Bicycle operating device

• US 10,407,121 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2016
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Komatsu, Atsushi, Nakajima, Takehiko, Nishino, Takafumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Diaz, Thomas C
• Application Number:
  US15/135,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20170305488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/06 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 3/02 for control by a hand lever hand levers for control of cycles in general B62K23/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 3/023 acting on fluid pressure systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 2025/006 with auxiliary shift assisting means
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems

Abstract

A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, a brake operating member, an additional operating member, an electrical switch, and a wireless communication unit. The brake operating member is movably coupled to the base member in a first direction. The additional operating member is movably coupled to the base member in a second direction and in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction. The electrical switch is to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member in the third direction. The electrical switch is disposed at the additional operating member. The wireless communication unit is connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal.

Claims

1. A bicycle operating device comprising:

a base member;

a brake operating member movably coupled to the base member in a first direction;

an additional operating member movably coupled to the base member in a second direction different from the first direction, the additional operating member being movably coupled to the base member in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction;

an electrical switch to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member in the third direction, the electrical switch being disposed at the additional operating member; and

a wireless communication unit connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal.

2. The bicycle operating device according to claim 1, wherein

the wireless communication unit is disposed at one of the base member, the brake operating member, and the additional operating member.

3. The bicycle operating device according to claim 1, wherein

the brake operating member includes an actuation part disposed to face the electrical switch to press the electrical switch in response to the movement of the additional operating member in the third direction relative to the brake operating member.

4. The bicycle operating device according to claim 3, wherein

the actuation part includes a projection to face the electrical switch.

5. The bicycle operating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cable operating structure coupled to the brake operating member to move a mechanical control cable in response to a movement of the brake operating member in the first direction.

6. The bicycle operating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a hydraulic unit coupled to the brake operating member to generate a hydraulic pressure in response to a movement of the brake operating member in the first direction.

7. The bicycle operating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an informing unit disposed on at least one of the base member, the brake operating member, and the additional operating member.

8. The bicycle operating device according to claim 7, wherein

the informing unit is connected to the wireless communication unit to inform a user of a status of the wireless communication unit.

9. The bicycle operating device according to claim 1, wherein

the base member includes

a first end portion configured to be coupled to a handlebar in a mounting state where the bicycle operating device is mounted to the handlebar, and

a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, and

the brake operating member is movably coupled to the second end portion.

10. The bicycle operating device according to claim 9, wherein

the first end portion includes a mounting surface having a curved shape corresponding to a drop-down handlebar.

11. The bicycle operating device according to claim 9, wherein

the base member includes a grip portion arranged between the first end portion and the second end portion.

12. The bicycle operating device according to claim 9, wherein

the second end portion includes a pommel portion.

13. The bicycle operating device according to claim 9, wherein

the first end portion is configured to be coupled to a bar end of the handlebar in the mounting state.

14. The bicycle operating device according to claim 9, wherein

the brake operating member is pivotable relative to the base member between a first rest position and a first operated position, and

the additional operating member is at least partially closer to the first end portion than the brake operating member in a rest state where the brake operating member is at the first rest position.

15. The bicycle operating device according to claim 9, wherein

the brake operating member is pivotable relative to the base member about a first pivot axis, and

the additional operating member is at least partially closer to the first end portion than the first pivot axis.

18. The bicycle operating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply connected to at least one of the electrical switch and the wireless communication unit.

19. The bicycle operating device according to claim 18, wherein

the power supply is disposed on at least one of the base member, the brake operating member, and the additional operating member.

16. A bicycle operating device comprising:

a base member;

a brake operating member movably coupled to the base member in a first direction;

an additional operating member movably coupled to the base member in a second direction and in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction;

an electrical switch to provide an electric signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member in the third direction, the electrical switch being disposed at the additional operating member; and

a wireless communication unit connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal, wherein

the brake operating member is pivotable relative to the base member about a first pivot axis in the first direction,

the additional operating member is pivotable relative to the base member about a second pivot axis in the second direction, and

the second pivot axis is non-parallel to the first pivot axis.

17. The bicycle operating device according to claim 16, wherein

the additional operating member is pivotable relative to the base member about a third pivot axis in the third direction, and

the third pivot axis is non-parallel to the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis.

20. A bicycle operating device comprising:

a base member;

a brake operating member movably coupled to the base member in a first direction;

an additional operating member movably coupled to the base member in a second direction different from the first direction, the additional operating member being movably coupled to the base member in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction;

an electrical switch to provide an electrical signal in response to a movement of the additional operating member in the third direction, the electrical switch being disposed at the additional operating member; and

a wireless communication unit connected to the electrical switch to transmit a wireless signal based on the electric signal, the wireless communication unit being disposed at one of the base member and the brake operating member.