Actuator device for a bicycle gearshift and nut for such a device

• US 9,580,145 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2015
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Inventors: Capogna, Andrea
• Primary Examiner(s): Dondero, William E
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUSE, MARK KENNETH
• Application Number:
  US14/737,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20150274255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 474/70, 474/78, 474/80, 474/82
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 9/1242 characterised by the linkage mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/128 Accessories, e.g. protectors
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/132 electrically or fluid actuated; Controls thereof

Abstract

An actuator device for a bicycle gearshift, comprising an actuation kinematic mechanism adapted to be deformed in order to move a derailleur of the gearshift; a driving member adapted to control the deformation of the aforementioned kinematic mechanism, the driving member comprising a motor and a threaded drive shaft put in rotation by the motor; a nut associated with the aforementioned kinematic mechanism and with the drive shaft. The actuator device comprises a snap mechanism that, in a first operative configuration, holds the nut in an engaged condition with the drive shaft such that the rotation of the drive shaft causes the deformation of the actuation kinematic mechanism and that, when the actuator device is subjected to a force greater than a predetermined threshold force, defines a release configuration in the nut, such that the rotation of the drive shaft does not cause the deformation of the actuation kinematic mechanism.

Claims

1. Actuator device for a bicycle gearshift, comprising:

an actuation kinematic mechanism adapted to be articulated in order to move a derailleur of the gearshift;

a driving member adapted to control the articulation of the actuation kinematic mechanism, the driving member comprising a motor and a threaded drive shaft put in rotation by the motor;

a nut associated with the actuation kinematic mechanism and with the drive shaft so that, in a first operative configuration of the actuator device, the nut is in an engaged condition with the drive shaft such that the rotation of the drive shaft causes the articulation of the actuation kinematic mechanism;

wherein said actuator device further comprises a biased snap mechanism that holds the nut in said engaged condition under a predetermined threshold biasing force, and releases the nut such that the nut is drivingly disengaged from the drive shaft after said actuator device is subjected to a second force that overcomes the predetermined threshold biasing force and rotation of the drive shaft does not cause the articulation of the actuation kinematic mechanism.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the nut comprises:

a tubular body provided with a first cavity extending along a first axis and with a second cavity extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;

two opposite pin portions, fixedly connected to the tubular body and extending along a third axis perpendicular to said first axis and to said second axis;

a tubular sleeve, internally threaded, adapted to engage with the drive shaft and slidably inserted in the tubular body along said second axis;

wherein said biased snap mechanism operates between the tubular body and the tubular sleeve along said first axis.

3. Device according to claim 2 wherein in said first operative configuration the biased snap mechanism holds the tubular body in a predetermined operative position with respect to the tubular sleeve and in said disengaged configuration the biased snap mechanism allows the tubular body to move freely from said predetermined operative position along said second axis.

4. Device according to claim 3 wherein said biased snap mechanism comprises:

a ball at least partially housed in the first cavity of the tubular body;

a preloaded spring, housed in the first cavity of the tubular body and acting on said ball to push it towards the tubular sleeve along said first axis;

a first housing seat for said ball, provided in the tubular sleeve, said first housing seat being adapted to partially house the ball in said operative configuration;

at least one second housing seat for said ball, provided in the tubular sleeve in a position adjacent to said first housing seat along said second axis, said at least one second housing seat being adapted to partially house the ball in said disengaged configuration.

5. Device according to claim 4 wherein said at least one second housing seat is defined by a groove extending along said second axis.

6. Device according to claim 4 wherein the first housing seat is separated from said at least one second housing seat by a raised portion of the tubular sleeve.

7. Device according to claim 3, wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

8. Device according to claim 2 wherein said biased snap mechanism comprises:

a ball at least partially housed in the first cavity of the tubular body;

a preloaded spring, housed in the first cavity of the tubular body and acting on said ball to push it towards the tubular sleeve along said first axis;

a first housing seat for said ball, provided in the tubular sleeve, said first housing seat being adapted to partially house the ball in said operative configuration;

at least one second housing seat for said ball, provided in the tubular sleeve in a position adjacent to said first housing seat along said second axis, said at least one second housing seat being adapted to partially house the ball in said disengaged configuration.

9. Device according to claim 8 wherein said at least one second housing seat is defined by a groove extending along said second axis.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein said groove has a length at least equal to half the length of the tubular sleeve.

11. Device according to claim 10 wherein the first housing seat is separated from said at least one second housing seat by a raised portion of the tubular sleeve.

12. Device according to claim 11 wherein said raised portion is connected to the first housing seat and to said at least one second housing seat through respective bevelled joining surfaces.

13. Device according to claim 10 wherein the tubular body comprises a pressure element sliding in the cavity and a cover for closing the cavity, the preloaded spring acting by thrusting between said pressure element and said cover.

14. Device according to claim 10, wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

15. Device according to claim 9 wherein the first housing seat is separated from said at least one second housing seat by a raised portion of the tubular sleeve.

16. Device according to claim 15 wherein said raised portion is connected to the first housing seat and to said at least one second housing seat through respective bevelled joining surfaces.

17. Device according to claim 9, wherein the tubular body comprises a pressure element sliding in the cavity and a cover for closing the cavity, the preloaded spring acting by thrusting between said pressure element and said cover.

18. Device according to claim 9, wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

19. Device according to claim 8 wherein the first housing seat is separated from said at least one second housing seat by a raised portion of the tubular sleeve.

20. Device according to claim 19 wherein said raised portion is connected to the first housing seat and to said at least one second housing seat through respective bevelled joining surfaces.

21. Device according to claim 20, wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

22. Device according to claim 19, wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

23. Device according to claim 8 wherein the tubular body comprises a pressure element sliding in the cavity and a cover for closing the cavity, the preloaded spring acting by thrusting between said pressure element and said cover.

24. Device according to claim 23 wherein the cover is associated with the tubular body through respective threadings and the position of said cover with respect to the tubular body is adjustable by screwing.

25. Device according to claim 24, wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

26. Device according to claim 23 wherein the cover is associated with the tubular body through press fitting and the position of said cover with respect to the tubular body is unique and predetermined.

27. Device according to claim 23, wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

28. Device according to claim 8 wherein the first housing seat is separated from said at least one second housing seat by a raised portion of the tubular sleeve.

29. Device according to claim 8, wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

30. Device according to claim 2 wherein the tubular sleeve has an at least partially polygonal outer section, which matches a polygonal inner section of the tubular body.

31. Device according to claim 2 wherein the tubular sleeve, at an end portion thereof, comprises a removable closing cap.

32. Device according to claim 31, wherein the closing cap comprises an abutment collar adapted to prevent the tubular body from coming out at said disengaged configuration.

33. Actuator device for a bicycle gearshift, comprising:

an articulating actuation kinematic mechanism that moves a derailleur of the gearshift;

a driving member that includes a motor and a threaded drive shaft that is rotated by the motor and controls the actuation kinematic mechanism;

a nut that is associated with the actuation kinematic mechanism and includes a biased snap mechanism having an engaged condition that holds the nut in engagement with the drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft causes articulation of the actuation kinematic mechanism, and, after the actuator device is subjected to a force greater than a predetermined threshold biasing force, the nut releases and is drivingly disengaged from the drive shaft where rotation of the drive shaft does not cause articulation of the actuation kinematic mechanism.

34. Actuator device for a bicycle gearshift, comprising:

an actuation kinematic mechanism adapted to be articulated in order to move a derailleur of the gearshift;

a driving member adapted to control the articulation of the actuation kinematic mechanism, the driving member comprising a motor and a threaded drive shaft put in rotation by the motor, the threaded drive shaft extending along and rotating about a first longitudinal axis;

a nut associated with the actuation kinematic mechanism and with the drive shaft so that, in a first operative configuration of the actuator device, the nut is in an engaged condition with the drive shaft such that the rotation of the drive shaft causes the articulation of the actuation kinematic mechanism, the nut extending along a second longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis of the threaded drive shaft;

wherein said actuator device comprises a snap mechanism that, in said first operative configuration of the actuator device, holds the nut in said engaged condition and that, when the actuator device is subjected to a force greater than a predetermined threshold force, defines a release configuration in the nut wherein the actuation kinematic mechanism is completely released from the drive shaft such that the rotation of the drive shaft does not cause the articulation of the actuation kinematic mechanism.