bicycle derailleur

Abstract

Bicycle derailleur (1) designed for mounting on a bicycle frame (F) comprises: a basic component (10) designed for mounting on the bicycle frame (F); a movable component (20); a first shaft (30), a second shaft (40), a third shaft (50) and a fourth shaft (60); a connecting arrangement (70) comprising an outer connecting member (71) and an inner connecting member (72), wherein one end of the outer connecting member (71) and one end of the inner connecting member (72) are pivotably connected to the base component (10) by means of the first shaft (30) and the second shaft (40), and another end of the outer connecting member (71) and another end of the inner connecting member (72) are pivotably connected to the movable component (20) by means of the third shaft (50) and the fourth shaft (60); and a chain guide (80) which is pivotably connected to the movable component (20); where a distance (T1) from a central axis (C1) of the first shaft (30) to a central axis (C2) of the second shaft (40) is greater than a distance (T2) from a central axis (C3) of the third shaft (50) to a central axis (C4) of the fourth shaft (60).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The revelation concerns a bicycle derailleur. background

[0002] In a conventional bicycle derailleur, the derailleur mechanism comprises a four-bar linkage consisting of a base component, a moving component, an inner connecting link, and an outer connecting link, with this four-bar linkage being designed as a parallelogram. However, such a parallelogram linkage makes it difficult for the chain guide to tilt along with the chain during the shifting process, which can lead to interference between the chain guide and the chain, thereby impairing smooth shifting. Given this, the question of how to solve this problem is one of the topics in this field. SUMMARY

[0003] The revelation provides a bicycle derailleur that can improve the smoothness of the chain guidance during chain shifting.

[0004] One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a bicycle derailleur. The bicycle derailleur is designed for mounting on a bicycle frame. The bicycle derailleur comprises a base component, a movable component, a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft, a fourth shaft, a connecting arrangement, and a chain guide. The base component is designed for mounting on the bicycle frame. The connecting arrangement comprises an outer connecting link and an inner connecting link. One end of the outer connecting link and one end of the inner connecting link are pivotably connected to the base component by means of the first shaft and the second shaft, and another end of the outer connecting link and another end of the inner connecting link are pivotably connected to the movable component by means of the third shaft and the fourth shaft.The chain guide is pivotally connected to the moving component. The distance between the central axis of the first shaft and the central axis of the second shaft is greater than the distance between the central axis of the third shaft and the central axis of the fourth shaft.

[0005] According to the bicycle derailleurs described in the above embodiment, one end of the outer connecting link and one end of the inner connecting link are pivotally connected to the base component by means of the first shaft and the second shaft, another end of the outer connecting link and another end of the inner connecting link are pivotally connected to the movable component by means of the third shaft and the fourth shaft, and the distance from the central axis of the first shaft to the central axis of the second shaft is greater than the distance from the central axis of the third shaft to the central axis of the fourth shaft. In this configuration, the base component, the movable component, the outer connecting link, and the inner connecting link together form a four-bar linkage in a non-parallelogram configuration.This allows the chain guide, which is pivotally connected to the moving component, to tilt along with the chain during the shifting process, thereby reducing interference between the chain guide and the chain and thus improving shifting smoothness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are therefore not intended to limit the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle derailleur and a bicycle frame according to a first embodiment of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a top view of the bicycle derailleur and bicycle frame in Fig. 1; Fig.Figure 3 is a partially enlarged top view of the bicycle derailleur and bicycle frame. Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 4 is a top view of the bicycle derailleur and bicycle frame. Fig. 1, when the bicycle derailleur is in the highest gear position; and Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bicycle derailleur and a bicycle frame according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] The following detailed description includes numerous specific details for illustrative purposes, in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is obvious that one or more embodiments can also be realized without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and units are represented schematically to simplify the drawing.

[0008] Furthermore, the terms used in this disclosure, such as technical and scientific terms, have their own meanings and can be understood by those skilled in the art, unless the terms are additionally defined in this disclosure. That is to say, the terms used in the following paragraphs should be read in their usual sense in the related fields and are not excessively explained unless the terms have a specific meaning in this disclosure.

[0009] With reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is Fig. 1 a perspective view of a bicycle derailleur and a bicycle frame according to a first embodiment of the disclosure, and Fig. Figure 2 is a top view of the bicycle derailleur and bicycle frame in Fig. 1.

[0010] In this embodiment, the bicycle derailleur 1 is, for example, a mechanical derailleur. The bicycle derailleur 1 comprises a base component 10, a movable component 20, a first shaft 30, a second shaft 40, a third shaft 50, a fourth shaft 60, a connecting arrangement 70, and a chain guide 80.

[0011] With reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is Fig. 3 a partially enlarged top view of the bicycle derailleur and bicycle frame made of Fig. 2.

[0012] The base component 10 is designed for mounting on the bicycle frame F along an installation axis I. The connection arrangement 70 comprises an outer connecting link 71 and an inner connecting link 72. One end of the outer connecting link 71 and one end of the inner connecting link 72 are pivotably connected to different positions of the base component 10 by means of the first shaft 30 and the second shaft 40, and another end of the outer connecting link 71 and another end of the inner connecting link 72 are pivotably connected to different positions of the movable component 20 by means of the third shaft 50 and the fourth shaft 60.A distance T1 from a central axis C1 of the first shaft 30 to a central axis C2 of the second shaft 40 is greater than a distance T2 from a central axis C3 of the third shaft 50 to a central axis C4 of the fourth shaft 60, thus forming a hinge quadrilateral in a non-parallelogram configuration. For example, the distance T1 from the central axis C1 of the first shaft 30 to the central axis C2 of the second shaft 40 is approximately 23.29 mm, and the distance T2 from the central axis C3 of the third shaft 50 to the central axis C4 of the fourth shaft 60 is approximately 22.20 mm.

[0013] In this embodiment, the central axes C1, C2, C3, and C4 of the first shaft 30, the second shaft 40, the third shaft 50, and the fourth shaft 60 are, for example, all perpendicular to the installation axis I. Furthermore, for example, a distance T3 from the central axis C1 of the first shaft 30 to the installation axis I is greater than a distance T4 from the central axis C2 of the second shaft 40 to the installation axis I. For example, the distance T3 from the central axis C1 of the first shaft 30 to the installation axis I is approximately 17.22 mm, and the distance T4 from the central axis C2 of the second shaft 40 to the installation axis I is approximately 16.47 mm. Furthermore, a distance T5 from the central axis C1 of the first shaft 30 to the central axis C3 of the third shaft 50 is, for example, equal to a distance T6 from the central axis C2 of the second shaft 40 to the central axis C4 of the fourth shaft 60. For example, the distances T5 and T6 are 36 mm.

[0014] The chain guide 80 comprises a frame 81 and two guide wheels 82 and 83. The frame 81 is pivotally connected to the movable component 20, for example via a pivot pin (not shown), and the two guide wheels 82 and 83 are rotatably mounted on the frame 81, with a pivot axis R1 of the frame 81 being, for example, parallel to the pivot axes R2 and R3 of the two guide wheels 82 and 83 relative to the movable component 20. The guide wheel 82 is designed to guide a chain (not shown), and the guide wheel 83 is a tensioning wheel designed to tension the chain.

[0015] In this embodiment, a mechanism for applying resistance (not shown) can be provided at the connection point between the pivot pin connected to the frame 81 and the movable component 20 to prevent the frame 81 from oscillating due to an external force and the guide wheel 83 from loosening the chain.

[0016] Then, with regard to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 shows Fig. 4 a top view of the bicycle derailleur and bicycle frame made of Fig. 1, when the bicycle derailleur is in the highest gear position.

[0017] In this embodiment, the bicycle derailleur 1 is displaceable between a plurality of gear positions. When the bicycle derailleur 1 is in at least one of the gear positions, the pivot axes R1 of the frame 81 of the chain guide 80 and the rotation axes R2 and R3 of the two guide wheels 82 and 83 are, for example, not parallel to the installation axis I. The pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 in one of the gear positions is, for example, not parallel to the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 in another gear position. Among these gear positions, the inclination direction of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I differs, for example, in the lowest gear position from the inclination direction of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I in the highest gear position.

[0018] For example, the bicycle derailleur 1 is movable between twelve gear positions, each corresponding to the first to the twelfth gear position and twelve chainrings S1-S12 with different outer diameters. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the first gear position is the lowest gear position, and in this state, the chain guide 80 corresponds to the sprocket S1 with the smallest outer diameter. As shown in Figure 2. Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the twelfth gear position is the highest gear position, and in this state the chain guide 80 corresponds to the sprocket S12 with the largest outer diameter.

[0019] Please refer to Table 1. Table 1 lists the inclination angles θ of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I when the bicycle derailleur 1 is in different gear positions. Because the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 is spaced apart from the installation axis I, and the inclination angle θ of the pivot axis R1 relative to the installation axis I is very small, it is not easy to directly represent the inclination angle θ using these two axes. Therefore, instead of the installation axis I, a horizontal line H is used in the drawings, running parallel to the installation axis I and located near the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80, to represent the inclination angle θ of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I, together with the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80.In Table 1, a negative angle means that the angle between the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 and the horizontal line H lies below the horizontal line H (as in . Fig. 2 shown), while a positive angle means that the angle between the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 and the horizontal line H lies above the horizontal line H (as in Fig. 4 shown). Table 1 Gait positions angle of inclination first gear position -1.12 degrees second gear position -0.7 degrees third gear position -0.39 degrees fourth gear position -0.1 degrees fifth gear position 0.14 degrees sixth gear position 0.4 degrees seventh gear position 0.68 degrees eighth gear position 0.98 degrees ninth gear position 1.29 degrees tenth gear position 1.58 degrees eleventh gear position 2.06 degrees twelfth gear position 2.76 degrees

[0020] As can be seen from the table above, the inclination angle θ of the pivot axis R1 of the frame 81 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I is not 0 degrees, regardless of the gear position of the bicycle derailleur 1. Therefore, the pivot axis R1 of the frame 81 and the rotation axes R2 and R3 of the two guide wheels 82 and 83 of the chain guide 80 are not parallel to the installation axis I.

[0021] Furthermore, if we refer to any two gear positions in the table above, the inclination angle θ of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I in one of the gear positions is not equal to the inclination angle θ of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I in the other gear position. Therefore, the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 at one gear position is not parallel to the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 at another gear position.

[0022] Furthermore, when referring to the lowest gear position (first gear position) and the highest gear position (twelfth gear position) in the table above, the inclination angle θ of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I changes from a negative value to a positive value. This means that the inclination direction of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I changes (from inclined to the left to inclined to the right). For example, the angle between the axis R1 of the chain guide 80 in the lowest gear position and the axis in the highest gear position is less than 4 degrees, such as 3.88 degrees, as shown in the table (2.76 - (-1.12) = 3.88 degrees).

[0023] In this embodiment, one end of the outer connecting member 71 and one end of the inner connecting member 72 are pivotably connected to the base component 10 by means of the first shaft 30 and the second shaft 40, another end of the outer connecting member 71 and another end of the inner connecting member 72 are pivotably connected to the movable component 20 by means of the third shaft 50 and the fourth shaft 60, and the distance T1 from the central axis C1 of the first shaft 30 to the central axis C2 of the second shaft 40 is greater than the distance T2 from the central axis C3 of the third shaft 50 to the central axis C4 of the fourth shaft 60. With this configuration, the base component 10, the movable component 20, the outer connecting member 71, and the inner connecting member 72 together form a four-point linkage in a non-parallelogram configuration.This allows the chain guide 80, which is pivotally connected to the movable component 20, to tilt together with the chain during the switching process, thereby reducing the interference between the chain guide 80 and the chain and thus improving the smoothness of the shifting.

[0024] Furthermore, in at least one of these gear positions, the pivot axis R1 of the frame 81 and the pivot axes R2 and R3 of the two guide wheels 82 and 83 of the chain guide 80 are not parallel to the installation axis I; the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 in one gear position is not parallel to the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 in another gear position; and the inclination direction of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I in the lowest gear position among these gear positions differs from the inclination direction of the pivot axis R1 relative to the installation axis I in the highest gear position among these gear positions. Such a configuration further reduces interference between the chain guide 80 and the chain, thereby improving shifting smoothness.

[0025] It should be noted that, regardless of the gear position in which the bicycle derailleur 1 is located, the pivot axis R1 of the frame 81 and the pivot axes R2 and R3 of the two guide wheels 82 and 83 of the chain guide 80 are not restricted to being non-parallel to the installation axis I. Furthermore, the inclination direction of the pivot axis R1 of the chain guide 80 relative to the installation axis I in the lowest gear position among these gear positions is not restricted to differing from the inclination direction of the pivot axis R1 relative to the installation axis I in the highest gear position among these gear positions.

[0026] For example, in one embodiment, the positions of the central axis of the first shaft, the central axis of the second shaft, the central axis of the third shaft, and the central axis of the fourth shaft can be adjusted as needed such that the distance from the central axis of the first shaft to the installation axis is no greater than the distance from the central axis of the second shaft to the installation axis, and the distance from the central axis of the first shaft to the central axis of the third shaft need not be equal to the distance from the central axis of the second shaft to the central axis of the fourth shaft. In this way, the pivot axis of the frame and the axes of rotation of the two guide wheels of the chain guide can be parallel to the installation axis in one of the gear positions.Alternatively, the inclination direction of the pivot axis of the chain guide relative to the installation axis at the lowest gear position can be the same as the inclination direction of the pivot axis of the chain guide relative to the installation axis at the highest gear position.

[0027] On the other hand, the central axis C1 of the first shaft 30, the central axis C2 of the second shaft 40, the central axis C3 of the third shaft 50, and the central axis C4 of the fourth shaft 60 are not limited to being perpendicular to the installation axis I. In other embodiments, they may not be perpendicular to the installation axis.

[0028] Then, in relation to Fig. 5 is Fig. 5 a perspective view of a bicycle derailleur and a bicycle frame according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] The bicycle derailleur 1a in this embodiment is similar to the bicycle derailleur 1 of the aforementioned embodiment. The following description focuses primarily on the differences between them, and the same features can be found in the description of the paragraphs above and are not repeated here.

[0030] In this embodiment, the bicycle derailleur 1a is an electronic derailleur. The term "electronic derailleur" refers to the fact that a chain guide 80a of the bicycle derailleur 1a is electrically controlled. For example, the bicycle derailleur 1a comprises a motor 90a and a control circuit board 100a for controlling the motor 90a. At least part of the motor 90a and the control circuit board 100a is located in a space surrounded by a base component 10a, a movable component 20a, an outer connecting link 71a, and an inner connecting link 72a. The motor 90a provides driving force to the outer connecting link 71a and the inner connecting link 72a, so that the movable component 20a drives the chain guide 80a relative to the base component 10a, thereby displacing the chain. The control circuit board 100a is configured to control the motor 90a.

[0031] In one embodiment, the control circuit board 100a can be equipped with a wireless communication unit and an antenna for wirelessly receiving / transmitting control signals. Furthermore, the control circuit board 100a can be electrically connected to an external power source or a battery provided in the bicycle derailleur, if required, to draw power.

[0032] According to the bicycle derailleurs described in the embodiments above, one end of the outer connecting link and one end of the inner connecting link are pivotally connected to the base component by means of the first shaft and the second shaft, another end of the outer connecting link and another end of the inner connecting link are pivotally connected to the movable component by means of the third shaft and the fourth shaft, and the distance between the central axis of the first shaft and the central axis of the second shaft is greater than the distance between the central axis of the third shaft and the central axis of the fourth shaft. In this configuration, the base component, the movable component, the outer connecting link, and the inner connecting link together form a four-bar linkage in a non-parallelogram configuration.This allows the chain guide, which is pivotally connected to the moving component, to tilt along with the chain during the shifting process, thereby reducing interference between the chain guide and the chain and thus improving shifting smoothness.

[0033] Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure. The description and examples are to be regarded only as exemplary embodiments, the scope of which is indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] Bicycle derailleur (1) designed for mounting on a bicycle frame (F) comprises: a basic component (10) designed for mounting on the bicycle frame (F); a movable component (20); a first shaft (30), a second shaft (40), a third shaft (50) and a fourth shaft (60); a connecting arrangement (70) comprising an outer connecting member (71) and an inner connecting member (72), wherein one end of the outer connecting member (71) and one end of the inner connecting member (72) are pivotably connected to the base component (10) by means of the first shaft (30) and the second shaft (40), and another end of the outer connecting member (71) and another end of the inner connecting member (72) are pivotably connected to the movable component (20) by means of the third shaft (50) and the fourth shaft (60); and a chain guide (80) which is pivotably connected to the movable component (20); where a distance (T1) from a central axis (C1) of the first shaft (30) to a central axis (C2) of the second shaft (40) is greater than a distance (T2) from a central axis (C3) of the third shaft (50) to a central axis (C4) of the fourth shaft (60). [2] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base component (10) is designed to be mounted along an installation axis (I) on the bicycle frame (F), and a distance (T3) from the central axis (C1) of the first shaft (30) to the installation axis (I) is greater than a distance (T4) from the central axis (C2) of the second shaft (40) to the installation axis (I). [3] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 2, wherein the bicycle derailleur (1) is displaceable between a plurality of gear positions; when the bicycle derailleur is in at least one of the plurality of gear positions, a pivot axis (R1) of the chain guide (80) is not parallel to the installation axis (I). [4] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 3, wherein the chain guide comprises a frame and two guide wheels, the frame is pivotably connected to the movable component, the two guide wheels are rotatably arranged on the frame; when the bicycle derailleur is in at least one of the plurality of gear positions, the axes of rotation of the two guide wheels are not parallel to the installation axis. [5] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 3, wherein the pivot axis (R1) of the chain guide (80) in one of the plurality of gear positions is not parallel to the pivot axis (R1) of the chain guide (80) in another of the plurality of gear positions. [6] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of gear positions comprises a lowest gear position and a highest gear position, and an inclination direction of the pivot axis (R1) of the chain guide (80) relative to the installation axis (I) in the lowest gear position differs from an inclination direction of the pivot axis (R1) of the chain guide (80) relative to the installation axis (I) in the highest gear position. [7] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 6, wherein the angle between the pivot axis (R1) of the chain guide (80) in the lowest gear position and the pivot axis (R1) of the chain guide (80) in the highest gear position is less than 4 degrees. [8] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base component (10) is designed to be mounted along an installation axis (I) on the bicycle frame (F), and the central axes (C1, C2, C3, C4) of the first shaft (30), the second shaft (40), the third shaft (50) and the fourth shaft (60) are all perpendicular to the installation axis (I). [9] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 1, wherein a distance (T5) from the central axis (C1) of the first shaft (30) to the central axis (C3) of the third shaft (50) is equal to a distance (T6) from the central axis (C2) of the second shaft (40) to the central axis (C4) of the fourth shaft (60). [10] Bicycle derailleur (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bicycle derailleur (1) is a mechanical derailleur or an electronic derailleur.

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