Abstract:
A bicycle brake operating device is provided with a handlebar bracket, a brake lever, an operation unit and a detection device. Rotation of the operation unit is detected by the detection device. The operation unit is arranged so that it does not readily hinder a braking operation. The operation unit also arranged so that it us not readily damaged when the bicycle falls over.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. National stage application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2007-185108, filed in Japan on Jul. 14, 2007, and 2007-267452, filed in Japan on Oct. 15, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a device for operating a bicycle brake. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     One of the conventional bicycle brake operating devices has a rim brake caliper, a disc brake caliper, or the like operated via a brake wire configured from an outer casing and an inner wire, as in the embodiments disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Nos. 05-286476, 2005-153864 and 05-097088. 
     Another conventional device has a rim brake caliper, a disc brake caliper, or the like operated via a brake hose filled with a liquid, as in the embodiment disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-123898. 
     In the devices of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 05-286476, 2005-153864, 05-097088 and 2006-123898, it is possible for a gear shifter to be operated via a shift wire configured from an outer casing and an inner wire. 
     Another bicycle brake operating device is to detect the rotation of an operating unit capable of rotating around an axis that is both substantially perpendicular to an axis in the swinging center of a brake lever and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the brake lever, and to enable outputting of an electric signal, as is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 10-230888 and 2007-137412. 
     Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2007-137412 discloses an embodiment in which operating units are installed on both a brake lever and a bracket. 
     One of the conventional gear shifter operation devices for bicycles involves the gear shifter being operated via a shift hose filled with a liquid as in the embodiment disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2003-048593, and another conventional device involves the gear shifter being operated via a shift hose filled with a gas as in the embodiment disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-245873. 
     One of the conventional electric gear shifters for bicycles involves an external gear shifter being controlled as in the embodiment disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 2006-137206 and 2006-007841, and another conventional shifter involves an internal gear shifter being controlled as in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2003-040187. 
     Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 05-286476, 2005-153864, 05-097088, 2006-123898, 10-230888, 2007-137412, 2003-048593 and 11-245873 disclose signal output means for controlling a gear shifter, wherein the means in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 05-286476, 2005-153864, 05-097088 and 2006-123898 is that the signal output be made by a wire; in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 10-230888 and 2007-137412, by electricity; in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2003-048593, by a liquid; and in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-245873, by a gas. 
     SUMMARY 
     Problems the Invention is Intended to Solve 
     There is a demand for a bicycle brake operating device comprising an operating unit capable of detecting rotation by detection means, wherein the operating unit does not readily hinder the braking operation, the operating unit is not readily damaged when the bicycle falls over, the feel and efficiency of the operation do not readily change despite differences in the operating position or the size of the hands of the rider, and the operation unit is easily designed to be dustproof and waterproof. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     The following description uses drawings and the like pertaining to embodiments of the present invention, which are intended to make the details of the present invention easier to understand, and are not intended to limit the accompanying claims. 
     The words “front,” “back,” “right,” “left,” and “down” used below refer to a bicycle traveling stably and straight over a horizontal surface. For example, the term “forward” refers to the direction in which the bicycle travels forward. 
     First, a simple description is given, using  FIG. 1  or  4 , of the peripheral vicinity of a typical bicycle handlebar. In a dropped handlebar  1 , a center part  16  is clamped onto a front end part  17  of a handlebar post  18 , one end  14  curves to the rear, and a band  8  of a bracket  2  is wound around the curved portion, fixing the bracket  2  to face forward. The other end of the handlebar  1  has a mirror image correlation with the one end  14 , and is therefore not described in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . The handlebar post  18  is connected to a steering tube, and the steering tube is inserted through a head tube  20  of the bicycle frame and supported by a bearing  19  to be capable of rotating relative to the head tube  20 . 
     The bicycle brake operating device according to a first aspect is, as shown collectively in  FIGS. 1 through 3  or collectively in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , for example, a bicycle brake operating device comprising: 
     a bracket  2  capable of being fixed to a handlebar  1  of a bicycle; 
     a brake lever  4  supported on the bracket  2  so as to be capable of swinging around an axis  3  of the bracket  2 ; 
     an operation unit  6  supported on the brake lever  4  so as to be capable of rotating around an axis  5  extending in the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4 ; and 
     detection means  7  capable of detecting the rotation of the operation unit  6  centered around the axis  5 . 
     The bicycle brake operating device according to a second aspect is, as shown collectively in  FIGS. 1 through 3  or collectively in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , for example, a bicycle brake operating device comprising: 
     a bracket  2  capable of being fixed to a handlebar  1  of a bicycle; 
     a brake lever  4  supported on the bracket  2  so as to be capable of swinging around an axis  3  disposed on the bracket  2 ; 
     an operation unit  6  supported on the brake lever  4  so as to be capable of rotating around an axis  5  forming any angle within 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4 ; and 
     detection means  7  capable of detecting the rotation of the operation unit  6  centered around the axis  5 . 
     The bicycle brake operating device according to a third aspect is, as shown collectively in  FIGS. 1 through 3  or collectively in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , for example, a bicycle brake operating device comprising: 
     a bracket  2  capable of being fixed to a handlebar  1  of a bicycle; 
     a brake lever  4  supported on the bracket  2  so as to be capable of swinging around an axis  3  disposed on the bracket  2 ; 
     an operation unit  6  supported so as to be capable of rotating around an axis  5  extending in the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4 ; and 
     detection means  7  capable of detecting the rotation of the operation unit  6  centered around the axis  5 ; wherein 
     the axis  5  is between the brake lever  4  and the handlebar  1  when the bracket  2  has been fixed to the handlebar  1  and the brake lever  4  is in a standby mode preceding operation. 
     The bicycle brake operating device according to a fourth aspect is, as shown collectively in  FIGS. 1 through 3  or collectively in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , for example, a bicycle brake operating device comprising: 
     a bracket  2  capable of being fixed to a handlebar  1  of a bicycle; 
     a brake lever  4  supported on the bracket  2  so as to be capable of swinging around an axis  3  of the bracket  2 ; 
     an operation unit  6  supported on the brake lever  4  so as to be capable of rotating around an axis  5  forming any angle within 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4 ; and 
     detection means  7  capable of detecting the rotation of the operation unit  6  centered around the axis  5 ; wherein 
     the axis  5  is between the brake lever  4  and the handlebar  1  when the bracket  2  has been fixed to the handlebar  1  and the brake lever  4  is in a standby mode preceding operation. 
     The bicycle brake operating device according to a fifth aspect is the bicycle brake operating device according to any of the first through fourth aspects, as shown collectively in  FIGS. 1 through 3  or collectively in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , for example, wherein 
     the longitudinal direction of the operation unit  6  extends in the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4 . 
     The bicycle brake operating device according to a sixth aspect is the bicycle brake operating device according to any of the first through fourth aspects, as shown collectively in  FIGS. 1 through 3  or collectively in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , for example, wherein 
     the longitudinal direction of the operating unit  6  extends along the axis  5 . 
     The bicycle brake operating device according to a seventh aspect is the bicycle brake operating device according to any of the first through fourth aspects, wherein 
     the operation unit  6  is used to operate a gear shifter of the bicycle. 
     The bicycle brake operating device according to an eighth aspect is the bicycle brake operating device according to any of the first through fourth aspects, wherein 
     the operation unit  6  is used to operate a gear shifter of the bicycle; and 
     the gear shifter of the bicycle uses a voltage source, an air pressure source, or the like as a power source. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     In the present invention as described above, since the amount by which the operation unit  6  protrudes from the brake lever  4  is small, a sufficient swinging range can be ensured for the brake lever  4  without readily hindering the braking operation, and the operation unit  6  is not readily damaged when the bicycle falls over. Furthermore, since the operation unit  6  undergoes rotational movement centered around the axis  5 , the feel of the operation is stabilized because the force required for the operation is small and readily stabilized in comparison to an operation unit that undergoes linear movement, and a seal centered around the axis  5  is readily provided in cases in which dustproofing or waterproofing is required. 
     According to the first or second aspect, in addition to the effects of the present invention, the operation unit  6  can be supported by a comparatively simple structure. 
     According to the third or fourth aspect, in addition to the effects of the present invention, the operation unit  6  is even less readily damaged because the operation unit  6  is protected by the brake lever  4  and the handlebar  1 . 
     According to the fifth or sixth aspect, in addition to the effects of the present invention, it is possible to adapt more easily to differences in the operating position or the size of the hands of the rider even if a plurality of operating units is not disposed, and a stable feeling of operation is obtained at various operation positions because the distance from the axis  5  is comparatively stable when operating any portion of the operation unit  6 , in comparison with a conventional operation unit made to extend far in a direction substantially perpendicular to the swinging center axis. 
     According to the seventh or eighth aspect, in addition to the effects of the present invention, it is easy to collectively perform a series of operations of the bicycle, such as a deceleration braking operation and a downshifting operation, for example. 
     According to the eighth aspect, in addition to the effects of the present invention, it is easy to minimize the length of the operation unit  6  in a direction perpendicular to the axis  5  because only a comparatively small amount of energy is needed to operate the operation unit  6 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a broken-out cross-sectional view of the bracket  2 , depicting Embodiment 1 as seen from the left side of the fixed handlebar  1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of Embodiment 1 as seen from the left side; 
         FIG. 3  is a broken-out cross-sectional view of the bracket  2 , depicting Embodiment 1 as seen from the right side; 
         FIG. 4  is a broken-out cross-sectional view of the bracket  2 , depicting Embodiment 2 as seen from the left side of the fixed handlebar  1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of Embodiment 2 as seen from the left side; and 
         FIG. 6  is a broken-out cross-sectional view of the bracket  2 , depicting Embodiment 2 as seen from the right side. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The bicycle brake operating device of Embodiment 1 described below can be converted to a wire model as in Embodiment 2, and the bicycle brake operating device of Embodiment 2 can be converted to a hydraulic model as in Embodiment 1. 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, the operation unit  6  is rotatable around the axis  5 , and its rotatable range is limited. However, one or more rotations of the operation unit  6  become possible by reducing the size of the fin shapes  25  to  27 , thereby enabling the operation unit  6  to detect the rotation by a rotary encoder and to output an electric signal. 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, instead of rotation using a shaft shape  29 , a so-called pivotless structure may be used in which, e.g., the operation unit  6  and the brake lever  4  are integrally molded using a fiber-reinforced resin, only the portion through which the axis  5  passes is molded thinly, and the operation unit  6  is capable of rotating only at a slight angle. 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, electric signals can be outputted for both upshifting and downshifting, but, e.g., the operation unit  34  of Embodiment 2 may be omitted. In this case, possibilities include, but are not limited to, determining that upshifting or downshifting has occurred by a single click or double click of the operation unit  6 , and providing another operation unit on, e.g., the left side surface  23  of the bracket  2 . 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, instead of a switch that directly moves the point of contact, various conventional detection means can be used, including, but not limited to, a lead switch and magnet, a phototransistor or other optical sensor and slit, or a Hall element or other magnetic sensor and magnet. 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, instead of a wired design that uses a signal wire  13 , the signals may be wireless means. In this case, the bracket  2  may be equipped with a control board, antenna, and a battery for outputting carrier waves modulated by electric signals from the detection means or detection device  7 , for example. 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, instead of the gear shifter of the bicycle being controlled, the headlight, blinker, horn, speedometer, or the like may be controlled. 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, the bracket  2  may be fixed to the handlebar  1  by integrally molding the handlebar  1  and the bracket  2  from a carbon sheet or the like, for example. 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, instead of the detection means or detection device  7  which is an electrical switch, possibilities include, e.g., detecting the rotation of the operation unit  6  by a pawl and ratchet as in the embodiment in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-153864, and detecting the rotation of the operation unit  6  by a gas control valve as in the embodiment in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-245873. 
     In Embodiment 1 described below, instead of the operation unit  6  being supported on the brake lever  4 , a possible configuration is one in which the operation unit  6  is supported on a member supported on the bracket  2  so as to be capable of swinging around an axis substantially parallel to the axis  3 , and the operation unit  6  is supported on the bracket  2  so as to be capable of substantially rotating around the axis  5 . In this case, the configuration and arrangements are preferably designed so that the operation unit  6  follows the swinging operation of the brake lever  4 , as in the embodiment of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 05-097088. 
     In Embodiment 1 or 2 described below, extending the fin shape  27  or  38  to the vicinity of the axis  3  makes it possible to easily operate the operation unit  6  or  34  with the thumb, index finger, or another finger even in an operating position where the front end vicinity of the bracket  2  is grasped. 
     Embodiment 1 
     In  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the brake lever  4  has a rod shape extending downward, one end of which is supported on a shaft pin centered around an axis  3  disposed in the front end of a hollow rod-shaped bracket  2 . The other end of the brake lever  4  in standby mode is swung backward, thereby causing one end of a push rod  10  to push on the internal cylinder of a hydraulic cylinder  11 , the other end of the push rod  10  being connected to a shaft pin centered around an axis  9  parallel to the axis  3  and disposed in the center of the brake lever  4 . The internal pressure increases in a brake hose, which is a linking member  12  connected at one end to the hydraulic cylinder  11 , and a hydraulic brake caliper connected to the other end of the linking member  12  begins a braking action. 
     Typical operation positions include a position wherein the bases of the thumb and index finger of the right hand, the middle of the thumb, and the middle of the index finger come in contact with the top surface  15 , the left side surface  23 , and the right side surface  32  of the bracket  2 , respectively; and a position where the one end  14  of the handlebar  1  is grasped by the right hand. In either operation position, the front surface  24  of the brake lever  4  can be hooked by the index finger. 
     The rod-shaped operation unit  6  extends along the back surface of the brake lever  4  and is capable of rotating around the axis  5  disposed so as to form an angle of 30 degrees or less with the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4  (if the angle formed is 30 degrees or less, the axis  5  can be said to extend sufficiently along the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4 ). The rod-shaped operation unit  6  comprises a shaft shape  29  centered around the axis  5  at one end, a cylindrical shape centered around the axis  5  at the other end, and fin shapes  25  to  27  extending along the axis  5  to the rear, front, and left of the axis  5 , respectively. The cylinder shape  30  at the other end is non-rotatably connected to an input shaft of the detection means  7  placed in the middle of the brake lever  4 , and is thus rotatably supported on the brake lever  4 . The shaft shape  29  is rotatably supported on a support part  28  at the other end of the brake lever  4 . 
     The detection means  7  is a switch comprising an urging member for returning the input shaft centered around the axis  5  to a neutral position; and a mechanism which causes first and second terminals to close by rotating them about 5 degrees in a forward direction from the neutral position, and which causes second and third terminals to close by rotating them about 5 degrees in a reverse direction. The first, second, and third terminals are electrically connected to three cores of the signal wire  13 , and are electrically connected by the signal wire  13  to a gearshift control board installed on the bicycle frame. The gearshift control board monitors which of the first and third terminals the second terminal closes with, and controls an actuator for the gear shifting action so that if one terminal closes, the gear shifts up, and if the other terminal closes, the gear shifts down. The operation unit  6  can only rotate about 10 degrees in the forward and reverse directions from the neutral position because the fin shapes  26  and  27  both come in contact with the brake lever  4 . 
     Though not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a bicycle brake operating device, being a mirror image of the first device, is fixed to the other end of the handlebar  1  and can be operated by the left hand. 
     Embodiment 2 
     In  FIGS. 4 through 6 , the brake lever  4  has a rod shape extending downward, the middle of which is supported on a shaft pin centered around an axis  3  disposed in the front end of a hollow rod-shaped bracket  2 . The other end of the brake lever  4  in standby mode is swung backward, thereby causing an inner wire  35  to be pulled out from an outer casing. One end of the inner wire  35  is connected to a shaft pin centered around an axis  9  parallel to the axis  3  and disposed in the center of the brake lever  4 . The outer casing is a linking member  12  interlocked at one end with the bracket  2 . A wired brake caliper, to which the other end of the linking member  12  is interlocked and the other end of the inner wire  35  is connected, begins a braking action. 
     Typical operation positions include a position wherein the bases of the thumb and index finger of the right hand, the middle of the thumb, and the middle of the index finger come in contact with the top surface  15 , the left side surface  23 , and the right side surface  32  of the bracket  2 , respectively; and a position where the one end  14  of the handlebar  1  is grasped by the right hand. In either operation position, the front surface  24  of the brake lever  4  can be hooked by the index finger. 
     The rod-shaped operation unit  6  extends along the back surface of the brake lever  4  and is capable of rotating around the axis  5  disposed so as to form an angle of 30 degrees or less with the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4 . The rod-shaped operational unit  6  comprises a shaft shape  29  centered around the axis  5  at one end, a cylindrical shape  30  centered around the axis  5  at the other end, and a fin shape  25  located behind the axis  5  so as to extend along the axis  5 . The cylinder shape  30  is non-rotatably connected to an input shaft of the detection means  7  placed in the middle of the brake lever  4 , and is thus rotatably supported on the brake lever  4 . The shaft shape  29  is rotatably supported on a support part  28  at the other end of the brake lever  4 . 
     A rod-shaped operation unit  34  extends along the back surface of the brake lever  4  and is capable of rotating around an axis  33  disposed behind the axis  5  so as to form an angle of 30 degrees or less with the longitudinal direction of the brake lever  4 . The rod-shaped operation unit  34  comprises a shaft shape  36  centered around an axis  33  at one end, a cylindrical shape  40  centered around the axis  33  at the other end, and fin shapes  37  and  38  located to the rear and left of the axis  33 , respectively. The cylindrical shape  40  at the other end is non-rotatably connected to an input shaft of detection means  39  placed in the middle of the brake lever  4 , and is thus rotatably supported on the brake lever  4 . The shaft shape  36  is rotatably supported on the support part  28  at the other end of the brake lever  4 . 
     The detection means  7  is a switch comprising an urging member for returning the input shaft centered around the axis  5  to an initial position, and a mechanism whereby a rotation of approximately 5 degrees from the initial position causes first and second terminals to close. The detection means  39  is a switch comprising an urging member for returning the input shaft centered around the axis  33  to a neutral position; and a mechanism whereby a rotation of about 5 degrees in a forward direction from the neutral position causes third and fourth terminals to close, and a rotation of about 5 degrees in a reverse direction causes fourth and fifth terminals to close. The first and third terminals are electrically connected to each other, the second and fourth terminals are electrically connected to each other; and the third, fourth, and fifth terminals are electrically connected to three cores of the signal wire  13 , and these terminals are electrically connected by the signal wire  13  to a gearshift control board installed on the bicycle frame. The gearshift control board monitors which of the third and fifth terminals the fourth terminal closes with, and controls an actuator for the gear shifting action so that if one terminal closes, the gear shifts up, and if the other terminal closes, the gear shifts down. The operation unit  6  can only rotate about 10 degrees from the initial position because the fin shape  25  will come in contact with the operation unit  34 . Similarly, the operation unit  34  can also only rotate about 10 degrees in the forward and backward directions from the neutral position because the fin shapes  37  and  38  will come in contact with the operation unit  6  and the brake lever  4 . 
     Though not shown in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , a bicycle brake operating device, being a mirror image of the first device, is fixed to the other end of the handlebar  1  and can be operated by the left hand.