, at which the release pawl 241 is separated from the release ratchet 14, and the positioning pawl 242 is pressed against the positioning ratchet 15, so that the driving shaft 12 can be allowed to rotate in the first direction under the driving of the finger lever 21, and is locked in the second direction by the positioning pawl 242. In the operating state, the trigger release lever 251 is located in the unlocking position, at which the moving release pawl 241 is pressed against the release ratchet 14, and the moving positioning pawl 242 is separated from the positioning ratchet 15, so that the locking of the positioning pawl 242 on the positioning ratchet 15 is released, and the driving shaft 12 and the winding member are allowed to automatically reset in the second direction, and at this time, the release pawl 241 is pressed against the release ratchet 14 to lock the release ratchet 14 in the first direction so that it is accurately limited to the output position after the gear is downshifted.

[0050] like Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the positioning ratchet 15 is provided with a first ratchet 151 corresponding to the first output position L1, a second ratchet 152 corresponding to the second output position T1, and a third ratchet 153 corresponding to the third output position T2 along the circumferential direction, and the height of the second ratchet 152 is greater than the height of the third ratchet 153. Therefore, the thrust required for the first ratchet 151 to move to the second ratchet 152 is greater than the thrust required for the second ratchet 152 to move to the third ratchet 153, so that the rider can clearly feel the difference in gear switching and determine the gear position, and the second ratchet 152 with a protruding arrangement in the middle can intuitively give the thrust difference during switching.

[0051] Preferably, the positioning ratchet 15 and the releasing ratchet 14 are an integral piece, or are fixedly connected to each other to form a whole. In addition, the releasing ratchet 14 is closer to the winding member.

[0052] In other embodiments, the positioning ratchet 15 and the releasing ratchet 14 may be separately spaced apart, which all fall within the protection scope of the present case.

[0053] In this embodiment, the winding member is configured as a winding seat 22 with a speed-changing wire. By rotating the winding seat 22 in forward and reverse directions, the length of the wire is pulled to change, thereby driving the chain shifting device to move and accurately shift the chain to the corresponding sprocket to achieve speed change.

[0054] In this embodiment, the chain derailleur device is a front derailleur (not shown), which is used to control the meshing and switching of the external chain on the two sprocket wheels of the toothed disk. For the specific structural configuration of the front derailleur, further reference can be made to existing designs, which are not limited here.

[0055] In this embodiment, the main body 1 is further provided with a brake lever 16, which is used to implement brake control on the external bicycle. Preferably, the brake lever 16 is located in front of the finger lever 21, and is used to operate after the user presses it forward and backward. The release lever 251 is correspondingly configured on one side of the main body 1, so that they do not interfere with each other in operation.

[0056] In this embodiment, the speed control device is further provided with a clamp ring 17, which is used to detachably equip the main body 1 on the handlebar of the bicycle. Preferably, the clamp ring 17 is set as a clamp structure to facilitate quick disassembly and assembly on the handlebar of the bicycle.

[0057] In addition, this embodiment also provides a bicycle, including a bicycle body (not shown), and the above-mentioned speed control device. The speed control device is correspondingly installed on the handlebar on the left hand side of the bicycle body, and is used to control the action of the front derailleur, so that the chain is engaged and switched between the sprockets to achieve speed adjustment operation.

[0058] The above are only preferred implementations of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions under the concept of the present invention belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A speed control device, comprising a main body and a speed operation unit accommodated in the main body; characterized in that: The speed change operation unit includes an operating member, a winding member and a speed change positioning member; the winding member is used to be connected to an external chain shifting device, and is controlled by the operating member to implement the corresponding retractable line output; the speed change positioning member can selectively maintain the winding member in a first output position, a second output position, or a third output position, thereby defining different guiding positions for the chain shifting device; the speed change positioning member has: a pushing member, which cooperates with the operating member and provides power for switching the winding member to any output position along the first direction; and A locking member capable of allowing the take-up member to move in a unidirectional intermittent manner and limiting the take-up member to a delivery position driven by the pushing member; as well as, An unlocking member, directly operating the locking member to release the restriction on the winding member; When the unlocking member is manipulated to trigger the locking member and release the limit, the winding member can adaptively return to the first output position or the previous output position.

2. The speed control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shift positioning member is responsive to an operating member to move the take-up member in a first direction from the first output position to the second output position, the third output position being beyond the second output position.

3. The speed control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first output position corresponds to a first guide position for a derailleur device, the second output position corresponds to a second guide position for a derailleur device, and the third output position corresponds to a third guide position for a derailleur device; Furthermore, a distance between the first guide position and the second guide position is greater than a distance between the third guide position and the second guide position, so as to form a larger movement amount acting on the take-up member.

4. The speed control device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The larger distance is configured to be between 2 and 5 times the smaller distance.

5. The speed control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mounting seat is installed in the main body; the pushing member and the winding member are synchronously rotatably arranged on the mounting seat through a driving shaft, and the mounting seat is provided with an elastic biasing member that can provide the winding member with automatic reset rotation along a second direction opposite to the first direction.

6. The speed control device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pushing member is configured as a ratchet structure, the operating component is provided with a finger lever with a pawl structure, and the ratchet structure is correspondingly provided with a plurality of ratchet parts that can be adapted to the pawl structure; the finger lever abuts against and drives the pushing member and the winding member to rotate along the first direction along the pressure direction, and allows the pushing member to rotate freely relative to the finger lever when returning to rotation along the second direction.

7. The speed change control device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A release ratchet matched with the locking element is correspondingly provided on the driving shaft, and the locking element is configured as a release pawl matched with the release ratchet; Wherein, the unlocking member is configured as a release rod, which is operably connected to a release pawl; in a non-operating state, the release pawl is always kept in a tendency to disengage from the release ratchet by a torsion spring, and in an operating state, the release pawl is operably biased onto the release ratchet to quickly position the first output position after the winding member is reset.

8. The speed change control device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The driving shaft is provided with a synchronously rotatable positioning ratchet, the positioning ratchet is adjacent to the winding member, and the locking member is further provided with a positioning pawl matched with the positioning ratchet to allow the winding member to rotate freely along the first direction in a unidirectional intermittent manner; Wherein, the positioning pawl is linked with the release lever, and in the non-operating state, the positioning pawl is operably biased to the positioning ratchet by another torsion spring, and in the operating state, the positioning pawl and the positioning ratchet are disengaged from each other; Furthermore, the positioning ratchet is provided with a first ratchet tooth corresponding to the first output position, a second ratchet tooth corresponding to the second output position, and a third ratchet tooth corresponding to the third output position along the circumferential direction, and the height of the second ratchet tooth is greater than the height of the third ratchet tooth; Furthermore, the positioning ratchet and the releasing ratchet are an integral piece or are fixedly connected to each other to form a whole.

9. The speed control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The winding member is configured as a winding seat with a speed-changing metal wire. The length of the metal wire is changed by rotating the winding seat in the forward and reverse directions, thereby driving the chain shifting device to move and accurately shift the chain to the corresponding sprocket to achieve speed change. And, the derailleur device is a front derailleur, which is used to control the meshing and switching of the external chain on the two sprockets of the toothed disc; Furthermore, the main body is provided with a brake lever, which is used to implement brake control on the external bicycle; Furthermore, a clamp ring is provided, and the clamp ring is used to detachably equip the main body on the handlebar of the bicycle.

10. A bicycle, characterized in that: It comprises a vehicle body and a speed control device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9; wherein: The speed control device is correspondingly mounted on the handlebar on the left hand side of the vehicle body, and is used to control the action of the front derailleur, so that the chain is meshed and switched between the sprockets to achieve speed regulation operation.

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