INSTRUMENTATION KIT OF A BICYCLE AND BICYCLE COMPRISING SUCH KIT |
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申请号 | US12136993 | 申请日 | 2008-06-11 | 公开(公告)号 | US20090011656A1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2009-01-08 |
申请人 | Giuseppe Dal Pra'; | 发明人 | Giuseppe Dal Pra'; | ||||
摘要 | An instrumentation kit of a bicycle comprises a bundle of cables for electrically connecting a first electronic component of the kit to a second electronic component of the kit, the cables of the bundle being cut off to form a first bundle portion and a second bundle portion. The first bundle portion and the second bundle portion are connectible to each other through a common connector. A bicycle comprising the instrumentation kit, a bottle holder and a containment box for an electronic component of the instrumentation kit are also described. | ||||||
权利要求 | What is claimed is: |
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说明书全文 | The present invention refers to an instrumentation kit of a bicycle. In particular, the invention refers to an instrumentation kit comprising at least two electronic components, typically part of an on-board computer of the bicycle, electrically connected to each other through at least one cable. In the field of high-performance bicycles it is becoming common practice to use on-board computers, through which it is possible to detect and display, information on the operating state of the bicycle and/or interact with equipments thereof, such as the front and/or rear derailleur to manage gearshifting. Known instrument-equipped bicycles are made by equipping conventional bicycles with the necessary electronic components and relative electrical connection cables. This procedure creates numerous difficulties, as a conventional bicycle is not generally set up to house the aforementioned electronic components and connection cables. Moreover, when arranged on the outside, the electrical cables can easily be damaged, and affect the aesthetic appearance of the bicycle. The invention refers to an instrumentation kit of a bicycle comprising a bundle of cables for electrically connecting a first electronic component of the kit to a second electronic component of the kit, the cables of the bundle being cut off to form a first bundle portion and a second bundle portion, wherein said first bundle portion and said second bundle portion are connectible to each other through a common connector. Further characteristics of the present invention shall become clearer from the following detailed description that references the attached drawings. In such drawings: Because the connector is located between two portions of the bundle of cables and not at an end of the bundle, it can be housed in the frame together with the cables while the connection procedure is substantially simplified because there is a single connector for a plurality of cables that are part of the bundle. In this way, the connection can be carried out by typical staff in any bicycle shop, without the risk of confusing cables. Moreover, given that the terminations of the cable portions are held in the same connector, they do not hinder the insertion movement of the bundles of cables in the frame, as happens when using the free terminations of the prior art. Preferably, the common connector comprises a first connector element associated with the first bundle portion and a second connector element associated with the second bundle portion and said first and second connector element are adapted to be coupled to each other in a single coupling configuration. Assembly is thus sped up because it is not necessary to carry out connection tests. In a preferred embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention at least one of said first and second electronic components of the kit is electrically connected to a third electronic component of the kit through a further bundle of cables. Preferably, also said further bundle of cables is cut off to form a first bundle portion and a second bundle portion, which can be connected through a common connector. Preferably, the first bundle portion of said bundle of cables and the first bundle portion of said further bundle of cables are both associated with said first connector element and the second bundle portion of said bundle of cables and the second bundle portion of said further bundle of cables are respectively associated with two distinct second connector elements. Preferably, said two distinct second connector elements are suitable for being coupled with said first connector element in a single coupling configuration. In an embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention said bundle of cables is fixedly connected to at least one of said first and second electronic component of the kit. In an alternative embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention, said bundle of cables is removably connectible to at least one of said first and second electronic component of the kit. Preferably, a stable connection is established between said first and second connector elements through an insertion force required to mate said first and second connector elements (30a, 30a′, 30a″, 30a′″, 30b, 30b′, 30b″, 30b′″). In this way it is always ensured that the connection is effective, even without auxiliary means for holding the parts of the connector, like a heat-shrinking sheath, or before the application thereof. Preferably, said common connector is of a non-impermeable type, i.e. it does not have its own sealing structure against the wet. In this way the size of the connector is smaller than a corresponding impermeable connector. It is thus possible to make holes in the frame that are not very invasive for the passage of the cables and the connectors, to ensure the structural strength of the bicycle remains high. This provision is possible because the frame of the bicycle is a low-humidity environment making an impermeable connection unnecessary. Preferably, said bundle of cables comprises from two to twenty-four cables, more preferably from two to seven cables. Preferably, each cable of said first and second bundle of cables is covered by a respective first insulating sheath. Preferably, said first and second bundle portion are wrapped in a respective second insulating sheath. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the instrumentation kit comprises a third insulating sheath that covers said common connector when said first and second bundle portion are connected. The third insulating sheath allows a non-impermeable connector to be made impermeable, without any appreciable increase in its cross-section. Preferably, the third insulating sheath overlaps with said first or second insulating sheath for at least a portion of said first and second bundle portion close to said common connector, or vice-versa. This avoids moisture from penetrating the sections of the cable portions or cable bundle portions close to the connector, where the first and/or second insulating sheath may have been partially removed to allow the attachment of the connector to the cable, and reaching the electronic components. Preferably, the second insulating sheath completely covers the third insulating sheath. Preferably, the third insulating sheath is made of a heat-shrinking material. The use of such a material ensures that a substantially complete adhesion of the third insulating sheath to the connector and to the sections adjacent of said first and second bundle portion is obtained in a simple way. Preferably, a fourth insulating sheath completely covers said first and second bundle portion connected by the common connector and the common connector. Preferably, said first or second or fourth insulating sheath is made of a polymeric material having a Shore A hardness between about 5 and 40, more preferably between about 10 and 20. Insulating sheaths having such characteristics are relatively soft and help in avoiding disturbing noises from the impact of the bundles of cables housed inside the bicycle against the frame caused by vibration during use. Preferably, the polymeric material is a silicon-based material. Preferably, the first, second, third or fourth insulating sheaths have a thickness between about 0.1 and 1 mm. Preferably, the maximum size at a cross-section of said common connector covered by one or more insulating sheaths is between about 5 and about 7 mm. In an embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention at least one of said first and second bundle portion is fixedly connected to a respective component of said first and second electronic component. In this embodiment at least one of said first and second bundle portion is connected to a respective component of said two electronic components through welding or crimping. In an alternative embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention at least one of said first and second bundle portion is removably connectible to a respective component of said first and second electronic component. Even when the instrumentation kit is installed on a bicycle, the aforementioned electronic component may be freely disconnected and removed, for example to download data stored in it, to secure it when temporarily not in use, or for repair or replacement, without needing to remove the bundle portion connected to the electronic component. In the aforementioned alternative embodiment, at least one of said first and second bundle portion is connectible to a respective component of said first and second electronic component through at least one terminal board or at least one connector. More preferably, said at least one connector is a connector of an impermeable type. The choice of a connector of an impermeable type is used because the connector that connects a bundle portion to a respective electronic component is normally arranged outside the bicycle, close to or even, in some cases, partially integrated with the electronic component and therefore it is directly exposed to atmospheric agents. Preferably, said first and second connector elements comprise respective engagement elements adapted to cooperate to lock the connector in the configuration in which said first and second bundle portion are connected together. The engagement means make it possible to make a stable and secure connection between the first and the second connector element, avoiding their accidental disconnection, especially during the application of an insulating sheath to the connection. More preferably, one of the first and the second connector element comprises a projection and the other comprises a recess suitable for receiving said projection. Preferably, said bundle of cables comprises a section exceeding the length required to connect said first and second electronic component when installed on said bicycle. Preferably, said common connector is associated with said bundle of cables at said exceeding section. The exceeding section allows the connection of the first and second bundle portion, and possibly the application of an insulating sheath to the connector, in a comfortable position, outside of the bicycle, where it may be subsequently inserted inside the bicycle. Preferably, the instrumentation kit comprises a collecting space provided to house said exceeding section of the bundle of cables. Preferably, the collecting space comprises at least one separator element adapted to separate a plurality of bundles of cables housed in the space from each other. In an embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention, the collecting space is defined at a bottle holder of the bicycle. Preferably, the collecting space is integrated in said bottle holder. More preferably, the bottle holder comprises a base support portion and a side support portion intended to be fixed to the frame of the bicycle, and the collecting space is defined in said side support portion. With this arrangement a wall portion of the frame is used to close the collecting space upon mounting of the bottle holder on the bicycle. In order to ensure the tight seal of the collecting space, the bottle holder preferably comprises a tight seal gasket associated with said side support portion at a peripheral edge of the collecting space. Preferably, the base support portion of the bottle holder comprises a space adapted to receive an electronic component, for example said first or second electronic component. More preferably, such an electronic component is a control unit. Preferably, the base support portion of the bottle holder is tightly sealed at at least one of its sides through a removable cover. Preferably, the aforementioned electronic component is provided with a power supply unit and the power supply unit is associated with the removable cover. This allows a bicycle to be equipped with the instrumentation kit of the invention simply and with minimal impact on the structural and aesthetic characteristics of the bicycle. At the same time, it is ensured that a user or operator has very easy access to the main components of the kit for the maintenance or removal thereof. In another embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention the collecting space can be defined at the frame of the bicycle. In a further embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention the collecting space can be defined at the handlebars of the bicycle. In a further embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention the collecting space can be defined at a seat post of the bicycle. In a further embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention the collecting space can be associated with one of the aforementioned two electronic components. Preferably, said first and second electronic component comprise a control unit and a display of an on-board computer of said bicycle. Preferably, said control unit comprises a logic unit and a power unit for controlling actuators. In an embodiment thereof, the instrumentation kit of the invention comprises a first bundle of cables to electrically connect the control unit and the display and said first bundle of cables is fixedly connected to the control unit and to the display. In an alternative embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention, said first bundle of cables can be removably connected to at least one of said control unit and said display. As already stated above in more general terms, a removable connection allows the control unit and/or the display to be quickly and easily disconnected as to remove them at any time after the installation of the instrumentation kit on the bicycle without requiring the removal of portions of bundles of cables or of other electronic components of the instrumentation kit. Preferably, in this alternative embodiment, the first bundle of cables is connectible to at least one of the control unit and the display through a connector of an impermeable type. Preferably, the first bundle of cables comprises at least five cables. Preferably, the instrumentation kit further comprises a second bundle of cables to electrically connect at least one actuator of an equipment of said bicycle to said control unit and said second bundle of cables is cut off by a common connector to form two bundle portions connectible to each other through the connector. Preferably, the instrumentation kit further comprises a third bundle of cables to electrically connect at least one second actuator of a second equipment of said bicycle to said control unit, in which said third bundle of cables is cut off by a common connector to form two bundle portions connectible to each other through the connector. Preferably, the second and the third bundle of cables are cut off by the same common connector. Preferably, such a common connector comprises a first connector element arranged as termination of two bundle portions and two second connector elements connectible to the first connector element each arranged as termination of a bundle portion. Preferably, the second and/or third bundle of cables comprises at least six cables. Preferably, the instrumentation kit further comprises a fourth bundle of cables to electrically connect at least one switch associated with a respective command device of the bicycle to said display. Preferably, the instrumentation kit further comprises a fifth bundle of cables to electrically connect at least one second switch associated with a respective command device of the bicycle to said display. Preferably, said fourth and fifth bundle of cables each comprise at least two cables, at least one of which is a ground cable intended to carry a reference signal. In an embodiment of the instrumentation kit of the invention, the fourth and fifth bundle of cables are fixedly connected to the display. In an alternative embodiment, the fourth and fifth bundle of cables are removably connectible to said display. Preferably, in this alternative embodiment, the fourth and fifth bundle of cables are connectible to the display through a connector of an impermeable type. Irrespective of the type of connection, the ground cables preferably connect to each other inside the display. Preferably, each of said fourth and fifth bundle of cables is cut off by a common connector to form two bundle portions connectible to each other through such a common connector. This allows the switches to be quickly and simply disconnected and to remove them at any time after installation of the instrumentation kit on the bicycle, without requiring the removal of the respective portions of bundle of cables or other electronic components of the instrumentation kit. The invention further refers to a bicycle comprising an instrumentation kit according to the invention. Preferably, such a bicycle, individually or in combination, has all of the structural and functional characteristics discussed above with reference to the instrumentation kit of the invention. In particular, one or more of the bundles of cables of the instrumentation kit are preferably at least partially housed inside a component of the bicycle. Preferably, the common connectors that connect respective portions of said bundles of cables are also housed inside a component of the bicycle. In an embodiment of the bicycle of the invention, the component of the bicycle is a bottle holder. In another embodiment of the bicycle of the invention, the component of the bicycle is the frame. In a further embodiment of the bicycle of the invention, the component of the bicycle is the handlebars. In a further embodiment of the bicycle of the invention, the component of the bicycle is a seat post. Preferably, one or more of the bundles of cables of the instrumentation kit are immobilized inside the aforementioned component of the bicycle through mechanical fastening means. Alternatively, the immobilization can be obtained through gluing substances or foaming substances. In this way, irrespective of the specific immobilization method, the bundles of cables of the instrumentation kit are prevented from producing disturbing noises due to their impacts inside components of the bicycle. The invention further refers to a bottle holder of a bicycle provided with an instrumentation kit comprising a bundle of cables for electrically connecting a first and second electronic component of the instrumentation kit, said bottle holder comprising a base support portion and a side support portion intended to be fixed to the frame of said bicycle, such that said side support portion comprises a collecting space adapted to receive at least one portion of said bundle of cables. Preferably, the bottle holder comprises a tight seal gasket associated with said side support portion at a peripheral edge of said collecting space. Preferably, the base support portion of the bottle holder comprises a space adapted to receive an electronic component of said first and second electronic component of the instrumentation kit. More preferably, said electronic component is a control unit. Preferably, the base support portion of the bottle holder is tightly sealed at at least one of its sides through a removable cover. Preferably, said electronic component comprises a power supply unit and such a power supply unit is associated with the removable cover. The invention further refers to a containment box for at least one electronic component of an instrumentation kit of a bicycle comprising a box-shaped element and a removable cover, wherein a tight seal gasket is arranged between the removable cover and the box-shaped element. Preferably, the removable cover is associated with a power supply unit of the instrumentation kit. Preferably, the containment box comprises a second box-shaped element forming a space for containing at least one second component of the instrumentation kit. Preferably, the second box-shaped element has an opening defined by an outer peripheral edge having a shape such as to fit to a tube of a frame of said bicycle. Preferably, the containment box comprises a gasket at said outer peripheral edge such as to make a tight seal between the outer peripheral edge and the tube of the frame. The term “electronic component” should be taken in the wider sense to include, amongst other things, a battery, a switch, a display, an actuator, any circuit board, a control unit, etc. In In general, the instrumentation kit 10 comprises a plurality of electronic components 15 electrically connected to each other with one component paired to another through cables 21. The plurality of cables 21 connecting two electronic components is hereafter referred to as a bundle of cables, for the sake of simplicity. In The connectors and the bundles of cables for at least a section of the respective lengths are housed inside components of the bicycle 1, such as for example the frame 35, the handlebars 80, a seat post or a bottle holder. In When the cyclist gives a gearshifting order by acting upon the command devices 60, the switches 55 emit an electrical signal that is transmitted to the control unit 40, which in turn commands the actuators 50 to carry out gearshifting. The display 45 and the control unit 40 are electrically connected through a first bundle of cables 25, preferably comprising at least five cables 2 1. The bundle of cables 25 is divided into two bundle portions 25a and 25b connectible through a first connector 30 common to all of the cables of the bundle 25. The connector 30 is of a non-impermeable type and in the mounted configuration of the instrumentation kit 10 it is inserted inside a component of the bicycle 1, in particular the frame 35. The bundle of cables 25 passes into the frame 35 through inlet and outlet holes 39. In the embodiment of In alternative embodiments ( The connector 30 comprises a first connector element 30b, for example a male element, and a second connector element 30a, for example a female element. The cables 21 of the bundle portions 25a and 25b are preferably fixedly connected to the connector elements 30b and 30a at respective connection points 22 obtained according to one of the fastening methods cited above. As shown in detail in As shown again in As can be seen from The connector 30, which is of a non-impermeable type as stated above, is made impermeable through the application of an insulating sheath 33. The insulating sheath 33 is applied so as to fully cover the connector 30 and possible parts of cables 21 bared for the connection to the connector 30, and further so as to overlap with the insulating sheath 37 at sections 36 adjacent to the connector 30. The overlapping with the insulating sheath 37 prevents humidity from penetrating inside the bundle portions 25 at the connection and from thus reaching the electronic components connected thereto. The insulating sheath 33 is preferably made of a heat-shrinking material, which, when subjected to heating, shrinks making the outer insulating sheath 33 perfectly adhere to the connector 30 and to the sections 36 of the bundle portions 25a and 25b. The thickness of the insulating sheaths 34 and 37 and of the outer insulating sheath 33 is preferably between about 0.1 and about 1 mm. The maximum size T at a cross-section of the connector 30 coated by the outer insulating sheath 33 is preferably between about 5 and about 7 mm. It should be observed that although Returning to the scheme of Also in this case the connectors 30′ and at least a section of the bundles of cables 25′ are housed inside a component of the bicycle 1, in particular the frame 35, by means of inlet and outlet holes 39. In alternative embodiments ( Again with reference to the scheme of In the embodiment of In alternative embodiments ( The control unit 40 preferably comprises a logic unit of the instrumentation kit 10 and a power unit that powers and controls the actuators. The control unit can itself contain a battery or power supply unit 40′ or alternatively, as illustrated in Preferably, in each of the described embodiments some or all of the bundles of cables 25, 25′, 25″ and 25′″ have a length greater than the length corresponding to the path that they must follow inside the bicycle 1 to connect the respective electronic components 15 with which they are associated. The exceeding sections of the bundles make it possible to work on the connectors 30, 30′, 30″ and 30′″ easily outside of the bicycle 1 and, in the mounted configuration of the instrumentation kit 10, they can be housed in suitable collecting spaces. Such collecting spaces can be defined at components of the bicycle 1, such as, for example, the frame 35, the handlebars 80, a seat post or a bottle holder, or else they can be associated with one or more of the electronic components 15 of the instrumentation kit 10, such as, for example, the display 45 or the actuators 50. In a preferred embodiment of the instrumentation kit 10 of the invention, it is provided to define a collecting space 82 in a support of the control unit 40 integrated in a bottle holder 84 as illustrated in The bottle holder 84 comprises a side support portion 87 of a bottle and a base support portion 88 of the bottle, preferably substantially perpendicular to each other and made in a single piece. The collecting space 82 is defined in the side support portion 87 and comprises an appropriately sized cavity in which there is at least one separator element 83 of the bundles of cables 25, 25′ and possibly 25′″, so that the latter can be kept inside the collecting space 82 without twisting around one another. The collecting space 82 has an opening delimited by a peripheral edge 85 of the side support portion 87. The latter is intended to be fixed to the frame 35 of the bicycle 1 according to methods known to one skilled in the art, such that when the bottle holder 84 is mounted on the bicycle 1, the frame closes the opening of the collecting space 82 and prevents the bundles of cables from coming out. At the peripheral edge 85 a gasket 86 is preferably arranged, so as to make the collecting space 82 tightly sealed. It is also possible to receive the connectors 30 and 30′ and possibly 30′″ in the collecting space 82, instead of in the frame 35. The base support portion 88 comprises a space 89 adapted to receive the control unit 40. The space 89 is preferably closed through a removable cover 95. A gasket 96 ensures the tight seal of the cover 95. A power supply unit of the control unit 40 is preferably associated with the removable cover 95. Irrespective of its arrangement, the size of the collecting space 82 is preferably such as to allow the exceeding sections of the bundles of cables to be completely received and immobilized, so that such exceeding sections do not have to be housed in the frame 35, where, being looser, they would produce noise due to impact with the walls. In any case, special systems for immobilizing the bundles of cables 25, 25′ and 25″ can be considered. Such systems provide for the use of mechanical fastening means, the use of gluing substances applied to the inner walls of the frame 35 or the use of foaming substances introduced inside the frame 35. In the case of gluing substances, it is possible to use either non-setting glues, so that the bundles of cables can be removed by applying a sufficient force to overcome the viscosity, or setting glues, so that the bundles of cables definitively stick to the frame. The bundles of cables 25″ can be immobilized in the handlebars in the same way. As an alternative to the use of the aforementioned immobilization systems, it is possible to use insulating sheaths 34 for the cables 21, or 37 for the bundles of cables 25, 25′, 25″ and 25′″ made from a polymeric material with a Shore A hardness lower than that of the insulating sheaths for common electrical cables, and preferably between about 5 and about 40, more preferably between 10 and 20. In this way, even if a cable or a bundle of cables impacts the walls of the frame 35, it does not generate noise. Preferred polymeric materials for this purpose are silicon-based materials. As shown in Alternatively, as shown in As to the form of the connectors 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″, only one example has been illustrated in One skilled in the art shall recognize that it is possible to combine the various characteristics of the embodiments described above to obtain further embodiments, any of which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. |