Electromechanical shifting systems and methods

• US 10,392,078 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2018
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• 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:
  US16/105,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20190002057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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

A wireless control system for a bicycle may include a base part attachable to a bicycle and a movable part. The control system may also include an electric motor disposed on the electromechanical component and a control unit disposed on the electromechanical component for operating the electric motor to operate the electromechanical component, the control unit including a wireless receiver. The control system includes a wake sensor connected to the control unit, the wake sensor configured to cause the control unit and the wireless receiver to become operational in response to detected vibrations of the bicycle.

Claims

1. An electromechanical component for a bicycle, comprising:

a base part attachable to a bicycle;

a movable part;

an electric motor disposed on the electromechanical component;

a control unit disposed on the electromechanical component for operating the electric motor to operate the electromechanical component, the control unit including a wireless receiver; and

a wake sensor connected to the control unit, the wake sensor configured to cause the control unit and the wireless receiver to become operational in response to detected vibrations of the bicycle.

2. The electromechanical component of claim 1, wherein the wake sensor is disposed on the electromechanical component.

3. The electromechanical component of claim 1, further comprising a power source.

4. The electromechanical component of claim 3, wherein the power source is disposed on the electromechanical component.

5. The electromechanical component of claim 4, wherein the power source is disposed on the base part.

6. The electromechanical component of claim 4, control unit is powered on with power from the power source when operational.

7. The electromechanical component of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver enters an awake mode in response to vibrations detected by the wake sensor, the awake mode including a listen mode.

8. The electromechanical component of claim 7, wherein the awake mode further includes a non-listen mode.

9. The electromechanical component of claim 8, wherein the listen mode is ten percent (“

10%”

) or less of an awake mode cycle time.

10. The electromechanical component of claim 8, wherein receiver is configured to receive a wireless command signal transmitted by a master control unit.

11. The electromechanical component of claim 10, wherein the control unit is configured to keep the receiver in the listen mode when the wireless command signal is received by the receiver.

12. The electromechanical component of claim 11, wherein the wake sensor is configured to generate a wake signal in response to the detected vibrations.

13. The electromechanical component of claim 12, wherein the wake sensor is configured to communicate the wake signal to the control unit.

14. The electromechanical component of claim 13, wherein the control unit is configured to transition to a sleep mode if a wake signal is not received within a predetermined sleep timeout value.

15. The electromechanical component of claim 10, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a wireless command signal transmitted by a paired master control unit.

16. The electromechanical component of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is configured to cause the movable part to move.

17. A bicycle wireless control system for controlling a component on a bicycle, comprising:

a slave control unit attached to the component and including a wireless receiver for communicating with a master control unit, the master control unit including a wireless transmitter that transmits a wireless command signal; and

a wake unit attached to the slave control unit, the wake unit configured to detect vibration and cause the wireless receiver to become operational to receive the wireless command signal in response to the detected vibration.

18. The bicycle wireless control system of claim 17, wherein the slave control unit listens for the wireless command signal during a part of an awake mode cycle time, the master control unit transmitting the wireless command signal for a message duration time which is greater than the awake mode cycle time.