CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

Control device (10) for controlling an electrical device on a bicycle, comprising: a mounting element (18) that can be attached to the bicycle; an actuating element (30) comprising at least a first actuating part (44) and a second actuating part (46), wherein the actuating element (30) is provided on the mounting element (18) for rotation in a prescribed actuating direction (D2) about a rotation axis (C); an actuation detection unit for detecting which is actuated by the first actuating part (44) and the second actuating part (46) of the actuating element (30) in the actuating direction (D2) and a signal output unit (34) for outputting a control signal for controlling the electrical device based on the detection result of the actuation detection unit, wherein the actuating element (30) has a base part (42) which is provided on the mounting element (18) for rotation about the axis of rotation (C), wherein the first actuating part (44) and the second actuating part (46) are provided to extend radially from the base part (42) separately from each other with respect to the axis of rotation (C), and wherein the actuation detection unit comprises a first detection unit for detecting the actuation of the first actuating part (44) and a second detection unit for detecting the actuation of the second actuating part (46).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device; more precisely, the present invention relates to a control device for controlling the electrical devices on a bicycle. Technological background

[0002] A control device controls an electrical device mounted on a bicycle, such as an electric gear shifter. The control device is provided with two actuating elements on the handlebars, for example, in the form of levers for shifting gears, and outputs different control signals in accordance with the actuation of the two actuating elements (see, for example, JP 2008-168751 A). In a typical control device, the two actuating elements move independently of each other. State of the art documents

[0003] JP 2008 - 168 751 A; US 2011 / 0 011 197 A1; DE 602 24 156 T2; WO 2008 / 074 510 A1.

[0004] US Patent 2011 / 0011197A1 discloses an electric handlebar end switch comprising two switching actuators that are independently pivotable on a proximal section of a brake lever. The handlebar end switch includes a mounting element for attachment to a bicycle, an actuator, an actuation detection unit, and a signal output unit. The actuator comprises at least a first actuation part and a second actuation part. The actuation detection unit serves to detect which actuation is performed by the first and second actuation parts of the actuator. The signal output unit outputs a control signal for controlling an electrical device based on the detection result of the actuation detection unit.The actuation detection unit has a first detection unit for detecting the actuation of the first actuating part and a second detection unit for detecting the actuation of the second actuating part.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 602 24 156 T2 discloses a gearshift control device which has two gearshift control elements designed as levers, which are arranged independently of each other pivotable on a holder that can be attached to a steering rod. Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] In the usual control device, the independent movement of the two actuating elements from each other usually leads to a more complicated design of the control device.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to simplify the control device used to control an electrical device. Means of solving the problems

[0008] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the combination of features defined in claim 1.

[0009] A control device according to the present invention is provided for controlling an electrical device on a bicycle. The control device comprises a mounting element (which can also be referred to as a fastening element), an actuating element (which can also be referred to as a control element), an actuation detection unit, and a signal output unit. The mounting element can be attached to the bicycle. The actuating element comprises at least a first actuating part and a second actuating part, wherein the actuating element is provided on the mounting element for rotation in a prescribed actuation direction about a rotation axis. The actuation detection unit serves to detect which of the first and second actuating parts of the actuating element are actuated in the actuation direction.The signal output unit outputs a control signal to control (can also be referred to as actuation) the electrical device based on the detection result of the actuation detection unit.

[0010] In this control device, the actuation detection unit determines which of the first and / or second actuation part is actuated in the direction of actuation, with the signal output unit issuing an actuation signal to actuate the electrical device based on the detection result. This allows a multitude of control signals to be output without requiring the two actuation elements to be independently movable on the mounting element. More precisely, it is possible to simplify the control device used to control the electrical device.

[0011] The actuator has a base part that is designed to rotate around the axis of rotation on the mounting element. In this case, the actuator can be operated by rotating it, which simplifies its design.

[0012] The first and second actuating parts are designed to extend radially from the base part, separately from each other, with respect to the axis of rotation. The actuation detection unit has a first detection unit for sensing the actuation of the first actuating part and a second detection unit for sensing the actuation of the second actuating part. In this case, the first and second actuating parts extend radially from the base part separately to facilitate differentiation between them.

[0013] Preferred embodiments are defined in dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the control device can also be equipped with a motion detection unit for detecting the movement of the actuating element in the direction of actuation. The signal output unit outputs a control signal based on the detection result from the actuation detection unit and the detection result from the motion detection unit. In this case, it is possible to detect the movement of the actuating element in an actuation direction and also which of the first and second actuating parts is actuated, which therefore allows a greater variety of control signals to be output in accordance with the combination of the two detection signals.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the actuating part preferably extends radially from the base part around the axis of rotation by a first distance (or first distance); the second actuating part extends radially from the base part around the axis of rotation by a second distance (or second distance); the first distance and the second distance may be different from each other. In this case, the first actuating part and the second actuating part are located at different distances from the base part, thus facilitating the differentiation between the first actuating part and the second actuating part.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the first actuating part and the second actuating part can be arranged at different positions around the axis of rotation on the base part. In this case, the first actuating part and the second actuating part are arranged at different positions on the axis of rotation relative to the base part, and therefore the distinction between the first actuating part and the second actuating part is facilitated.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the first sensing unit preferably includes a first pressure sensor, which may be provided on the first actuating element. The second sensing unit preferably includes a second pressure sensor, which may be provided on the second actuating element. In this case, the pressure sensor can be used to detect the actuation of the first actuating element or the actuation of the second actuating element, for example, by the contact or non-contact of electrodes. This makes it possible to increase the service life of the control device.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the first sensing unit preferably includes a first capacitance sensor, which may be provided on the first actuating element. The second sensing unit preferably includes a second capacitance sensor, which may be provided on the second actuating element. In this case, the capacitance sensor can be used to detect the actuation of the first actuating element or the second actuating element, for example, by the contact or non-contact of the electrodes. It is therefore possible to increase the service life of the control device.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the first detection unit preferably includes a first pressure switch, which may be provided on the first actuating element. The second detection unit preferably includes a second pressure switch, which may be provided on the second actuating element. In this case, the control device can be designed advantageously.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the control device can further be provided with a biasing element oriented towards an initial position to bias the actuating element in a direction opposite to the direction of actuation; wherein, as the base part rotates, the actuating element rotates (or pivots) from the initial position in the direction of actuation to the actuating position. In this case, the actuating element returns to the initial position, and the driver can control the electrical device with the same movement, even if the driver actuates the first actuating element or the second actuating element from the initial position to the actuating position. Effects of the invention

[0021] It is possible to simplify the control device used to control the electrical device. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a control device according to the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the control device; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the control device; Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the structure of the control system in the control device; Fig. 5 is a rear view, similar to Fig. 3, a control device according to the second embodiment of the invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention: First embodiment

[0022] As in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the control device 10, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, is attached to the handlebar 100 of the bicycle. The control device 10 is equipped with a first control unit 12 for controlling a braking device and a second control unit 14 for controlling an electric gearshifting device 80 (see Figure 3). Fig. 4) provided. The electric gearshift device is an example of an electrical device on the bicycle. The electric gearshift device 80 may, for example, include an electric front derailleur, an electric rear derailleur, and an electric hub gear. The electrical devices on the bicycle may also include electric suspension and an electric seatpost.

[0023] The first control unit 12 contains a lever (brake lever) 16 and an attachment element 18 (which can also be called a fastening element) for attaching it to the handlebar 100 of the bicycle.

[0024] The mounting element 18 comprises a piston 20, a master cylinder 22 for movably housing the piston 20, and a bracket 24. The bracket 24 is attached to the handlebar 100 by means of a bolt 26 to reduce the gap in a slot 24a. The mounting element 18 can thereby be secured to the handlebar 100. Additionally, the mounting element 18 includes an opposing part 28 that extends from the bracket 24 in the axial direction D1 of the handlebar 100 to form a space S (see Fig. 2) opposite the bracket 24. The opposite part 28 can be designed as a ring for insertion into the handlebar 100.

[0025] The lever 16 is attached to the mounting element 18 for rotation about a pivot axis R1. The lever 16 is connected to the piston 20, which is located inside the master cylinder 22, via a piston rod (not shown). When the lever 16 rotates / pivots, the piston 20 moves within the master cylinder 22 and forces a fluid, such as oil, out of the master cylinder 22. This actuates a hydraulic disc brake device attached to the bicycle. This type of control system is widely known, so a detailed description is omitted.

[0026] The second control unit 14 contains an actuating element 30, an annular main body 32 for inserting the handlebar 100 and a control device 34 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) The main body 32 is arranged concentrically with the bracket 24 and the opposing part 28 in the space S between the bracket 24 and the opposing part 28. The main body 32 is slightly smaller than the space S along the axial direction D1. The main body 32 is in contact with each opposing surface on the bracket 24 and the opposing part 28 while the main body 32 is arranged in the space S. The main body 32 can be fixed to the opposing part 28 using a screw element 40. This means that, in the present embodiment, the second control unit 14 is indirectly mounted on the handlebar 100, which is the brake control device, by means of the first control unit 12. Furthermore, the main body 32 can have the same structure as the bracket 24 if the control device 10 of the present invention is designed to be independent of the brake control device.In this case, the main body 32 functions as the mounting element 18.

[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the main body 32 is equipped with the control device 34. Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 34 contains a central processing unit (CPU) 34a as well as volatile and / or non-volatile memory (not shown); furthermore, as described below, the control unit 34 outputs various signals based on the acquisition results of the various sensors. Additionally, as shown in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the main body 32 is provided with a magnetic sensor 36 for detecting the movement of the actuating element 30 in an actuation direction D2. The magnetic sensor 36 contains a Hall element or the like and detects the magnetic force of a magnet 38, which is provided for the actuating element 30. Furthermore, the magnet 38 is positioned facing the magnetic sensor 36 when the actuating element 30 rotates from its initial position in the actuation direction D2.

[0028] The actuating element 30 can be designed to rotate in a prescribed actuation direction relative to the main body 32. In the present embodiment, the actuating element 30 is provided on the main body 32 to rotate about the central axis C (the axis through the link 100) of the main body 32. The central axis C is an example of the axis of rotation. The actuating element 30 is designed such that pressing the actuating element 30 in the actuation direction D2 from the prescribed initial position rotates the actuating element 30 from an initial position to an actuation position that is set as a prescribed angle (a range of, for example, 5 degrees to 30 degrees) away from the initial position. A preload element 60 (see Fig. 2) The actuator 30 is biased in a direction opposite to the direction of actuation D2 and returns to its initial position. This means that the actuator 30 is designed as a shift lever. The biasing element 60 can, for example, be a torsion coil spring, one end of which engages the actuator 30 and the other end of which engages the main body 32. The magnetic sensor 36 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 38 and inputs a prescribed signal into the control unit 34 when the actuator 30 rotates in the direction of actuation D2. This enables the detection of the actuator 30's movement. In other words, the motion detection unit in the present embodiment consists of the control unit 34 and the magnetic sensor 36.

[0029] The actuating element 30 has a base part 42 on the main body 32 designed to rotate about the central axis C. The actuating element 30 also has a first actuating part 44 and a second actuating part 46, which extend radially from the base part 42 separately from each other. The first actuating part 44 extends radially from the base part 42 by a first distance L1 from the central axis C (see Fig. 2) The second actuating part 46 extends radially from the base part 42 by (or about) a second distance L2 from the central axis C. The first distance L1 and the second distance L2 are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the first actuating part 44 and the second actuating part 46 are configured such that the second distance L2 is longer than the first distance L1. The first actuating part 44 and the second actuating part 46 are arranged on the base part 42 at different positions about the central axis C. In the present embodiment, the second actuating part 46 is positioned further downstream of the first actuating part 44 in the actuation direction D2. One of the first fastening part 44 and the second fastening part 46 can, for example, be provided for controlling the upshifting movement of the electric gearshift device 80.The other part of the first actuating part 44 and the second actuating part 46 can, for example, be provided for controlling the downshifting movement of the electric gearshift device 80.

[0030] The first actuating part 44 has a first pressure part 44a on the end tip part (the end opposite the base part 42). The second actuating part 46 has a second pressure part 46a on the end tip part. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the first printing element 44a has a first printing surface 44b, and the second printing element 46a has a second printing surface 46b. The first printing surface 44b and the second printing surface 46b can have differently curved shapes for differentiation by touch. In the present invention, the first printing surface 44b and the second printing surface 46b can be recessed with slightly different depths. Additionally, the first printing surface 44b can have a smaller area than the second printing surface 46b.

[0031] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the first pressure part 44a is provided with a first pressure sensor 50 for detecting the actuation of the first actuating part 44. The second pressure part 46b is provided with a second pressure sensor 52 for detecting the actuation of the second actuating part 46. The first pressure sensor 50 is embedded in the first pressure surface 44b of the first actuating part 44 and inputs a prescribed signal to the control unit 34 in accordance with the pressure on the first pressure surface 44b. The second pressure sensor 52 is embedded in the second pressure surface 46b of the second actuating part 46 and inputs a prescribed signal to the control unit 34 in accordance with the pressure on the second pressure surface 46b.In the present embodiment, the actuation detection unit comprises the control unit 34, the first pressure sensor 50, and the second pressure sensor 52 for detecting which of the first actuating part 44 and the second actuating part 46 of the actuating element 30 is actuated in the actuation direction D2. This means that the first detection unit is composed of the control unit 34 and the first pressure sensor 50 for detecting the actuation of the first actuating element 44. Additionally, the second detection unit is composed of the control unit 34 and the second pressure sensor 52 for detecting the actuation of the second actuating part 46.

[0032] The control unit 34 also functions as the signal output unit. This function can be implemented by executing a prescribed software program. The control unit 34 outputs a first control signal and a second control signal to the electric gearshift device 80 in accordance with the input from the magnetic sensor 36, the first pressure sensor 50, and the second pressure sensor 52. More precisely, the control unit 34 outputs the first control signal to the electric gearshift device 80 in accordance with the input from the first pressure sensor 50 and the input from the magnetic sensor 36. Furthermore, the control unit 34 outputs the second control signal to the electric gearshift device 80 in accordance with the input from the second pressure sensor 52 and the input from the magnetic sensor 36.One of the first and second control signals can, for example, be provided to the electric gearshift device 80 as an upshift signal. The other of the first and second control signals can, for example, be provided to the electric gearshift device 80 as a downshift signal.

[0033] In the control device 10 configured as such, the first actuating part 44 and the second actuating part 46 can be provided on a single actuating element 30 for movement in the actuation direction D2. When either the first actuating part 44 or the second actuating part 46 is actuated, the control device 34 can detect which, the first actuating part 44 or the second actuating part 46, is being actuated in the actuation direction D2 by means of one of the first pressure sensor 50 and the second pressure sensor 52. Furthermore, the control device 34 can detect, by means of the magnetic sensor 36, whether the actuating element 30 has been rotated into the actuation position or not.The control unit 34 can output the control signals (the first control signal and the second control signal) to the electric gearshift device 18 for controlling the electric devices, such as the electric gearshift device 80, based on the detection result. A multiple control signals can be output without requiring the two actuating elements on the mounting element to be movable independently of each other. More precisely, it is possible to simplify the control device 10 used for controlling the electric device.

[0034] Combining the first control unit 12 and the second control unit 14 thus eliminates the need to mount the first control unit 12 and the second control unit 14 separately from the mounting element for attachment to the handlebar 100; and therefore it is possible to simplify the design of the handlebar 100. Furthermore, the second control unit 14 is provided with the actuating element 30 for rotation about the central axis C of the handlebar; this allows the device to be manufactured more compactly compared to providing the pivot axis for the lever and the like as a separate axis. This aspect also simplifies the design of the handlebar 100. Second embodiment

[0035] In the first embodiment described above, the first pressure part 44a and the second pressure part 46a are provided corresponding to the first actuating part 44 and the second actuating part 46, however, another possible design is that of the control device 110 of the second embodiment, which is described in Fig.Figure 5 shows that in the control device 110, the actuating element 130 has a single pressure part 144a. The pressure surface 144b of the pressure part 144a is provided with a first pressure sensor 150 and a second pressure sensor 152. In the second embodiment, the first actuating part 144 is a surface for detecting pressure by means of the first pressure sensor 150, and the second actuating part 146 is a surface for detecting pressure by means of the second pressure sensor 152. The first actuating part 144 and the second actuating part 146 are formed by projecting further than the other surfaces of the pressure surface 144b in order to allow differentiation between the first actuating part 144 and the second actuating part 146. Apart from this, the remaining structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, the description of which is omitted. Other embodiments

[0036] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various ways. (a) In the two embodiments mentioned above, the control device is provided on the handlebars of the bicycle; however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The present invention can also be used with a control device that can be attached to a part other than the handlebars of the bicycle, such as the bicycle frame and the like. (b) In the two embodiments described above, the electric gearshift device is shown as an example of the electrical device of the bicycle; however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The electrical devices on the bicycle to which the present invention can be applied include an electric suspension, an electric seatpost, and an electric drive device that propels the bicycle. (c) In the two embodiments described above, the control device is integrated with the first control unit, which is the brake actuation device for the bicycle; however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The control device can be an independent device designed to control an electrical device. (d) In the two embodiments described above, the control signal is output based on the detection results of the actuation detection unit and the motion detection unit; however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The control signal can be output based solely on the detection results of the actuation detection unit. (e) In the two embodiments described above, the first sensing unit includes a first pressure sensor, and a second sensing unit includes a second pressure sensor; however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first sensing unit may include a first capacitance sensor, and the second sensing unit may include a second capacitance sensor. Furthermore, the first sensing unit may include a first pressure switch, and the second sensing unit may include a second pressure switch. In other words, the actuation sensing device may use the appropriate sensor and / or switch. (f) In the two embodiments described above, the motion detection unit includes a magnetic sensor that detects the magnet provided for the actuating element; however, the invention is not limited to this configuration. The motion detection unit can use a sensor and / or switch suitable for detecting the movement of the actuating element. For example, the motion detection unit can use a rotary encoder, such as a rotary encoder or a potentiometer. (g) In the two embodiments described above, the actuation detection units, which contain the pressure switches, are provided on the first actuating part and the second actuating part, respectively. However, the actuation detection unit can be provided on either the first actuating part or the second actuating part. In this case, the control signal can be output in accordance with the detection result from the motion detection unit and the detection result from the actuation detection unit. More precisely, if the actuation detection unit is provided on the first actuating part, the signal output unit can output the first control signal when the actuation detection unit detects the actuation of the first actuating part and the motion detection unit detects the movement of the actuating part.Additionally, the signal output unit can output the second control signal if the motion detection unit detects the movement of the actuator and the actuation detection unit has not detected the actuation of the first actuator.

Claims

[1] Control device (10) for controlling an electrical device on a bicycle, comprising: a mounting element (18) that can be attached to the bicycle; an actuating element (30) comprising at least a first actuating part (44) and a second actuating part (46), wherein the actuating element (30) is provided on the mounting element (18) for rotation in a prescribed actuating direction (D2) about a rotation axis (C); an actuation detection unit for detecting which is actuated by the first actuating part (44) and the second actuating part (46) of the actuating element (30) in the actuating direction (D2) and a signal output unit (34) for outputting a control signal for controlling the electrical device based on the detection result of the actuation detection unit, wherein the actuating element (30) has a base part (42) which is provided on the mounting element (18) for rotation about the axis of rotation (C), wherein the first actuating part (44) and the second actuating part (46) are provided to extend radially from the base part (42) separately from each other with respect to the axis of rotation (C), and wherein the actuation detection unit comprises a first detection unit for detecting the actuation of the first actuating part (44) and a second detection unit for detecting the actuation of the second actuating part (46). [2] Control device according to claim 1, which further comprises a motion detection unit for detecting movement of the actuating element (30) in the actuating direction (D2), wherein the signal output unit (34) outputs a control signal based on the detection result from the actuation detection unit and the detection result of the motion detection unit. [3] Control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the first actuating part (44) extends radially from the base part (42) from the axis of rotation (C) for a first distance (L1); wherein the second actuating part (46) extends radially from the base part (42) from the axis of rotation (C) for a second distance (L2) and where the first distance (L1) and the second distance (L2) are different from each other. [4] Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the first actuating part (44) and the second actuating part (46) are arranged at different positions around the axis of rotation (C) on the base part (42). [5] Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the first detection unit comprises a first pressure sensor (50) provided on the first actuating part (44) and that the second detection unit comprises a second pressure sensor (52) provided on the second actuating part (46). [6] Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the first detection unit comprises a first capacitance sensor provided on the first actuating part (44) and that the second detection unit comprises a second capacitance sensor provided on the second actuating part (46). [7] Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the first detection unit comprises a first pressure switch provided on the first actuating part (44) and that the second detection unit comprises a second pressure switch provided on the second actuating part (46). [8] Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising: a preloading element (60) which is oriented in the direction of an initial position for preloading the actuating element (30) in a direction opposite to the actuating direction (D2), wherein, when the base part (42) rotates, the actuating element (30) rotates from the initial position in the actuating direction (D2) into an actuating position.

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