Electromechanical locking device and derailleur

Abstract

The utility model provides an electromechanical locking device and a derailleur. The electromechanical locking device is arranged on a movable component of a derailleur and can be connected to a chain guide piece of the derailleur, the electromechanical locking device comprises a driving mechanism and a locking mechanism, and the driving mechanism can drive the locking mechanism to be switched between a locking state and an unlocking state relative to the chain guide piece; wherein, in the locked state, the locking mechanism locks the chain guide to provide resistance when the chain guide is rotated relative to the movable member in at least one rotational direction; in the unlocked state, the locking mechanism releases the locking with the chain guide to remove the resistance. According to the electromechanical locking device and the derailleur, the problem that a chain on the derailleur is vibrated and loosened can be reliably solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of bicycles, and particularly to an electromechanical locking device and a derailleur. Background Art

[0002] A derailleur is an important component of a variable-speed bicycle, which is used to push a chain to switch between sprocket discs with different diameters to change the transmission ratio and achieve speed change. The derailleur has a chain guide, and a tension wheel engaged with the chain is arranged on the chain guide. During the speed change shifting process, the length of the chain cooperating with sprocket discs with different diameters is variable. Therefore, during the speed change shifting process, the chain guide will change the angle to tighten or release a certain length of the chain.

[0003] In the prior art, the chain guide is usually kept in a tensioned state by the force applied by an elastic biasing element. When the bicycle travels on a flat terrain, the solutions in the prior art are usually sufficient to keep the chain guide in a tensioned state, so as to ensure that the chain has sufficient tension and will not fall off the sprocket. However, when the bicycle travels on a rough terrain, due to large bumps and vibrations, the chain guide will shake in a direction that makes the chain loose at some moments, which will cause the chain to become loose and result in chain dropping.

[0004] In this regard, there are solutions in the prior art to alleviate the above problems by increasing a damping system. For example, a Chinese invention patent with the publication number CN108995759B discloses a damper device for a rear derailleur. Although adding the damper device can alleviate the problem of chain loosening and dropping, the derailleur needs to do work against the damping force of the damper device during the speed change shifting process, which will increase energy consumption. Therefore, during the speed change shifting process, the existence of the damping force has an adverse effect. For this reason, the damping force cannot be set infinitely large in the prior art. Therefore, in some extreme cases, it is still possible that the vibration force is greater than the damping force and the chain becomes loose.

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to propose a new technical solution to overcome the problems existing in the prior art. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] The present application provides an electromechanical locking device and a derailleur to reliably solve the problem of chain vibration and loosening on the derailleur.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present application adopts the following technical solution: An electromechanical locking device is configured on a movable member of a derailleur and can be engaged with a chain guide of the derailleur. The electromechanical locking device includes a driving mechanism and a locking mechanism. The driving mechanism can drive the locking mechanism to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state relative to the chain guide.

[0008] Wherein, in the locked state, the locking mechanism locks the chain guide to provide resistance when the chain guide rotates relative to the movable member in at least one rotational direction;

[0009] In the unlocked state, the locking mechanism releases the lock with the chain guide to remove the resistance.

[0010] Optionally, the drive mechanism drives the locking mechanism to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state in a manner of engaging and disengaging.

[0011] Optionally, the locking mechanism is joined to the chain guide through a main shaft, and matching protrusions and grooves are provided between the locking mechanism and the main shaft. The locking mechanism restricts the rotation of the main shaft and the chain guide through the insertion and cooperation of the protrusions and grooves.

[0012] Optionally, one of the protrusions and grooves is arranged on the lower end face of the locking mechanism, and the other is arranged on the upper end face of the main shaft. The drive mechanism drives the locking mechanism to move in the vertical direction so that the protrusions and the grooves are engaged or disengaged.

[0013] Optionally, the drive mechanism includes a motor and a screw rod driven by the motor to rotate. The locking mechanism is configured such that its rotational movement around the screw rod axis is blocked while its movement along the screw rod axis is allowed. The locking mechanism is threadedly connected to the screw rod to be driven to move upward or downward along the screw rod axis by the rotational movement of the screw rod.

[0014] Optionally, in the locked state, the rotation of the chain guide relative to the movable member in the first rotational direction is blocked, while the rotation in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction is allowed; wherein, the second rotational direction is the direction in which the chain on the chain guide is tensioned.

[0015] Optionally, the locking mechanism is joined to the chain guide through a main shaft, and the locking mechanism includes:

[0016] A bushing sleeved on the main shaft and relatively fixed to the main shaft in the circumferential direction and capable of relatively sliding in the axial direction;

[0017] A one-way bearing sleeved outside the main shaft and adapted to be inserted and cooperated with the bushing;

[0018] Wherein, when the bushing is inserted and cooperated with the one-way bearing, the bushing, the main shaft and the chain guide can only rotate in the second direction, while the rotation in the first direction is blocked.

[0019] Optionally, the locking mechanism further includes an elastic member disposed between the bushing and the one-way bearing, and the elastic member is configured to provide an elastic force for the bushing to slide in a direction away from the one-way bearing.

[0020] Optionally, the electromechanical locking device includes a state detection unit configured to detect the rotation angle of a motor included in the driving mechanism and determine the state of the locking mechanism according to the rotation angle.

[0021] The present application also adopts the following technical solution: A derailleur includes a fixed base, a link mechanism, a movable member, a chain guide, and the electromechanical locking device as described above. The derailleur controls shifting by means of a shift electrical signal, wherein the shift electrical signal is configured to first trigger the electromechanical locking device to release the resistance force, and then trigger the derailleur to perform a chain shifting action.

[0022] The electromechanical locking device and the derailleur provided by the present application include a driving mechanism and a locking mechanism. The driving mechanism can drive the locking mechanism to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the locking mechanism locks the chain guide to provide a resistance force when the chain guide rotates relative to the movable member in at least one rotation direction, so as to prevent the chain from loosening and dropping due to the vibration of the chain guide; in the unlocked state, the locking mechanism releases the locking with the chain guide to remove the resistance force. In this unlocked state, the derailleur shifts gears, which can reduce the shifting resistance and improve the smoothness and reliability of shifting. Description of the Drawings

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of the present application and do not limit the present application.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional combined view of an embodiment of the derailleur of the present application.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional combined view of an embodiment of the electromechanical locking device of the present application and the movable member.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of an embodiment of the electromechanical locking device of the present application and the movable member.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the electromechanical locking device of the present application.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional combined view of another embodiment of the electromechanical locking device of the present application and the movable member.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of another embodiment of the electromechanical locking device of the present application and a movable member.

[0030] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the electromechanical locking device of the present application and a movable member.

[0031] Description of reference numerals: 100, derailleur; 10, movable member; 20, fixed base; 30, linkage mechanism; 40, chain guide; 11, member body; 12, member upper cover; 13, member bottom cover; 2, main shaft; 23, groove; 3, drive mechanism; 31, mounting seat; 32, motor; 33, cam; 35, gear set; 36, screw; 361, external thread; 37, circuit board; 371, detector; 5, nut member; 51, protrusion; 52, internal thread; 53, limiting convex portion; 6, spring; 8, bushing; 81, shaft hole; 82, elastic member; 9, one-way bearing. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components of the embodiments of the present application described and illustrated in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0033] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in this patent document shall have the ordinary meanings as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first", "second" and similar words used in the patent specification and claims of this application do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "a", "an" or "the" do not denote a quantity limitation, but mean that there is at least one. Words such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the elements or objects appearing before "comprising" or "including" cover the elements or objects listed after "comprising" or "including" and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. Terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. It is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "mounted", "connected" and "coupled" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0036] The following will describe in detail some embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Without conflict, the features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 1As shown, the present application discloses a derailleur 100, which is a rear derailleur of a bicycle in this embodiment. The derailleur includes a fixed base 20, a linkage mechanism 30, a movable member 10, a chain guide 40, and an electromechanical locking device disposed on the movable member 10. The fixed base 20 is used to attach the derailleur 100 to a bicycle; the linkage mechanism 30 is movably connected between the fixed base 20 and the movable member 10 to enable the movable member 10 to move relative to the fixed base 20 to achieve gear shifting; the chain guide 40 is rotatably connected to the movable member 10 and is used to rotate relative to the movable member 10 to tension the chain threaded through the chain guide 40. The electromechanical locking device is disposed within the movable member 10 and can engage with the chain guide 40 to lock the chain guide 40 when the derailleur 100 is not shifting to prevent the chain guide 40 from shaking and causing the chain to slack and drop off, and to release the lock when the derailleur 100 is shifting to avoid excessive shifting resistance and poor shifting smoothness.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 2 to 7 As shown, the electromechanical locking device includes a driving mechanism 3 and a locking mechanism, and the driving mechanism can drive the locking mechanism to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. Among them, in the locked state, the locking mechanism locks the chain guide 40 to provide a resistance force when the chain guide 40 rotates relative to the movable member 10 in at least one rotational direction; in the unlocked state, the locking mechanism releases the lock with the chain guide 40 to remove the resistance force. Among them, when the derailleur 100 is in the process of shifting gears, the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state. The derailleur 100 provided by the present application has a better effect of preventing the chain guide from vibrating and causing the chain to slack and drop off when not shifting gears, and is not blocked by the locking mechanism during the shifting process, having the effects of reducing the shifting resistance, improving the shifting smoothness and reliability.

[0039] Embodiment 1

[0040] Please refer to Figures 2 to 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the structure of the movable member 10 is substantially the same as that in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the movable member 10 includes a member body 11, a member upper cover 12 covering the upper end of the member body 11, and a member bottom cover 13 covering the lower end of the member body 11. A cavity is provided within the member body 11, and the electromechanical locking device is disposed within the cavity. One end of the chain guide 40 has a rotating shaft that extends through the member bottom cover 13 into the cavity to be able to engage with the electromechanical locking device. In this embodiment, the driving mechanism 3 drives the locking mechanism to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state in a clamping and releasing clamping manner.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the driving mechanism includes a motor 32 and a screw 36 driven by the motor 32 to rotate. Further, the motor 32 drives the screw 36 to rotate through a gear set 35. The upper end of the screw 36 is sleeved and fixed at the center of the gear to rotate under the drive of the gear. A section of the screw 36 near the middle is provided with an external thread 361, which is used to cooperate with the internal thread 52 provided on the locking mechanism to drive the locking mechanism to move up and down.

[0042] The locking mechanism is joined to the chain guide 40 through a main shaft 2. The lower part of the main shaft 2 can be connected to the chain guide 40 by means of a spline or a screw, etc. A plurality of grooves 23 are provided at the upper end of the main shaft 2. The locking mechanism is configured such that its rotational movement around the axis of the screw 36 is blocked while its movement along the axis of the screw 36 is allowed. The locking mechanism is threadedly connected to the screw 36 to be driven to move up or down along the axis of the screw 36 by the rotational movement of the screw 36. A matching protrusion 51 and groove 23 are provided between the locking mechanism and the main shaft. The locking mechanism restricts the rotation of the main shaft 2 and the chain guide 40 through the insertion and cooperation of the protrusion 51 and the groove 23. When the locking mechanism moves downward, the protrusion 51 can be inserted into the groove 23, realizing the relative locking of the circumferential rotation of the main shaft 2 and the locking mechanism; when the locking mechanism moves upward, the protrusion 51 can be separated from the groove 23, so that the circumferential rotation of the main shaft 2 is not restricted by the locking mechanism.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the locking mechanism is a nut member 5. The central through hole of the nut member 5 is provided with an internal thread 52. The lower end surface of the nut member 5 faces the upper end surface of the main shaft 2, and a plurality of protrusions 51 are provided on this lower end surface. A plurality of limit convex portions 53 are provided on the circumferential side wall of the nut member 5, which are used to cooperate with the member body 11 of the movable member 10 to prevent the nut member 5 from rotating; specifically, a groove cooperating with the limit convex portion 53 is provided on the member body 11, and this groove extends in the up and down direction. The limit convex portion 53 is located in this groove and cannot rotate, but can slide in the up and down direction along this groove. A spring 6 is further provided above the nut member 5. The spring 6 can apply a downward force to the nut member 5 to reduce the risk of accidental unlocking of the locking between the nut member 5 and the main shaft 2 due to the upward movement of the nut member 5 caused by vibration or other reasons.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 4As shown in the figure, during use, the chain guide 40 is connected to the main shaft 2 and the two are relatively fixed in the rotational direction. When the motor 32 drives the screw 36 to rotate forward through the gear set 35, due to the cooperation of the internal thread 52 and the external thread 361, the nut member 5 moves downward so that the protrusion 51 on the nut member 5 cooperates with the groove 23 on the main shaft 2, and the main shaft 2 and the chain guide 40 connected thereto are locked and cannot rotate. In this way, it is possible to prevent the chain guide 40 from shaking and causing damage or detachment of the chain. When the motor 32 drives the screw 36 to rotate reversely through the gear set 35, due to the cooperation of the internal thread 52 and the external thread 361, the nut member 5 moves upward so that the protrusion 51 on the nut member 5 disengages from the groove 23 on the main shaft 2, and the main shaft 2 and the chain guide 40 connected thereto are unlocked from the nut member 5 and can rotate normally. At this time, the rotation of the main shaft 2 and the chain guide 40 connected thereto is not affected by the resistance of the nut member 5. At this time, shifting can be performed, so that the shifting resistance is small, the shifting energy consumption is reduced, and the shifting smoothness and reliability are improved.

[0045] Embodiment 2

[0046] Please refer to Figures 5 to 7 As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the structure of the movable member 10 is substantially the same as that in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the movable member 10 includes a member body 11, a member upper cover 12 covering the upper end of the member body 11, and a member bottom cover 13 covering the lower end of the member body 11. A cavity is formed in the member body 11, and the electromechanical locking device is disposed in the cavity. One end of the chain guide 40 has a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft extends through the member bottom cover 13 and into the cavity to be able to engage with the electromechanical locking device. In this embodiment, in the locked state, the rotation of the chain guide 40 relative to the movable member 10 in the first rotation direction is blocked, and the rotation in the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction is allowed; wherein, the second rotation direction is the direction in which the chain on the chain guide 40 is tensioned.

[0047] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is joined to the chain guide 40 through a main shaft 2, and the lower part of the main shaft 2 can be connected to the chain guide 40 by means of splines or screws. The locking mechanism includes a sleeve 8 and a one-way bearing 9. The middle part of the sleeve 8 has a shaft hole 81, and the sleeve 8 is sleeved on the main shaft 2 through the shaft hole 81 and is relatively fixed to the main shaft 2 in the circumferential direction and can relatively slide in the axial direction. Specifically, the cross section of the shaft hole 81 is a non-circular hole such as a D shape or a runway shape, and the part of the main shaft 2 that cooperates with the sleeve 8 has a corresponding shape, so that the two can be relatively fixed in the circumferential direction; in other embodiments, the relative fixation in the circumferential direction of the two can also be achieved by interference fit, snap connection, pin connection and other means. The one-way bearing 9 is sleeved outside the main shaft 2 and has a spacing from the main shaft 2 to be suitable for plugging and cooperating with the sleeve 8. The outer ring of the one-way bearing 9 is fixed to the component body 11 of the movable member 10, and the inner ring of the one-way bearing 9 can only rotate in one direction relative to the outer ring and cannot rotate in the other direction. When the sleeve 8 is plugged and cooperated with the one-way bearing 9, the sleeve 8, the main shaft 2 and the chain guide 40 can only rotate in the second direction, and the rotation in the first direction is blocked; when the sleeve 8 is disengaged from the one-way bearing 9, the main shaft 2 and the chain guide 40 can rotate in both the first direction and the second direction. In the first embodiment, in the locked state, the rotation of the chain guide 40 relative to the movable member 10 in both rotation directions is blocked; while in this embodiment, in the locked state, the rotation of the chain guide 40 relative to the movable member 10 is blocked only in one rotation direction, and the rotation in the direction of tensioning the chain on the chain guide 40 is not blocked, so that the chain guide 40 can always maintain a tensioned state.

[0048] In this embodiment, the sleeve 8 is driven by the driving mechanism 3 to move downward to be plugged and cooperated with the one-way bearing 9, and when the driving force of the driving mechanism 3 to drive downward is released, the sleeve 8 moves upward under the elastic force to disengage from the one-way bearing 9. Specifically, the driving mechanism 3 includes a motor 32 and a cam 33 driven by the motor 32. The sleeve 8 is located below the cam 33 and is sleeved on the main shaft 2. An elastic member 82 is arranged between the sleeve 8 and the one-way bearing 9; when the motor 32 works to drive the cam 33 to rotate, the cam 33 presses the sleeve 8 to move downward and insert into the one-way bearing 9. When the motor 32 works to drive the cam 33 to continue to rotate or rotate in the reverse direction to release the pressure on the sleeve 8, the sleeve 8 moves upward under the action of the elastic member 82 and disengages from the one-way bearing 9. In other embodiments, for the upward movement of the sleeve 8, the elastic member 82 may not be used, for example, it can be realized by a cam-link mechanism, that is, the cam-link mechanism can drive the sleeve 8 to move upward and downward.

[0049] Please refer toFigure 7 As shown, further, the electromechanical locking device also includes a state detection unit, which is configured to detect the rotation angle of the motor 32 included in the driving mechanism and determine the state of the locking mechanism according to the rotation angle. The state detection unit includes a detector 371 electrically connected to the circuit board 37. Specifically, the detector 371 can be a grating sensor, a micro switch, etc.

[0050] In some embodiments, the derailleur 100 provided in the present application controls gear shifting by means of a gear shifting electrical signal, wherein the gear shifting electrical signal is configured to first trigger the electromechanical locking device to release the resistance force, and then trigger the derailleur 100 to perform the shifting action, so that the shifting can be completed in one action.

[0051] From the above description of multiple specific embodiments, it can be known that the electromechanical locking device and derailleur 100 provided by the present application, the driving mechanism can drive the locking mechanism to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the locking mechanism locks the chain guide 40 to provide resistance when the chain guide 40 rotates in at least one rotational direction relative to the movable component, thereby preventing the chain guide 40 from vibrating and causing the chain to loosen and fall off; in the unlocked state, the locking mechanism releases the lock with the chain guide 40 to remove the resistance. In this unlocked state, the derailleur 100 has little resistance to shifting, which can improve the smoothness and reliability of shifting.

[0052] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electromechanical locking device, configured on a movable member of a derailleur and capable of engaging with a chain guide of the derailleur, characterized in that, The electromechanical locking device includes a driving mechanism and a locking mechanism. The driving mechanism is capable of driving the locking mechanism to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state relative to the chain guide. Wherein, in the locked state, the locking mechanism locks the chain guide to provide a resistance force when the chain guide rotates relative to the movable member in at least one rotational direction. In the unlocked state, the locking mechanism releases the locking with the chain guide to remove the resistance force.

2. The electromechanical locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving mechanism drives the locking mechanism to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state in a clamping and releasing manner.

3. The electromechanical locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking mechanism is joined to the chain guide through a main shaft. Matching protrusions and grooves are provided between the locking mechanism and the main shaft. The locking mechanism restricts the rotation of the main shaft and the chain guide through the insertion and cooperation of the protrusions and grooves.

4. The electromechanical locking device according to claim 3, characterized in that, One of the protrusions and grooves is arranged on the lower end surface of the locking mechanism, and the other is arranged on the upper end surface of the main shaft. The driving mechanism drives the locking mechanism to move in the up and down directions so that the protrusions and the grooves are clamped or released.

5. The electromechanical locking device according to claim 4, wherein, The driving mechanism includes a motor and a screw rod driven to rotate by the motor. The locking mechanism is configured such that its rotational movement around the screw rod axis is blocked while its movement along the screw rod axis is allowed. The locking mechanism is threadedly connected to the screw rod and is driven to move up or down along the screw rod axis by the rotational movement of the screw rod.

6. The electromechanical locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the locked state, the rotation of the chain guide relative to the movable member in the first rotational direction is blocked, while the rotation in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction is allowed; wherein, the second rotational direction is the direction in which the chain on the chain guide is tensioned.

7. The electromechanical locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that The locking mechanism is joined to the chain guide through a main shaft. The locking mechanism includes: A bushing sleeved on the main shaft and relatively fixed to the main shaft in the circumferential direction and capable of relatively sliding in the axial direction. A one-way bearing sleeved outside the main shaft and adapted to be inserted and cooperated with the bushing. Wherein, when the bushing is inserted and cooperated with the one-way bearing, the bushing, the main shaft and the chain guide can only rotate in the second direction, while the rotation in the first direction is blocked.

8. The electromechanical locking device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The locking mechanism further includes an elastic member arranged between the bushing and the one-way bearing. The elastic member is configured to provide an elastic force for the bushing to slide in the direction away from the one-way bearing.

9. The electromechanical locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The electromechanical locking device includes a state detection unit configured to detect the rotation angle of the motor included in the driving mechanism and determine the state of the locking mechanism according to the rotation angle.

10. A derailleur, characterized in that, Including a fixed base, a linkage mechanism, a movable member, a chain guide and the electromechanical locking device according to any one of claims 1-9. The derailleur controls shifting by means of a shift electric signal. Wherein, the shift electric signal is configured to first trigger the electromechanical locking device to release the resistance force, and then trigger the derailleur to perform a chain shifting action.

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