Electric derailleur

Abstract

An electric derailleur system designed to be mounted on a bicycle frame and comprising: a fixed section used for attachment to the bicycle frame; a movable portion movable relative to the fixed portion; a first connecting rod pivotally connected to the fixed portion and the movable portion; a second connecting rod pivotally connected to the fixed portion and the movable portion, wherein the fixed portion, the movable portion, the first connecting rod, and the second connecting rod are pivotally connected to one another to form a four-bar linkage, whereby the movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion; four pivot axes, each located between the fixed portion and the second connecting rod, between the second connecting rod and the movable portion, between the movable portion and the first connecting rod, and between the first connecting rod and the fixed portion, one of the pivot axes having a battery compartment; and a battery unit located in the battery compartment.

Description

Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to a bicycle derailleur and, more particularly, to an electric derailleur.Prior ArtConventional electric derailleurs are usually mounted directly on the outer surface of a four-bar linkage. Although this arrangement is simple in construction, the battery assembly is exposed to the outside world and therefore can easily be damaged by foreign matters or external forces. Moreover, this configuration results in an increase in the overall derailleur, which adversely affects the appearance and handling of the bicycle.Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an electric derailleur that not only effectively reduces the effects of external influences on the battery, but also improves structural stability and optimizes configuration in terms of volume.Object of the InventionIt is an object of the present invention to provide an electric derailleur by which the influences of external impacts on the battery are effectively reduced.To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric derailleur for mounting to a bicycle frame, comprising: a fixed portion for mounting to the bicycle frame; a movable portion movable relative to the fixed portion; a first connecting rod pivotally connected to the fixed portion and the movable portion; a second connecting rod pivotally connected to the fixed portion and the movable portion, wherein to form a four bar linkage, the fixed portion, the movable portion, the first connecting rod, and the second connecting rod are pivotally connected to each other, whereby the movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion; four pivot axes respectively located between the fixed portion and the second connecting rod, between the second connecting rod and the movable portion, between the movable portion and the first connecting rod, and between the first connecting rod and the fixed portion, wherein one of the pivot axes includes a battery compartment; and a battery unit disposed in the battery compartment.The advantageous effects of the present invention are that the battery body is accommodated in the battery compartment of one of the pivot shafts to achieve effective integration of the battery body and thereby effectively reduce the effects of external impacts on the battery body.Brief Description of the DrawingsFIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electric derailleur according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric derailleur according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electric derailleur according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention from another perspective; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electric derailleur according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention from another perspective; FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of the electric derailleur according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is another partial exploded view of the electric derailleur according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic enlarged view of the circled portion B of FIG. 3 ; FIG. 8 is a schematic enlarged view of the circled portion C of FIG. 4 ; FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2 ; FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged view of the circled portion D of FIG. 9.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTFor a better illustration of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Reference is made to FIG. 1. The electric derailleur 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is intended for mounting to a bicycle frame (not shown). The electric derailleur 100 includes a fixed portion 10, a movable portion 20, a first connecting rod 30, a second connecting rod 40, four pivot shafts 50, a battery unit 60, a control module 70, a derailleur portion 80, and a plurality of positioning members 90.Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2. The fixed portion 10, the movable portion 20, the first link rod 30, and the second link rod 40 are pivotally connected to each other to form a four bar linkage. Here, one end of the fixed portion 10 is for attachment to a bicycle frame to provide a stable mounting point to the electric derailleur 100. The movable portion 20 is movable relative to the fixed portion 10 to ensure a switching function. The two ends of the first link rod 30 are pivotally connected to the fixed portion 10 and the movable portion 20, respectively, and the two ends of the second link rod 40 are also pivotally connected to the fixed portion 10 and the movable portion 20, respectively, so that the movable portion 20 is movable relative to the fixed portion 10. Here, the second connecting rod 40 is arranged closer to the bicycle frame than the first connecting rod 30.Reference is made to FIG. 3. More specifically, the fixed portion 10 has, at the end adjacent to the first connecting rod 30, a first pivot ring 12 and a second pivot ring 14 arranged coaxially thereto, the first pivot ring 12 being located above the second pivot ring 14.As shown in FIG. 3, the first connecting rod 30 has, at the end adjacent to the fixed portion 10, a third pivot ring 32 and a fourth pivot ring 34 arranged coaxially thereto, wherein the third pivot ring 32 is located above the fourth pivot ring 34. In this case, the third pivot ring 32 is arranged above the first pivot ring 12 and the second pivot ring 14 is arranged above the fourth pivot ring 34.As shown in FIG. 1, the four pivot axes 50 are respectively located between the fixed portion 10 and the second link 40, between the second link 40 and the movable portion 20, between the movable portion 20 and the first link 30, and between the first link 30 and the fixed portion 10.As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 9, the pivot axes 50 are each a first pivot axis 52 and three second pivot axes 54. the first pivot axis 52 is defined as a tubular structure having a battery compartment 522, while each of the three second pivot axes 54 has a rod-shaped structure.As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the first pivot axis 52 is located between the first connecting rod 30 and the fixed portion 10.In the present embodiment, the first pivot axis 52 is located between the first connecting rod 30 and the fixed portion 10. In other embodiments, the first pivot axis 52 may also be located between the fixed portion 10 and the second connecting rod 40, between the second connecting rod 40 and the movable portion 20, or between the movable portion 20 and the first connecting rod 30 to meet various mechanical requirements.As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the first pivot shaft 52 includes a battery compartment 522 and a positioning portion 524, the battery compartment 522 being formed inside the first pivot shaft 52 and having an opening 5222 for receiving a battery unit 60. In this way, not only are the support and rotation functions provided between the first connecting rod 30 and the fixed portion 10, but also the effective integration of the battery unit 60 is achieved, thereby simplifying the structure of the mechanism, increasing the space utilization efficiency, and effectively reducing the effect of external impacts on the battery unit 60.As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the positioning portion 524 is formed as a protruded ring on the outer surface of the first pivot shaft 52 and is disposed above the third pivot ring 32.As shown in FIG. 9, the battery unit 60 includes a battery case 62 and a battery body 64, the battery case 62 being accommodated in the battery compartment 522 of the first pivot axis 52, and the battery body 64 being accommodated in the battery case 62. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, one end of the battery case 62 has an end cap 622 protruding from the opening 5222 of the battery compartment 522. As shown in FIG. 10, the end cap 622 has a terminal hole 6222 provided at the bottom of the end cap 622, through which a terminal (not shown) of the battery body 64 is led out to enable electrical connection with an external circuit. In this way, the battery body 64 is not only reliably protected, but also a stable and user-friendly electrical connection with an external circuit is ensured.As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the control module 70 includes an outer case 72, a circuit board 74, and a charging interface 76, wherein the outer case 72 extends along the extending direction of the first connecting rod 30, an end of the outer case 72 is disposed above the positioning portion 524 of the first pivot axis 52, a through hole 722 is provided at an end of the outer case 72, and the end cap 622 of the battery case 62 is fixed in the through hole 722. Thereby, the control module 70 and the battery unit 60 are fixedly connected to each other.As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the circuit board 74 is surrounded by the outer case 72, and one end of the circuit board 74 is provided with a contact 742 electrically connected to a terminal of the battery body 64. By having the circuit board 74 at one end of the battery unit 60, the power conduction path can be shortened, thereby effectively reducing power loss and improving power transmission efficiency and overall system performance.As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one end of the charging interface 76 is connected to the end of the circuit board 74 remote from the contact 742, and the other end of the charging interface 76 is passed through the outer case 72 and protrudes outward for charging an external device. Since the charging interface 76 is located near the battery unit 60, the power conduction path can be effectively shortened, thereby reducing power loss and further improving charging efficiency and system performance.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the derailleur portion 80 is pivotally connected to the movable portion 20 and can be moved relative to the fixed portion 10 together with the movable portion 20. By having the movable portion 20 and the derailleur portion 80 movable relative to the fixed portion 10, a bicycle chain (not shown) can be moved from one sprocket (not shown) to another sprocket (not shown), thereby enabling smooth gear changing.As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, the positioning members 90 are disposed around the battery unit 60, and the positioning members 90 are passed through the third pivot ring 32 of the first connecting rod 30, the positioning portion 524 of the first pivot axis 52, and the outer housing 72 of the control module 70 one after another. In this way, the first pivot axis 52, the first connecting rod 30, and the control module 70 are fixedly connected to each other, and the first pivot axis 52 and the control module 70 are held in a fixed position relative to the first connecting rod 30. That is, the first pivot axis 52 and the control module 70 are positioned on the first connecting rod 30. Moreover, the control module 70 is achieved to maintain a fixed position relative to the battery unit 60 during use of the electric derailleur 100, thereby achieving stable power supply from the battery unit 60 to the control module 70 and ensuring the accuracy and stability of signal transmission.In the present embodiment, the number of the positioning parts 90 is two. In other embodiments, the number of positioning parts 90 may be one or more.Reference is made to FIGS. 6 and 9. In the present embodiment, the first pivot axis 52 includes a stopper part 91, the stopper part 91 being attached to the outside of the first pivot axis 52 and being located at the lower side of the fourth pivot ring 34 of the first link rod 30 to limit the displacement of the first pivot axis 52 relative to the fourth pivot ring 34. By cooperation of the stopper part 91 and the positioning portion 524, axial displacement of the first pivot axis 52 relative to the fixed portion 10 and the first link rod 30 along the longitudinal direction of the first pivot axis 52 is effectively prevented, so that more stable rotational connection between the fixed portion 10 and the first link rod 30 is ensured by the first pivot axis 52. In other embodiments, the position of the stop member 91 along the longitudinal direction of the first pivot axis 52 may be adjusted and the stop member may be attached to the bottom of the first pivot ring 12, the second pivot ring 14, or the third pivot ring 32 to prevent displacement of the first pivot axis 52 relative to the first pivot ring 12, the second pivot ring 14, or the third pivot ring 32. By cooperation of the stopper part 91 and the positioning portion 524, the first pivot axis 52 can also be prevented from being displaced relative to the fixed portion 10 and the first connecting rod 30 along the longitudinal direction of the first pivot axis 52, thereby securing the stability of the overall structure.In the present embodiment, the first pivot axis 52 is located between the first connecting rod 30 and the fixed portion 10, and the control module 70 and the movable portion 20 are fixed to each other. In other embodiments, the control module 70 and the fixed portion 10 may also be secured together. In other embodiments, when the first pivot axis 52 is located between the fixed portion 10 and the second connecting rod 40, between the second connecting rod 40 and the movable portion 20, or between the movable portion 20 and the first connecting rod 30, the control module 70 may be fixed relative to the components adjacent to the first pivot axis 52, i.e., the fixed portion 10, the movable portion 20, the first connecting rod 30, or the second connecting rod 40.In summary, in the electric derailleur 100 according to the present invention, the battery compartment 522 of the first pivot axis 52 is housed in the battery unit 60 to achieve effective integration of the battery unit 60 and thereby effectively reduce the effects of external impacts on the battery unit 60, with the circuit board 74 at one end of the battery unit 60 and the charging interface 76 being located near the battery unit 60, so that the power conduction path is effectively shortened, power loss is reduced, and charging efficiency and system performance are further improved.The foregoing description is only illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention and is not intended to limit the claims. All equivalent changes and modifications that can be made according to the description and drawings of the invention by a person skilled in the art fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.List of reference characters100 Electric derailleur 10 Fixed portion 12 First pivot ring 14 Second pivot ring 20 Movable portion 30 First connecting rod 32 Third pivot ring 34 Fourth pivot ring 40 Second connecting rod 50 Pivot axis 52 First pivot axis 522 Battery compartment 5222 Opening 524 Positioning portion 54 Second pivot axis 60 Battery unit 62 Battery housing 622 End cap 6222 Connection opening 64 Battery body 70 Control module 72 Outer housing 722 Through hole 74 Circuit board 742 Contact 76 Charging interface 80 Derailleur portion 90 Positioning parts 91 Stop part

Claims

An electric derailleur for mounting to a bicycle frame, comprising: a fixed portion for mounting to the bicycle frame; a movable portion movable relative to the fixed portion; a first connecting rod pivotally connected to the fixed portion and the movable portion; a second connecting rod pivotally connected to the fixed portion and the movable portion, wherein to form a four bar linkage, the fixed portion, the movable portion, the first connecting rod, and the second connecting rod are pivotally connected to one another, whereby the movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion; four pivot axes respectively located between the fixed portion and the second connecting rod, between the second connecting rod and the movable portion, between the movable portion and the first connecting rod, and between the first connecting rod and the fixed portion, wherein one of the pivot axes includes a battery compartment; and a battery unit disposed in the battery compartment.The electric derailleur according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis provided with the battery compartment is defined as a first pivot axis, the first pivot axis being located between the fixed portion and the second connecting rod or between the first connecting rod and the fixed portion.The electric derailleur according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis provided with the battery compartment is defined as a first pivot axis, the first pivot axis being a tubular body and forming the battery compartment inside, the battery compartment having an opening.The electric derailleur according to claim 1, comprising a control module electrically connected to the battery body, wherein the pivot axis provided with the battery compartment is defined as a first pivot axis, wherein the control module is fixed relative to the fixed portion, the movable portion, the first connecting rod, or the second connecting rod adjacent the first pivot axis.The electric derailleur according to claim 4, wherein the control module comprises an outer housing, a printed circuit board and a charging interface, the printed circuit board being surrounded by the outer housing and electrically connected to the battery body, one end of the charging interface being connected to the printed circuit board and the other end being passed through the outer housing.The electric derailleur according to claim 5, wherein the first pivot axis is located between the first connecting rod and the fixed portion, the first pivot axis and the control module being positioned on the first connecting rod.The electric derailleur according to claim 5, comprising a battery unit comprising a battery case and the battery body, the battery case being housed in the battery compartment of the first pivot axis and the battery body being housed in the battery case, an end cap protruding from the opening of the battery compartment being disposed at an end of the battery case, the outer case of the control module being provided with a through hole, and the end cap of the battery case being fixed in the through hole.The electric derailleur according to claim 7, wherein the end cap has a terminal opening from which a terminal of the battery body protrudes, the circuit board having a contact for connection to the terminal of the battery body.The electric derailleur according to claim 6, wherein a first pivot ring and a second pivot ring are coaxially disposed at the end of the fixed portion adjacent to the first connecting rod, and a third pivot ring and a fourth pivot ring are coaxially disposed at the end of the first connecting rod adjacent to the fixed portion, the first pivot axis being disposed in the first pivot ring, second pivot ring, third pivot ring and fourth pivot ring.The electric derailleur according to claim 9, wherein the first pivot axis has a positioning portion located between the third pivot ring of the first connecting rod and the control module, the electric derailleur comprising at least one positioning member for securing the control module and the first connecting rod together.The electric derailleur according to claim 9, wherein the first pivot axis includes a stop member for limiting displacement of the first pivot axis relative to the first pivot ring, second pivot ring, third pivot ring or fourth pivot ring.

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