JP6767287B2 - Bicycle electrical equipment and crank assembly including this equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical device for a bicycle and a crank assembly including this device.

The electric device for a bicycle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is attached to a crank component constituting a crank of a bicycle. The electric device for a bicycle is provided with a terminal for connecting to an external power source.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0347405

In the above-mentioned electric device for bicycles, when static electricity is generated, it is difficult for static electricity to be released from the terminals.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electric device for a bicycle that easily discharges static electricity from a terminal and a crank assembly including this device.

One form of a bicycle electrical device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a bicycle electrical device provided in a crank component constituting a bicycle crank assembly, and includes a plurality of terminals electrically connectable to an external device. A predetermined terminal among the plurality of terminals includes an electric circuit electrically connected to the plurality of terminals, and is electrically connected to the crank component.
According to the first aspect, static electricity easily flows from the predetermined terminal to the crank component, so that the influence of static electricity on the electric circuit can be reduced.

In the electric device for a bicycle on the second side according to the first side surface, the external device includes a charger, and the plurality of terminals are a first terminal connected to a positive electrode of the external device, and the external device. The predetermined terminal includes a second terminal connected to the negative electrode, and the predetermined terminal includes one of the first terminal and the second terminal.
According to the second aspect, static electricity easily flows from a predetermined terminal to the crank component without short-circuiting the first terminal and the second terminal.

In the bicycle electrical device of the third side surface according to the second side surface, the predetermined terminal includes the second terminal.
According to the third aspect, static electricity easily flows from the second terminal connected to the negative electrode of the external device to the crank component.

The bicycle electrical device on the fourth side according to the first side further includes a connecting member configured to electrically connect the predetermined terminal to the crank component.
According to the fourth aspect, the predetermined terminal and the crank component can be suitably electrically connected by using the connecting member. Since the predetermined terminal and the crank component are electrically connected by using the connecting member, the shape and arrangement of the predetermined terminal and the crank component are not restricted.

In the electric device for a bicycle on the fifth side surface according to the fourth side surface, the connecting member is provided so that the distance between the connection member and the crank component is 1 mm or less.
According to the fifth aspect, static electricity flows from a predetermined terminal through a gap sufficiently small to discharge static electricity or to a connecting member in contact with the predetermined terminal. Also, static electricity flows from the connecting member through a gap small enough to discharge static electricity or to the crank component in contact with the connecting member.

In a bicycle electrical device on a sixth side according to the fifth side, the connecting member comes into contact with each of the predetermined terminal and the crank component.
According to the sixth aspect, static electricity flows from the predetermined terminal to the connecting member in contact with the predetermined terminal. In addition, static electricity flows from the connecting member to the crank component that comes into contact with the connecting member.

In the bicycle electric device on the seventh side surface according to any one of the fourth to sixth side surfaces, the connecting member is formed separately from the predetermined terminal.
According to the seventh aspect, the connecting member can be made of a material different from the predetermined terminal. Since the connecting member and the predetermined terminal are formed separately, it is easy to form the connecting member even if it has a complicated shape.

In the bicycle electrical device on the eighth side according to any one of the fourth to seventh sides, the plurality of terminals are provided and further includes a housing formed of an insulator, and the plurality of terminals are at least one. The portion is provided so as to be exposed from a hole formed in the housing, and the connecting member is configured to be electrically connected to a portion of the predetermined terminal other than the tip surface exposed from the hole.
According to the eighth side surface, since the connecting member does not cover the tip surface of the predetermined terminal, it does not hinder the contact between the predetermined terminal and the external device.

In the bicycle electrical device on the ninth side surface according to the eighth side surface, at least a part of the connecting member is arranged between the predetermined terminal and the inner wall of the hole and electrically connected to the predetermined terminal. Includes the first part to be done.
According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to protect the electrical connection portion between the first portion and the predetermined terminal.

In a bicycle electrical device on a tenth side according to the eighth or ninth side surface, at least a part of the connecting member is sandwiched between the housing and the crank part and electrically connected to the crank part. The second part is further included.
According to the tenth side surface, the connecting member and the second portion can be electrically connected by sandwiching the second portion between the housing and the crank component.

In the bicycle electrical device on the eleventh side surface according to the eighth side surface, at least a part of the connecting member is arranged between the predetermined terminal and the inner wall of the hole and electrically connected to the predetermined terminal. A first portion, at least a second portion sandwiched between the housing and the crank component and electrically connected to the crank component, and the first portion and the second portion. Includes a third portion that is integrally formed.
According to the eleventh aspect surface, since the first portion and the second portion are connected by the third portion integrally formed with the first portion and the second portion, the handling of the connecting member becomes easy.

In a bicycle electrical device on a twelfth side according to the eleventh side surface, the third portion is arranged at least in part on the surface of one side of the housing.
According to the twelfth aspect, the influence of static electricity flowing through the third portion on the parts inside the housing is reduced.

In a bicycle electrical device on a thirteenth side according to the eleventh or twelfth side surface, the connecting member further includes a fourth portion provided in the third portion and fitted into a recess formed in the housing.
According to the thirteenth side surface, the connecting member can be stably attached to the housing by fitting the fourth portion into the recess formed in the housing.

In the bicycle electric device on the 14th side surface according to any one of the 10th to 13th side surfaces, a plurality of the second portions are provided.
According to the 14th aspect, static electricity easily flows from the second portion by the crank component.

In a bicycle electrical device on a fifteenth side according to any one of the tenth to fourteenth sides, the crank component includes a crank arm having a plurality of connections for connecting front sprockets, and the housing is adjacent to the housing. A mounting portion for mounting the housing is provided between the two matching portions.
According to the fifteenth aspect, the bicycle electric device can be arranged in the space between the plurality of connection portions, so that the bicycle electric device is suppressed from being an obstacle to pedaling.

In the bicycle electrical device on the 16th side according to any one of the 4th to 15th sides, the connecting member is formed of sheet metal.
According to the 16th aspect, the connecting member can be suitably manufactured.

In the electric device for a bicycle on the 17th side surface according to any one of the 1st to 16th side surfaces, a magnetic portion provided in the vicinity of the plurality of terminals and for attracting a connector of the external device is further included.
According to the 17th aspect, the magnetic part makes it easy to connect the connectors of the external device to the plurality of terminals.

The 18th side bicycle electrical device according to any one of the 1st to 17th sides further includes a rechargeable battery provided in the crank assembly and electrically connected to the plurality of terminals.
According to the eighteenth aspect, the rechargeable battery can be charged using the plurality of terminals.

In the electrical device for bicycles on the 19th side according to the 18th side, the electric circuit includes a wireless unit that is powered by the rechargeable battery and can wirelessly communicate with an external wireless communication device.
According to the 19th aspect, the information acquired by the bicycle electric device can be transmitted to an external wireless communication device by the wireless unit.

In the bicycle electric device on the 20th side surface according to any one of the 1st to 19th side surfaces, the electric circuit is provided in the crank assembly, and a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the force applied to the crank assembly is provided. Including further.
According to the 20th aspect, the force applied to the crank assembly can be detected by the sensor.

One form of the crank assembly according to the 21st aspect of the present invention includes the electric device for a bicycle according to any one of the 1st to 20th aspects and the crank component, and the crank component includes a crank arm.
According to the 21st aspect, the electric device for a bicycle and the crank arm can be configured as a crank assembly.

In the crank assembly of the 22nd side surface according to the 21st side surface, the crank component further includes a crankshaft.
According to the 22nd side surface, the crank arm and the crankshaft can be configured as crank parts.

In the electric device for this bicycle and the crank assembly including this device, static electricity easily flows from a predetermined terminal to a crank component.

A perspective view of a crank assembly including the bicycle electrical device of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. A side view of the first crank arm of FIG. A side view of the second crank arm of FIG. The block diagram which shows the electric structure of the electric device for a bicycle of FIG. An exploded perspective view of the wireless unit of the electric device for a bicycle and the first crank arm of FIG. The perspective view of the wireless unit of FIG. A perspective view of the wireless unit of FIG. 7 with the cover removed. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connecting member of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. The perspective view of the state which attached the wireless unit of FIG. 7 to the 1st crank arm. The perspective view in the state where the cover is removed from the wireless unit of the modified example.

A bicycle crank assembly 10 including a bicycle electric device 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.
As shown in FIG. 1, the bicycle crank assembly 10 includes a bicycle electrical device 40 and a crank component 12.

The crank component 12 includes a crank arm 14. The crank component 12 constitutes the crank assembly 10. In one example, the crank component 12 further includes a crankshaft 16. The crank component 12 may further include a front sprocket 18. At least a part of the crank component 12 is made of a metal material. Metallic materials include, for example, aluminum. In one example, the crank arm 14 is made of an aluminum alloy, and at least a part, for example , the surface of the crank arm 14 is anodized. At least a part of the crank component 12, for example the crank arm 14, may be made of a resin material. Resin materials include carbon fiber reinforced plastic materials.

The crank arm 14 includes a first crank arm 20 and a second crank arm 22. In one example, the first crank arm 20 is provided on the right side of the bicycle frame F (see FIG. 5) and the second crank arm 22 is provided on the left side of the bicycle frame F in the direction of travel of the bicycle.

The first crank arm 20 has a plurality of connecting portions 26 for connecting the arm main body 24 and the front sprocket 18. A hole 24C for attaching the pedal shaft is formed in the first end portion 24A of the arm body 24 in the longitudinal direction. A female screw is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the arm body 24 that defines the hole 24C. A hole 24D (see FIG. 2) for attaching the crankshaft 16 is formed in the second end portion 24B of the arm body 24 in the longitudinal direction. The inner peripheral portion of the arm body 24 that defines the hole 24D includes a spline that is coupled to a spline provided on one outer peripheral portion of the crankshaft 16 in the axial direction. One end of the crankshaft 16 in the axial direction is press-fitted into, for example, the hole 24D and fixed to the first crankarm 20. One end of the crankshaft 16 in the axial direction may be fixed to the first crankarm 20 by a fixing member such as a bolt in a state of being inserted into the hole 24D, for example. A plurality of connecting portions 26 are integrally formed with the arm main body 24 at the second end portion 24B of the arm main body 24 in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of connecting portions 26 extend radially from the second end portion 24B in the radial direction of the crankshaft 16. In one example, four connecting portions 26 are provided. A front sprocket 18 is detachably attached to the radially outer end of the crankshaft 16 of each connection portion 26. The front sprocket 18 may be composed of the first crank arm 20 and a one-piece structure. The first crank arm 20 is preferably formed hollow.

The second crank arm 22 has an arm body 28. A hole 28C for attaching the pedal shaft is formed in the first end portion 28A of the arm body 28 in the longitudinal direction. A female screw is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the arm body 28 that defines the hole 28C. A hole 28D for attaching the crankshaft 16 is formed in the second end portion 28B of the arm body 28 in the longitudinal direction. The inner peripheral portion of the arm body 28 that defines the hole 28D includes a spline that couples with a spline provided on the other outer peripheral portion of the crankshaft 16 in the axial direction. The second crank arm 22 is preferably formed hollow. The crankshaft 16 is preferably formed hollow. The other end of the crankshaft 16 in the axial direction is fixed to the second crankarm 22 by a fixing member such as a bolt B (see FIG. 2) in a state of being inserted into the hole 28D, for example.

In one example, the front sprocket 18 includes a plurality of front sprockets 18 having different numbers of teeth. For example, the front sprocket 18 includes a first front sprocket 30 and a second front sprocket 32. The first front sprocket 30 includes an outer peripheral portion 30A provided with a plurality of teeth, and a plurality of connecting portions 30B extending radially inward from the outer peripheral portion 30A. The second front sprocket 32 includes an outer peripheral portion 32A provided with a plurality of teeth, and a plurality of connecting portions 32B extending radially inward from the outer peripheral portion 32A. The plurality of connecting portions 30B and 32B are attached to the plurality of connecting portions 26 of the first crank arm 20. The number of teeth of the first front sprocket 30 is larger than the number of teeth of the second front sprocket 32. The first front sprocket 30 is provided outside the width direction of the bicycle with respect to the second front sprocket 32.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the bicycle electrical device 40 includes a plurality of terminals 42 and an electrical circuit 44. In one example, the bicycle electrical device 40 further includes a rechargeable battery 46, a housing 48, a magnetic portion 98 shown in FIG. 8, a cover 52, and a connecting member 54.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electrical circuit 44 includes a radio unit 56. The electrical circuit 44 further includes a sensor 58. Electric power is supplied to the electric circuit 44 from the rechargeable battery 46. The electric circuit 44 further includes a first circuit portion 60 and a second circuit portion 62.

The sensor 58 is provided in the crank assembly 10 and outputs a signal corresponding to the force applied to the crank assembly 10. The sensor 58 includes a first sensor 58A and a second sensor 58B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first sensor 58A is provided on the first crank arm 20. Specifically, the first sensor 58A is provided at an intermediate portion of the arm body 24 of the first crank arm 20 in the longitudinal direction, at a portion facing the frame F of the bicycle in the width direction of the bicycle. The first sensor 58A includes a distortion sensor. The first sensor 58A outputs a signal corresponding to the distortion of the arm body 24. Strain sensors include, for example, strain gauges, semiconductor sensors or piezoelectric sensors. The first sensor 58A may be provided, for example, on at least one side surface portion on the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of the first crank arm 20, and is located on a portion opposite to the bicycle frame F in the width direction of the bicycle. It may be provided. When the first crank arm 20 is a hollow crank arm, the first sensor 58A may be provided on the inner peripheral surface inside the first crank arm 20. The first sensor 58A includes a plurality of strain sensors having different detection directions, and a signal corresponding to a force acting on at least one of the rotation direction, the longitudinal direction, the rotational direction, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first crank arm 20. Is preferable to output.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first circuit portion 60 is provided on the first crank arm 20. The first circuit portion 60 is connected to the first sensor 58A. The first circuit portion 60 includes an amplifier circuit 64, an analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion circuit 66, and a calculation unit 68. It is preferable that the amplifier circuit 64, the A / D conversion circuit 66, and the calculation unit 68 are provided on the same first circuit board 61. In one example, the first circuit portion 60 and the first sensor 58A are covered by a common package 72. The amplifier circuit 64 is connected to the first sensor 58A, and amplifies and outputs the output of the first sensor 58A. The A / D conversion circuit 66 converts the output of the amplifier circuit 64 into a digital signal and outputs it to the arithmetic unit 68. The arithmetic unit 68 includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The arithmetic unit 68 may include one or more microcomputers. The calculation unit 68 may include a memory for storing the control program and the calculation processing result.

The first circuit portion 60 further includes a rotation sensor 70. The rotation sensor 70 detects the rotation position of the crank assembly 10 with respect to the frame F (see FIG. 5) of the bicycle. The rotation sensor 70 includes an element (not shown) that detects the magnetic field of the magnet M attached to the frame F of the bicycle. The element includes, for example, a reed switch or a Hall element. The element outputs a signal to the calculation unit 68 with one rotation of the crank assembly 10 as one cycle. The calculation unit 68 defines the rotation speed of the crank assembly 10 and the rotation position of the crank assembly 10 with respect to the frame F according to the output signal of the element.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second sensor 58B is provided on the second crank arm 22. Specifically, the second sensor 58B is provided at an intermediate portion of the arm body 28 of the second crank arm 22 in the longitudinal direction, at a portion facing the frame F of the bicycle in the width direction of the bicycle. The second sensor 58B includes a distortion sensor. The second sensor 58B outputs a signal corresponding to the distortion of the arm body 28. The second sensor 58B may be provided, for example, on at least one side surface portion on the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of the second crank arm 22, and is located on a portion opposite to the frame F of the bicycle in the width direction of the bicycle. It may be provided. When the second crank arm 22 is a hollow crank arm, the second sensor 58B may be provided on the inner peripheral surface inside the second crank arm 22. The second sensor 58B includes a plurality of strain sensors having different detection directions, and a signal corresponding to a force acting on at least one of the rotation direction, the longitudinal direction, the rotational direction, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second crank arm 22. Is preferable to output.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second circuit portion 62 is provided on the second crank arm 22. The second circuit portion 62 is connected to the second sensor 58B. The second circuit portion 62 includes an amplifier circuit 74 and an A / D conversion circuit 76. The amplifier circuit 74 and the A / D conversion circuit 76 are preferably provided on the same second circuit board 63. In one example, the second circuit portion 62 and the second sensor 58B are covered by a common package 78. The amplifier circuit 74 is connected to the second sensor 58B, and amplifies and outputs the output of the second sensor 58B. The A / D conversion circuit 76 converts the output of the amplifier circuit 74 into a digital signal and outputs it to the calculation unit 68 of the first circuit portion 60. The calculation unit 68 outputs information based on the digital signals input from the A / D conversion circuits 66 and 76 to the wireless unit 56.

The wireless unit 56 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the external wireless communication device W. The wireless unit 56 includes a wireless communication unit 79. Examples of wireless communication methods are BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) and ANT + (registered trademark). As shown in FIG. 6, the radio unit 56 is housed in a housing 48 and is provided between adjacent connecting portions 26 of the first crank arm 20. The wireless unit 56 is provided with a notification unit 82 and a switch 84. In one example, the notification unit 82 includes an LED (light emitting diode). When the calculation unit 68 calibrates the sensor 58, for example, by operating the switch 84, the notification unit 82 lights the LED to notify the user that the calibration is being executed.

In one example, the external wireless communication device W shown in FIG. 5 includes a cycle computer. The external wireless communication device W includes a control unit W1, a wireless communication unit W2, an input unit W3, a display unit W4, and a speaker W5. The control unit W1 includes an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control program. The arithmetic processing unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit W1 may include one or more microcomputers. The wireless communication unit W2 transmits / receives information to / from the wireless communication unit 79 of the wireless unit 56 by wireless communication. The control unit W1 displays the information received from the wireless unit 56 by the wireless communication unit W2 on the display unit W4. For example, the control unit W1 is based on the magnitude of the force input to the crank component 12 detected by the first sensor 58A and the second sensor 58B, the magnitude of the force input to the crank component 12, and the rotation speed of the crank component 12. The amount of work to be calculated is displayed on the display unit W4.

The rechargeable battery 46 is provided in the crank assembly 10 and is electrically connected to a plurality of terminals 42. The rechargeable battery 46 is electrically connected to the plurality of terminals 42 via the electric circuit 44. In one example, the rechargeable battery 46 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The rechargeable battery 46 is arranged in the internal space of the crankshaft 16. The rechargeable battery 46 includes one or more charging elements. The rechargeable battery 46 is arranged in the internal space of the crankshaft 16 in a state of being housed in the rechargeable battery holder 46B. The rechargeable battery holder 46B includes a connector 46A.

The housing 48 is provided with a connector 79A. The wireless communication unit 79 is connected to the connector 79A. The first circuit portion 60 further includes a connector 60A. The connector 60A is arranged on the first crank arm 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the connector 60A is provided between the adjacent connecting portions 26 of the first crank arm 20, and is exposed to the outside of the first crank arm 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the connector 60A is connected to the first circuit board 61 in which the amplifier circuit 64, the A / D conversion circuit 66, and the calculation unit 68 are provided by the electric cable 45A. At least a part of the electric cable 45A is arranged in the internal space of the first crank arm 20. The connector 79A is connected to the connector 60A. The first circuit portion 60 is connected to the rechargeable battery holder 46B by the electric cable 45B. The first circuit board 61 and the rechargeable battery holder 46B are connected by an electric cable 45B. The second circuit portion 62 further includes a connector 62A. The connector 62A is connected to the second circuit board 63 in which the amplifier circuit 74 and the A / D conversion circuit 76 are provided by the electric cable 45C. As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 62A is exposed to the outside of the second crank arm 22. At least a part of the electric cable 45C is arranged in the internal space of the second crank arm 22. The connector 62A is connected to the connector 46A of the rechargeable battery holder 46B in the internal space of the crankshaft 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless communication unit 79, the first circuit portion 60, and the second circuit portion 62 are connected to the rechargeable battery 46 via at least one of the electric cables 45A, 45B, and 45C, and wireless communication is performed. Power from the rechargeable battery 46 is supplied to the portion 79, the first circuit portion 60, and the second circuit portion 62. Information is transmitted and received between the wireless communication unit 79 and the first circuit unit 60. Information is transmitted and received between the first circuit portion 60 and the second circuit portion 62. In the wireless communication unit 79, the first circuit portion 60, the second circuit portion 62, and the rechargeable battery 46, power supply and information transmission / reception are performed by separate electric wires. In the wireless communication unit 79, the first circuit part 60, the second circuit part 62, and the rechargeable battery 46, even if power supply and information transmission / reception are performed by PLC (Power Line Communication) using a power communication line. Good.

The housing 48 shown in FIG. 6 is formed of an insulator. The insulator includes, for example, a resin material. The housing 48 is provided with a mounting portion 86 for mounting the housing 48 between two adjacent connecting portions 26. The mounting portion 86 includes a through hole. The housing 48 is attached to the connection portion 26 by the bolt B penetrating the attachment portion 86 and being screwed into the female screw provided in the connection portion 26 of the first crank arm 20.

As shown in FIG. 7, the housing 48 includes a first housing portion 48A and a second housing portion 48B. A cover 52 that covers one side 48F (see FIG. 8) of the housing 48 is attached to the housing 48. It is preferable that the one side portion 48F of the housing 48 faces in the direction opposite to the frame F of the bicycle in the width direction of the bicycle. The cover 52 is openably and closably attached to the housing 48 by the hinge 88 shown in FIG. The hinge 88 is preferably provided at the radially inner end of the crankshaft 16 of the housing 48. The cover 52 is formed of an insulator. The cover 52 is formed with a first hole 52A and a second hole 52B. The first hole 52A is formed at a position corresponding to the notification unit 82. The first hole 52A allows the user to visually recognize the notification unit 82 from the outside with the cover 52 closed. The second hole 52B is formed at a position corresponding to the switch 84. A part of the switch 84 inserts the second hole 52B with the cover 52 closed. The second hole 52B allows the user to operate the switch 84 with the cover 52 closed. The cover 52 is preferably provided with an engaging portion that is detachably engaged with the housing 48, and the engaging portion is configured to engage a part of the housing 48 with the cover 52 closed. .. In one example, the engaging portion is provided at the end of the cover 52 opposite to the portion attached to the hinge 88.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first housing portion 48A and the second housing portion 48B each have a recess. The accommodation space 48S is formed inside the housing 48 by assembling the recesses of the first housing portion 48A and the recesses of the second housing portion 48B so as to face each other. The substrate 56A on which the wireless communication unit 79 (see FIG. 5) is mounted is accommodated in the accommodation space 48S.

The housing 48 is provided with a plurality of terminals 42. The plurality of terminals 42 are provided at least partially exposed from the holes 90 formed in the housing 48. The hole 90 is provided in the first housing portion 48A. The hole 90 penetrates the first housing portion 48A. The plurality of terminals 42 can be electrically connected to the external device A (see FIG. 5). The plurality of terminals 42 include a first terminal 92 and a second terminal 94. The hole 90 includes a first hole 90A for exposing the first terminal 92 and a second hole 90B for exposing the second terminal 94. The hole 90 opens in one side 48F of the housing 48. The plurality of terminals 42 are exposed from one side portion 48F of the housing 48. A part of the plurality of terminals 42 is arranged in the hole 90. At least a part of the first terminal 92 is arranged in the first hole 90A. At least a part of the second terminal 94 is arranged in the second hole 90B. Each hole 90 is provided with a sealing member 49 for closing the gap between the terminals 92 and 94 and the housing 48. The sealing member 49 is formed of an insulating elastic body. The insulating elastic body includes, for example, synthetic rubber. The plurality of terminals 42 are covered by the cover 52 with the cover 52 closed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first terminal 92 and the second terminal 94 are connected to the external device A. The first terminal 92 is connected to the positive electrode of the external device A. The second terminal 94 is connected to the negative electrode of the external device A. Specifically, the first terminal 92 is connected to the positive electrode terminal A2 of the connector A1 of the external device A, and the second terminal 94 is connected to the negative electrode terminal A3 of the connector A1 of the external device A. The external device A includes a charger and a connector A1. Power is supplied to the plurality of terminals 42 by connecting the positive electrode terminals A2 and the negative electrode terminals A3 of the connector A1 of the external device A. The second terminal 94 is connected to the ground in the electric circuit 44.

The electric circuit 44 is electrically connected to the plurality of terminals 42. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, one end of each of the plurality of terminals 42 is connected to the substrate 56A on which the wireless unit 56 is mounted in the accommodation space 48S of the housing 48. The plurality of terminals 42 may be connected to the substrate 56A through the substrate 56A. A charging circuit 96 (see FIG. 5) is provided on the substrate 56A. The charging circuit 96 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 46 (see FIG. 5). The electric power from the external device A supplied to the charging circuit 96 via the plurality of terminals 42 is supplied to the rechargeable battery 46 via the charging circuit 96 to charge the rechargeable battery 46. The charging circuit 96 may be mounted on the first circuit board 61. The charging circuit 96 includes, for example, a varistor and an IC (Integrated Circuit) for charge control.

A predetermined terminal among the plurality of terminals 42 shown in FIG. 8 is electrically connected to the crank component 12. The predetermined terminal is electrically connected to the crank component 12 via the connecting member 54. The predetermined terminal includes one of the first terminal 92 and the second terminal 94. Preferably, the predetermined terminal includes a second terminal 94.

As shown in FIG. 9, the connecting member 54 is formed separately from a predetermined terminal. It is preferable that the conductivity of the connecting member 54 is equal to or lower than the conductivity of the plurality of terminals 42. The conductivity of the connecting member 54 may be higher than that of the plurality of terminals 42. The conductivity of the connecting member 54 is preferably higher than that of the housing 48. In one example, the connecting member 54 is made of a metallic material. Metallic materials include, for example, stainless steel materials. The connecting member 54 includes a first portion 54A. In one example, the connecting member 54 further includes a second portion 54B, a third portion 54C, and a fourth portion 54D. A plurality of second portions 54B are provided. The third portion 54C is integrally formed with the first portion 54A and the second portion 54B. The connecting member 54 is formed of sheet metal. The connecting member 54 is formed by bending the sheet metal.

The third portion 54C includes a base portion 54E and projecting portions 54F protruding from both ends of the base portion 54E. The base portion 54E and the protruding portion 54F are formed on the same plane. The fourth portion 54D is connected to an intermediate portion between both ends of the base portion 54E, and projects to the side opposite to the protruding portion 54F. The shape of the fourth portion 54D is not particularly limited, but is formed in, for example, a quadrangle. The third portion 54C and the fourth portion 54D are formed on the same plane. The first portion 54A is formed in an L shape. The first portion 54A projects toward one surface side of the third portion 54C in the thickness direction. The tip of the first portion 54A extends to the opposite side of the protruding portion 54F of the third portion 54C. A plurality of second portions 54B are provided. The second portion 54B protrudes from the tip of the protruding portion 54F of the third portion 54C to the other surface side of the third portion 54C in the thickness direction. When the sheet metal is bent to form the first portion 54A and the second portion 54B, for example, the sheet metal is bent so that the angle DA formed by the first portion 54A and the third portion 54C is 90 degrees, and the second portion 54B is formed. The sheet metal is bent so that the angle DB formed with the third portion 54C is 90 degrees or more.

The connecting member 54 is configured to electrically connect a predetermined terminal to the crank component 12. The connecting member 54 is provided so that the distance between the terminal and the crank component 12 is 1 mm or less. Preferably, the connecting member 54 comes into contact with each of the predetermined terminals and the crank component 12. When the connecting member 54 comes into contact with each of the predetermined terminal and the crank component 12, the distance between the connecting member 54 and the predetermined terminal and the distance between the crank component 12 are "0" mm, respectively.

The connecting member 54 is configured to be electrically connected to a portion of a predetermined terminal other than the tip surface 42A exposed from the hole 90. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, at least a part of the first portion 54A is arranged between the predetermined terminal and the inner wall of the hole 90, and is electrically connected to the predetermined terminal. As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 48 is formed with a slit 48D connected to the hole 90 in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the hole 90. A part of the first portion 54A passes through the slit 48D and is arranged in the hole 90.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second portion 54B is at least partially sandwiched between the housing 48 and the crank component 12 and is electrically connected to the crank component 12. A hinge 88 is arranged between the two protrusions 54F of the second portion 54B.

As shown in FIG. 8, the third portion 54C is at least partially disposed on the surface of one side portion 48F of the housing 48. The fourth portion 54D is provided in the third portion 54C and is fitted into the recess 48C formed in the housing 48. The recess 48C is formed between the first terminal 92 and the second terminal 94. At least a portion of the connecting member 54, such as the first portion 54A, the third portion 54C, and the fourth portion 54D, is covered by the cover 52 with the cover 52 closed.

The magnetic portion 98 is provided in the vicinity of the plurality of terminals 42, and attracts the connector A1 (see FIG. 3) of the external device A. The magnetic portion 98 contains, for example, iron. Connector A1 includes a permanent magnet. The magnetic portion 98 may include a permanent magnet. The magnetic portion 98 is provided so as to sandwich the fourth portion 54D with the housing 48 in the recess 48C. The magnetic portion 98 is covered by the cover 52 with the cover 52 closed.

(Modification example)
The description of the above embodiments is an example of possible embodiments of the bicycle electrical device and crank assembly according to the present invention, and is not intended to limit the embodiments. A bicycle electrical device and a crank assembly according to the present invention may take, for example, a modification of the above embodiment shown below and a combination of at least two modifications that are consistent with each other. In the following modification, the parts common to the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

-The connection member 54 may be omitted, and a predetermined terminal may be electrically connected to the crank component 12. The second terminal 94A shown in FIG. 12 includes an extension portion 94B extending from the tip surface 42A toward the crank component 12. The tip of the extension portion 94B is electrically connected to the crank component 12. The distance between the tip of the extension portion 94B and the crank component 12 is 1 mm or less.

-One of the first sensor 58A and the second sensor 58B can be omitted. When the second sensor 58B is omitted, the second circuit portion 62 may also be omitted. When the first sensor 58A is omitted, the first circuit portion 60 may be omitted, and the calculation unit 68 and the rotation sensor 70 may be provided in the second circuit portion 62. The rotation sensor 70 may be provided not on the first circuit board 61 but on the board 56A housed in the housing 48, may be provided on the second circuit board 63, and the first circuit board 61 and the second circuit board 63 may be provided. , And may be provided independently of the substrate 56A.

-The connecting member 54 may be formed integrally with a predetermined terminal.
The first portion 54A, the second portion 54B, and the third portion 54C of the connecting member 54 may be formed separately and assembled or joined by the connecting member. Connecting members include, for example, bolts and rivets. Bonding includes bonding with conductive adhesives, bonding with solder and welding.

-Instead of the second terminal 94, the first terminal 92 may be electrically connected to the crank component 12 as a predetermined terminal.
-The plurality of terminals 42 may be used as terminals for communication with an external device instead of terminals for charging. In this case, the rechargeable battery 46 may be changed to a primary battery, or may be detachably configured from the rechargeable battery holder 46B for charging. The plurality of terminals 42 may be used as terminals that also serve as terminals for charging and terminals for communication with an external device.

-The rechargeable battery 46 can also be provided on the crank arm 14. In this case, it may be provided in the internal space of the crank arm 14, or may be attached to the outside of the crank arm 14. For example, the rechargeable battery 46 may be housed in at least one of the packages 72 and 78.

-The magnetic part 98 may be omitted from the electric device 40 for a bicycle. In this case, a recess is provided in one side 48F of the housing 48, a plurality of terminals 42 are provided at the bottom of the recess, the connector A1 of the external device A is inserted into the recess, and the plurality of terminals 42 are connected to the connector A1. You can also. Further, one of the housing 48 and the connector A1 may be provided with a claw portion, and the other may be provided with a recess with which the claw portion engages.

-Although the housing 48 is provided with a predetermined terminal, a predetermined terminal may be provided on either one of the packages 72 and 78. In this case, for example, the wireless communication unit 79 and the charging circuit 96 may be housed in the packages 72 and 78, and the housing 48 may be omitted. For example, the package 72 may be provided with a rechargeable battery 46, a wireless communication unit 79, a charging circuit 96, and a predetermined terminal, and the second circuit portion 62 may be omitted. In such a form, the electric circuit 44 may be provided only on either one of the first crank arm 20 and the second crank arm 22.

The wireless communication unit 79 and the charging circuit 96 may be provided on the first circuit board 61, the housing 48 may be omitted, and a predetermined terminal may be directly exposed from the crank arm 14.

The cover 52 and the hinge 88 may be omitted from the bicycle electrical device 40.
-At least one of the notification unit 82 and the switch 84 may be omitted from the wireless unit 56.

The housing 48 may be provided in at least one connecting portion 26, not between adjacent connecting portions 26 of the crank arm 14, may be provided in the front sprocket 18, and may be provided in the arm bodies 24 and 28. You may.

-At least one of the first circuit portion 60 and the second circuit portion 62 may include a regulator that adjusts the voltage of the power supplied from the rechargeable battery 46 in the power supply path with the rechargeable battery 46.

The fourth portion 54D may be omitted from the connecting member 54. The connecting member 54 may be fixed to the housing 48 by adhesion, integral molding, or connecting member. Connecting members include, for example, bolts and rivets.
-Only one second portion 54B of the connecting member 54 may be provided, or three or more may be provided.

The connecting member 54 may be configured such that the first portion 54A is electrically connected to the tip surface 42A exposed from the hole 90 of the predetermined terminals.
The second portion 54B of the connecting member 54 may be configured to be in contact with the surface of the crank component 12 without being sandwiched between the housing 48 and the crank component 12.

The sensor 58 may be provided on the crankshaft 16. In this case, the sensor 58 may be configured to detect the twist of the crankshaft 16.

10 ... Crank assembly, 12 ... Crank parts, 14 ... Crank arm, 26 ... Connection, 16 ... Crank shaft, 18 ... Front sprocket, 40 ... Bicycle electrical device, 42 ... Multiple terminals, 42A ... Tip surface, 44 ... Electric circuit, 46 ... Rechargeable battery, 48 ... Housing, 48C ... Recess, 48F ... One side, 54 ... Connecting member, 54A ... 1st part, 54B ... 2nd part, 54C ... 3rd part, 54D ... 4th part , 56 ... wireless unit, 58 ... sensor, 86 ... mounting part, 92 ... first terminal, 94 ... second terminal (predetermined terminal), 90 ... hole, 98 ... magnetic part, A ... external device, A1 ... connector, W ... Wireless communication device.

Claims (23)

An electric device for a bicycle that is provided on a crank component constituting a crank assembly of a bicycle so as to rotate integrally with the crank component .
With multiple terminals that can be electrically connected to external devices,
Includes an electrical circuit that is electrically connected to the plurality of terminals.
A bicycle electric device in which a predetermined terminal among the plurality of terminals is electrically connected to the crank component. The electric device for a bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member configured to electrically connect the predetermined terminal and the crank component. The plurality of terminals are provided and further include a housing formed of an insulator.
The plurality of terminals are provided so that at least a part thereof is exposed from a hole formed in the housing.
The electric device for a bicycle according to claim 2 , wherein the connecting member is configured to be electrically connected to a portion of the predetermined terminal other than the tip surface exposed from the hole. An electric device for bicycles provided in the crank parts that make up the crank assembly of a bicycle.
With multiple terminals that can be electrically connected to external devices,
An electric circuit electrically connected to the plurality of terminals and
A housing in which the plurality of terminals are provided and formed of an insulator,
Includes a connecting member configured to electrically connect the predetermined terminal to the crank component .
A predetermined terminal among the plurality of terminals is electrically connected to the crank component and is connected to the crank component .
The plurality of terminals are provided so that at least a part thereof is exposed from a hole formed in the housing.
The connecting member is an electric device for a bicycle that is configured to be electrically connected to a portion of the predetermined terminal other than the tip surface exposed from the hole . The connection member according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein at least a part thereof includes a first portion arranged between the predetermined terminal and the inner wall of the hole and electrically connected to the predetermined terminal. Bicycle electrical equipment. Any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the connecting member further includes a second portion that is at least partially sandwiched between the housing and the crank component and is electrically connected to the crank component. Bicycle electrical equipment described in. The connecting member is at least partly arranged between the predetermined terminal and the inner wall of the hole, and is electrically connected to the predetermined terminal, at least a part of the housing and the crank. 3. The third or claim includes a second portion sandwiched between the parts and electrically connected to the crank part, and a third portion formed integrally with the first part and the second part. The electric device for a bicycle according to 4 . The electric device for a bicycle according to claim 7 , wherein at least a part of the third portion is arranged on the surface of one side of the housing. The electric device for a bicycle according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the connecting member is provided in the third portion and further includes a fourth portion fitted in a recess formed in the housing. The electric device for a bicycle according to any one of claims 6 to 9 , wherein the second part is provided in plurality. The crank component includes a crank arm having a plurality of connections for connecting the front sprocket.
The electric device for a bicycle according to any one of claims 6 to 10 , wherein the housing is provided with a mounting portion for mounting the housing between two adjacent connecting portions. The electric device for a bicycle according to any one of claims 2 to 11 , wherein the connecting member is made of sheet metal. The bicycle electric device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the connecting member is provided so that the distance between the connecting member and the predetermined terminal and the distance between the connecting member and the crank component are 1 mm or less. apparatus. The electric device for a bicycle according to claim 13 , wherein the connecting member contacts each of the predetermined terminal and the crank component. The electric device for a bicycle according to any one of claims 2 to 14 , wherein the connecting member is formed separately from the predetermined terminal. The external device includes a charger and
The plurality of terminals include a first terminal connected to the positive electrode of the external device and a second terminal connected to the negative electrode of the external device.
The electric device for a bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , wherein the predetermined terminal includes one of the first terminal and the second terminal. The electric device for a bicycle according to claim 16 , wherein the predetermined terminal includes the second terminal. The electric device for a bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 17 , which is provided in the vicinity of the plurality of terminals and further includes a magnetic portion for attracting a connector of the external device. The electric device for a bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 18 , further comprising a rechargeable battery provided in the crank assembly and electrically connected to the plurality of terminals. The electric device for a bicycle according to claim 19 , wherein the electric circuit includes a wireless unit that is supplied with electric power from the rechargeable battery and can wirelessly communicate with an external wireless communication device. The electric device for a bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 20 , wherein the electric circuit is provided in the crank assembly and further includes a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to a force applied to the crank assembly. The bicycle electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 .
Including the crank parts
The crank component is a crank assembly including a crank arm. 22. The crank assembly according to claim 22 , wherein the crank component further includes a crankshaft.

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