Electronic variable speed system

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of electronic transmission system, be configured on bicycle to control bicycle transmission.The electronic transmission system includes controller and chain derailleur, controller has the operating part for user operation and the circuit part associated operating part, circuit part obtains electric energy to work;Chain derailleur has pedestal component, be located in the power supply device of pedestal component, and by power supply device power supply to execute chain derailleur action electric device.Cable is electrically connected between controller and chain derailleur, cable is configured as the electric energy of power supply device is provided to circuit part, to realize the work of circuit part.The utility model is connected by cable, reliable transmission of signal is realized, meanwhile, controller is powered by the power supply device on chain derailleur through the cable, battery is saved in controller, while simplifying system structure, it is convenient for user to quickly identify power-off condition and promptly charge maintenance etc., improve the integration, reliability and use experience of system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bicycle technology, and in particular to an electronic shifting system. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of bicycle shifting systems, traditional mechanical shifting devices have long dominated. These devices connect the shift levers and derailleurs via mechanical cables, relying on the rider's manual operation to switch the chain between different sized chainrings. However, with prolonged use, mechanical shifting devices are prone to decreased shifting accuracy due to cable stretching, dirt accumulation, or component wear. Furthermore, the adjustment and maintenance of the complex mechanical structure requires a high level of user expertise, and their reliability is significantly reduced in harsh riding environments such as muddy conditions.

[0003] To overcome the aforementioned shortcomings of mechanical shifting, electronic shifting systems have emerged. Current electronic shifting technology typically uses an independent power module to power the controller and transmits shifting commands to the derailleur via wireless or wired signals. The derailleur then responds to these commands and executes the shifting action. For example, some existing solutions use a battery integrated into the controller, while the derailleur has a separate power supply to power its actuators. However, this design requires numerous power supplies, suffers from poor integration, and necessitates individual replacement or charging when power is lost. Furthermore, when the electronic shifting system becomes unresponsive, it's difficult to determine whether the issue stems from a dead controller battery or a dead derailleur power supply, thus degrading the user experience. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the system integration and user experience of existing electronic shifting systems.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new technical solution to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention provides an electronic transmission system to solve the problems of poor system integration and user experience in existing electronic transmission systems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an electronic shifting system, configured on a bicycle for controlling the bicycle's gear shifting, the electronic shifting system comprising:

[0007] The controller includes an operating unit for user operation and a circuit unit associated with the operating unit, the circuit unit receiving electrical power to operate; and

[0008] A derailleur has a base member, a power supply device disposed on the base member, and an electric device powered by the power supply device to perform derailleur operation.

[0009] The controller and the derailleur are electrically connected by a cable, which is configured to supply electrical energy from the power supply device to the circuit section to enable the circuit section to operate.

[0010] Optionally, the controller has a charging interface electrically connected to the circuit section, and the cable is further configured to provide electrical energy to the power supply device through the charging interface and the circuit section to charge the power supply device.

[0011] Optionally, the circuit section includes a circuit board and a switching component electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0012] Optionally, the operating part is a button or toggle switch for activating the switching component.

[0013] Optionally, the operation unit is a data acquisition device for acquiring voice or gestures.

[0014] Optionally, the controller includes a housing, the circuitry is disposed within the housing, the operating part is exposed outside the housing for user operation, and the housing is connected to a mounting bracket for mounting the controller on the handlebars of a bicycle.

[0015] Optionally, the derailleur includes a main control board and an adapter board that are electrically connected, the power supply is in contact with the main control board, and the cable is in contact with the adapter board.

[0016] Optionally, the adapter board is arranged perpendicularly to the main control board.

[0017] Optionally, the base component includes a base body and a base cover that covers the base body. The base body and the base cover each have a receiving cavity. The electric device is disposed in the receiving cavity of the base body, and the power supply device at least partially protrudes from the base body and is received in the receiving cavity of the base cover.

[0018] Optionally, the derailleur includes a linkage mechanism connected to the base body, a movable mechanism connected to the linkage mechanism, and a chain guide mechanism connected to the movable mechanism; wherein the electric device includes a motor and a worm gear mechanism driven by the motor.

[0019] This invention provides an electronic shifting system including a controller and a derailleur. The controller has an operating section for user operation and a circuit section associated with the operating section. The circuit section receives electrical energy to operate. The derailleur has a base component, a power supply device disposed on the base component, and an electric device powered by the power supply device to perform derailleur actions. The controller and derailleur are electrically connected via a cable, which is configured to supply electrical energy from the power supply device to the circuit section to enable its operation. This invention uses a wired connection via cable to ensure reliable transmission of control signals. Simultaneously, the controller is powered by the power supply device on the derailleur via this cable, eliminating the need for a battery within the controller. This simplifies the system structure, allows users to quickly identify power shortages and perform timely charging and maintenance, and improves the system's integration, reliability, and user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below only involve some embodiments of this utility model, and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a connection diagram of an embodiment of the electronic speed change system of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the controller in one embodiment of the electronic speed control system of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the controller in one embodiment of the electronic speed control system of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the derailleur in one embodiment of the electronic gear shifting system of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of the derailleur in one embodiment of the electronic gear shifting system of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the electric device shown by concealing the base component of the derailleur in one embodiment of the electronic gear shifting system of this utility model.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, Electronic shifting system; 10, Controller; 20, Derailleur; 30, Cable; 11, Housing; 111, Interface baffle; 12, Circuit section; 121, Circuit board; 122, Switch component; 123, Charging interface; 13, Operating section; 14, Mounting bracket; 21, Base component; 211, Base body; 212, Base cover; 22, Linkage mechanism; 23, Movable mechanism; 24, Chain guide mechanism; 25, Power supply device; 26, Main control board; 27, Adapter board; 28, Electric device; 281, Motor; 282, Gear set; 283, Worm gear mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this patent document shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this utility model 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. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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 utility model.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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 of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] The following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0033] Please see Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this utility model discloses an electronic shifting system 100, configured on a bicycle for controlling bicycle gear shifting. The electronic shifting system 100 includes a controller 10 and a derailleur 20. The controller 10 has an operation section 13 for user operation and a circuit section 12 associated with the operation section 13, the circuit section 12 receiving electrical energy to operate. The derailleur 20 has a base member 21, a power supply device 25 disposed on the base member 21, and an electric device 28 powered by the power supply device 25 to perform derailleur operation. The controller 10 and the derailleur 20 are electrically connected via a cable 30, the cable 30 being configured to provide electrical energy from the power supply device 25 to the circuit section 12 to enable the operation of the circuit section 12.

[0034] The electronic shifting system provided by this utility model connects the controller 10 and the derailleur 20 via a cable 30, enabling reliable transmission of control signals. At the same time, the controller 10 is powered by the power supply device 25 on the derailleur 20 through the cable 30, thus eliminating the need to install a battery in the controller 10. This simplifies the system structure, makes it easier for users to quickly identify when the power is out and perform timely charging and other maintenance, and improves the system's integration, reliability, and user experience.

[0035] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the controller 10 includes a housing 11, a circuit section 12 disposed within the housing, an operating section 13 exposed outside the housing, and a mounting bracket 14 for fixing the controller 10 to the bicycle handlebars. Specifically, the housing 11 adopts a split design, with the upper and lower housings connected and fixed by a snap-fit ​​structure, screws, or other means, forming a closed cavity inside to protect the circuit section 12 from external environmental interference. An interface baffle 111 is provided at the bottom of the lower housing, which covers the charging interface 123 when charging is not required, preventing dust or moisture from entering. The mounting bracket 14 is fixed to the side wall of the housing 11, and its arc-shaped clamping part can adapt to bicycle handlebars of different diameters, with anti-slip rubber pads enhancing the stability of the fixation.

[0036] The circuit section 12 includes a circuit board 121 and a switch component 122 electrically connected to the circuit board. The circuit board 121 integrates functional circuits or modules such as a microprocessor, signal conditioning circuit, and power management. In this embodiment, the operation section 13 is a button or toggle for activating the switch component 122. It is exposed on the surface of the housing 11 and has an anti-accidental touch protrusion structure. When the rider presses the button or toggles the toggle, the operation section 13 activates the switch component 122 to convert the mechanical action into an electrical signal. After being processed by the circuit board 121, the signal is transmitted to the derailleur 20 via the cable 30.

[0037] In other embodiments, the operation unit 13 is a device for acquiring voice or gestures. In addition to the traditional button or toggle operation unit 13, this invention also provides an operation scheme based on voice or gesture recognition. For example, the operation unit 13 can be replaced by a microphone array or an infrared gesture sensor. When voice control is used, the microphone array collects the rider's voice commands, which are then processed by the voice recognition module of the circuit unit 12 and converted into gear shift signals; when gesture control is used, the infrared gesture sensor detects the rider's hand movements within a specific area and generates corresponding gear shift commands.

[0038] The circuit section 12 is also provided with a charging interface 123. In this embodiment, the charging interface 123 adopts the Type-C standard, supports reversible insertion and removal, and has overcurrent protection. The charging interface 123 is electrically connected to the circuit board 121. One end of the cable 30 is electrically connected to the circuit board 121 of the circuit section 12, and the other end is electrically connected to the power supply device 25 of the derailleur 20, forming a bidirectional power transmission channel. That is, the controller 10 has a charging interface 123 electrically connected to the circuit section 12, and the cable 30 is configured to provide power to the power supply device 25 through the charging interface 123 and the circuit section 12 to charge the power supply device 25. When the controller 10 is not operated, the power supply 25 of the derailleur 20 supplies power to the circuit section 12 via the cable 30, enabling the circuit section 12 to operate. When the power supply 25 needs to be charged, an external power source can input electrical energy in reverse through the charging interface 123. After processing by the power management module of the circuit section 12, the power supply 25 is charged via the cable 30. In this embodiment, the charging interface 123 is located on the controller 10, which is located on the bicycle handlebars. This location offers ample space and ease of operation for the user, making charging very convenient.

[0039] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the derailleur 20 can be a front derailleur or a rear derailleur. This embodiment uses a rear derailleur as an example. In this embodiment, the derailleur 20 includes a base component 21, a linkage mechanism 22 connected to the base component 21, a movable mechanism 23 connected to the linkage mechanism 22, and a chain guide mechanism 24 connected to the movable mechanism 23. The base component 21 of the derailleur 20 includes a base body 211 and a base cover 212, which are fixed together by screws to form a receiving space. The base body 211 can be a single housing component or assembled from multiple detachable components. The power supply device 25 and the electric device 28 are disposed within the receiving space of the base component 21. Specifically, the base body 211 and the base cover 212 each have a receiving cavity. The electric device 28 is disposed within the receiving cavity of the base body 211, and the power supply device 25 at least partially protrudes from the base body 211 and is received within the receiving cavity of the base cover 212. In this embodiment, the power supply device 25 is a lithium-ion battery pack, with a portion of its body protruding from the side wall of the base body 211 and received within the receiving cavity of the base cover 212. This arrangement ensures the installation stability of the power supply device 25 and facilitates battery replacement or maintenance by disassembling the base cover 212.

[0040] In this embodiment, the derailleur 20 internally houses a main control board 26 and an adapter board 27, which are arranged perpendicularly to each other via a pin header and nut header structure. The power supply device 25 is connected to the main control board 26, and the cable 30 is connected to the adapter board 27. Figure 5 As shown, the main control board 26 is horizontally fixed inside the base body 211, and integrates circuit components such as motor drive chips and sensors; the adapter board 27 is vertically soldered or plugged into the side of the main control board 26. This vertical layout effectively utilizes the three-dimensional space of the base body 211, shortens the signal transmission path, and avoids electromagnetic interference problems that may be caused by planar layout.

[0041] Please see Figure 6 As shown, an electric device 28 is installed within the base component 21. In this embodiment, the electric device 28 includes a motor 281, a gear set 282, and a worm gear mechanism 283. In one embodiment, the motor 281 is a brushless DC motor, and its rotor shaft is coaxially connected to the input gear of the gear set 282. The gear set 282 consists of multiple gears, which can convert the high-speed rotation of the motor into a low-speed, high-torque output. The worm of the worm gear mechanism 283 meshes with the last gear of the gear set 282, and the worm wheel is connected to the input end of the linkage mechanism 22. When the motor 281 receives a speed change command, it drives the linkage mechanism 22 to move through the gear set 282 and the worm gear mechanism 283, thereby driving the movable mechanism 23 and the chain guide mechanism 24 to complete the switching of the chain between different gear discs.

[0042] In this embodiment, the cable 30 is a double-core shielded cable, which contains power lines and signal lines. The power lines are responsible for transmitting electrical energy between the controller 10 and the derailleur 20, while the signal lines are used to transmit shift commands and status feedback signals. Figure 1 As shown, one end of cable 30 is connected to the circuit section 12 of controller 10, and the other end is connected to adapter board 27. In terms of power management, when controller 10 is in standby mode, it is powered by the power supply unit 25 of derailleur 20; when charging power supply unit 25 is required, external power is input through the charging interface 123 of controller 10, and after being regulated by the power management module of circuit section 12, the power supply unit 25 is charged through cable 30. This design achieves centralized power management, avoiding the maintenance complexity caused by multiple independent power supplies.

[0043] In use, the rider inputs shifting commands through the operation section 13 of the controller 10. The circuit section 12 converts the commands into electrical signals and transmits them to the main control board 26 of the derailleur 20 via cable 30. The main control board 26 controls the rotation direction and angle of the motor 281 based on the received signals. The motor 281 drives the linkage mechanism 22 through the gear set 282 and the worm gear mechanism 283. The linkage mechanism 22 drives the movable mechanism 23 to change the position of the chain guide mechanism 24, ultimately achieving precise switching of the chain between different sprockets. During this process, the power supply unit 25 supplies power to the circuit section 12 of the controller 10 through the cable 30 to ensure its continuous operation. When the power supply unit 25 is low on power, it can be charged through the charging interface 123 of the controller 10, allowing for power replenishment without disassembling the derailleur 20.

[0044] As can be seen from the above description of the specific embodiments, the electronic shifting system 100 provided by this utility model, by adopting the above technical solution, has the following technical effects: The controller 10 and derailleur 20 share power through the cable 30, reducing the number of independent power sources and lowering system complexity and maintenance costs; the bidirectional power transmission design allows the power supply device 25 to both power the derailleur 20 and charge the power supply device 25 of the derailleur 20 via the charging interface 123, making charging operations more convenient and improving system reliability; the vertically intersecting arrangement of the main control board 26 and the adapter board 27, and the integrated design of the power supply device 25 and the base component 21, effectively reduce the size of the derailleur 20, adapting to the compact installation space of the bicycle frame. In summary, this utility model simplifies the system structure while facilitating users to quickly identify power outages and perform timely charging and other maintenance, improving system integration, reliability, and user experience.

[0045] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model 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 utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electronic shifting system, configured on a bicycle for controlling the bicycle's gear shifting, characterized in that, The electronic transmission system includes: The controller includes an operating unit for user operation and a circuit unit associated with the operating unit, the circuit unit receiving electrical power to operate; and A derailleur has a base member, a power supply device disposed on the base member, and an electric device powered by the power supply device to perform derailleur operation. The controller and the derailleur are electrically connected by a cable, which is configured to supply electrical energy from the power supply device to the circuit section to enable the circuit section to operate.

2. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller has a charging interface electrically connected to the circuit section, and the cable is further configured to provide electrical energy to the power supply device through the charging interface and the circuit section to charge the power supply device.

3. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The circuit section includes a circuit board and a switching component electrically connected to the circuit board.

4. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The operating part is a button or toggle switch for activating the switching component.

5. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The operating unit is a device for acquiring voice or gestures.

6. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The controller includes a housing, the circuitry is located inside the housing, and the operating part is exposed outside the housing for user operation. The housing is connected to a mounting bracket to mount the controller onto the handlebars of a bicycle.

7. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The derailleur includes a main control board and an adapter board that are electrically connected. The power supply is connected to the main control board, and the cable is connected to the adapter board.

8. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The adapter board is arranged perpendicularly to the main control board.

9. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The base component includes a base body and a base cover that covers the base body. The base body and the base cover each have a receiving cavity. The electric device is disposed in the receiving cavity of the base body, and the power supply device at least partially protrudes from the base body and is received in the receiving cavity of the base cover.

10. The electronic transmission system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The derailleur includes a linkage mechanism connected to the base body, a movable mechanism connected to the linkage mechanism, and a chain guide mechanism connected to the movable mechanism; wherein, the electric device includes a motor and a worm gear mechanism driven by the motor.

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