Electronic shifting systems and methods

• US 8,909,424 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2012
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SRAM LLC (SRAM International Corp.)
• Original Assignee: SRAM LLC (SRAM International Corp.)
• Inventors: Jordan, Brian, Squires, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMBY, RICHARD M
• Application Number:
  US13/712,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20140102237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/51, 710104-106, 710/15, 710/18, 710/19, 482/8, 482/57, 280/210, 280/251, 280/260, 280/261
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 43/13 on rider-propelled cycles with additional electric propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 43/30 for providing power to equipment other than for propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/20 Cycle computers as cycle accessories
• 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: B62M 9/122 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/132 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/044 consisting of electrical switches or sensors range selectors with electric switches or sensors F16H59/105
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/08 Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2003 Electrical actuator

Abstract

The invention provides a wireless control system for a bicycle, including at least one shift actuator generating an input signal when actuated and a master control unit transmitting a shift signal responsive to the input signal. At least one electromechanical gear changer is provided and includes a gear changer control unit. The gear changer control unit receives the shift signal from the master control unit and controls the at least one electromechanical gear changer corresponding to the received shift signal. The gear changer control unit listens for the shift signal during a part of an awake mode cycle time, the master control unit transmitting the shift signal for a message duration time which is greater than the awake mode cycle time.

Claims

1. A wireless control system for a bicycle, comprising:

at least one shift actuator generating an input signal when actuated;

a master control unit transmitting a shift signal responsive to the input signal;

at least one electromechanical gear changer including a gear changer control unit, the gear changer control unit receiving the shift signal from the master control unit and controlling the at least one electromechanical gear changer corresponding to the received shift signal, the gear changer control unit listening for the shift signal during a part of an awake mode cycle time, the master control unit transmitting the shift signal for a message duration time which is greater than the awake mode cycle time.

2. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the message duration time is about twice the awake mode cycle time.

3. The wireless control system of claim 2, wherein the shift signal includes a plurality of duplicate shift signals.

4. The wireless control system of claim 3, wherein the duplicate shift signals are spaced apart in the message duration time according to a predetermined interval.

5. The wireless control system of claim 4, wherein each of the intervals comprises a transmitting period and a rest period.

6. The wireless control system of claim 5, wherein the ratio of the transmitting period to the rest period is about 1:

3.

7. The wireless control system of claim 4, wherein the interval is increased if noise is detected by the master control unit.

8. An electromechanical gear changer actuable by a motor to change gears on a bicycle, comprising:

a base part attachable to a bicycle;

a movable part;

a chain guide attached to the movable part;

a linkage interconnecting the base part to the movable part to enable the movable part to move relative to the base part;

the motor disposed on the electromechanical gear changer;

a gear changer control unit disposed on the electromechanical gear changer for operating the gear changer; and

a wake sensor connected to the gear changer control unit, which when actuated causes the gear changer control unit to become operational, wherein the wake sensor is a vibration sensor.

9. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 8, further comprising a power source.

10. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 9, wherein the gear changer control unit includes a transmitter and receiver.

11. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 10, wherein the gear changer control unit is fully powered on when operational.

12. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 8, wherein the electromechanical gear changer is one of a front derailleur and a rear derailleur.

13. The electromechanical gear changer of claim 9, wherein the power source is disposed on the base part.

14. A bicycle wireless control system for controlling a derailleur on a bicycle, comprising:

a mechanism for generating an input signal when actuated;

a master control unit in operative communication with the mechanism, the master control unit including a transmitter that transmits a command signal responsive to the input signal to operate the derailleur;

a slave control unit including a receiver for communicating with the master control unit; and

a wake sensor connected to the bicycle, which when actuated causes the receiver to become operational.

15. The bicycle wireless control system of claim 14, wherein the slave control unit listens for the command signal during a part of an awake mode cycle time, the master control unit transmitting the command signal for a message duration time which is greater than the awake mode cycle time.

16. The bicycle wireless control system of claim 14, wherein the mechanism is disposed on a shift control unit of the bicycle.

17. The bicycle wireless control system of claim 14, wherein the command signal is a shift signal.

18. The bicycle wireless control system of claim 14, wherein the slave control unit is positioned on the derailleur of the bicycle.