Bicycle control device

• US 10,676,156 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2017
• Issued: 06/09/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Inventors: Masciolini, Marco, Fossato, Fabiano, Negrin, Francesco
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Nimeshkumar D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Courson, Tania
• Application Number:
  US15/664,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20180037299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/00 Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/20 Cycle computers as cycle accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/41 characterised by the type of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/42 characterised by mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/02 hand actuated arrangements of controls on handle-bars of engine-driven cycles B62K11/14
• 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: B62M 2025/003 with gear indicating means, e.g. a display
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 2025/006 with auxiliary shift assisting means
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/121 Rear derailleurs
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/122 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/131 Front derailleurs
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/132 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/00 Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 5/02 Energy stored by the attraction or repulsion of magnetic parts

Abstract

A bicycle control device for issuing at least one command to at least one bicycle equipment comprises a body configured to be mounted on the bicycle, at least one manual actuation member associated with the body, and a clicking mechanism. The clicking mechanism comprises a magnetic clicking switch having a first element that is fixed with respect to the body, and a second element that is movable with respect to the first element and actuatable by said at least one manual actuation member when said manual actuation member issues said command.

Claims

1. A bicycle control device for issuing at least one command to at least one bicycle equipment, the control device comprising:

a body configured to be mounted on the bicycle;

at least one manual actuation member associated with the body; and

a clicking mechanism that provides at least one of a tactile impulse or acoustic impulse in response to successful actuation of said at least one command;

wherein said clicking mechanism comprises a magnetic clicking switch having a first element that is fixed with respect to the body, and a second element that is movable with respect to the first element and actuatable by said at least one manual actuation member when said manual actuation member issues said command.

2. The bicycle control device according to claim 1, wherein said clicking mechanism comprises a snapping device, said second element of the magnetic clicking switch being rigidly associated with said snapping device.

3. The bicycle control device according to claim 2, wherein said manual actuation member is a lever comprising a driving arm and a driven arm, said snapping device comprising a plate-like element wherein an opening for slidably housing a first pin associated with the driven arm of the lever is formed, said snapping device comprising in particular a spring having one end associated with said first pin and the other end associated with a second pin carried by said plate-like element.

4. The bicycle control device according to claim 3, further comprising a lever cover associated with said driving arm of said lever, said lever cover having a slot for receiving a fixing screw for adjusting the lever cover on said lever.

5. The bicycle control device according claim 1, further comprising a control switch switched through an actuation of said manual actuation member and for generating, in response thereto, a signal (s1;

s2) to issue said command.

6. The bicycle control device according to claim 5, wherein said control switch is a magnetic control switch comprising a magnetic sensor mounted at or a suitable distance from said second element of the magnetic clicking switch of the clicking mechanism.

7. The bicycle control device according to claim 6, wherein said magnetic sensor of the magnetic control switch is suitable for detecting one among:

a variation of a magnetic field generated by said magnetic clicking switch;

absence/presence of the magnetic field generated by said magnetic clicking switch;

a polarity of said first or second element of said magnetic clicking switch.

8. The bicycle control device according to claim 6, wherein said magnetic control switch comprises a third element that is fixed with respect to the body, and a fourth element that is movable with respect to the third element and actuatable by said at least one manual actuation member when said manual actuation member issues said command.

9. The bicycle control device according to claim 5, further comprising an electronic communication unit, preferably of a wireless type, configured to receive said signal (s1;

s2) to issue said command generated by the control switch and to control, in response thereto, said at least one equipment of the bicycle.

10. The bicycle control device according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary magnetic switch, which includes an auxiliary magnetic sensor and an auxiliary magnet.

11. The bicycle control device according to claim 1, further comprising power supply means, in particular consisting of at least one battery received in a seat formed in said body of the control device, preferably said seat being closed by a cap.

12. The bicycle control device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one equipment of the bicycle is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical or electromechanical derailleur, a cycle computer and a brake.

13. A bicycle control device for issuing at least one command to at least one bicycle equipment, the control device comprising:

a body configured to be mounted on the bicycle;

at least one manual actuation member associated with the body;

a clicking mechanism;

wherein said clicking mechanism comprises a magnetic clicking switch having a first element that is fixed with respect to the body, and a second element that is movable with respect to the first element and actuatable by said at least one manual actuation member when said manual actuation member issues said command;

a control switch switched through an actuation of said manual actuation member and for generating, in response thereto, a signal (s1;

s2) to issue said command,

an electronic communication unit configured to receive said signal (s1;

s2) to issue said command generated by the control switch and to control, in response thereto, said at least one equipment of the bicycle, and

a first seat for housing said magnetic clicking switch, and a second seat, separate from said first seat, for housing said electronic communication unit.

14. The bicycle control device according to claim 13, wherein said second housing seat comprises a sealed chamber for containing said electronic communication unit.

15. The bicycle control device according to claim 14, wherein said sealed chamber is delimited by said body and by a protective lid that is tight sealed, in particular by means of a sealing resin.