Electrical switch device for bicycle

• US 6,734,376 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Ichida, Tadashi, Ueno, Koken
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/173,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 200/4, 200/6.R, 200/6.B, 200/17.R, 200/18, 200/61, 200/54, 200/61.85, 200/553, 200/556, 200/557, 200/517, 200/558, 200/561, 200/332.2, 200/339
• US Class Current: 200/4
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/02 hand actuated arrangements of controls on handle-bars of engine-driven cycles B62K11/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/068 with switches mounted on a handlebar, e.g. for motorcycles, fork lift trucks, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/50 with indexing or latching means, e.g. indexing by ball and spring; with means to ensure stopping at intermediate operative positions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/30 with stable centre positions and one or both end positions unstable

Abstract

An electrical switch or operating device is disclosed for controlling/operating an electrically controlled bicycle component. In one embodiment, the operating device controls/operates a bicycle shift device and a bicycle suspension. The operating device has a base portion, a toggle portion, a button portion, three electrical contact switches, and a clicking mechanism. The clicking mechanism is positioned in a manner to provide for a compact arrangement of the operating device. The toggle portion is pivotally mounted to the base portion to move from a toggle neutral position to first or second contact positions where the toggle portion depresses either the first or electrical contact switches. The button portion is movably coupled to the toggle portion between a button neutral position where the button portion is spaced from the third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where the button portion depresses the third electrical contact switch.

Claims

1. An electrical switch comprising:

a base portion;

a first electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a first location;

a toggle portion pivotally mounted to said base portion about a pivot axis between a toggle neutral position where said toggle portion is spaced from said first electrical contact switch and a first contact position where said toggle portion contacts said first electrical contact switch, said toggle portion having an upper operating surface, a lower switch contacting surface and a first end surface disposed between said upper operating surface and said lower switch contacting surface, said lower switch contacting surface being arranged to contact said first electrical contact switch upon movement of said toggle portion to said first contact position; and

a clicking mechanism operatively formed between said base portion and said first end surface of said toggle portion to indicate movement of said toggle portion from at least one of said toggle neutral position and said first contact position,

said electrical switch being configured and arranged to urge said toggle portion back to said toggle neutral position when said toggle portion is pivoted to said first contact position.

2. The electrical switch according to claim 1, further comprising

a second electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a second location such that said lower switch contacting surface contacts said second electrical contact switch when said toggle portion is pivoted from said toggle neutral position to a second contact position.

3. The electrical switch according to claim 2, wherein

said first and second locations of said first and second electrical contact switches are located on opposite sides of said pivot axis such that said toggle portion is pivoted in opposite rotational directions to selectively contact said first and second electrical contact switches, respectively.

4. The electrical switch according to claim 3, further comprising

a biasing element operatively coupled between said base portion and said toggle portion to urge said toggle portion to said toggle neutral position.

5. The electrical switch according to claim 4, wherein

said base portion has a first wall and a second wall at least partially defining a toggle receiving area;

said first and second electrical contact switches are disposed along said first wall; and

said first end surface of said toggle portion faces said second wall of said base portion.

6. The electrical switch according to claim 4, wherein

said clicking mechanism includes a detent member, a clicking member and a biasing member operatively urging said detent member into engagement with said clicking member.

7. The electrical switch according to claim 6, wherein

said detent member is movably coupled to one of said base portion and said toggle portion, said clicking member is fixedly coupled to the other of said base portion and said toggle portion.

8. The electrical switch according to claim 7, wherein

said clicking member has first and second indicating surfaces located on opposite sides of a recess forming a rest position for said detent member, said first and second indicating surfaces contacting said detent member, respectively, when said toggle portion is pivoted from said toggle neutral position to said first and second contact positions, respectively.

9. The electrical switch according to claim 4, further comprising

a third electrical contact switch coupled to said base portion at a third location;

and

a button portion movably coupled to said toggle portion between a button neutral position where said button portion is spaced from said third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where said button portion contacts said third electrical contact switch.

10. The electrical switch according to claim 9, wherein

said button portion moves in a linear direction relative to said toggle portion between said button neutral position and said third contact position.

11. The electrical switch according to claim 9, wherein

said button portion is located above said pivot axis of said toggle portion and moves in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to said pivot axis of said toggle portion between said button neutral position and said third contact position.

12. The electrical switch according to claim 11, wherein

said toggle portion is pivotally mounted to said base portion by a pair of separate pivot members that extend between said toggle portion and said base portion.

14. The electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein

said toggle portion is pivotally mounted to said base portion by a pivot pin that extends through said toggle portion with first and second ends being received in openings in said base portion.

15. The electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein

said toggle portion is pivotally mounted to said base portion by a pair of separate pivot members that extend between said toggle portion and said base portion.

13. An electrical switch comprising:

a base portion;

a first electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a first location;

a second electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a second location;

a third electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a third location;

a toggle portion pivotally mounted to said base portion about a pivot axis between a toggle neutral position where said toggle portion is spaced from said first and second electrical contact switches, a first contact position where said toggle portion contacts said first electrical contact switch and a second contact position where said toggle portion contacts said second electrical contact switch; and

a button portion movably coupled to said toggle portion between a button neutral position where said button portion is spaced from said third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where said button portion contacts said third electrical contact switch,

said toggle portion being pivotally mounted to said base portion by a pair of separate pivot members that extend between said toggle portion and said base portion,

said base portion and said toggle portion being configured and arranged to form a switch receiving space located between the pivot members and along the pivot axis,

said third electrical contact switch being located in said switch receiving space between the pivot members.

16. The electrical switch according to claim 13, wherein

said first and second locations of said first and second electrical contact switches are located on opposite sides of said pivot axis such that said toggle portion is pivoted in opposite rotational directions to selectively contact said first and second electrical contact switches, respectively.

17. The electrical switch according to claim 13, further comprising

a biasing element operatively coupled between said base portion and said toggle portion to urge said toggle portion to said toggle neutral position.

18. The electrical switch according to claim 13, further comprising

a clicking mechanism operatively coupled between said base portion and said toggle portion to indicate said toggle neutral position and said first contact position.

19. The electrical switch according to claim 18, wherein

said toggle portion has an operating surface, a switch contacting surface, a first end surface located at a first end of said operating surface and said switch contacting surface, and a second end surface located at a second end of said operating surface and said switch contacting surface,

said switch contacting surface is arranged to contact said first and second electrical contact switches upon movement of said toggle portion to one of said first and second contact positions,

said pivot axis is located in a central section of said toggle portion between said first and second end surfaces, and

said clicking mechanism is located at one of said first and second end surfaces of said toggle portion.

20. The electrical switch according to claim 18, wherein

said clicking mechanism includes a detent member, a clicking member and a biasing member operatively urging said detent member into engagement with said clicking member.

21. The electrical switch according to claim 20, wherein

said detent member is movably coupled to one of said base portion and said toggle portion, said clicking member is fixedly coupled to the other of said base portion and said toggle portion.

22. The electrical switch according to claim 21, wherein

said clicking member has first and second indicating surfaces located on opposite sides of a recess forming a rest position for said detent member, said first and second indicating surfaces contacting said detent member, respectively, when said toggle portion is pivoted from said toggle neutral position to said first and second contact positions, respectively.

23. The electrical switch according to claim 13, wherein

said button portion moves in a linear direction relative to said toggle portion between said button neutral position and said third contact position.

24. The electrical switch according to claim 23, wherein

said button portion is located above said pivot axis of said toggle portion and moves in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to said pivot axis of said toggle portion between said button neutral position and said third contact position.

25. An electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly, comprising:

a bicycle shift device configured to move between at least two shift positions;

a control unit operatively coupled to said shift device to control movement of said shift device between at least two shift positions; and

an operating device operatively coupled to said control unit to input a shift signal, said operating device including

a base portion;

a first electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a first location;

a toggle portion pivotally mounted to said base portion about a pivot axis between a toggle neutral position where said toggle portion is spaced from said first electrical contact switch and a first contact position where said toggle portion contacts said first electrical contact switch, said toggle portion having an upper operating surface, a lower switch contacting surface and a first end surface disposed between said upper operating surface and said lower switch contacting surface, said lower switch contacting surface being arranged to contact said first electrical contact switch upon movement of said toggle portion to said first contact position; and

a clicking mechanism operatively formed between said base portion and said toggle portion to indicate movement of said toggle portion from at least one of said toggle neutral position and said first contact position,

said operating device being configured and arranged to urge said toggle portion back to said toggle neutral position when said toggle portion is pivoted to said first contact position.

26. The electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly according to claim 25, wherein

said operating device further includes a second electrical contact switch coupled to said base portion at a second location such that said toggle portion contacts said second electrical contact switch when said toggle portion is pivoted from said toggle neutral position to a second contact position.

27. The electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly according to claim 26, wherein

said operating device further includes a third electrical contact switch coupled to said base portion at a third location;

and a button portion movably coupled to said toggle portion between a button neutral position where said button portion is spaced from said third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where said button portion contacts said third electrical contact switch.

28. An electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly, comprising:

a bicycle shift device configured to move between at least two shift positions;

a control unit operatively coupled to said shift device to control movement of said shift device between at least two shift positions; and

an operating device operatively coupled to said control unit to input a shift signal, said operating device including

a base portion;

a first electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a first location;

a toggle portion pivotally mounted to said base portion about a pivot axis between a toggle neutral position where said toggle portion is spaced from said first electrical contact switch and a first contact position where said toggle portion contacts said first electrical contact switch, said toggle portion having an upper operating surface, a lower switch contacting surface and a first end surface disposed between said upper operating surface and said lower switch contacting surface, said lower switch contacting surface being arranged to contact said first electrical contact switch upon movement of said toggle portion to said first contact position; and

a clicking mechanism operatively formed between said base portion and said toggle portion to indicate movement of said toggle portion from at least one of said toggle neutral position and said first contact position,

said operating device further including a second electrical contact switch coupled to said base portion at a second location such that said toggle portion contacts said second electrical contact switch when said toggle portion is pivoted from said toggle neutral position to a second contact position,

said operating device further including a third electrical contact switch coupled to said base portion at a third location; and

a button portion movably coupled to said toggle portion between a button neutral position where said button portion is spaced from said third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where said button portion contacts said third electrical contact switch,

said first electrical contact switch controlling movement of said shift device in a first shifting direction,

said second electrical contact switch controlling movement of said shift device in a second shifting direction that is opposite to said first shifting direction, and

said third electrical contact switch changing a shifting mode of said control unit of said electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly.

29. An electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly, comprising:

a bicycle shift device configured to move between at least two shift positions;

a control unit operatively coupled to said shift device to control movement of said shift device between at least two shift positions; and

an operating device operatively coupled to said control unit to input a shift signal, said operating device including

a base portion;

a first electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a first location;

a toggle portion pivotally mounted to said base portion about a pivot axis between a toggle neutral position where said toggle portion is spaced from said first electrical contact switch and a first contact position where said toggle portion contacts said first electrical contact switch, said toggle portion having an upper operating surface, a lower switch contacting surface and a first end surface disposed between said upper operating surface and said lower switch contacting surface, said lower switch contacting surface being arranged to contact said first electrical contact switch upon movement of said toggle portion to said first contact position; and

a clicking mechanism operatively formed between said base portion and said toggle portion to indicate movement of said toggle portion from at least one of said toggle neutral position and said first contact position,

said operating device further including a second electrical contact switch coupled to said base portion at a second location such that said toggle portion contacts said second electrical contact switch when said toggle portion is pivoted from said toggle neutral position to a second contact position,

said operating device further including a third electrical contact switch coupled to said base portion at a third location; and

a button portion movably coupled to said toggle portion between a button neutral position where said button portion is spaced from said third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where said button portion contacts said third electrical contact switch,

said first electrical contact switch controlling movement of said shift device in a first shifting direction,

said second electrical contact switch controlling movement of said shift device in a second shifting direction that is opposite to said first shifting direction, and

said third electrical contact switch controlling stiffness of a suspension assembly.

30. An electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly, comprising:

a bicycle shift device configured to move between at least two shift positions;

a control unit operatively coupled to said shift device to control movement of said shift device between at least two shift positions; and

an operating device operatively coupled to said control unit to input a shift signal, said operating device including

a base portion;

a first electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a first location;

a second electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a second location;

a third electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a third location;

a toggle portion pivotally mounted to said base portion about a pivot axis between a toggle neutral position where said toggle portion is spaced from said first and second electrical contact switches, a first contact position where said toggle portion contacts said first electrical contact switch and a second contact position where said toggle portion contacts said second electrical contact switch; and

a button portion movably coupled to said toggle portion between a button neutral position where said button portion is spaced from said third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where said button portion contacts said third electrical contact switch,

said toggle portion being pivotally mounted to said base portion by a pair of separate pivot members that extend between said to toggle portion and said base portion,

said base portion and said toggle portion being configured and arranged to form a switch receiving space located between the pivot members and along the pivot axis,

said third electrical contact switch being located in said switch receiving space between the pivot members.

31. An electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly, comprising:

a bicycle shift device configured to move between at least two shift positions;

a control unit operatively coupled to said shift device to control movement of said shift device between at least two shift positions; and

an operating device operatively coupled to said control unit to input a shift signal, said operating device including

a base portion;

a first electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a first location;

a second electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a second location;

a third electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a third location;

a toggle portion pivotally mounted to said base portion about a pivot axis between a toggle neutral position where said toggle portion is spaced from said first and second electrical contact switches, a first contact position where said toggle portion contacts said first electrical contact switch and a second contact position where said toggle portion contacts said second electrical contact switch; and

a button portion movably coupled to said toggle portion between a button neutral position where said button portion is spaced from said third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where said button portion contacts said third electrical contact switch,

said first electrical contact switch controlling movement of said shift device in a first shifting direction,

said second electrical contact switch controlling movement of said shift device in a second shifting direction that is opposite to said first shifting direction, and

said third electrical contact switch changing a shifting mode of said control unit of said electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly.

32. An electrically controlled bicycle shifting assembly, comprising:

a bicycle shift device configured to move between at least two shift positions;

a control unit operatively coupled to said shift device to control movement of said shift device between at least two shift positions; and

an operating device operatively coupled to said control unit to input a shift signal, said operating device including

a base portion;

a first electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a first location;

a second electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a second location;

a third electrical contact switch arranged relative to said base portion at a third portion;

a toggle portion pivotally mounted to said base portion about a pivot axis between a tousle neutral position where said toggle portion is spaced from said first and second electrical contact switches, a first contact position where said toggle portion contacts said first electrical contact switch and a second contact position where said toggle portion contacts said second electrical contact switch; and

a button portion movably coupled to said toggle portion between a button neutral position where said button portion is spaced from said third electrical contact switch and a third contact position where said button portion contacts said third electrical contact switch,

said first electrical contact switch controlling movement of said shift device in a first shifting direction,

said second electrical contact switch controlling movement of said shift device in a second shifting direction that is opposite to said first shifting direction, and

said third electrical contact switch controlling stiffness of a suspension assembly.