Abstract:
A bicycle handlebar system comprises a control element for controlling an electric auxiliary motor, said element being adapted to be fastened to the handlebar. The control element has a housing, wherein a plurality of switching elements is arranged in recesses in the housing, one membrane button is arranged in the housing per switching element, the switching element acting on said membrane button, and the membrane buttons are interconnected through a common flexibly conductor path.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure claims the priority of German Utility Model Application no. DE 20 2013 002 491.7 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates to a bicycle handle system for fastening to a bicycle handlebar. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The handlebars of electrically assisted bicycles are provided with control elements for controlling the electric motor. These control elements are fastened on the handlebar by clamping, for example. Since these are control elements that are independent of the handle, they can be mounted on the handlebar laterally next to the conventional bicycle handle. Such control elements have the disadvantage that their operation often requires taking a hand from a bicycle handle. It is necessary to at least partially release the handle, for instance, in order to actuate a switch on the control element with the thumb. This means a reduction in safety, since, for example, when riding over a bump or the like there is a risk of the hand slipping from the handle. Moreover, the ergonomics of such control elements is not or only slightly adapted to the posture of the hand of a user while riding on a bicycle. Further, known control elements are disadvantageous in that they a rather wide and therefore require much space on the handlebar. This is disadvantageous given the great number of other elements arranged on a bicycle handlebar. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the disclosure to provide a bicycle handle system, in which a control element having at least one electric switch for controlling an electric auxiliary motor can be actuated in a simple manner and preferably requires little structural space. 
     The bicycle handle system of the disclosure comprises a handle element adapted to be mounted to or on a bicycle handlebar. According to the disclosure, a control element for controlling electric auxiliary motor of the bicycle is provided in particular laterally next to the handle element that may be slightly shorter than conventional handles, if need be. In the mounted state, the control element is preferably arranged within the handle element so that it is preferably possible to actuate the control element in particular with the thumb without having to release the hand from the handle element. The control element allows changing the assisting power of the auxiliary motor. The control element has a housing with a plurality of switching elements in a plurality of recesses. Besides switching elements for changing the assisting power of the auxiliary motor, the switching elements may include for instance a main switch, a light switch and a mode switch with which the display on a bicycle computer can be changed. The switching elements act on membrane buttons arranged inside the housing. For this purpose, a respective membrane button is provided in the housing for each switching element. An actuation of the switching element, i.e. pressing the switching element into the housing, thus causes the actuation of a membrane button. According to the disclosure, the membrane buttons are interconnected through a common flexible conductor path. 
     When acted upon by a switching element, the membrane buttons cause an electric contact. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane buttons are designed such that they are respective protrusions that are respectively deformed or pressed inward by the switching element and make the electric contact. When the switching element is released, the elastically deformed membrane button returns to its initial position or its initial shape so that the electric contact is interrupted again. Preferably, the membrane button may be designed as a protrusion, e.g. a spherical protrusion. Providing membrane buttons interconnected through a common conductor path has the advantage that it is possible to realize a control element requiring little structural space. 
     In this context, it is particularly preferred that at least three of the switching elements of the control element are arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction. In the mounted state, the control element surrounds the handlebar at least partially so that the switching elements are arranged in the circumferential direction in an upper side of the control element averted from the handlebar. Specifically, the switching elements are arranged on the upper side of the control element in the region that is directed upward towards the user. Such regions can be accessed well by the thumb or the index finger, even without taking the hand off the handle. In particular, all switching elements provided on the control element are correspondingly arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction. 
     Further, it is preferred that at least three membrane buttons are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction along a strip-shaped conductor path. In the mounted state, the conductor path is in particular rectangular so that membrane buttons can be arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction on the conductor path. Thereby, the structural space can be reduced significantly. In this regard, it is particularly preferred that all membrane buttons are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction along a strip-shaped conductor path. In order to achieve a design of the switching elements that is as simple as possible, it is particularly preferred that the switching elements correspondingly arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction of the control element, cooperate with membrane buttons arranged immediately below them in the housing, the membrane buttons being arranged one after the other on a single strip-shaped conductor path. 
     Inside the housing, retaining elements, such as retaining pins, are preferably provided. These serve the fixation of the conductor path and in particular the positional fixation of the membrane buttons in the housing. In this regard, it is possible to place the conductor path about in particular cylindrical pins, it being preferred that one membrane button is arranged between two pins. Thus, according to the disclosure, at least some of the pins are preferably arranged such that a membrane button is arranged between them. In this case, the pins serve for positional fixation and as an abutment for the membrane buttons. 
     It is an advantage of the use of conductor paths with integrated membrane buttons that these are water-proof and that, in particular, no short-circuit can occur when water enters the control element. In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, a connector board connects the conductor path with a wire leading out of the housing. The connector board, which is a six pin FFC connector, for instance, may be potted to prevent water from entering there as well. Instead of providing a connector board, the switching data can also be transmitted in a wireless manner to a receiver integrated, for example, in the bicycle computer or the motor. For this purpose, the conductor path is connected with a transmitter unit or, possibly, a transceiver unit. The same may preferably provided within the control element. 
     Preferably, the control element comprises an actuation element. The actuation element is rotatably connected with a bearing element. For example, the bearing element can be sleeve-shaped or have a sleeve-shaped extension and be fixed on the bicycle handlebar either directly or indirectly. Thereby, the actuation element can be rotated on the bearing element. A rotation of the actuation element relative to the bearing element causes an actuation of the electric switching element that preferably comprises at least one membrane button. 
     According to the disclosure, this is achieved in a first, particularly preferred embodiment a switching tab is provided on the actuation element. By turning the actuation element relative to the bearing element, the at least one switching tab acts on the at least one electric membrane button. The same principle of the present disclosure can be realized by arranging the at least one switching tab on the bearing element or in particular on the fixing element fastened on the handlebar, and by providing the at least one electric membrane button, on which the at least one switching element acts, on the actuation element. What is of relevance is the relative movement between the at least one switching tab and the corresponding at least one membrane button, the switching being effected by simply turning the actuation element through a predetermined angle or by pivoting the actuation element so that the electric auxiliary motor can be controlled with respect to the assisting power. 
     In this regard, it is preferred that the actuation element can be turned in two different directions on the bearing element and that the assisting power from the auxiliary motor is thereby reduced or increased. Preferably, two membrane buttons are provided for this purpose, one of the buttons serving to increase the assisting power and the other button serving to reduce the same. Both membrane buttons can be acted upon by one switching tab or by two separate switching tabs. 
     The fixing element, which in an alternative embodiment is connected with the at least one switching tab, can have additional functions. For example, the fixing element may be designed as a clamping element and serve to fix the bearing element on the handlebar. 
     In a particularly preferred development of the disclosure, the actuation element comprises a sliding element arranged for rotation on the bearing element. In this embodiment, the sliding element forms a plain bearing together with the bearing element. As an alternative, rolling elements, such as balls, can be provided between these two elements. It is particularly preferred that the bearing element has a cylindrical inner diameter that substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the bicycle handlebar so that the bearing element can be fixed on the bicycle handlebar in a simple manner, for example by means of a clamping means such as a clip or the like. The fixation of the bearing element can also be achieved through a connection with the handle element which in this case will be fixed on the bicycle handlebar. A preferred embodiment of the outer surface of the bearing element forming the siding surface is preferably also shaped substantially cylindrically. Correspondingly, it also preferred that the sliding element has a substantially cylindrical inner surface directed towards the bearing element. In this regard, it is preferred that the sliding element is formed integrally with the control element, in particular as an injection molded part. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the at least one switching tab is connected with the bearing element or the fixing element and protrudes into the actuation element. In this context, it is further preferred that a side wall of the actuation element comprises at least one slit-shaped opening through which the at least one switching tab protrudes. If at least two switching tabs are provided, it is preferred to provide one slit-shaped opening for each switching tab. In this preferred embodiment the actuation element can be hollow in the manner of a housing so that the at least one switching tab is arranged between an outer wall of the housing and the sliding element. Thereby, a compact structure can be achieved. 
     In order to achieve the simplest possible actuation of the control element, in particular a simple turning of the actuation element on the bearing element, the actuation element comprises a switching depression. In the mounted state, the latter is directed in particular in the direction of the user so that it is possible, in a simple manner, to actuate the control element with the thumb via the corresponding switching depression without having to take the hand off the bicycle handle. In particular, it is preferred that the at least one switching tab is arranged substantially opposite the switching depression. Especially in the embodiment in which the switching tab is connected with the bearing element or the fixing element, this has the advantage that no space must be provided for the at least one switching tab in the area of the switching depression. Thus, the control element can be of an ergonomic and compact design in the area of the switching depression. In a preferred embodiment, there is ample space in the portion of the control element averted from the user. Instead of a switching depression, it is possible to provide a switching protrusion, for instance, which is directed in particular towards the user and can be actuated n particular with the thumb. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure, enabling one of ordinary skill in the art to carry out the disclosure, is set forth in greater detail in the following description, including reference to the accompanying drawing in which 
         FIG. 1  is a schematical top plan view of a bicycle handlebar together with a control element, 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic top plan view of the bearing element, 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side elevational view of the bearing element in the direction of the arrow III in  FIG. 2 , 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view of the control element and the bearing element along line IV-IV in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic sectional view of the control element and the bearing element along line IV-IV in  FIG. 1 , and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective illustration of a conductor path with integrated membrane buttons. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The drawing figures are intended to illustrate the general manner of construction and are not necessarily to scale. In the detailed description and in the drawing figures, specific illustrative examples are shown and herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawing figures and detailed description are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but are merely illustrative and intended to teach one of ordinary skill how to make and/or use the disclosure claimed herein. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the bicycle handle system of the present disclosure a handle element  10  is provided. The handle element  10  has a protrusion  12  for supporting the palm of the hand and is fastened on the bicycle handle bar by a clamping means  14 . Such a handle element is described in EP 1 537 014, for example. The handle element is guided on the handlebar by means of the clamping means  14 . An actuation element  18  is arranged on a side that is the inner side with respect to the handle element  10 . The actuation element  18  is at least partially pivotable or rotatable about the handlebar  16 . Thereby, an electric switch is actuated that controls an auxiliary motor connected with the control element via a wire  20 . The connection may also be wireless. In the embodiment illustrated, the actuation element  18  is turned by means of a thumb placed in a switching depression  22  of the actuation element and by moving the thumb upward or downward. 
     The actuation element  18  is arranged on a bearing element  24  ( FIG. 2 ). The bearing element  24  has a cylindrical opening  26  ( FIG. 3 ) having the outer diameter of the handlebar  16 . By means of a fixing element  28  ( FIG. 1 ) in the form of a clamp in cooperation with a recess  30  in the bearing element, the bearing ring can be fixed on the handlebar  16 . The actuation element  18  is arranged on the right or inner side of an annular abutment ring  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . An opposite cylindrical part  34  of the bearing element  24  either protrudes directly into the handle element  10  or is partially surrounded by another, substantially cylindrical handle part  36  so that the cylindrical extension  34  protrudes only partially into the handle element  10 . For example, other electronic components or the like can be housed in the cylindrical handle part  36 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated the actuation element  18  comprises an inner cylindrical extension  38  forming a sliding element. The same surrounds the cylindrical extension  40  of the bearing element  24  so that it is possible to turn or pivot the control element on the cylindrical extension  40  of the bearing element  23  as indicated by the arrows  42 . In the embodiment illustrated, the actuation element  18  is actuated using the thumb placed in the depression  22 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the circular abutment ring  32  of the bearing element  24  is provided with two switching tabs  44  extending into the actuation element  18 . For this purpose, a side wall  46  of the actuation element  18  is provided with slots  48 . 
     In the area forming the switching depression  22 , a switching element  50  ( FIG. 5 ) is arranged that is made of a softer plastic material, for instance. Further switching elements  52  are arranged in the circumferential direction along the outer side of a housing  54  forming the actuation element  18 . The switching elements  52  are arranged in various recesses  56  in the housing  54  and can be pushed inward for switching. The switching elements  52  are configured, for example, as a main switch, a light switch and a mode switch for the control of a bicycle computer. 
     Inside the housing  54 , a plurality of membrane buttons  60  is provided that are interconnected by a conductor path  58 . In particular, the membrane buttons  60  are integrated into the conductor path  58 , as is seen best in  FIG. 6 . Corresponding to the switching elements  52 , the conductor path  58 , together with the membrane buttons  60 , extends in the circumferential direction of the housing  54 . Two membrane buttons  60  are also arranged in the area opposite the switching depression  22 , the switching tabs  44  acting on these buttons when the actuation element  18  is turned. 
     The conductor path  58  with the integrated membrane buttons  60  is strip-shaped so that all membrane buttons  60  are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction. The conductor path  58  is connected with a connector board  62  which, in a preferred embodiment, is connected with the wire  20  by a six-pin plug. The conductor path is placed into the housing  54 , with the individual membrane buttons  60  being fixed by pins  64  that are in particular formed integrally with the housing. By pushing a switching element  52  so designed, the membrane button correspondingly arranged in the housing under the switching element  52  is actuated and a corresponding electric signal is generated or an electric contact is made. 
     Turning the actuation element  18  causes a turning of the conductor path  58  connected with the actuation element  18 . Thereby, one of the two membrane buttons  60  gets into contact with one of the two switching tabs  44 , the switching tabs  44  being stationary because of their connection with the bearing element  24 . Thereby, an electric contact can be established and a corresponding switching signal can be generated. 
     All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the full extent to which the incorporation is not inconsistent with the express teachings herein. 
     Although the disclosure has been described and illustrated with reference to specific illustrative embodiments thereof, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited to those illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims that follow. It is therefore intended to include within the disclosure all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.