Battery lid structure for bicycle device and bicycle device

Abstract

To prevent a battery lid of a bicycle device from being lost.SOLUTION: There is provided a battery lid structure for a bicycle operation device 1 including: an operation device body 10; a battery cover 60 which is assembled so as to be capable of turning about a common shaft 66 fixed to the operation device body 10 and is brought into a closed state or an open state by turning with respect to the operation device body 10; and a clamp 50 to be attached to a handle bar 103a of a bicycle 100, the clamp being assembled so as to be capable of turning about the common shaft 66 fixed to the operation device body 10. Both the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 are brought into contact with the handle bar 103a and sandwich the handle bar 103a, so that the operation device body 10 is fixed to the bicycle 100. The battery cover 60 turns around the same turn shaft as the common shaft 66 to be a center of turning of the clamp 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cover structure for a bicycle device that is attached to a bicycle, and to a bicycle device. [Background technology]

[0002] There are many different types of bicycle devices that users can retrofit onto their bicycles. These bicycle devices include, for example, operating devices, measuring devices, lighting devices, and riding indicators, and are also commonly referred to as cycle computers. Typically, these bicycle devices are supplied with power by a battery housed in the bicycle device.

[0003] One example of such a bicycle device is a bicycle travel display device that consists of a fixed member that is fixed to the bicycle frame, a shift lever unit that has a shift lever and a console box supported by the fixed member, and a display unit that has a display that electrically displays speed, distance traveled, etc. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The bicycle driving display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a battery 50 is installed inside a housing main body 7 and a top cover 8 is fixed to the housing main body 7 with bolts, thereby accommodating the battery 50 in a battery accommodating section 73. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-171986 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when replacing battery 50 with a new battery, the user must perform multiple steps, including removing top lid 8 from housing main body 7, removing battery 50, storing a new battery in battery storage section 73, and reattaching top lid 8 to housing main body 7. Because multiple steps must be performed when replacing battery 50, there is a concern that the user may lose top lid 8 before replacing battery 50.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its object is to provide a battery cover structure for a bicycle device and a bicycle device that can prevent the battery cover of a bicycle device from being lost, reduce the number of parts of the bicycle device, and make it smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the battery cover structure for a bicycle device of the present invention comprises a housing for the bicycle device having a battery storage section for storing a battery, a battery cover assembled to be rotatable around a rotation axis fixed to the housing and which can be rotated relative to the housing to take either a closed state that covers the opening surface of the battery storage section or an open state that opens the opening surface of the battery storage section, and an attachment body assembled to be rotatable around the rotation axis fixed to the housing and for attachment to a bicycle frame, wherein the battery cover is configured to rotate around the same rotation axis as the rotation axis that is the center of rotation of the attachment body.

[0009] With this configuration, in the battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to the present invention, the battery cover is attached to the housing of the bicycle device and rotates relative to the housing to open and close the opening of the battery housing. Therefore, when a user wants to replace the battery, there is no need to remove the battery cover from the housing of the bicycle device, which prevents the battery cover from getting lost.

[0010] In addition, the battery cover structure of the bicycle device of the present invention has the same rotation axis that is the center of rotation of the mounting body and the rotation axis that is the center of rotation of the battery cover, thereby reducing the number of parts of the bicycle device and making it smaller.

[0011] In the battery cover structure for a bicycle device configured as described above, the housing may be configured to have a battery cover fixing portion within a tip side recess that accommodates the tip side opposite the base end side that is the center of rotation of the battery cover when the battery cover is in the closed state, and fixes the tip side to the housing.

[0012] With this configuration, the battery cover structure of the bicycle device of the present invention has a battery cover fixing portion that fixes the tip side of the battery cover to the housing when the battery cover is in the closed state, thereby preventing the battery cover from opening and becoming open while the bicycle is being ridden, etc., and preventing the battery of the bicycle device accommodated in the battery accommodation portion from falling out and being lost.

[0013] In the battery lid structure for a bicycle device configured as described above, the mounting body may have a mounting body tip portion on the opposite side to the base end side which is the center of rotation, and the mounting body tip portion may be configured to cover at least a portion of the periphery of the battery lid fixing portion together with the tip side recess when fixed to the housing.

[0014] With this configuration, in the battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to the present invention, the mounting tip, when fixed to the housing, together with the tip recess, covers at least a portion of the periphery of the battery cover fixing part, making it difficult to see the battery cover fixing part from the outside, thereby preventing a third party from removing the battery cover fixing part and stealing the battery housed in the battery housing part.

[0015] In the battery cover structure for a bicycle device configured as described above, the housing may be configured to have an attachment body fixing portion that fixes the tip of the attachment body to the housing when the attachment body is in a closed state.

[0016] With this configuration, the battery cover structure of the bicycle device of the present invention allows the housing of the bicycle device to be securely fixed to the bicycle when the mounting body is in a closed state, because the mounting body fixing portion fixes the tip side of the mounting body to the housing.

[0017] The battery cover structure for a bicycle device configured as described above may further include an annular ring body made of an elastic member that is attached to the housing, the mounting body, and the inner periphery of the battery cover.

[0018] With this configuration, the battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to the present invention includes a housing, a mounting body, and a circular ring body made of an elastic member that is attached to the inner circumference of the battery cover, so that when mounting to the bicycle, the housing, mounting body, and battery cover are less likely to slip on the bicycle compared to when the ring body is not used, and the bicycle device can be more securely fixed to the bicycle. In addition, the presence of the ring body makes the surfaces of the mounting body and battery cover invisible from the outside, eliminating the need for unnecessary design on the surfaces of the mounting body and battery cover.

[0019] In the battery cover structure for a bicycle device configured as described above, a ring-shaped seal member made of an elastic material may be fitted into the gap between the outer peripheral wall of the battery housing portion and the battery cover.

[0020] With this configuration, the battery lid structure of a bicycle device according to the present invention has an annular sealing member made of an elastic material fitted into the gap between the outer wall of the battery accommodating section and the battery lid, thereby preventing water from entering the battery accommodating section in which the battery is accommodated from the outside.

[0021] In the battery cover structure for a bicycle device configured as described above, the battery cover may be formed with a battery cover hole through which the rotating shaft passes, and the hole diameter of the battery cover hole may be larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft.

[0022] With this configuration, the battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to the present invention has a battery cover hole diameter larger than the outer diameter of the pivot shaft, so the battery cover can not only rotate about the pivot shaft relative to the housing, but also move linearly within the range allowed by the size of the battery cover hole diameter. Therefore, when changing the battery cover from an open state to a closed state, the positional relationship between the battery cover, the seal member, and the battery housing can be fine-tuned, and the seal member can be securely attached inside the battery housing.

[0023] In the battery cover structure for a bicycle device configured as described above, the battery cover hole may be an elongated hole extending in the direction in which the battery cover is attached.

[0024] With this configuration, the battery cover structure of the bicycle device according to the present invention has a battery cover hole that is an elongated hole extending in the direction in which the battery cover is attached, so that the battery cover can not only rotate about the pivot shaft relative to the housing, but also move linearly in the direction in which the battery cover is attached. Therefore, when the battery cover is changed from an open state to a closed state, the positional relationship between the battery cover, the seal member, and the battery housing section can be finely adjusted, and the seal member can be securely attached to the battery housing section. Therefore, when closing the battery cover, it can be inserted linearly into the battery housing section, making insertion easy. Furthermore, when closing the battery cover, an even force can be applied to the seal member, so the seal member can be evenly positioned without tilting, and waterproofing can be ensured.

[0025] In the battery cover structure for a bicycle device configured as described above, both end faces of the battery cover in the axial direction of the pivot shaft may each face one of the side faces of the housing, and a recess recessed in the axial direction of the pivot shaft may be formed on at least one of the side faces of the housing facing the both end faces of the battery cover.

[0026] With this configuration, the battery cover structure of the bicycle device of the present invention has a recess formed in the axial direction of the pivot shaft on at least one of the sides facing both end faces of the battery cover of the housing.When the user changes the battery cover from a closed state to an open state, he or she can insert his or her finger into the recess and grasp part of the battery cover, making it easy to open the battery cover and perform battery replacement, etc.

[0027] A bicycle device according to the present invention includes the battery cover structure for a bicycle device having the above-described configuration.

[0028] With this configuration, the bicycle device according to the present invention has a battery cover attached to the housing of the bicycle device and rotates relative to the housing to open and close the opening of the battery compartment. Therefore, when a user wants to replace the battery, there is no need to remove the battery cover from the housing of the bicycle device, which helps prevent the battery cover from getting lost.

[0029] In addition, since the bicycle device of the present invention has the same rotation axis around which the mounting body rotates and the battery cover rotates, the number of parts of the bicycle device can be reduced and the device can be made smaller. Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, a battery cover structure for a bicycle device and a bicycle device can be provided that can prevent the battery cover of a bicycle device from being lost, reduce the number of parts of the bicycle device, and make the bicycle device smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a bicycle equipped with a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4]4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams showing a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from various directions, with FIG. 4(a) being a left side view, FIG. 4(b) being a front view, and FIG. 4(c) being a right side view. [Diagram 5] 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA and line BB of a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a clamp of a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is open. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a clamp of a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is open and a battery cover is in an open state. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a bicycle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] A bicycle operating device 1 according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0033] (bicycle) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a bicycle 100 equipped with a bicycle operating device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, bicycle 100 is an electric bicycle equipped with an electric unit 110. In this embodiment, an electric bicycle will be described as an example of bicycle 100, but bicycles other than electric bicycles, such as mountain bikes, road bikes, cross bikes, city bikes, cargo bikes, hand cycles, and recumbent bikes, may also be used.

[0034] Bicycle 100 includes a front wheel 101, a rear wheel 102, a frame 103, pedals 104, a saddle 105, a chain 106, and an electric unit 110. Front wheel 101 and rear wheel 102 are each connected to frame 103. Frame 103 is formed primarily from a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, and includes a handlebar 103a. Frame 103 also includes, for example, a head tube, a top tube, a down tube, seat stays, chain stays, a front fork, a stem, etc. In this embodiment, bicycle operating device 1 is attached to handlebar 103a, but it may also be attached to a location of frame 103 other than handlebar 103a.

[0035] A driving force is applied to the pedals 104 by the human power of the user of the bicycle 100, and the driving force is transmitted to the rear wheel 102 via a chain 106. An electric unit 110 performs various controls such as providing a propulsive force to the bicycle 100. The electric unit 110 is connected to the bicycle operating device 1 via an electric cable or a wireless communication device (not shown).

[0036] (Bicycle operating device) Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the bicycle operating device 1, with Figure 2 being a view of the bicycle operating device 1 attached to bicycle 100 as viewed from below, and Figure 3 being a view as viewed from above. In Figure 2, the x direction is referred to as the horizontal direction, the y direction is referred to as the depth direction, and the z direction is referred to as the height direction, and this also applies to Figure 3 and subsequent figures. The positive direction of the z direction is sometimes referred to as upward or upper side, and the negative direction is sometimes referred to as downward or lower side.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows the bicycle operating device 1 from each direction, Fig. 4(a) is a left side view, Fig. 4(b) is a front view, and Fig. 4(c) is a right side view. Fig. 5 shows cross-sectional views of the bicycle operating device 1, Fig. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 4(a), and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB.

[0038] The bicycle operating device 1 includes an operating device main body 10, a battery cover 60, and a clamp 50, which will be described later. The bicycle operating device 1 constitutes a bicycle device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an operating device is used as an example of a bicycle device, but the bicycle device is not limited to this and may be other devices, such as a measuring device, a lighting device, a running display device, or a cycle computer.

[0039] Bicycle operation device 1 is attached via clamp 50, which will be described later, at any position on the outer periphery of handlebar 103a that is easy for the user to use. When the user operates a button or the like, the bicycle operation device 1 presses a switch (not shown) on a circuit board within bicycle operation device 1, and transmits the generated signal to electric unit 110. The signal is transmitted via an electric cable (not shown) or a wireless communication device.

[0040] (Operation device body) The operating device body 10 is the main body of the bicycle operating device 1, and has a battery housing section 26 that houses a battery 71, which will be described later. The operating device body 10 constitutes the housing of the present invention. The operating device body 10 includes a base member 20, a case member 30, and an operating member 40.

[0041] (Base material) As shown in FIG. 3, the base member 20 is a portion of the operating device main body 10 that is connected to the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60, which will be described later. The base member 20 has a base end protruding portion 21, a central portion 22, a tip end protruding portion 23, a clamp fixing portion 24, and a substrate 27. The four side surfaces of the base member 20 in the x and y directions are hereinafter referred to as side surface portion 20a, side surface portion 20b, side surface portion 20c, and side surface portion 20d. Side surface portion 20b and side surface portion 20c are as shown in FIG. 2, and side surface portion 20a and side surface portion 20d are as shown in FIG. 3. The inner bottom surface of the base member 20 is hereinafter referred to as an inner bottom surface 25. The inner bottom surface 25 is as shown in FIG. 7, in which the battery cover 60 is open.

[0042] The base end protrusion 21 is a portion of the base member 20 corresponding to the base end side of the rotation of the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60, and is provided at the base end side to protrude downward in the z direction relative to a case member 30 described later. A base hole 21a is formed in the base end protrusion 21, penetrating in the depth direction (y direction in FIG. 2). A common shaft 66 described later is press-fitted into the base hole 21a, and is fixed to the operating device main body 10. A portion of the base end protrusion 21 abuts against the handle bar 103a when the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 described later are closed to clamp the handle bar 103a.

[0043] 3, a base-end recess 21b is formed in the center in the depth direction on the side of the side surface portion 20d of the base-end protrusion 21. Clamp base ends 52, 53 and a battery cover base end 62, which will be described later, are disposed in the base-end recess 21b with a common shaft 66 inserted therethrough.

[0044] Central portion 22 is a portion located at the center of base member 20 in the lateral direction (x direction in FIG. 2), and is provided between base end protrusion 21 and tip end protrusion 23. As shown in FIG. 7, battery accommodating portion 26 for accommodating battery 71, which will be described later, is formed on inner bottom surface 25. In this embodiment, battery accommodating portion 26 is a circular recess in order to accommodate circular battery 71, but the shape of battery accommodating portion 26 may be changed to match the shape of the battery to be accommodated.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 2, the central portion 22 is formed with a gripping recess 22b, which is formed by recessing a part of the side surface portion 20c in the axial direction of the shared shaft 66, which will be described later, i.e., in the y direction. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 3, the central portion 22 is formed with a gripping recess 22a, which is formed by recessing a part of the side surface portion 20a in the axial direction of the shared shaft 66, which will be described later, i.e., in the y direction. The gripping recesses 22a and 22b constitute recesses according to the present invention. In this embodiment, two recesses, the gripping recess 22a and the gripping recess 22b, are provided, but it is also possible to provide only one of them.

[0046] As described above, the gripping recesses 22a and 22b are formed as recesses in the central portion 22. Therefore, when a user of the bicycle 100 changes the battery cover 60 from the closed state shown in FIG. 6 to the open state shown in FIG. 7, the user can insert his or her fingers into the gripping recesses 22a and 22b to grasp part of the battery cover 60, thereby making it possible to easily open the battery cover 60 and perform battery replacement, etc.

[0047] The battery accommodating section 26 is a recess that accommodates the battery 71, and is formed on the inner bottom surface 25. The upper surface of the battery accommodating section 26 is an open surface when not covered by a battery cover 60 described below. The outer peripheral wall 26a of the battery accommodating section 26 has a diameter slightly larger than that of an annular battery support wall 26e that supports the outer periphery of the battery 71, and when the battery 71 is accommodated in the battery support wall 26e of the battery accommodating section 26, an annular groove portion 26b is formed between the battery support wall 26e and the outer peripheral wall 26a.

[0048] An annular wall 64, which is part of a battery cover 60 described below, is inserted into groove 26b with the battery cover 60 closed on the operating device body 10, and at that time, as shown in Figure 5, an annular waterproof rubber 65 made of an elastic material such as rubber is fitted into the gap between outer peripheral wall 26a and battery cover 60. This makes it possible to prevent water from entering battery housing section 26, which houses battery 71, from outside bicycle operating device 1. Waterproof rubber 65 constitutes a sealing member according to the present invention.

[0049] 7, battery housing section 26 is formed with battery locking sections 26c, 26d for locking the battery to prevent battery 71 from falling out and being lost when battery cover 60 is open. In this embodiment, two battery locking sections are provided, but a greater number of battery locking sections may be provided.

[0050] The tip side protrusion 23 is a portion of the base member 20 that corresponds to the tip side of the rotation of the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60, and is provided so as to protrude downward in the z direction at the tip side relative to the case member 30 described later. When the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 described later are closed to clamp the handle bar 103a, a portion of the tip side protrusion 23 abuts against the handle bar 103a. As shown in FIG. 3, a tip side recess 23a is formed on the side of the side surface portion 20b of the tip side protrusion 23, in the center in the depth direction. A battery cover tip portion 63 described later is engaged with the tip side recess 23a when the battery cover 60 is closed.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the tip recess 23a is formed with a screw receiving portion 23b. The screw receiving portion 23b is a hole into which a battery cover fixing screw 67, which will be described later, is inserted. The screw receiving portion 23b constitutes the battery cover fixing portion according to the present invention. When the battery cover 60 is in a closed state due to the battery cover fixing screw 67 being inserted into the tip hole portion 63a of the battery cover 60 and the screw receiving portion 23b of the base member 20, the battery cover fixing screw 67 fixes the battery cover tip portion 63 on the opposite side to the base end side which is the center of rotation of the battery cover 60, to the operating device main body 10. This makes it possible to prevent the battery cover 60 from opening to an open state while the bicycle 100 is traveling, and the battery 71 of the bicycle operating device 1 housed in the battery housing portion 26 from falling off and being lost.

[0052] The clamp fixing portion 24 is a portion for fixing the clamp tip portion 54 when the clamp 50 described later is in a closed state. The clamp fixing portion 24 is formed with a fixing portion hole 24a. The fixing portion hole 24a is a hole into which a clamp fixing screw 55 described later is inserted. The fixing portion hole 24a constitutes the attachment body fixing portion according to the present invention. When the clamp fixing screw 55 is inserted into the tip hole 54a of the clamp 50 and the fixing portion hole 24a of the base member 20, the clamp tip portion 54 on the opposite side to the base end side that is the center of rotation of the clamp 50 is fixed to the operating device main body 10 when the battery cover 60 is in a closed state and the handlebar 103a is sandwiched between the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60. This allows the operating device main body 10 to be reliably fixed to the bicycle 100.

[0053] 5(a) and (b), the substrate 27 is provided inside the base member 20. The substrate 27 generates a signal when pressed via a button operation or the like on an operating member 40 described later, and transmits the signal to the electric unit 110. The signal is transmitted via an electric cable or a wireless communication device (not shown).

[0054] (Case material) The case member 30 is a portion that is connected to the base member 20 and the operation member 40 described later. The case member 30 is made of resin, and may be configured by two-color molding of ABS resin, elastomer, etc. The case member 30 presses the substrate 27 of the base member 20 in response to a button operation on the operation member 40, etc.

[0055] The four side surfaces of the case member 30 in the x and y directions are hereinafter referred to as side surface portion 30a, side surface portion 30b, side surface portion 30c, and side surface portion 30d. Side surface portion 30b and side surface portion 30c are as shown in FIG. 2, and side surface portion 30a and side surface portion 30d are as shown in FIG.

[0056] An operating member shaft 48 is supported inside the case member 30. The operating member shaft 48 serves as an axis when an operating member 40, which will be described later, swings as a switch.

[0057] (Operating member) The operating member 40 is a part that connects to the case member 30, and is located at the topmost part of the bicycle operating device 1. The operating member 40 is made of resin. The operating member 40 has a first button 41, a second button 42, a third button 43, and a central separator 44. By pressing and operating the various buttons on the operating member 40, the user can, for example, increase or decrease the assist level of the electric bicycle.

[0058] The four side surfaces of the operating member 40 in the x and y directions will be referred to as outer frame portion 40a, outer frame portion 40b, outer frame portion 40c, and outer frame portion 40d below. Outer frame portion 40b and outer frame portion 40c are as shown in FIG. 2, and outer frame portion 40a and outer frame portion 40d are as shown in FIG.

[0059] The first button 41 is provided to protrude from the upper surface of the operating member 40. The first button 41 is, for example, a button for switching the power of the bicycle operating device 1 on and off, but is not limited to this purpose and may be a button for other purposes, such as turning the power of a lighting device on and off.

[0060] The operating member 40 is capable of swinging about an operating member shaft 48 supported by the case member 30. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the operating member shaft 48 is located below a central separation section 44 located between the second button 42 and the third button 43. When no external force is applied to the operating member 40 by the user, the operating member 40 is in a neutral state and is not tilted from the horizontal direction formed by the xy plane.

[0061] On the other hand, when an external force is applied downward by the user to the second button 42, that is, when the second button 42 is pressed, the second button 42 is pressed downward and the third button 43 on the opposite side is pressed up. That is, like a seesaw, when one side is pressed down, the other side is pressed down, with the operating member shaft 48 as an axis. At this time, the second button 42 presses the case member 30 below, and the case member 30 presses the board 27. As a result, the board 27 generates a signal and transmits the signal to the electric unit 110. When the second button 42 is pressed, for example, the assist level in the electric unit 110 increases.

[0062] Also, when an external force is applied downward by the user to the third button 43, that is, when the third button 43 is pressed, the third button 43 is pressed downward and the second button 42 on the opposite side is pressed up. That is, like a seesaw, when one side is pressed down, the other side is pressed down, with the operating member shaft 48 as an axis. At this time, the third button 43 presses the case member 30 below, and the case member 30 presses the board 27. This causes the board 27 to generate a signal and transmit the signal to the electric unit 110. When the third button 43 is pressed, for example, the assist level in the electric unit 110 decreases.

[0063] (Clamp) Clamp 50 is assembled so as to be rotatable about shared shaft 66 fixed to operating device main body 10, and is attached to handlebar 103a of bicycle 100. Clamp 50 constitutes the mounting body according to the present invention. Clamp 50 is made of resin. Clamp 50 has clamp main body 51, clamp base ends 52 and 53, and clamp tip end 54.

[0064] 2 and 3, the clamp 50 comes into contact with the handlebar 103a together with a battery cover 60 (described later) to clamp the handlebar 103a. This fixes the bicycle operating device 1 to the bicycle 100.

[0065] The clamp main body 51 is curved in a shape close to a semicircle, and is the part that comes into contact with the handlebar 103a and clamps the handlebar 103a when the clamp 50 is in a closed state.

[0066] The clamp base end 52 and the clamp base end 53 are portions that become base ends for rotation of the clamp 50. As shown in Figures 3, 5(a) and 5(b), the clamp base ends 52 and 53 are arranged in the base end recess 21b together with the battery cover base end 62, which will be described later, with the common shaft 66 inserted therethrough.

[0067] A base end hole 52a is formed in clamp base end 52, and a base end hole 53a is formed in clamp base end 53. Base end hole 52a, together with base end hole 53a and base end hole 62a of battery cover 60 described below, is a hole through which shared shaft 66 is inserted. In this way, shared shaft 66, which is the center of rotation of clamp 50, is also used as the shaft which is the center of rotation of battery cover 60. Therefore, compared to when separate shafts are used, the number of parts of bicycle operating device 1 can be reduced and the size can be made smaller.

[0068] The clamp tip 54 is a portion that protrudes toward the tip side of the rotation of the clamp 50, and is fixed by the clamp fixing part 24. A tip hole 54a is formed in the clamp tip 54. The tip hole 54a is a hole into which the clamp fixing screw 55 is inserted.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b), when the clamp tip 54 is fixed to the operating device main body 10, it covers the upper part of the screw receiving portion 23b, and the tip recess 23a covers a part of the periphery of the screw receiving portion 23b. When the bicycle operating device 1 is attached to the handlebar 103a, the handlebar 103a covers a part of the periphery of the screw receiving portion 23b. Since the periphery of the screw receiving portion 23b is covered by the clamp tip 54, the tip recess 23a, the handlebar 103a, etc. in this way, it is not easy to visually confirm the screw receiving portion 23b from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a third party from removing the battery cover fixing screw 67 and stealing the battery 71 accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 26.

[0070] The clamp fixing screw 55 is a screw for fixing the clamp 50 to the base member 20. When the clamp 50 is in a closed state due to the clamp fixing screw 55 being inserted into the tip hole 54a of the clamp 50 and the fixing portion hole 24a of the base member 20, the clamp fixing screw 55 fixes the clamp tip portion 54 to the operating device main body 10. This allows the operating device main body 10 to be reliably fixed to the bicycle 100.

[0071] Fig. 3 shows clamp 50 in a closed state, whereas Fig. 6 shows clamp 50 in an open state. By removing clamp fixing screw 55 from tip hole 54a of clamp 50 and fixing portion hole 24a of base member 20, clamp 50 can be rotated to an open state from the closed state of clamp 50 shown in Fig. 3. This allows clamp 50 to be attached to or detached from handlebar 103a.

[0072] (Battery cover) The battery cover 60 is assembled to be rotatable around a common shaft 66 fixed to the operating device body 10, and is adapted to be in either a closed state in which the opening surface of the battery accommodating section 26 is covered or an open state in which the opening surface of the battery accommodating section 26 is exposed by rotating with respect to the operating device body 10. The battery cover 60 constitutes a battery lid according to the present invention. The battery cover 60 is made of resin. The battery cover 60 has a battery cover main body 61, a battery cover base end 62, a battery cover tip end 63, and an annular wall 64. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, both axial end surfaces of the common shaft 66 of the battery cover 60 face the side surface 20a and the side surface 20c of the base member 20, respectively.

[0073] 2 and 3, the battery cover 60, together with the clamp 50, abuts against the handlebar 103a and clamps the handlebar 103a. This fixes the bicycle operation device 1 to the bicycle 100. The battery cover 60 of this embodiment abuts against the handlebar 103a of the bicycle 100 and is pressed against the operation device main body 10 by the handlebar 103a, so that even if the battery cover fixing screw 67 comes loose for some reason, for example, the battery cover 60 can be prevented from being unintentionally opened when the bicycle 100 is in use.

[0074] When the battery cover 60 is closed, the battery cover main body 61 covers the opening surface of the battery accommodating section 26, and its lower surface in the z direction in Figure 6 (upper surface in the figure) abuts against the handlebar 103a, thereby clamping the handlebar 103a.

[0075] The battery cover base end 62 is a portion that serves as a base end for rotation of the battery cover 60. As shown in Figures 3, 5(a) and 5(b), the battery cover base end 62, together with the clamp base ends 52 and 53, is disposed in the base end recess 21b with the common shaft 66 inserted therethrough.

[0076] A base end hole 62a is formed in the battery cover base end 62. The base end hole 62a, together with the base end hole 52a of the clamp 50, is a hole through which the common shaft 66 is inserted. The base end hole 62a constitutes the battery lid hole of the present invention. The common shaft 66 constitutes the pivot axis of the present invention. The battery cover 60 of this embodiment is assembled so as to be rotatable about the common shaft 66 fixed to the base member 20. Therefore, when replacing the battery 71, it is not necessary to remove the battery cover 60 from the operating device main body 10 of the bicycle operating device 1, and it is possible to prevent the battery cover 60 from being lost.

[0077] Furthermore, the common shaft 66 which is the center of rotation of the battery cover 60 is also used as the shaft which is the center of rotation of the clamp 50. This allows the number of parts in the bicycle operating device 1 to be reduced and the device to be made smaller than in the case where separate shafts are used.

[0078] The hole of the battery cover base end 62 may have a hole diameter one size larger in the height direction (z direction) than the common shaft 66, as shown in Fig. 9, and may be an elongated base end hole 62a1 extending in the mounting direction of the battery cover 60. The mounting direction of the battery cover 60 is the positive direction of the z axis in Fig. 9. Note that the elongated hole shape referred to here includes not only a shape in which two semicircles are connected by a rectangle, but also general shapes that allow the battery cover 60 to move in the height direction or in a direction inclined from the height direction, such as an elliptical shape or a shape in which two semicircles are connected by a trapezoid.

[0079] The base end hole 62a1 constitutes the battery cover hole of the present invention. In the case of the base end hole 62a having a hole diameter substantially equal to that of the common shaft 66 as shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the battery cover 60 can only rotate about the common shaft 66 relative to the operating device main body 10. In contrast, in the case of the elongated base end hole 62a1, the battery cover 60 can not only rotate about the common shaft 66, but also move linearly in the mounting direction of the battery cover 60 having the elongated hole shape of the base end hole 62a1, i.e., in the height direction.

[0080] Therefore, when closing the battery cover 60, the annular wall portion 64 of the battery cover 60 can be inserted linearly into the groove portion 26b of the battery housing portion 26, facilitating insertion. Furthermore, when closing the battery cover 60, a uniform force can be applied to the waterproof rubber 65 in the height direction, so the waterproof rubber 65 can be positioned evenly without tilting in the height direction, ensuring reliable waterproofing.

[0081] Therefore, when changing the battery cover 60 from an open state to a closed state, it is possible to fine-tune the positional relationship between the battery cover 60 and the waterproof rubber 65 and the battery accommodating section 26, and the waterproof rubber 65 can be securely attached within the battery accommodating section 26.

[0082] The hole of the battery cover base end 62 may be a circular base end hole 62a2 having a hole diameter one size larger than that of the common shaft 66 in the height direction (z direction) and the horizontal direction (x direction) as shown in FIG. 10. The base end hole 62a2 constitutes the battery cover hole of the present invention. In the case of the base end hole 62a having a hole diameter substantially equal to that of the common shaft 66 as shown in FIG. 5(a) and (b), the battery cover 60 can only rotate about the common shaft 66 relative to the operating device main body 10. In contrast, in the case of the circular base end hole 62a2, the battery cover 60 can not only rotate about the common shaft 66, but also move linearly in the height direction and the horizontal direction within the range allowed by the size of the hole diameter.

[0083] Therefore, when changing the battery cover 60 from an open state to a closed state, it is possible to fine-tune the positional relationship between the battery cover 60 and the waterproof rubber 65 and the battery accommodating section 26, and the waterproof rubber 65 can be securely attached within the battery accommodating section 26.

[0084] The battery cover tip 63 is a portion on the tip side of the rotation of the battery cover 60, and is disposed and fixed in the tip side recess 23a of the base member 20 when the battery cover 60 is in the closed state shown in Fig. 3. A tip hole 63a is formed in the battery cover tip 63. The tip hole 63a is a hole into which the battery cover fixing screw 67 is inserted.

[0085] The battery cover fixing screw 67 is a screw for fixing the battery cover 60 to the base member 20. When the battery cover 60 is in the closed state by inserting the battery cover fixing screw 67 into the tip hole portion 63a of the battery cover 60 and the screw receiving portion 23b of the base member 20, the battery cover fixing screw 67 fixes the battery cover tip portion 63 to the operating device main body 10. This allows the operating device main body 10 to be reliably fixed to the bicycle 100.

[0086] 5(a) and (b), the annular wall portion 64 is an annular portion that is inserted into the groove portion 26b of the battery housing portion 26 when the battery cover 60 is closed, and is provided on the upper side in the z direction (the lower side in the figure) of the battery cover main body portion 61. When the annular wall portion 64 is inserted into the groove portion 26b, it is inserted with a waterproof rubber 65 made of a rubber elastic member attached around the annular wall portion 64. As a result, the waterproof rubber 65 is fitted into the gap between the outer peripheral wall 26a of the groove portion 26b of the battery housing portion 26 and the annular wall portion 64 of the battery cover 60, so that it is possible to prevent water from entering the battery housing portion 26 in which the battery 71 is housed from outside the bicycle operating device 1.

[0087] Fig. 6 shows the battery cover 60 in a closed state, whereas Fig. 7 shows the battery cover 60 in an open state. By removing the battery cover fixing screw 67 from the tip hole 63a of the battery cover 60 and the screw receiving portion 23b of the base member 20, the battery cover 60 can be rotated to an open state from the closed state of the battery cover 60 shown in Fig. 6. This makes it possible to insert a battery 71 into the battery accommodating portion 26 or to remove the battery 71 from the battery accommodating portion 26.

[0088] (Modification) As shown in Fig. 8, the bicycle operating device 1 may include an annular ring 70 that is attached to the inner circumference of the operating device main body 10, the clamp 50, and the battery cover 60, or to the outer circumference of the handlebar 103a. The ring 70 is an elastic member such as resin. The ring 70 constitutes a ring body according to the present invention. The operating device main body 10 is fixed to the bicycle 100 by the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 clamping the handlebar 103a via the ring 70.

[0089] Compared to when clamp 50 and battery cover 60 directly clamp handlebar 103a without using ring 70, handlebar 103a is less likely to slip relative to clamp 50 and battery cover 60, and operation device main body 10 can be more securely fixed to bicycle 100. In addition, by using ring 70, the surfaces of clamp 50 and battery cover 60 cannot be seen from the outside, eliminating the need to apply unnecessary design to the surfaces of clamp 50 and battery cover 60.

[0090] As described above, the bicycle operating device 1 in this embodiment is a battery cover structure for a bicycle operating device 1 comprising: an operating device main body 10 of the bicycle operating device 1 having a battery storage section 26 that stores a battery 71; a battery cover 60 that is assembled so as to be rotatable around a shared shaft 66 fixed to the operating device main body 10 and that rotates relative to the operating device main body 10 to take either a closed state that covers the opening of the battery storage section 26 or an open state that exposes the opening of the battery storage section 26; and a clamp 50 that is assembled so as to be rotatable around the shared shaft 66 fixed to the operating device main body 10 and for attachment to a handlebar 103a of a bicycle 100, wherein the operating device main body 10 is fixed to the bicycle 100 by the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 abutting against the handlebar 103a and clamping the handlebar 103a, and the battery cover 60 rotates around the same rotation axis as the shared shaft 66, which is the center of rotation of the clamp 50.

[0091] The operating device body 10 also has a screw receiving portion 23b that fixes the battery cover tip portion 63, which is on the opposite side to the base end side that serves as the center of rotation of the battery cover 60, to the operating device body 10 when the battery cover 60 is in the closed state.

[0092] In addition, the clamp 50 has a clamp tip 54 on the side opposite the base end side which is the center of rotation, and the clamp tip 54 covers at least a portion of the periphery of the screw receiving portion 23b together with the tip side recess 23a when fixed to the operating device main body 10.

[0093] In addition, the operating device main body 10 has a fixing hole portion 24a that fixes the clamp tip portion 54 on the opposite side to the base end side that is the center of rotation of the clamp 50 to the operating device main body 10 when the battery cover 60 is in a closed state and the handlebar 103a is clamped between the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60.

[0094] Furthermore, the operating device main body 10 is provided with a circular ring 70 made of an elastic member that is attached to the inner circumference of the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60, and the operating device main body 10 is fixed to the bicycle 100 by the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 clamping the handlebar 103a via the ring 70.

[0095] Further, a ring-shaped waterproof rubber 65 made of an elastic material is fitted into the gap between the outer peripheral wall 26 a of the battery accommodating portion 26 and the battery cover 60 .

[0096] The battery cover 60 is formed with a base end hole 62a1 or 62a2 through which the common shaft 66 passes, and the diameter of the base end hole 62a1 or 62a2 is larger than the outer diameter of the common shaft 66. The base end hole 62a1 is an elongated hole extending in the mounting direction of the battery cover 60.

[0097] In addition, both axial end faces of the shared shaft 66 of the battery cover 60 face the side portions 20a and 20c of the operating device main body 10, respectively, and a recess recessed in the axial direction of the shared shaft 66 is formed in at least one of the side portions 20a and 20c to which the both axial end faces of the battery cover 60 of the operating device main body 10 face.

[0098] With this configuration, in the bicycle operating device 1 according to this embodiment, the battery cover 60 is attached to the operating device body 10 of the bicycle operating device 1, and is adapted to open and close the opening of the battery storage section 26 by rotating relative to the operating device body 10. Therefore, when the user wants to replace the battery 71, there is no need to remove the battery cover 60 from the operating device body 10 of the bicycle operating device 1, which prevents the battery cover 60 from being lost.

[0099] Furthermore, in the bicycle operating device 1 according to this embodiment, the shared shaft 66 about which the clamp 50 rotates and the shared shaft 66 about which the battery cover 60 rotates are the same rotation axis, which reduces the number of parts and makes the bicycle operating device 1 more compact. Furthermore, the frame of the bicycle 100 abuts against the battery cover 60 and presses the battery cover 60 against the operating device main body 10, which prevents the battery cover 60 from being unintentionally opened when the bicycle 100 is in use.

[0100] Furthermore, in the bicycle operating device 1 of this embodiment, when the battery cover 60 is in the closed state, the screw receiving portion 23b fixes the battery cover tip portion 63 at the tip side of the battery cover 60 to the operating device main body 10, so that it is possible to prevent the battery cover 60 from opening and entering the open state while the bicycle 100 is being ridden, and the battery 71 of the bicycle operating device 1 accommodated in the battery accommodation portion 26 from falling out and being lost.

[0101] Furthermore, in the bicycle operating device 1 according to this embodiment, clamp tip 54 covers at least a portion of the periphery of screw receiving portion 23b together with tip side recess 23a when fixed to device body 10, making it difficult to visually confirm screw receiving portion 23b from the outside. This makes it possible to prevent a third party from removing battery cover fixing screw 67 and stealing battery 71 housed in battery housing portion 26.

[0102] Furthermore, when the bicycle operating device 1 of this embodiment is attached to the frame of the bicycle, i.e., when the battery cover is closed and the mounting body and the battery cover are clamping the frame, the mounting body fixing portion fixes the tip side of the mounting body to the housing, so that the housing of the bicycle device can be securely fixed to the bicycle.

[0103] Furthermore, in the bicycle operating device 1 according to this embodiment, the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 clamp the handlebar 103a via the ring 70 made of an elastic member, so the handlebar 103a is less likely to slip relative to the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60, and the operating device main body 10 can be more securely fixed to the bicycle 100, compared to when the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 directly clamp the handlebar 103a without using the ring 70. Furthermore, by using the ring 70, the surfaces of the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60 cannot be seen from the outside, eliminating the need to apply unnecessary design to the surfaces of the clamp 50 and the battery cover 60.

[0104] In addition, the bicycle operating device 1 of this embodiment has a ring-shaped waterproof rubber 65 made of an elastic material fitted into the gap between the outer wall 26a of the battery accommodating section 26 and the battery cover 60, thereby preventing water from entering the battery accommodating section 26 in which the battery 71 is accommodated from the outside.

[0105] In addition, in the bicycle operating device 1 according to this embodiment, the hole diameter of the base end holes 62a1, 62a2 is larger than the outer diameter of the shared shaft 66, so the battery cover 60 can not only rotate about the shared shaft 66 relative to the operating device main body 10, but also move linearly within the range allowed by the size of the hole diameter of the base end holes 62a1, 62a2. It can also move linearly in the mounting direction of the battery cover 60 through the elongated base end hole 62a1. Therefore, when changing the battery cover 60 from the open state to the closed state, the positional relationship between the battery cover 60, the waterproof rubber 65, and the battery housing section 26 can be finely adjusted, and the waterproof rubber 65 can be reliably mounted in the battery housing section 26.

[0106] Furthermore, when closing the battery cover 60, the annular wall portion 64 of the battery cover 60 can be inserted linearly into the groove portion 26b of the battery housing portion 26, making insertion easy. Furthermore, when closing the battery cover 60, a uniform force can be applied to the waterproof rubber 65 in the height direction, so the waterproof rubber 65 can be positioned evenly without tilting in the height direction, ensuring reliable waterproofing.

[0107] In addition, the bicycle operating device 1 of this embodiment has gripping recesses 22a, 22b recessed in the axial direction of the shared shaft 66 formed in at least one of the side surfaces 20a, 20c that face both end surfaces of the battery cover 60 of the operating device main body 10. Therefore, when the user changes the battery cover 60 from a closed state to an open state, he or she can insert his or her fingers into the gripping recesses 22a, 22b to grasp part of the battery cover 60, making it possible to easily open the battery cover 60 and perform battery replacement, etc.

[0108] As described above, the bicycle device of the present invention has the effect of preventing the battery cover of the bicycle device from being lost, reducing the number of parts of the bicycle device, and making it smaller, making it useful for bicycle devices in general. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Bicycle operating device (bicycle device) 10 Operation device body (housing) 20 Base material 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d side part 21 Proximal protrusion 21a Base hole 21b Base end recess 22 Central part 22a, 22b Gripping recess (recess) 23 Tip side protrusion 23a Tip side recess (tip side recess) 23b Screw receiving part (battery cover fixing part) 24 Clamp fixing part 24a Fixing hole (mounting body fixing part) 25 Inner bottom surface 26 Battery compartment 26a Outer wall 26b Groove 26c, 26d Battery locking part 26e battery support wall 27 Substrate 30 Case material 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d side part 40 Operation member 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d Outer frame part 41 First Button 42 Second Button 43 Third Button 44 Central separation section 48 Shaft for operating member 50 Clamp (mounting body) 51 Clamp body 52, 53 Clamp base end 52a, 53a Proximal hole 54 Clamp tip 54a Tip hole 55 Clamp fixing screw 60 Battery cover (battery lid) 61 Battery cover body 62 Battery cover base end 62a, 62a1, 62a2 Base end hole (battery cover hole) 63 Battery cover tip 63a Tip hole 64 Annular wall 65 Waterproof rubber (sealing material) 66 Common shaft (rotating shaft) 67 Battery cover fixing screw 70 Ring (Ring body) 71 Batteries 100 Bicycles 101 Front wheel 102 Rear wheel 103 Frame 103a Handlebar 104 Pedals 105 Saddle 106 Chain 110 Electric unit

Claims

1. a housing for a bicycle device having a battery housing portion for housing a battery; a battery cover that is attached to the housing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis fixed to the housing and that can be in one of a closed state that covers an opening surface of the battery housing portion and an open state that exposes the opening surface of the battery housing portion by rotating with respect to the housing; a mounting body for mounting the battery cover structure on a bicycle frame, the mounting body being assembled to be rotatable about a rotation axis fixed to the housing, the mounting body being adapted to be mounted on a bicycle frame, A battery cover structure for a bicycle device, characterized in that the battery cover rotates about the same rotation axis as the rotation axis that is the center of rotation of the mounting body.

2. The battery cover structure for a bicycle device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the housing has a battery cover fixing portion that fixes the tip side to the housing within a tip side recess that accommodates the tip side opposite the base end side that is the center of rotation of the battery cover when the battery cover is in the closed state.

3. The mounting body has a mounting body tip portion on the opposite side to a base end side which is a center of rotation, 3. The battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to claim 2, wherein the mounting body tip portion covers at least a portion of the periphery of the battery cover fixing portion together with the tip side recess when fixed to the housing.

4. When the mounting body is in a closed state, the housing 4. The battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to claim 3, further comprising a mounting body fixing portion for fixing the mounting body tip portion to the housing.

5. 2. The battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to claim 1, further comprising an annular ring body made of an elastic member that is attached to the housing, the mounting body, and the inner periphery of the battery cover.

6. 2. The battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to claim 1, wherein an annular sealing member made of an elastic material is fitted into a gap between an outer peripheral wall of the battery housing portion and the battery cover.

7. 2. The battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to claim 1, wherein the battery cover is formed with a battery cover hole through which the pivot shaft passes, and the hole diameter of the battery cover hole is larger than the outer diameter of the pivot shaft.

8. 8. The battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to claim 7, wherein the battery cover hole is an elongated hole extending in a direction in which the battery cover is attached.

9. each of the end faces of the battery cover in the axial direction of the pivot shaft faces one of the side faces of the housing; 2. The battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to claim 1, wherein a recess is formed in at least one of the side surfaces of the housing that face both end faces of the battery cover, the recess being recessed in the axial direction of the pivot shaft.

10. A bicycle device comprising the battery cover structure for a bicycle device according to claim 1.

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