BICYCLE CHAIN TENSIONER DEVICE

• US 20120322594A1
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: KITAMURA, Satoshi, MORI, Shintaro
• Granted Patent: US 10,220,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 474/110
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/06 Arrangement of lighting dynamos or drives therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/10 Gear drives B62J6/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/70 power-driven at single endless flexible member, e.g. chain, between cycle crankshaft and wheel axle, the motor engaging the endless flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/90 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/121 Rear derailleurs
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/122 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/16 Tensioning or adjusting equipment for chains, belts or the like

Abstract

A bicycle chain tensioner device is basically provided with a base member, a pulley and an electrical storage unit. The pulley is supported by the base member. The pulley includes a dynamo that generates electrical energy in response to the pulley being rotated by a bicycle chain. The electrical storage unit is disposed on the base member and electrically coupled to the dynamo to store electrical energy generated by the dynamo.

Claims

1. A bicycle chain tensioner device comprising:

a base member;

a pulley supported by the base member, the pulley including a dynamo that generates electrical energy in response to the pulley being rotated by a bicycle chain; and

an electrical storage unit disposed on the base member and electrically coupled to the dynamo to store electrical energy generated by the dynamo.

2. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 1, wherein

the pulley includes a plurality of chain engagement teeth for engaging a bicycle chain.

3. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 2, wherein

the base member includes an attachment portion that is configured to be supported on a bicycle frame and an arm portion that rotationally supports the pulley about a pulley rotational axis.

4. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 3, wherein

the arm portion is rotationally coupled to the attachment portion about a rotational axis that is offset from the pulley rotational axis.

5. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 2, wherein

the base member includes an attachment portion that is configured to be supported on a hub transmission and an arm portion that rotationally supports the pulley about a pulley rotational axis.

6. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 5, wherein

the arm portion is rotationally coupled to the attachment portion about a rotational axis that is offset from the pulley rotational axis.

7. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 1, wherein

the base member includes a frame attachment opening.

8. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 1, wherein

the electrical storage unit includes at least one of a capacitor and a battery.

9. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 1, further comprising;

a rectify device that rectify current from the dynamo.

10. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 3, wherein

the electrical storage unit is disposed on the arm portion.

11. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 5, wherein

the electrical storage unit is disposed on the arm portion.

12. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 1, further comprising

a motor controller electrically coupled to the electrical storage unit to control a motor of an internal hub unit.

13. The bicycle chain tensioner device according to claim 12, further comprising

a shift communication unit coupled to the motor controller and including a wireless receiver that wirelessly receives a shift signal.