TWI894195B - Back derailleur - Google Patents

Abstract

[Question] A rear derailleur with improved usability is provided. [Solution] A rear derailleur comprises: a base member mounted on a bicycle frame around a base axis; a movable member movable relative to the base member; and a pulley assembly mounted on the movable member and rotatable about a pivot axis. The pulley assembly comprises an outer plate, an inner plate, at least one pulley, and an attachment/detachment mechanism; the at least one pulley is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate and rotatable about the pulley axis; the attachment/detachment mechanism is used to switch the pulley assembly from a bicycle-riding state to a wheel-removable state, and vice versa.

Description

Back derailleur

The present invention relates to a rear derailleur for a bicycle.

Rear derailleurs that can arbitrarily change the speed ratio of a bicycle are known. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a known rear derailleur.

[Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0265169

The back-up chain disclosed in Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in usability. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a back-up chain that can improve usability.

The first type of rear derailleur of the present invention comprises: a base member mounted on a bicycle frame around a base axis, a movable member movable relative to the base member, and a pulley assembly mounted on the movable member and rotatable about a pivot axis; the pulley assembly comprises an outer plate, an inner plate, at least one pulley, and a mounting and dismounting mechanism; the at least one pulley is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate and rotatable about the pulley axis; the mounting and dismounting mechanism is used to switch the pulley assembly from a bicycle riding state to a wheel detachable state, and to switch the pulley assembly from the wheel detachable state to the bicycle riding state; In the riding position, the outer plate, the inner plate, and the at least one pulley integrally rotate about the pivot axis. In the detachable wheel position, one of the outer plate and the inner plate can independently rotate relative to the at least one pulley and the other of the outer plate and the inner plate. The attachment and detachment mechanism includes a pulley shaft and an operating member rotatably connected to the pulley shaft about the pulley shaft. The attachment and detachment mechanism allows one of the outer plate and the inner plate to be separated from the pulley shaft by rotating the operating member, thereby securing the outer plate and the inner plate to the pulley shaft.

The first type of rear derailleur, equipped with an attachment and detachment mechanism, allows one of the outer and inner plates that comprise the pulley assembly to be separated from the pulley shaft when the wheel is removed. This facilitates rotation of the outer and inner plates relative to the other plate when the wheel is removed, thus reducing chain tension. This facilitates rotation of the rear derailleur relative to the bicycle frame, improving usability.

According to the second embodiment of the first embodiment of the rear derailleur, the outer plate is capable of rotating independently of the inner plate relative to the at least one pulley in the wheel-removable state. The outer plate, when assembled with the pulley assembly, has an outer axial opening for supporting the first end of the pulley shaft. The outer axial opening is coaxial with the pulley shaft when assembled with the pulley assembly. The inner plate, when assembled, has an inner axial opening for supporting the second end. The inner axial opening is coaxial with the pulley shaft when the pulley assembly is assembled; the first end of the pulley shaft and the second end of the pulley shaft are opposite each other in the axial direction of the pulley shaft. The attachment and detachment mechanism includes a slit formed in the outer plate and connected to the outer axial opening; in the detachable wheel state, the operating member is allowed to pass through the slit, thereby allowing the outer plate to rotate independently of the at least one pulley and the inner plate relative to the at least one pulley.

The second type of rear derailleur can be easily switched between a connected and disconnected state between the outer plate and the pulley shaft, making it easy to remove the bicycle wheel.

According to the third type of the rear derailleur according to the second type, the first end of the pulley shaft is detachably connected to the outer axial opening, and the second end of the pulley shaft is fixedly connected to the inner axial opening of the inner plate.

The third type of rear derailleur can be easily switched between a connected and disconnected state between the outer plate and the pulley shaft, making it easy to remove the bicycle wheel.

According to the fourth embodiment of the derailleur according to the third embodiment, the pulley shaft has a screw hole formed at the first end; and the operating member has an operating portion and a first male threaded portion for threading into the screw hole of the pulley shaft.

The fourth type of rear derailleur described above allows for easy operation of the operating member that constitutes the loading and unloading mechanism.

According to the fifth embodiment of the rear derailleur according to the fourth embodiment, the pulley shaft has a second male thread portion formed at the second end; the second male thread portion of the pulley shaft is threadedly engaged with the inner axial opening of the inner plate.

The fifth type of rear derailleur described above can securely secure the inner plate and pulley shaft.

According to the sixth embodiment of the derailleur according to the fourth embodiment, the operating member includes an axially extending portion extending radially from the pulley shaft center. The axially extending portion faces the outer plate portion in the assembled state. The operating member is rotated by threading the first male threaded portion of the operating member into the screw hole of the pulley shaft, thereby allowing the operating member to move axially along the pulley shaft.

The sixth type of rear derailleur can be easily switched between a connected and disconnected position between the outer plate and the pulley shaft, making it easy to remove the bicycle wheel.

According to the seventh embodiment of the rear derailleur according to the first embodiment, the at least one pulley includes a guide pulley and a tension pulley, and the tension pulley is supported by the pulley shaft when the pulley assembly is assembled.

With the seventh type of rear derailleur, the tension pulley rotates independently of the outer plate, making it easy to reduce chain tension when the wheel is removed.

According to the seventh and eighth types of the rear derailleur, the guide pulley is supported by the additional pulley axis in the assembled state, and when viewed from the base axis relative to the base axis, the additional pulley axis is offset from the base axis.

The above-mentioned Type 8 rear derailleur enables proper shifting.

The ninth embodiment of the rear derailleur according to the first embodiment further includes a position switching mechanism for switching the position of the bicycle rear derailleur from a bicycle riding position to a wheel detachable position, and for switching the bicycle rear derailleur from the wheel detachable position to the bicycle riding position.

With the aforementioned Type 9 rear derailleur, the rear derailleur can be positioned appropriately when the wheel is removed.

According to the rear derailleur of the ninth embodiment and the tenth embodiment, the base member has an internal space, and the position switching mechanism has: a slider, a stopper, and a spring element; the slider is at least partially disposed in the internal space of the base member and is movable toward the base axis relative to the base axis; the stopper is stationary during the rotation of the rear derailleur of the bicycle and has a contact surface and a receiving recess, the contact surface contacts the slider, the receiving recess is used to receive a portion of the slider, and the receiving recess is located at the base of the base axis. The base is circumferentially adjacent to the abutment surface; the spring element presses the slider against the stopper; when the position of the rear derailleur is changed from the bicycle riding position to the wheel removal position and the slider is aligned with the abutment surface in the circumferential direction of the base, a portion of the slider abuts the abutment surface within the internal space. When the rear derailleur is in the wheel removal position and the slider is aligned with the receiving recess, the spring force of the spring element causes the portion of the slider to move into the receiving recess.

With the above-mentioned Type 10 rear derailleur, the rear derailleur can be positioned appropriately when the wheel is removed.

According to the 11th and 10th aspects of the derailleur, the slider includes an operating portion for manual operation by the user. By operating the operating portion, the portion of the slider moves to the receiving recess of the stopper and then retracts into the inner space.

The rear derailleur described in Type 11 above can easily be changed from a wheel-removing position to a bicycle-riding position.

The twelfth embodiment of the present invention comprises a base member having an internal space and mounted on a bicycle frame around a base axis, a movable member movable relative to the base member, a pulley assembly mounted on the movable member and rotatable about a pivot axis, and a position switching mechanism for switching the position of the bicycle rear derailleur from a riding position to a riding position. The position switching mechanism is configured to switch the position of the rear derailleur of the bicycle from the wheel-removable position to the bicycle-riding position. The position switching mechanism comprises a slider, a stopper, and a spring element. The slider is at least partially disposed within the interior space of the base member and is movable toward the base axis relative to the base axis. The stopper is configured to switch the position of the rear derailleur from the wheel-removable position to the bicycle-riding position. The rear derailleur of the bicycle is stationary during rotation and has a contact surface and a receiving recess, wherein the contact surface contacts the slider, and the receiving recess is used to receive a portion of the slider, and the receiving recess is adjacent to the contact surface in the circumferential direction of the base axis; the elastic element elastically presses the slider relative to the stopper; when the bicycle is ridden from the position of the rear derailleur, the rear derailleur is rotated. During the change in position to the wheel-removable position, when the slider is aligned with the abutment surface in the circumferential direction of the base, a portion of the slider abuts against the abutment surface within the internal space. When the rear derailleur is positioned at the wheel-removable position and the slider is aligned with the receiving recess, the elastic force of the elastic element causes the portion of the slider to move into the receiving recess.

With the rear derailleur type 12 described above, the rear derailleur can be positioned appropriately when the wheel is removed.

According to the 12th and 13th embodiments of the rear derailleur, the slider includes an operating portion for manual operation by the user. By operating the operating portion, the portion of the slider moves to the receiving recess of the stopper and then retracts into the inner space.

The rear derailleur described in Type 13 above can easily be changed from a wheel-removing position to a bicycle-riding position.

The back-up chain of the present invention can provide a back-up chain that can improve usability.

10: Bicycle

20: Framework

40: Rear derailleur

42: Base components

42X: Base axis

44: Movable components

48: Pulley assembly

50:Outside film department

50A: Outer shaft opening

52: Inner part

52A: Inner axis opening

54: Pulley

56: Guide pulley

56X: Additional pulley shaft

58: Tension pulley

60: Loading and unloading mechanism

62: Pulley shaft

62A: End 1

62B: Second end

62X: Pulley shaft

64: Operational components

64A: Axial protrusion

66: Narrow Seam

70: Position switching mechanism

72: Slider

74: Stopper

74A: Abutment surface

74B: Receiving recess

76: Spring element

78: Operation Section

C: Operation Department

O1: Screw hole

N1: 1st male thread

N2: Second male thread

S: Internal space

[Figure 1] is a side view of a bicycle including a rear derailleur according to an embodiment.

[Figure 2] is an enlarged view of the rear derailleur in Figure 1.

[Figure 3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pulley assembly of the loading and unloading mechanism according to an embodiment.

[Figure 4] is a three-dimensional diagram of the rear derailleur, showing the state of the bicycle transitioning from the riding position to the wheel-removable position.

[Figure 5] is a perspective view showing the structure of the spring element of the derailleur shown in Figure 1.

[Figure 6] is a three-dimensional diagram showing the rear derailleur with the wheel detachable.

[Figure 7] is a side view of a base member equipped with a position adjustment structure according to an embodiment.

[Figure 8] is a cross-sectional view of the base component in Figure 7.

[Figure 9] is a perspective view showing the structure of the base member fixed at the detachable wheel position.

<Implementation>

Referring to Figures 1 through 9 , a bicycle rear derailleur 40 according to an embodiment will be described. A bicycle 10 is a vehicle that can be propelled at least by human power. Bicycle 10 is not limited to the number of wheels and includes, for example, unicycles and vehicles with three or more wheels. Examples of bicycles 10 include mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes, cargo bikes, and recumbent bikes. Bicycle 10 may also be an electric bicycle (E-bike). E-bikes include electrically assisted bicycles that are propelled by an electric motor.

Bicycle 10 includes a crank 12, a front wheel 14, a rear wheel 16, and a body 18. Body 18 includes a frame 20. Crank 12 includes a crankshaft 12A that is rotatable relative to frame 20, and crank arms 12B disposed at axial ends of crankshaft 12A. Pedals P are connected to each crank arm 12B. Rear wheel 16 is supported by frame 20. Crank 12 and rear wheel 16 are connected via a drive mechanism 22. Rear wheel 16 is driven by drive mechanism 22. Drive mechanism 22 transmits power to rear wheel 16 as crank 12 rotates. Drive mechanism 22 includes a front sprocket 24 connected to crankshaft 12A. The crankshaft 12A and the front sprocket 24 are also connected via a first one-way clutch. The first one-way clutch causes the front sprocket 24 to rotate forward when the crank 12 rotates forward, and prevents the front sprocket 24 from rotating backward when the crank 12 rotates backward. The front sprocket 24 may be composed of one or more sprockets. The plurality of front sprockets 24 constitute a front sprocket assembly. The drive mechanism 22 further includes a rear sprocket 26 and a chain 28. The chain 28 transmits the rotational force of the front sprocket 24 to the rear sprocket 26. The drive mechanism 22 includes a plurality of rear sprockets 26. The plurality of rear sprockets 26 constitute a rear sprocket assembly 26A.

Rear sprocket 26 is connected to rear wheel 16. A second one-way clutch is preferably provided between rear sprocket 26 and rear wheel 16. This second one-way clutch causes rear wheel 16 to rotate forward when rear sprocket 26 rotates forward, and prevents rear wheel 16 from rotating backward when rear sprocket 26 rotates backward.

The front wheel 14 is mounted to the frame 20 via a front fork 30. The handlebar 34 is connected to the front fork 30 via a rod 32. In this embodiment, although the rear wheel 16 is connected to the crank 12 via the drive mechanism 22, at least one of the rear wheel 16 and the front wheel 14 may be connected to the crank 12 via the drive mechanism 22.

The bicycle 10 may also include a bicycle battery 36. The battery 36 includes one or more battery cells, each of which includes a rechargeable battery. The battery 36 supplies power to the auxiliary motor 38. The battery 36 is preferably connected to the auxiliary motor 38 so that it can communicate with the auxiliary motor 38 via a wired or wireless connection. The auxiliary motor 38 can communicate with a control unit, for example, via power line communication (PLC). The control unit is used to control the operation of the auxiliary motor 38. The battery 36 may also be connected to a display unit. The display unit is used to display information about the bicycle. This information may include, for example, the speed of the bicycle. The battery 36 may also be connected to an operating unit located on the handlebars.

The auxiliary motor 38 comprises one or more electric motors. The auxiliary motor 38 is used to transmit rotation to at least one of the power transmission path for the human-powered vehicle, which runs from the pedals P to the rear wheel 16, and the front wheel 14. The power transmission path for the human-powered vehicle, which runs from the pedals P to the rear wheel 16, includes the rear wheel 16. In this embodiment, the auxiliary motor 38 is mounted on the frame 20 of the human-powered vehicle 10 and is used to transmit rotation to the front sprocket 24. The drive unit comprises the auxiliary motor 38 and a housing in which the auxiliary motor 38 is mounted. A one-way clutch is preferably provided in the power transmission path between the auxiliary motor 38 and the crankshaft 12A so that when the crankshaft 12A rotates in the direction of forward motion of the bicycle 10, the rotational force of the crank 12 prevents the auxiliary motor 38 from rotating. If the auxiliary motor 38 is provided on at least one of the rear wheel 16 and the front wheel 14, the auxiliary motor 38 may also include a hub motor. The bicycle 10 may also not include the auxiliary motor 38.

The bicycle 10 includes a rear derailleur 40. The rear derailleur 40 is used to change the ratio of the rotational speed of the rear wheel 16 to the rotational speed of the crank 12, i.e., the gear ratio. The rear derailleur 40 can change the ratio of the rotational speeds of the front sprocket 24 and the rear sprocket 26, which rotate in conjunction with the chain 28, i.e., the gear ratio. The rear derailleur 40 switches the chain 28 from one rear sprocket 26 included in the rear sprocket assembly 26A to another rear sprocket 26. If a plurality of front sprockets 24 constitute the front sprocket assembly, the bicycle 10 further includes a front derailleur.

The rear derailleur 40 comprises a base member 42 mounted on the frame 20 of the bicycle 10 about a base axis 42X, a movable member 44 movable relative to the base member 42, and a pulley assembly 48 mounted on the movable member 44 and rotatable about a pivot axis 44X. The base member 42 has an internal space S. The base member 42 and the movable member 44 are connected by a connecting rod mechanism 46.

The pulley assembly 48 includes an outer plate 50, an inner plate 52, and at least one pulley 54 disposed between the outer and inner plates 50, 52 and rotatable about a pulley axis 54X. The at least one pulley 54 includes a guide pulley 56 and a tension pulley 58. When the at least one pulley 54 includes the guide pulley 56 and the tension pulley 58, the rear derailleur 40 includes a plurality of separate pulley shafts. The plurality of pulley shafts are disposed in the pulley assembly 48. The plurality of pulley shafts include at least a pulley shaft 62 and an additional pulley shaft 56Y.

In the assembled state of the pulley assembly 48, the tension pulley 58 is supported by the pulley shaft 62. The pulley shaft 62 is coaxial with the rotational axis 58X of the tension pulley 58. The tension pulley 58 is rotatably supported by the pulley shaft 62. The assembled state of the pulley assembly 48 includes the outer plate 50, the inner plate 52, and the at least one pulley 54. The assembled state of the pulley assembly 48 includes a state in which the at least one pulley 54 constituting the pulley assembly 48 is supported by the outer plate 50 and the inner plate 52. The assembled state of the pulley assembly 48 includes a state in which the pulley shaft supporting the at least one pulley 54 constituting the pulley assembly 48 is supported by at least one of the outer plate 50 and the inner plate 52. The assembled state of the pulley assembly 48 includes a state in which the outer plate portion 50 and the inner plate portion 52 support the pulley shaft for supporting at least one pulley 54 constituting the pulley assembly 48. The assembled state of the pulley assembly 48 includes a state in which one of the outer plate portion 50 and the inner plate portion 52 supports the pulley shaft for supporting at least one pulley 54 constituting the pulley assembly 48, while the other of the outer plate portion 50 and the inner plate portion 52 does not support the pulley shaft. The pulley shaft for supporting at least one pulley 54 includes at least one of the pulley shaft 62 and the additional pulley shaft 56Y. The pulley shaft 62 has a pulley shaft center 62X. The pulley shaft 62 extends along the pulley shaft center 62X. The pulley shaft 62 includes a first end 62A, which is one end of the pulley shaft 62, and a second end 62B, which is the other end of the pulley shaft 62. The first end 62A and the second end 62B are the ends of the pulley shaft 62 in the axial direction of the pulley shaft 62X. The first end 62A and the second end 62B of the pulley shaft 62 are opposite to each other in the axial direction of the pulley shaft 62X.

In the assembled state, the guide pulley 56 is supported by the additional pulley shaft 56X. When viewed from the base axis relative to the base axis 42X, the additional pulley shaft 56X is offset from the base axis 42X. The guide pulley 56 is supported by the additional pulley shaft 56Y. The additional pulley shaft 56Y includes the additional pulley shaft 56X.

The pulley assembly 48 includes an attachment/detachment mechanism 60. The attachment/detachment mechanism 60 is used to switch the pulley assembly 48 from the bicycle-riding state to the wheel-removable state, and also to switch the pulley assembly 48 from the wheel-removable state to the bicycle-riding state. The bicycle-riding state includes a state in which gear changes can be performed by applying tension to the chain 28 via the rear derailleur 40. In the first example, the bicycle-riding state includes a state in which the outer axle opening 50A and the inner axle opening 52A are arranged on the same axle. The bicycle-riding state is a state in which the center axis of the outer axle opening 50A and the center axis of the inner axle opening 52A are arranged on the same axle. In the second example, the bicycle riding state includes a state in which outer axle 50X of outer axle opening 50A, inner axle 52X of inner axle opening 52A, and pulley axle 62X of pulley axle 62 are arranged on the same axle. The bicycle riding state is a state in which outer axle 50X of outer axle opening 50A, inner axle 52X of inner axle opening 52A, and pulley axle 62X of pulley axle 62 are arranged on the same axle. In the third example, the bicycle riding state includes a state in which the outer axle 50X of the outer axle opening 50A, the inner axle 52X of the inner axle opening 52A, the rotational axis 58X of the tension pulley 58, and the pulley axis 62X of the pulley shaft 62 are arranged on the same axis. The bicycle riding state is a state in which the outer axle 50X of the outer axle opening 50A, the inner axle 52X of the inner axle opening 52A, the rotational axis 58X of the tension pulley 58, and the pulley axis 62X of the pulley shaft 62 are arranged on the same axis.

The wheel-removable state includes a state in which the rear wheel 16 can be removed from the frame 20 by the rear derailleur 40 without applying tension to the chain 28. In the first example, the wheel-removable state includes a state in which the outer axle opening 50A and the inner axle opening 52A are not arranged on the same axle. The wheel-removable state is a state in which the outer axle opening 50A and the inner axle opening 52A are not arranged on the same axle. In the second example, the wheel-removable state includes a state in which at least one of the outer shaft 50X of the outer shaft opening 50A, the inner shaft 52X of the inner shaft opening 52A, and the pulley shaft 62X of the pulley shaft 62 is not arranged on the same axis. The wheel-removable state is a state in which at least one of the outer shaft 50X of the outer shaft opening 50A, the inner shaft 52X of the inner shaft opening 52A, and the pulley shaft 62X of the pulley shaft 62 is not arranged on the same axis. The removable wheel state is a state in which the outer axis 50X of the outer axis opening 50A is not arranged on the same axis as the inner axis 52X of the inner axis opening 52A and the pulley axis 62X of the pulley shaft 62. In the third example, the removable wheel state is a state in which at least one of the outer axis 50X of the outer axis opening 50A, the inner axis 52X of the inner axis opening 52A, the rotation center axis 58X of the tension pulley 58, and the pulley axis 62X of the pulley shaft 62 is not arranged on the same axis. The removable wheel state is when the outer axis 50X of the outer axle opening 50A is not coaxial with the inner axis 52X of the inner axle opening 52A, the rotational axis 58X of the tension pulley 58, or the pulley axis 62X of the pulley shaft 62. In the bicycle riding position, the outer plate 50, the inner plate 52, and the at least one pulley 54 rotate integrally about the pivot axis 44X. In the removable wheel state, one of the outer plate 50 and the inner plate 52 can rotate independently of the at least one pulley 54 and the other of the outer plate 50 and the inner plate 52. In the first example, when the wheels are removed, the outer plate 50 can rotate independently of the inner plate 52 relative to at least one pulley 54. In the second example, when the wheels are removed, the inner plate 52 can rotate independently of the outer plate 50 relative to at least one pulley 54. This embodiment discloses the first example.

As shown in FIG3 , the loading and unloading mechanism 60 includes a pulley shaft 62 and an operating member 64 rotatably connected to the pulley shaft 62 around a pulley shaft center 62X. The loading and unloading mechanism 60 allows one of the outer plate 50 and the inner plate 52 to be separated from the pulley shaft 62 by rotating the operating member 64, and fixes one of the outer plate 50 and the inner plate 52 to the pulley shaft 62. In the first example, the loading and unloading mechanism 60 allows the outer plate 50 to be separated from the pulley shaft 62. The loading and unloading mechanism 60 allows the outer plate 50 to be separated from the pulley shaft 62 by operating the operating member 64. The pulley shaft 62 is fixedly connected to the inner plate 52. The second end 62B of the pulley shaft 62 is fixedly connected to the inner plate 52. In the second example, the attachment and detachment mechanism 60 allows the inner plate 52 to be separated from the pulley shaft 62. The pulley shaft 62 is fixedly connected to the outer plate 50. The first end 62A of the pulley shaft 62 is fixedly connected to the outer plate 50. This embodiment discloses the first example.

In the wheel-removable state, the outer plate 50 can rotate independently relative to at least one pulley 54 and the inner plate 52. In the wheel-removable state, the outer plate 50 can rotate independently relative to at least one of the guide pulley 56, the tension pulley 58, and the inner plate 52. In the wheel-removable state, the outer plate 50 can rotate independently relative to the inner plate 52 and the tension pulley 58. When the pulley assembly 48 is assembled, and the pivot axis 44X of the pulley assembly 48 and the additional pulley axis 56X of the additional pulley axis 56Y to which the guide pulley 56 is attached are offset, the outer plate 50 can rotate independently relative to the guide pulley 56, the tension pulley 58, and the inner plate 52. When the pulley assembly 48 is assembled, and the pulley assembly 48's pivot axis 44X and the additional pulley axis 56X are coaxially arranged, the outer plate 50 can rotate independently of the tension pulley 58 and the inner plate 52. When the pulley assembly 48 is assembled, the outer plate 50 has an outer axial opening 50A for supporting the first end 62A of the pulley shaft 62. When the pulley assembly 48 is assembled, the outer axial opening 50A is coaxial with the pulley shaft 62X. A recess 50B is formed around the outer axial opening 50A of the outer plate 50 to support the operating member 64. By placing at least a portion of the operating member 64 within the recess 50B or facing the recess 50B, the bicycle is in the riding position.

In the assembled state, the inner plate portion 52 has an inner axial opening 52A for supporting the second end 62B. When the pulley assembly 48 is assembled, the inner axial opening 52A is coaxial with the pulley axis 62X.

The attachment and detachment mechanism 60 includes a slit 66 formed in the outer plate 50 and connected to the outer axial opening 50A. The slit 66 connects the outer end 50C of the outer plate 50 to the outer axial opening 50A. In the wheel-detachable state, the operating member 64 is allowed to pass through the slit 66, allowing the outer plate 50 to rotate independently of the at least one pulley 54 and the inner plate 52. The outer plate 50 rotates independently of the tension pulley 58 and the inner plate 52. The outer plate 50 also rotates independently of the guide pulley 56, the tension pulley 58, and the inner plate 52.

The first end 62A of the pulley shaft 62 is detachably connected to the outer axial opening 50A, while the second end 62B of the pulley shaft 62 is fixedly connected to the inner axial opening 52A of the inner plate 52. The first end 62A of the pulley shaft 62 can be attached and detached from the outer axial opening 50A by the user operating the attachment and detachment mechanism 60. The second end 62B of the pulley shaft 62 cannot be attached and detached from the inner axial opening 52A by the user operating the attachment and detachment mechanism 60.

When the bicycle is in the riding position, the first end 62A is connected to the outer axle opening 50A. The operating member 64 is at least partially located within the recess 50B. When the bicycle is in the riding position and the outer plate 50 is intended to rotate independently relative to the pulley shaft 62, the operating member 64 contacts the edge of the recess 50B, thereby restricting relative movement of the operating member 64 and the outer plate 50. Because the operating member 64 is rotatably connected to the pulley shaft 62, and the pulley shaft 62 is fixedly connected to the inner plate 52, the operating member 64 and the outer plate 50 are prevented from rotating relative to each other, thereby preventing relative rotation of the outer plate 50 and the inner plate 52. In the wheel-removable state, the outer axial opening 50A of the outer plate 50 can be separated from the pulley shaft 62 and the inner plate 52. Furthermore, the operating member 64 can be separated from the outer plate 50. To switch from the bicycle riding state to the wheel-removable state, for example, the user rotates the operating member 64 relative to the pulley shaft 62, allowing the operating member 64 to pass through the slit 66. By rotating the operating member 64 relative to the outer plate 50 to an angle where it does not contact the edge of the recess 50B, the operating member 64 can move relative to the outer plate 50. By rotating the operating member 64 relative to the outer sheet 50 to an angle where it does not contact the edge of the recess 50B, and by rotating the operating member 64 relative to the outer sheet 50 to an angle where it can pass through the slit 66, the operating member 64 can move relative to the outer sheet 50. By rotating the operating member 64 relative to the outer sheet 50 to an angle where it does not contact the edge of the recess 50B, and by rotating the operating member 64 relative to the outer sheet 50 to an angle where it can pass through the slit 66, the outer sheet 50 can move relative to the pulley shaft 62. The user's operation of the mounting and dismounting mechanism 60 includes at least one of rotating the operating member 64 relative to the rotational axis 58X, rotating the operating member 64 relative to the outer plate 50, and rotating the operating member 64 relative to the inner plate 52.

The operating member 64 has an axial protrusion 64A that extends radially from the pulley axis 62X. In the assembled state, the axial protrusion 64A faces the outer plate 50. In the assembled state, the axial protrusion 64A faces the recess 50B of the outer plate 50. At least a portion of the edge of the recess 50B is curved. In the riding position of the bicycle, the axial protrusion 64A faces the recess 50B of the outer plate 50. In the detachable wheel position, the axial protrusion 64A does not face the recess 50B of the outer plate 50. When the pulley shaft 62 and the outer axial opening 50A of the outer plate 50 are not coaxially aligned, the axial protrusion 64A does not face the recess 50B of the outer plate 50.

The pulley shaft 62 has a screw hole O1 formed at the first end 62A. The operating member 64 has an operating portion C and a first male threaded portion N1 for threading with the screw hole O1 of the pulley shaft 62. The screw hole O1 is composed of a female threaded portion. By rotating the first male threaded portion N1 of the operating member 64 and the screw hole O1 of the pulley shaft 62, the operating member 64 can be moved in the axial direction of the pulley shaft 62. The operating portion C is operated by any operating means. In the first example, the operation performed by the operating means includes an operation performed manually. In the second example, the operation performed by the operating means includes an operation performed by a screwdriver or a wrench. In the third example, the operation performed by the operating means includes an operation performed by an actuator. In the first example, the user can operate the axial protrusion 64A to serve as the operating portion C. In the third example, the actuator can be activated by operating at least one of an operating device located on the handlebar 34 or a switch located on the rear derailleur 40. In this case, the rear derailleur 40, the operating device, and the switch can be powered by the battery 36 or a separate battery. The actuator includes either an electromagnetic coil or a motor.

The pulley shaft 62 has a second male threaded portion N2 formed at its second end 62B. The second male threaded portion N2 of the pulley shaft 62 is threadedly engaged with the inner axial opening 52A of the inner plate 52. The inner axial opening 52A includes a screw hole O2 formed with a female threaded portion.

As shown in Figure 4, when the wheels are detachable, the outer plate 50 rotates relative to the inner plate 52 by rotating the operating member 64. When the wheels are detachable, the outer plate 50 rotates independently relative to the inner plate 52 by rotating the operating member 64.

FIG5 shows a spring member 68 that applies elastic pressure to the rear derailleur 40. The spring member 68 is, for example, a torsion spring. Alternatively, the spring member 68 may be a leaf spring. The pulley assembly 48 is elastically pressured in the first direction A1 shown in FIG6 by the spring member 68. The spring member 68 is disposed between the movable member 44 and the pulley assembly 48. One end of the spring member 68 is attached to the movable member 44. The other end of the spring member 68 is attached to the outer plate 50 of the pulley assembly 48. In the wheel-removable state, since the outer plate 50 and inner plate 52 are relatively rotatable, the elastic pressure of the elastic member is applied only to the outer plate 50. The elastic pressure of the elastic member 68 is not applied to the guide pulley 56, the tension pulley 58, or the inner plate 52. Alternatively, the guide pulley 56, the tension pulley 58, and the inner plate 52 are as close to being free of elastic pressure as possible. Consequently, the guide pulley 56, the tension pulley 58, and the inner plate 52 are easily rotated in the second direction A2 by the tension of the chain 28 wound around the tension pulley 58. In the wheel-detachable state, the user can more easily rotate the inner plate 52 in the second direction A2 than in the riding state. For example, when the chain 28 is not attached to the guide pulley 56, the tension pulley 58, and the inner plate 52 of the bicycle 10, and when tension from the chain 28 is not applied to the tension pulley 58, and in the wheel-detachable state, the user can easily rotate the inner plate 52 in the second direction A2. As shown in FIG. 6 , in the wheel-detachable state, the outer plate 50 can be rotated independently of the guide pulley 56, the tension pulley 58, and the inner plate 52 in the first direction A1 by rotating the operating member 64. The guide pulley 56, tension pulley 58, and inner plate 52 are not biased in the first direction A1 by the biasing member 68. Therefore, the user can easily rotate the guide pulley 56, tension pulley 58, and inner plate 52 in the second direction A2.

The rear derailleur 40 further includes a position switching mechanism 70. The position switching mechanism 70 is used to switch the position of the rear derailleur 40 of the bicycle from the bicycle riding state to the wheel detachable state, and is used to switch the rear derailleur 40 of the bicycle 10 from the wheel detachable state to the bicycle riding state. The position of the rear derailleur 40 is defined, for example, as the position of the base member 42 relative to the frame 20. The bicycle riding position of the rear derailleur 40 is the position of the rear derailleur 40 in the bicycle riding state. The wheel detachable position of the rear derailleur 40 is the position of the rear derailleur 40 in the wheel detachable state. The position of the rear derailleur 40 in the wheel-removable position is a position rotated clockwise relative to the base axis of the base member 42 when viewing the bicycle 10 from the right side, relative to the position of the rear derailleur 40 in the riding position.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8 , the position switching mechanism 70 is at least partially disposed within the interior space S of the base member 42 and includes a slider 72 movable in a base axis direction relative to the base axis 42X. Slider 72 is movable in a first direction XA and a second direction XB along the base axis direction. The position switching mechanism 70 includes a stopper 74. Stopper 74 remains stationary during rotation of the rear derailleur 40 of the bicycle 10. Stopper 74 has an abutment surface 74A that abuts slider 72 and a receiving recess 74B for receiving a portion of slider 72. Receiving recess 74B is adjacent to abutment surface 74A in the base circumferential direction of the base axis 42X. The position switching mechanism 70 includes a spring element 76 that presses the slider 72 against the stopper 74. An example of the spring element 76 includes an elastic member. The elastic member includes rubber or a spring.

When the rear derailleur 40 is positioned from the riding position to the wheel removal position, when the slider 72 aligns with the abutment surface 74A along the circumferential direction of the base, a portion of the slider 72 abuts against the abutment surface 74A within the internal space S. The resilient element 76 biases the slider 72 in the first direction XA relative to the abutment surface 74A of the stopper 74. While the slider 72 abuts the abutment surface 74A of the stopper 74, the rear derailleur 40 remains in a position that allows it to be repositioned.

When the rear derailleur 40 is in the wheel removal position and the slider 72 is aligned with the receiving recess 74B, a portion of the slider 72 is moved into the receiving recess 74B by the spring force of the spring element 76. The spring element 76 presses the slider 72 in the first direction XA, inserting at least a portion of the slider 72 into the receiving recess 74B of the stopper 74. As shown in Figure 9, when at least a portion of the slider 72 is located within the receiving recess 74B, the position of the rear derailleur 40 cannot be changed.

Slider 72 has an operating portion 78 for manual operation by the user. By operating operating portion 78, a portion of slider 72 is moved to the receiving recess 74B of stopper 74 and then retracted into interior space S. Operating portion 78 is formed, for example, as a lever. Operating portion 78 includes a flange extending radially relative to the central axis of slider 72. Slider 72 includes one end and another end formed along the central axis of slider 72. When at least a portion of slider 72 is positioned within receiving recess 74B, one end of slider 72 is positioned within receiving recess 74B. Operating portion 78 is formed at the other end of slider 72. Operating portion 78 may also be connected to spring element 76. By sliding or moving the operating portion 78 in the second direction XB, the user causes the slider 72 to partially move in the second direction XB and retract into the inner space S. The rear derailleur 40 can be changed from a wheel-removable position to a bicycle-riding position.

<Variation>

The description of the embodiments is provided as an example of the type of rear derailleur of the present invention and is not intended to limit its form. The rear derailleur of the present invention may take the form of, for example, the following variations of the embodiments and combinations of at least two non-inconsistent variations. In the following variations, portions common to the embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the embodiments, and their descriptions are omitted.

The derailleur 40 may also include a motor unit. The motor unit includes a motor. The motor unit actuates the derailleur 40. The motor unit is mounted on at least one of the base member 42, the movable member 44, and the connecting rod mechanism 46. Power is supplied to the motor unit from the battery 36. The motor unit may further include a wireless communication unit. The motor unit may receive shift signals from the shifter mounted on the handlebar 34 via wireless communication using the wireless communication unit, or may receive shift signals via wired communication via a control unit mounted on the battery 36.

The expression "at least one" as used in this specification refers to "one or more" of the required options. For example, if there are two options, the expression "at least one" in this specification means "only one option" or "both options." As another example, if there are three or more options, the expression "at least one" in this specification means "only one option" or "any combination of two or more options."

40: Rear derailleur

42: Base components

42X: Base axis

44: Movable components

44X: Pivot axis

46: Connecting rod mechanism

48: Pulley assembly

50:Outside film department

50A: Outer shaft opening

52: Inner part

54: Pulley

54X: Pulley shaft

56: Guide pulley

56Y: Additional pulley shaft

56X: Additional pulley shaft

58: Tension pulley

58X: Rotational axis

62X: Pulley shaft

66: Narrow Seam

Claims (11)

A bicycle rear derailleur comprises: a base member mounted on a bicycle frame about a base axis; a movable member movable relative to the base member; and a pulley assembly mounted on the movable member and rotatable about a pivot axis; the pulley assembly comprises an outer plate, an inner plate, at least one pulley, and a mounting and dismounting mechanism; the at least one pulley is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate and rotatable about the pulley axis; the mounting and dismounting mechanism is configured to switch the pulley assembly from a bicycle-riding state to a wheel-removable state, and vice versa. When the bicycle is in the riding position, the outer plate, the inner plate, and the at least one pulley rotate integrally about the pivot axis. When the wheel is detachable, one of the outer plate and the inner plate can rotate independently relative to the at least one pulley and the other of the outer plate and the inner plate. The attachment and detachment mechanism includes a pulley shaft and an operating member rotatably connected to the pulley shaft about the pulley shaft. The attachment and detachment mechanism allows one of the outer plate and the inner plate to be separated from the pulley shaft by rotating the operating member, thereby securing the outer plate and the inner plate to the pulley shaft. The bicycle rear derailleur of claim 1, wherein the outer plate portion is rotatable independently of the inner plate portion relative to the at least one pulley in the wheel-removable state. The outer plate portion, when assembled with the pulley assembly, has an outer axial opening portion for supporting a first end of the pulley shaft; the outer axial opening portion is coaxial with the pulley shaft when the pulley assembly is assembled. The inner plate portion, when assembled, has an inner axial opening portion for supporting a second end; the inner axial opening portion is coaxial with the pulley shaft when the pulley assembly is assembled. The first end of the pulley shaft and the second end of the pulley shaft are oriented opposite each other in the axial direction of the pulley shaft. The attachment and detachment mechanism includes a slit formed in the outer plate portion and connected to the outer axis opening. In the wheel-removable state, the slit allows the operating member to pass through, thereby allowing the outer plate portion to rotate independently of the at least one pulley and the inner plate portion. In the bicycle rear derailleur of claim 2, the first end of the pulley shaft is detachably connected to the outer axle opening, and the second end of the pulley shaft is fixedly connected to the inner axle opening of the inner plate. The bicycle rear derailleur of claim 3, wherein the pulley shaft has a screw hole formed at the first end; the operating member includes an operating portion and a first male threaded portion for threaded engagement with the screw hole of the pulley shaft. As for the bicycle rear derailleur according to claim 4, the pulley shaft has a second male thread portion formed at the second end; the second male thread portion of the pulley shaft is used to screw with the inner side axis opening portion of the inner plate portion. In the bicycle derailleur of claim 4, the operating member includes an axially extending protrusion extending radially from the pulley shaft center. In the assembled state, the axially extending protrusion faces the outer plate. The operating member is rotated so that the first male threaded portion of the operating member is threadedly engaged with the screw hole of the pulley shaft, thereby allowing the operating member to move axially toward the pulley shaft. In the bicycle rear derailleur of claim 1, the at least one pulley includes a guide pulley and a tension pulley, and the tension pulley is supported by the pulley shaft when the pulley assembly is assembled. The bicycle derailleur of claim 7, wherein the guide pulley is supported by the additional pulley axis in the assembled state, and when viewed from the direction of the base axis relative to the base axis, the additional pulley axis is offset from the base axis. The bicycle rear derailleur of claim 1 further comprises a position switching mechanism. The position switching mechanism is configured to switch the position of the bicycle rear derailleur from a riding position to a wheel-removable position, and to switch the bicycle rear derailleur from the wheel-removable position to the riding position. The bicycle rear derailleur of claim 9, wherein the base member has an internal space, and the position switching mechanism comprises: a slider, a stopper, and a spring element; the slider is at least partially disposed in the internal space of the base member and is movable toward the base axis relative to the base axis; the stopper is stationary during rotation of the bicycle rear derailleur and comprises an abutment surface and a receiving recess, the abutment surface abutting the slider, the receiving recess being configured to receive a portion of the slider, the receiving recess being adjacent to the abutment surface in a base circumferential direction relative to the base axis; the spring element springs the slider relative to the stopper; When the rear derailleur is positioned from the bicycle riding position to the wheel removal position and the slider is aligned with the abutment surface in the circumferential direction of the base, a portion of the slider abuts the abutment surface within the internal space. When the rear derailleur is positioned in the wheel removal position and the slider is aligned with the receiving recess, the elastic force of the elastic element causes the slider portion to move into the receiving recess. In the bicycle rear derailleur of claim 10, the slider includes an operating portion for manual operation by a user. By operating the operating portion, the portion of the slider moves to the receiving recess of the stopper and then retracts into the internal space.