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US 10,220,913 B2Granted
Bicycle chain tensioner device
AssigneeShimano Inc.
InventorsSatoshi Kitamura, Shintaro Mori
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bicycle chain tensioner device is basically provided with a base member, a pulley and an electrical storage unit. The pulley is supported by the base member. The pulley includes a dynamo that generates electrical energy in response to the pulley being rotated by a bicycle chain. The electrical storage unit is disposed on the base member and electrically coupled to the dynamo to store electrical energy generated by the dynamo.
Claims16
A bicycle shifting system comprising:
- an internally geared hub including a bicycle hub transmission including at least a hub shell and a motor unit, the hub shell being configured to rotate around a rotational axis;
- a base member configured to be attached to the internally geared hub;
- a pulley supported by the base member and arranged to engage with a bicycle chain, the pulley including a dynamo that generates electrical energy in response to the pulley being rotated by the bicycle chain;
- an electrical storage unit that is disposed on the base member, the electrical storage unit being electrically coupled to the motor to supply power to the motor, and the electrical storage unit being electrically coupled to the dynamo to store electrical energy generated by the dynamo;
- and
- an AC-to-DC rectifying device disposed on the base member to rectify electric current generated by the dynamo, the AC-to-DC rectifying device being coupled to the electric storage unit.
3 more elements
A bicycle shifting system comprising:
- a base member including an attachment portion configured to be fixedly secured to a stationary portion of a bicycle and an arm portion having a first end and a second end, the first end being adjustably fixed to the attachment portion;
- a pulley that is rotationally supported on the second end of the arm portion about a pulley rotational axis and arranged to engage with a bicycle chain, the pulley having a plurality of chain engagement teeth for engaging the bicycle chain and a dynamo that generates electrical energy in response to the pulley being rotated by the bicycle chain;
- an electrical storage unit that is disposed on the base member as a power source, the electrical storage unit being electrically coupled to the dynamo to store electrical energy generated by the dynamo, and the electrical storage unit being configured to be electrically coupled to an electrical component to supply electrical energy to the electrical component;
- an AC-to-DC rectifying device disposed on the base member to rectify electric current generated by the dynamo, the AC-to-DC rectifying device being coupled to the electric storage unit;
- an internally geared hub including a motor unit and a bicycle hub transmission, the bicycle hub transmission including at least a hub shell, the hub shell being configured to rotate around a rotational axis;
- and
- a motor controller configured to control the motor unit, and being electrically connected in parallel to the electrical storage unit and AC-to-DC rectifying device.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.