ELECTRICALLY OPERATED DERAILLEUR WITH FORCE OVERLOAD PROTECTION

• US 20080227572A1
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: SAKAUE, TADASHI
• Granted Patent: US 8,066,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 474/82
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/122 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof

Abstract

A derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member; a linkage mechanism including a link member coupled to the base member and to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member, a motor including a drive member, and a driven member driven by the drive member. The driven member is coupled to the link member so that the link member moves relative to the base member to move the movable member relative to the base member. A clutch is disposed in a power transmission path between the motor and the link member.

Claims

1. A derailleur comprising:

a base member;

a movable member;

a linkage mechanism including a link member coupled to the base member and to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member;

a motor that drives a drive member;

a driven member driven by the drive member, wherein the driven member is coupled to the link member so that the link member moves relative to the base member to move the movable member relative to the base member; and

a clutch disposed in a power transmission path between the motor and the link member.

2. The derailleur according to claim 1 further comprising an engagement force adjusting unit that adjusts an engagement force of the clutch.

3. The derailleur according to claim 2 wherein the engagement force adjusting unit comprises:

a spring that engages the driven member; and

a screw that engages the spring to selectively change a force of the spring applied to the driven member.

4. The derailleur according to claim 1 wherein the clutch is disposed between the drive member and the driven member.

5. The derailleur according to claim 4 wherein the clutch comprises;

a projection disposed on one of the drive member or the driven member; and

an indentation disposed on the other one of the drive member or the driven member.

6. The derailleur according to claim 4 further comprising an engagement force adjusting unit that adjusts an engagement force of the clutch.

7. The derailleur according to claim 4 wherein the driven member is movably coupled to the link member.

8. The derailleur according to claim 4 wherein the driven member comprises:

a base portion; and

an arm portion extending from the base portion.

9. The derailleur according to claim 8 wherein the clutch is disposed between the drive member and the base portion.

10. The derailleur according to claim 9 wherein the driven member is movably coupled to the link member.

11. The derailleur according to claim 10 further comprising an engagement force adjusting unit that adjusts an engagement force of the clutch.

12. The derailleur according to claim 11 wherein the engagement force adjusting unit engages a portion of the arm portion away from the base portion.

13. The derailleur according to claim 12 wherein the engagement force adjusting unit comprises a biasing member.

14. The derailleur according to claim 13 wherein the engagement force adjusting unit comprises:

a spring that engages the driven member; and

a screw that engages the spring to selectively change a force of the spring applied to the driven member.

15. The derailleur according to claim 12 wherein the base portion is coupled to the link member for pivoting around a pivot axis.

16. The derailleur according to claim 15 wherein the engagement force adjusting unit is disposed in close proximity to the movable member.

17. The derailleur according to claim 16 wherein the engagement force adjusting unit biases the driven member to pivot around the pivot axis to engage the clutch.

18. The derailleur according to claim 15 wherein the clutch comprises:

a projection disposed on one of the drive member or the driven member; and

an indentation disposed on the other one of the drive member and the driven member.

19. The derailleur according to claim 18 wherein the projection is disposed on the driven member, wherein the indentation is disposed on the drive member, and wherein the drive member includes an arcuate outer peripheral surface extending circumferentially from the indentation.

20. The derailleur according to claim 19 wherein the projection forms a contact surface that has a radius of curvature substantially equal to a radius of curvature of the arcuate outer peripheral surface.