Shift control device for a bicycle transmission

• US 20040005947A1
• Filed: 02/06/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Tetsuka, Toshio, Shahana, Satoshi, Hino, Tetsuya
• Granted Patent: US 8,069,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 474/78
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 2025/006 with auxiliary shift assisting means
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/02 with mechanical transmitting systems, e.g. cables, levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/04 hand actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20287 Flexible control element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2042 and hand operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20438 Single rotatable lever [e.g., for bicycle brake or derailleur]

Abstract

A shift control apparatus for a bicycle comprises an output transmission member that moves to at least a first output position and a second output position, a position maintaining mechanism, and a release control mechanism. The position maintaining mechanism includes a position maintaining member that moves between a position maintaining position and a position release position, wherein the position maintaining position maintains the output transmission member in one of the first output position and the second output position. The position release position allows the output transmission member to move toward the other one of the first output position and the second output position. The release control mechanism includes a release member that moves between a first release member position and a second release member position. The release control mechanism moves the position maintaining member to the position release position as the release member moves from the first release member position toward the second release member position and allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position before the release member begins moving back toward the first release member position, or as the release member continues to move toward the second release member position.

Claims

1. A shift control apparatus for a bicycle comprising:

an output transmission member that moves to at least a first output position and a second output position;

a position maintaining mechanism including a position maintaining member that moves between a position maintaining position and a position release position, wherein the position maintaining position maintains the output transmission member in one of the first output position and the second output position, and wherein the position release position allows the output transmission member to move toward the other one of the first output position and the second output position; and

a release control mechanism including a release member that moves between a first release member position and a second release member position, wherein the release control mechanism moves the position maintaining member to the position release position as the release member moves from the first release member position toward the second release member position and allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position as the release member continues to move toward the second release member position.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the release control mechanism further comprises a cam member coupled to the release member, wherein the cam member moves the position maintaining member to the position release position as the release member moves toward the second release member position and allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position as the release member continues to move toward the second release member position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the release member comprises a release plate.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the position maintaining mechanism further comprises a cam follower coupled to the position maintaining member, and wherein the cam member has a first portion rotatably coupled to the release plate and a second portion defining a cam lobe that contacts the cam follower such that the cam member rotates as the release plate moves toward the second release member position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein rotation of the cam member allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the release member comprises a manually operated release member.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the release member comprises a manually operated release lever.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the position maintaining mechanism further comprises a cam follower coupled to the position maintaining member, and wherein the cam member has a first portion rotatably coupled to the manually operated lever and a second portion defining a cam lobe that contacts the cam follower such that the cam member rotates as the release lever moves toward the second release member position.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein rotation of the cam member allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position.

10. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the release member rotatably supports the cam member.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the position maintaining mechanism comprises:

a positioning tooth that moves integrally with the output transmission member; and

a positioning pawl that engages the positioning tooth.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the release control mechanism further comprises a cam follower coupled to the position maintaining pawl.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the cam follower comprises a roller.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the release member comprises a release plate, and wherein the cam member has a first portion pivotably mounted to the release plate and a second portion defining a cam lobe that contacts the roller such that the cam member rotates as the release plate moves toward the second release member position.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein rotation of the cam member allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the release member comprises a manually operated release member.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the release member comprises a manually operated release lever.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the cam member has a first portion rotatably coupled to the manually operated lever and a second portion defining a cam lobe that contacts the roller such that the cam member rotates as the release lever moves toward the second release member position.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein rotation of the cam member allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position.

20. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the cam member comprises a cam tooth.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the position maintaining mechanism comprises:

a positioning tooth that moves integrally with the output transmission member; and

a positioning pawl that engages the positioning tooth.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the position maintaining mechanism further comprises a cam follower supported by the position maintaining pawl for contacting the cam tooth.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the cam tooth engages the cam follower as the release member moves from the first release member position toward the second release member position to move the positioning pawl to the position release position, and wherein the cam tooth disengages from cam follower as the release member continues to move toward the second release member position to allow the positioning pawl to return to the position maintaining position.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the release member comprises a release plate.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the release member comprises a manually operated release member.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the release member comprises a manually operated release lever.

27. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the cam member comprises a plurality of the cam teeth.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the cam member comprises a cam wheel, and wherein the plurality of cam teeth are circumferentially disposed around the cam wheel.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the cam wheel rotates coaxially with the output transmission member

30. The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the cam follower comprises a roller.

31. A shift control device for a bicycle comprising:

an output transmission member that moves to at least a first output position and a second output position;

a position maintaining mechanism including a position maintaining member that moves between a position maintaining position and a position release position, wherein the position maintaining position maintains the output transmission member in one of the first output position and the second output position, and wherein the position release position allows the output transmission member to move toward the other one of the first output position and the second output position; and

a release control mechanism including a release member that moves from a first release member position to a second release member position and then back toward the first release member position, wherein the release control mechanism moves the position maintaining member to the position release position as the release member moves from the first release member position toward the second release member position and allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position before the release member begins moving back toward the first release member position.