Apparatus for wiring bicycle electrical components

• US 6,835,069 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2003
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Ichida, Tadashi, Kitamura, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): LUEBKE, RENEE S
• Application Number:
  US10/604,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20040115962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 439/34
• US Class Current: 439/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/20 using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 11/19 specially adapted for electric wires
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A bicycle electrical control apparatus comprises a first control unit that provides first electrical signals; a second control unit that provides second electrical signals; and an electrical connecting cord having a first end coupled to the first control unit and a second end coupled to the second control unit for communicating the first electrical signals from the first control unit to the second control unit. A first connecting terminal is fastened to one of the first and second ends of the electrical connecting cord, a second connecting terminal is disposed on one of the first and second control units, and the first connecting terminal is detachably connected to the second connecting terminal.

Claims

1. A bicycle electrical control apparatus comprising:

a first control unit that provides first electrical signals;

a second control unit that provides second electrical signals;

an electrical connecting cord having a first end coupled to the first control unit and a second end coupled to the second control unit for communicating the first electrical signals from the first control unit to the second control unit;

wherein the electrical connecting cord communicates the first electrical signals from the first control unit to the second control unit through a plurality of communication paths as a self-contained unit;

a first connecting terminal fastened to one of the communication paths at one of the first and second ends of the electrical connecting cord;

a second connecting terminal disposed on one of the first and second control units; and

wherein the first connecting terminal is detachably connected to the second connecting terminal such that the first connecting terminal normally is attached to and detached from the second connecting terminal independently of any other connecting terminals fastened to other ones of the plurality of communication paths at the one of the first and second ends of the electrical connecting cord.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first control unit is operated by power provided by a power supply mounted to the bicycle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first electrical signals comprise signals that correspond to a state of motion of the bicycle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the state of motion of the bicycle is bicycle speed.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the first control unit receives pulses corresponding to bicycle speed and provides first electrical signals that correspond to bicycle speed from the pulses.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the pulses arise from an output of a dynamo.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first electrical signals comprise power signals.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the second control unit is operated by the power signals.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first electrical signals comprise control signals.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second control unit is controlled by the control signals.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second electrical signals comprise drive signals for driving a moving electrical component.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the second electrical signals comprise drive signals for moving a suspension component.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the second electrical signals comprise drive signals for moving a gear change component.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second electrical signals comprise drive signals for driving an electrical display.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first electrical signals comprise power signals and control signals.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the first electrical signals comprise a composite signal that contains the power signals and the control signals.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of the first and second connecting terminals is structured to screw onto the other one of the first and second connecting terminals.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the one of the first and second connecting terminals comprises a Y-terminal.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of the first and second connecting terminals comprises a male terminal, and wherein the other one of the first and second connecting terminals comprises a female terminal.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the first and second connecting terminals comprise FASTON terminals.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first connecting terminal is crimped onto the one of the first and second ends of the electrical connecting cord.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

a third connecting terminal fastened to the other one of the first and second ends of the electrical connecting cord; and

a fourth connecting terminal disposed on the other one of the first and second control units.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the third connecting terminal comprises one of a multi-terminal socket and a multi-terminal plug, and wherein the fourth connecting terminal comprises the other one of the multi-terminal socket and the multi-terminal plug.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein one of the third and fourth connecting terminals is structured to screw onto the other one of the third and fourth connecting terminals.

25. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein one of the third and fourth connecting terminals comprises a male terminal, and wherein the other one of the third and fourth connecting terminals comprises a female terminal.

26. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first connecting terminal is connected to an individual wire.