Patent Publication Number: US-2021188393-A1

Title: Bicycle electronic control device and system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Traditional hand actuated control devices such as shifters and/or brake levers for bicycles and other handlebar-steerable vehicles may include levers and/or other mechanisms attached to handlebars of a bicycle. These mechanisms are configured to control various types of mechanical or electromechanical bicycle components, such as drive system components, braking components, and/or suspension components. Traditional levers or other devices may be specifically designed for particularly configured handlebar orientations and/or particular placement within a handlebar orientation. Further, the traditional mechanisms may include bulky parts or assemblies that are not easily placed in alternate positions throughout handlebar orientations, or in other locations of the bicycle. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, an electronic control device for a bicycle comprises a housing, a planar printed circuit board (“PCB”) within the housing, and a power source within the housing. The planar PCB has a substrate and circuitry attached to the substrate; the substrate has a thickness. A plane extends throughout the thickness of the substrate and intersects the power source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right-side elevational view of a bicycle according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the handlebar assembly including an example of the electronic control devices in communication with a component of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A-3B  are additional views of the handlebar assembly of  FIG. 1  including examples of the electronic control devices in different locations on the handlebar assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an electronic control device according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a sectional view of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4  taken along cross section A-A as seen in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is an enlarged view of detail B seen in  FIG. 7A  of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4  taken along cross section A-A as seen in  FIG. 6 , where a button  120  is in an actuated position; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a printed circuit board assembly (“PCB”) and a power source of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the PCB of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the PCB and the power source of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom view and a side view of the power source of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view and a side view of an antenna of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom view of a PCB of an electronic control device according to one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 16  is a section view of an electronic control device according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, wherein similar or identical structures have similar reference numerals. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides examples of bicycle electronic control devices that solve or improve upon one or more of the above-noted and/or other disadvantages with prior known mechanical and electrical control devices. An electronic control device may be configured to be integrated, or coupled, with a bicycle to control bicycle components. The electronic control device may communicate wirelessly with bicycle components to trigger an action when actuated. The electronic control device may be dimensioned to have a mating surface contoured to matingly engage a tubular or otherwise curved surface of a bicycle, such as a handlebar. The electronic control device may also be dimensioned to have a compact and/or concealed appearance aided by a low profile relative to the bicycle mounting surface. For example, the electronic control device may include a printed circuit board assembly (“PCB”), a power source, and antenna intersecting a plane defined by a thickness of a substrate of the PCB to facilitate a reduction of a height and/or length dimensions of the electronic control device. The antenna of the electronic control device may be strategically placed to increase the surface area of the antenna while adding no or marginal height to the PCB. The height of the antenna is equal to or greater than the thickness of the substrate. In an embodiment, the height of the antenna is less than the thickness of the substrate. The electronic control device may be used with other control devices to control bicycle components. 
     Various embodiments of the invention will be described herein with reference to the drawings. It will be understood that the drawings and the description set out herein are provided for illustration only and do not limit the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto and any and all their equivalents. For example, the terms “first” and “second”, “front” and “rear”, “left” and “right” are used for the sake of clarity and not as terms of limitation. Moreover, the terms referred to bicycle mechanisms conventionally mounted to a bicycle and with the bicycle orientated and used in a standard fashion unless otherwise indicated. 
       FIG. 1  generally illustrates a bicycle  10 , which may be used to implement one or more electronic control devices disclosed herein. The bicycle  10  includes a frame  12 , front and rear wheels  18 ,  20  rotatably attached to the frame  12 , and a drivetrain  40 . A front and/or forward riding direction or orientation of the bicycle  10  is indicated by the direction of the arrow F in  FIG. 1 . As such, a forward direction for the bicycle  10  is indicated by the direction of arrow F. 
     A front brake  22  is provided for braking the front wheel  18  and a rear brake  24  is provided for braking the rear wheel  20 . The bicycle  10  also includes a seat or saddle  14  near a rear end of the frame  12  attached to a seat post  16  connected to the frame  12 . The drivetrain  40  includes a chain  42 , a front crank assembly  28  including crank arms  48 , one or more chainrings  52 , a front derailleur  56  attached to a seat tube  26  of the frame  12 , and pedals  50 . The drivetrain  40  further includes a rear derailleur  54  and a rear sprocket assembly  44  coaxially mounted to the rear wheel  20  via a hub  46 . A handlebar assembly  30  is attached to a forward end of the frame  12  for user, or rider, to control the bicycle  10 . The handlebar assembly  30  may include handlebars  32 , shifter hoods  34 , shift leavers  38 , and an electronic control device  100 . The handlebar assembly  30  may also include a brake lever  36  that is configured to operate the front brake  22 . The rear brake  24  is operated by a brake lever (not shown) also located on the handlebar assembly  30 . 
     In this example, there are two chainrings  52 , F 1  and F 2 , each having teeth around a respective circumference. The number of teeth on the smaller diameter front sprocket F 2  of the chainring  52  may be less than the number of teeth on the larger diameter sprocket F 1 . A front derailleur  56  may be operated to move from a first operating position to a second operating position to move the chain  42  between the front sprockets F 1  and F 2 . 
     In an alternate example, the drivetrain  40  may involve only a single sprocket on a front chainring  52 , and as such may not include a front derailleur, such as front derailleur  56 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the rear sprocket assembly  44  may include a plurality (e.g., eleven) of coaxially mounted gears, cogs, or sprockets. Each sprocket also has teeth arranged around a respective circumference. The numbers of teeth on the rear sprockets may gradually decrease from the largest diameter rear sprocket to the smallest diameter sprocket. The rear derailleur  54  may be operable to move between different operating positions to switch the chain  42  to a selected one of the rear sprockets. 
     The rear derailleur  54  is depicted in these examples as a wireless, electrically actuated rear derailleur mounted or mountable to the frame  12 , or frame attachment, of the bicycle  10 . The electric rear derailleur  54  has a base member  90  (e.g., a b-knuckle) that is mounted to the bicycle frame  12 . A linkage  92  has two links L that are pivotally connected to the base member  90  at a base member linkage connection portion. A movable member  94  (e.g., a p-knuckle) is connected to the linkage  92 . A chain guide assembly  96  (e.g., a cage) is configured to engage and maintain tension in the chain and is pivotally connected to a part of the movable member  94 . The cage  96  may rotate or pivot about a cage rotation axis in a damping direction and a chain tensioning direction. 
     In an alternate example, the rear sprocket assembly  44  may have more or fewer sprockets. For example, in an embodiment, a rear sprocket assembly  44  may have twelve or thirteen sprockets. Dimensions and configuration of the rear derailleur  54  may be modified to accommodate a specific implemented plurality of sprockets. For example, an angle and length of the linkage  92  and/or the configuration of the cage  96  of the rear derailleur  54  may be modified to accommodate specific sprocket combinations. 
     Returning to the example rear derailleur  54  of  FIG. 1 , a motor module  97  is carried on the rear derailleur  54  and has a powers source, such as a battery  98 . The battery  98  supplies power to the motor module  97 . In one example, the motor module  97  is located on the movable member  94 . However, the motor module  97  may be located elsewhere on the rear derailleur  54 . The motor module  97  may include a gear mechanism or transmission. The motor module  97  and gear mechanism may be coupled with the linkage  92  to laterally move the cage  96  and thus switch the chain  42  among the rear sprockets on the rear sprocket assembly  44 . 
     The battery  98  may instead be an alternate power supply or power source and may operate other electric components of the bicycle  10  within a linked system. Further, multiple power supplies may be provided, which may collectively or individually power the electric components of the system, including the rear derailleur  54 , such as a drive motor for an embodiment involving an electrically powered bicycle. Additional batteries or other power supplies may be attached to the derailleur or located at other positions, such as the frame  12 . In this example, the battery  98  is configured to be attached directly to the rear derailleur  54 , and to provide power only to the components of the rear derailleur  54 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an electronic control device  100  is mounted to the handlebars  32  for wirelessly actuating the motor module  97  and operating the rear derailleur  54  for executing gear changes and gear selection. Multiple electronic control devices  100  may be used with the bicycle  10 . The electronic control device  100  is configured to actuate or otherwise control components of the bicycle  10 . For example, the electronic control device  100  may be configured to control gear shifting of the front derailleur  56  and/or the rear derailleur  54 . The electronic control device  100  may also be configured to control characteristics of other bicycle components, such as a seat post  16  or a suspension system (not shown). Additionally, the electronic control device  100  may be configured to control pairing (of the electronic control device  100  with bicycle components or other devices) or adjust an operational mode. 
     In other embodiments, the electronic control device  100  may be placed on other locations of the bicycle  10 . The electronic control device  100  may also be situated on locations other than on the bicycle  10 , such as, for example, on a rider&#39;s wrist or in a jersey pocket. The electronic control device  100  may include a processor, communication device (e.g., a wireless communication device), a memory, and one or more communication interfaces. 
     While the illustrated bicycle  10  is a road bike, the present disclosure has applications to bicycles of any type, including fully or partially suspensioned mountain bikes and others, as well as bicycles with mechanical (e.g., cable, hydraulic, pneumatic) and non-mechanical (e.g., wired, wireless) drive systems. For example, the illustrated handlebar assembly  30  involves a drop bar configuration, however, the control device  100  may be used with other types of handlebar assemblies as well, such as aero-bar configurations, bullhorn bars, riser bars, or any other type of bicycle handlebar. Also, while the embodiments described herein describe electronic control devices attached to handlebars, a person having experience in the art would recognize the possible positioning of the electronic control devices  100  at other areas of a bicycle, such as locations throughout the frame  12 . 
     It is to be understood that the specific arrangement and illustrated components of the frame  12 , the front wheel  18 , the rear wheel  20 , the drivetrain  40 , the front brake  22 , and the rear brake  24  are nonlimiting to the disclosed embodiments. For example, while the front brake  22  and the rear brake  24  are illustrated as hydraulic rim brakes, hydraulic disc brakes are contemplated and encompassed within the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, mechanical systems including mechanical rim brakes and mechanical disk brakes, as well as other electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems, or combinations thereof, such as suspension systems, are contemplated and encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  is a view of the electronic control devices  100  on the handlebar assembly  30  in communication with the rear derailleur  54 . All directional reference in the description of the embodiments in  FIGS. 2-3B  are relative to a forward direction indicated by the arrow F of the bicycle  10  in  FIG. 1 . The handlebar assembly  30  as shown is a drop-bar assembly which includes a right straight portion  72  and a left straight portion  74  located to the right and left, respectively, of a center  70  of the handlebar  32 . A rightmost end of the right straight portion  72  is connected to a right drop portion  76  that curls downward and then away from a forward direction F of the bicycle  10 . A leftmost end of the left straight portion  74  is connected to a left drop portion  78  that curls downward and then away from the forward direction F of the bicycle  10 . In this example, the electronic control devices  100  are located on a right inside surface  66  of the right drop portion  76  and a left inside surface  68  of the left drop portion  78 . The electronic control devices  100  include buttons  120  to be pressed by a rider of the bicycle  10 . When actuated by the rider, the electronic control devices  100  wirelessly operate the rear derailleur  54  for executing gear changes and gear selection. For example, an actuation of the electronic control device  100  on the left drop portion  78  of the handlebar  32  by the rider of the bicycle  10  shifts the rear derailleur  54  inwards towards the bicycle  10 . An actuation of the electronic control device  100  on the right drop portion  76  of the handlebar  32  by the rider of the bicycle  10  shifts the rear derailleur  54  outwards away from the bicycle  10 . In other embodiments, the electronic control devices  100  may perform different functions. For example, the electronic control devices may shift the front derailleur  56  or adjust the seat post  16 . 
     In this example, the electronic control devices  100  are oriented with buttons  120  being downwards or away from the right straight portion  72  and the left straight portion  74  of the handlebars  32 . This may be beneficial for a rider with hands gripping the left drop portion  78  and the right drop portion  76  of the handlebars  32 , such as when the rider is sprinting, so that the rider&#39;s thumbs may easily actuate the buttons  120 . In an alternate example, the electronic control devices  100  may be flipped such that buttons  120  may be oriented upwards or closer to the right straight portion  72  and the left straight portion  74  of the handlebars  32 . Further, the electronic control devices  100  may be located on different areas of the handlebars  32  or on the bicycle  10  with any variety of orientations. For example,  FIGS. 3A-3B  show the handlebar assembly  30  with the electronic control devices  100  placed in varying locations and orientations. In  FIG. 3A , the electronic control devices  100  are located on a right outside surface  82  of the right drop portion  76  and a left outside surface  84  of the left drop portion  78 . In the example shown in  FIG. 3A , the electronic control devices  100  are oriented with the buttons  120  downward or away from the right straight portion  72  and the left straight portion  74  of the handlebars  32 . 
     In  FIG. 3B , the electronic control devices  100  are located on a right top surface  86  of the right straight portion  72  and a left top surface  88  of the left straight portion  74  of the handlebars  32 . In the example, the electronic control devices  100  are oriented with buttons  120  towards to the center  70  of the handlebars  32 . 
     As noted previously, the electronic control devices  100  may be oriented in any direction and on any portion of the handlebar  32  or the bicycle  10 . In an alternate embodiment, there may be more or less than two electronic control devices  100  on the bicycle  10 . Further, the electronic control devices  100  may be fully or partially covered by handlebar tape. The handlebar tape may be used to secure the electronic control devices  100  to the handlebars  32 . Alternatively, the control devices  100  may include securing features (not shown) to secure the electronic control devices to the handlebars  32 . For example, the securing features may include a mounting bracket or contours to matingly engage with an accessory mounting bracket, straps/bands, fasteners, double sided tape, etc. that secure the electronic control devices  100  to the bicycle  10 . 
       FIGS. 4-6  are varying perspective views of the electronic control device  100  according to one embodiment.  FIG. 4  depicts a housing  102  having a top surface  104  connected to a rounded edge  106 . The rounded edge  106  connects to a sidewall  108 . The housing  102  also includes a bottom surface  146  (not shown). The housing  102  includes a first end  110  and a second end  112 . A flat portion  114  of the sidewall  108  connects to a front curve  116  of the housing  102  at the first end  110  and a rear curve  118  of the housing  102  at the second end  112 . The top surface  104  of the housing  102  includes an opening  130  (or relief channel) above which a button  120  is disposed. The button  120  is connected to the top surface  104  of the housing  102  via a hinge  122 . In an embodiment, the housing  102 , the button  120 , and the hinge  122  are integrally formed as a single piece unitary structure. For example, the housing  102 , the button  120 , and the hinge  122  are integrally formed from a single material. The hinge  122  may be a flexible hinge connecting the button  120  and the housing  102 . 
     The button  120  includes an inclined or curved portion  126  connected to the hinge  122  and a flat top portion  124 . The flat top portion  124  is the highest point of the button  120 , or, in other words, the furthest point of the button  120  from the top surface  104  of the housing  102 . The button  120  additionally includes a free end  128  opposite the end connected to the hinge  122 . The free end  128  may act as a cantilever and may dip slightly into the opening  130  when a force is applied on the button  120 . In the example, the opening  130  is slightly larger than the button  120  in order to allow the button  120  to move freely into and out of the opening  130 . 
     In an alternate example, the opening  130  may be larger or smaller depending on the method employed to prevent the ingress of water, oil, dirt, etc. through the opening or onto components within the housing  102 . 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the electronic control device  100 .  FIG. 5  depicts the housing  102  of the electronic control device  100  having a bottom surface  146 . The housing  102  may have extended sides  133  to provide a rounded surface  135  contoured to a mounting surface of the bicycle  10 . The bottom surface  146  may be attached to the rounded surface  135  of the housing  102 , matching its shape, and includes a mating surface  132  configured to matingly engage the mounting surface of the bicycle  10 . For example, the mounting surface (e.g., the handlebars  32 ) of the bicycle  10  may be curved and the mating surface  132  of the bottom surface  146  and/or the rounded surface  135  may be contoured to fully or partially match the curve of the bicycle surface. In the example, the curve of the rounded surface  135  and the bottom surface  146  extends along the entirety of the rounded surface  135  and the bottom surface  146 . In an alternate embodiment, the curve of the rounded surface  135  and the bottom surface  146  extends less than the entirety of the rounded surface  135  and the bottom surface  146 . 
     In a further alternate example, the bottom surface  146  and the rounded surface  135  may be the same surface. In an additional alternate example, the bottom surface  146  and the rounded surface  135  may include additional layers of material between the two surfaces. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the electronic control device  100 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the button  120  is oriented towards the first end  110  of the housing  102 . The curved portion  126  of the button  120  includes a first actuation surface  134 . The flat top portion  124  of the button  120  includes a second actuation surface  136 . A force applied by a user or rider of a bicycle on either the first actuation surface  134  or the second actuation surface  136  causes a downward movement of the button  120 . The downward movement of the button  120  results in a downward displacement of button  120  into the opening  130 . The direction of the force on the first actuation surface  134  and/or the second actuation surface  136  of the button  120  may be a downward force, a force applied towards the first end  110 , or a combination thereof. The button  120  is biased such that after a user ceases applying force on the first actuation surface  134 , the second actuation surface  136 , or both, the button  120  will move upward returning to its resting position. 
     When viewed from above as in  FIG. 6 , the housing  102  is an oval shape, the first end  110  being narrower, or having a smaller radius, than the second end  112 . In the example, this shape of the housing  102  is used to minimize the size of the housing  102  and optimize space by matching the structure of components (a PCB and a power source) within the housing  102 . In alternate embodiments, the housing could have any shape and may be circular, rectangular, or polygonal. Additionally, the button  120  may be any size or shape so long as the housing  102  includes a protrusion, such as the button  120  extending outward from the housing  102  that may be pressed by the rider/user of a bicycle  10 . 
       FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8  provide sectional and detailed views of the electronic control device  100 .  FIG. 7A  is a sectional view along the line A-A seen in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7A  depicts the housing  102  and the button  120 . The button  120  includes an inside surface  160 . The inside surface  160  includes an incline portion  162  curving up towards a protrusion  164  on a first side of the protrusion  164 , and a flat portion  166  on a second side of the protrusion  164 . 
     Inside the housing  102  is a PCB assembly  138  having a substrate  142 . Herein after, the PCB assembly  138  will be referred to as PCB  138 . The orientation and location of the substrate  142  defines a plane P running through the substrate  142 . On a first side of the substrate  142  (the side above the plane P; the side closest to the button  120 ) is a contact (not shown) located on the substrate  142  and an electrical switch  156 . The switch  156  may be a dome switch or, more specifically, a snap dome switch, leaving a dome shaped gap  170  between the switch  156  and the contact (not shown) located on the substrate  142 . In the example, the snap dome switch may be  8 . 5 mm,  10 mm,  12 mm, or  14 mm. Additionally, in the example, the PCB  138  is a planar PCB  138  that may be a system-on-a-chip (SoC) integrated circuit. The SoC may be of the chip-scale package type to achieve a smaller device size. 
     On top of the switch  156  is a gasket  140 . The gasket  140  is used for waterproofing the first side of the PCB  138 . The housing  102  includes a rib  158  on the inside wall of the housing  102  surrounding the button  120 . The rib  158  concentrates force on the gasket  140 . 
     On a second side of the substrate  142  (the side below the plane P; the side furthest from the button  120 ) is circuitry  168 . The circuitry  168  is sealed by a potting material  144  which is covered by the bottom surface  146  of the housing  102 . 
     Within the housing  102  is a power source  150 . As seen in  FIG. 13 , the power source  150  includes a length (diameter) L, a circumference C, and a height H b . The length L of the power source  150  is substantially greater than the height H b  of the power source  150 . For example, the length L of the power source  150  is at least 3× greater than the height H b  of the power source  150 . In the displayed embodiment, the power source  150  is oriented within the housing  102  such that the entire length L of the power source  150  intersects the plane P. On the power source  150  is a top weld tab  152  and a bottom weld tab  154 , which are metal tabs welded to electrical terminals on the power source  150 . The top weld tab  152  and the bottom weld tab  154  are soldered to the substrate  142  of the PCB  138 , electrically connecting the PCB  138  and the power source  150 . 
     The protrusion  164  of button  120  includes a flat surface that interfaces with the gasket  140  above a center of the switch  156 . The button  120 , or the first rigid protrusion, extends a first distance, the first distance being in a direction away from the switch and extending from the top surface  104  of the housing  102  to the flat top portion  124  of the button  120 . The protrusion  164 , or the second rigid protrusion, extends a second distance, the second distance being in a direction towards the switch and extending from the inside surface  160  of the button  120  to the flat surface of the protrusion  164  that contacts the gasket  140 . The first distance is larger than the second distance. Other protrusion configurations may also be used. 
     In a rest state, the protrusion  164  of the button  120  may or may not be in contact with the gasket  140  above the center of the switch  156 . When the button  120  is pressed by a user (as seen in  FIG. 8 ), the force upon the button  120  moves the button  120 , and more specifically the protrusion  164  of the button  120 , downwards onto the gasket  140  causing the dome shaped gap  170  and the switch  156  to become deformed. The switch  156  is actuated when an action is taken configured to cause a signal to be generated. For example, movement of the button  120  may cause a signal to be generated as the surface of the switch  156  touches an electrical contact pattern (not shown) located on the substrate  142 .  FIG. 8  further depicts the control device  100  including a length L cd . 
       FIG. 7B  is an enlarged view of detail B in  FIG. 7A  of the electronic control device  100 .  FIG. 7B  more clearly shows the rib  158  contacting the gasket  140 . In the example, the rib  158  is a continuous bump along the perimeter of the opening  130 , around the button  120 , on the inside wall of the housing  102 . Further,  FIG. 7B  shows the substrate  142  having a thickness t, and an antenna  148  along the perimeter  176  of the substrate  142  located between the substrate  142  and the housing  102 . In the example, forming the antenna  148  along the perimeter  176  of the substrate  142  (see  FIG. 11 ) allows for additional size optimization of the electronic control device  100 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 14 , the antenna  148  has a height H a . In the example, the height H a  of the antenna  148  is about equal or marginally greater than to the thickness t of the substrate  142 . Alternatively, the height H a  of the antenna  148  may be less than the thickness t of the substrate  142 . 
     Further,  FIG. 14  depicts an example shape of the antenna  148  as it runs along the perimeter of the substrate  142 . The antenna  148  may have a straight portion  192 , having a length L ant , and a curved portion  194 , having a circumference or distance around the curve D ant . The curved portion  194  may have radius R. The radius R may not be consistent, and therefore the radius R may vary along the curved portion  194  of the of the antenna  148 . In the example, the antenna  148  may be of the discrete chip type, or preferably a section of a plated conductive material, such as copper, known as a trace antenna. A trace antenna may implement an Inverted F Antenna (IFA) design. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the electronic control device  100 . A housing  102  and a button  120  are integrally formed together creating a hinge point/line  122  where the button  120  will flex when a force is applied onto the button  120 . The hinge point  122  may be a living hinge and formed as an integral part with, and/or from the same material as, the two rigid pieces it connects. 
     The gasket  140  covers the PCB  138  which includes a switch  156  on the substrate  142 . An antenna  148  extends around a perimeter of the PCB  138 . The plane P will intersect the antenna  148  as the plane P is defined by the orientation and location of the substrate  142 . A top weld tab  152  and a bottom weld tab  154  secure the power source  150  to the PCB  138 . The connected PCB  138  and power source  150  are placed into the housing  102  and then covered by potting material  144 . The potting material  144  is in turn covered by a bottom surface  146 , and the bottom surface  146  interfaces with a mounting surface of a bicycle  10 . 
     The gasket  140  may be used as a seal and may be made of rubber, silicone, santoprene, santoprene thermoplastic vulcanizate (“Santoprene TPV”), or silicone to protect the PCB  138  from moisture and debris entering the opening  130 . The gasket  140  may be a thickness between 0.005 and 0.050 inches. Preferably, the thickness of the gasket  140  may be approximately 0.020 inches. 
     The housing  102  and the button  120  may be constructed of any material operable to provide for the protection of the internal components, as well as able to operate as a hinge. For example, nylon or plastics such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or polypropylene may be used. In an example, the housing  102 , the button  120 , and the hinge  122  are constructed of a thin walled plastic. Additionally, the circuitry  168  may communicate signals wirelessly from the electronic control device  100  to external devices on the bicycle  10  or external to the bicycle  10 . Therefore, the housing  102  and the button  120  may be made of a material that is radio frequency (“RF”) transparent, such as a plastic or other material. 
     In the illustrated example, the housing  102  and the button  120  are constructed from a different material than the bottom surface  146 . For example, the bottom surface  146  may be a material such as a rubber, or a double-sided adhesive tape, for example a foam adhesive tape, that may be used to secure the electronic control device  100  to the bicycle  10 . In an alternate embodiment, the bottom surface  146  may be made of the same material as the housing  102 . 
     The antenna  148  may be laminated, bonded, or edge plated onto the substrate  142 . A feed line for the antenna  148  (see  FIG. 15 ) is normally arranged with a micro-strip line from a radio module. In the example, the antenna  148  may be formed and/or disposed on or along the perimeter  176  of the substrate  142  (see  FIG. 11 ). Forming the antenna  148  may be accomplished using edge plating techniques. The substrate  142  may include traces or vias (not shown) connecting the switch  156  to the circuitry  168  of the substrate  142 , such as to a radio. The radio may be within a processor  174 . The radio and processor  174  include software code or programming configured to receive inputs from actuations of the switch  156  and convert those inputs into data to be wirelessly communicated. 
     The antenna  148  and the processor  174  including the radio may be configured to generate a signal to communicate with one or more components on the bicycle  10 . The signal may be configured to be operable to change a physical state of the bicycle  10 . In other words, the antenna  148  and processor  174  including the radio are configured to communicate with a network internal to the bicycle  10 . For example, the antenna  148  and processor  174  including the radio are configured to communicate using an AXS Network wireless communication protocol. In one example, the antenna  148  and the radio may communicate with the rear derailleur  54  to shift gears. The antenna  148  and the radio are also configured to communicate with parts and/or network(s) external to the bicycle  10 . For example, the antenna  148  and radio may communicate control signals wirelessly using any technique, protocol, or standard, such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) 802.11 standards, IEEE 802.15.4, IEEE 802.15.1, BLUETOOTH® or BLUETOOTH ® low energy standards, and/or ANT™ or ANT+™ standards may be used (e.g., to communicate with a mobile device). 
     In the embodiment, the power source  150  is permanently affixed to the PCB  138 . The top weld tab  152  and the bottom weld tab  154  may be made of a conductive material, such as nickel, copper, tungsten, etc., used for connecting the power source  150  to the substrate  142 . A volume of electrically conductive bonding material, for example a fusible metal alloy such as tin, lead, brass, or silver-based solder, is disposed between the surface of the substrate  142  and the top weld tab  152  and the bottom weld tab  154 . Therefore, the power source  150  is communicatively coupled to circuitry  168  of the PCB  138   
     In an alternate embodiment, the PCB  138  and the power source  150  may not be soldered together. Rather, the PCB  138  and the power source  150  may be electrically connected using any known method, such as tabs from the PCB  138  applying a clamping or spring force on the power source  150 . 
     The power source  150  may be a battery such as a device having of two or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. The power source  150  may include a combination of multiple batteries or other power providing devices. Specially fitted or configured battery types, or standard battery types (e.g., a disk shaped/coin-cell battery) such as a form factor of CR 2012, CR 2016, CR 1632, and/or CR 2032 may be used. 
     The potting material  144  may be any type of potting material. For example, plastic, silicone, or epoxy resin may be used for potting. By using potting material  144 , the power source  150  may be permanently attached to the PCB assembly  138 , and therefore the power source  150  may not be replaceable. This may be beneficial to achieve a small device size. The energy contained within the power source  150  may be enough to meet or exceed the mechanical life of the electronic control device  100 . 
       FIGS. 10-12  are varying views of the PCB  138  and/or power source  150 .  FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of the PCB  138  and the power source  150  of the electronic control device  100 . As previously mentioned, the switch  156  is disposed on the first side of the substrate  142  and the circuitry  168  is disposed on the second side of the substrate  142 . In  FIGS. 10-12  the PCB  138  is oriented to show the second side of the substrate  142 . 
     The circuitry  168  includes a processor  174  and other various passive or active electrical components (e.g., capacitors, transistors, etc.). The processor  174  includes a radio running in the frequency range of 3 kHz to 2.4 GHz. For example, the processor  174  may be a microprocessor including a 2.4 GHz radio. The radio in processor  174  connects to the antenna  148  to wirelessly transmit information. In the example, the antenna  148  extends partially around a rounded end  183  of the PCB  138 . The power source  150 , shown as a coin-cell battery in  FIG. 10 , is secured to the substrate  142  through the top weld tab  152  and the bottom weld tab  154 . 
     The substrate  142  operates to connect and/or provide structure for the circuitry  168  and components attached to the PCB  138 . The substrate  142  may be flexible or rigid. In an embodiment, the substrate  142  is a rigid substrate providing a durable basis for the PCB  138 . The substrate  142  is formed to provide a planar shape of the PCB  138  that optimizes the size of the electronic control device  100 . Additionally, the PCB  138  may be Chip Scale Package (CSP) to further optimize size. The substrate  142  may be any substance operable to form the underlying attachment of the PCB components. For example, silicon, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, sapphire, germanium, gallium arsenide (“GaAs”), an alloy of silicon and germanium, or indium phosphide (“InP”), may be used. 
     As seen in  FIG. 11 , the substrate  142  includes a perimeter  176  that outlines a border of the substrate  142 . The perimeter  176  includes a curved edge  178  at an interface end  180  of the substrate  142 . At the opposite end, the substrate  142  includes a rounded end  183 . The perimeter  176  may include one or more protruding features. The protruding features may form a recess  196  with the curved edge  178  of the perimeter  176 . The protruding features may include tips  182   a  and  182   b.  The tips  182   a  and  182   b  define a boundary  186 . The area between the boundary  186  and the centermost point  184  forms the space or recess  196 . The power source  150  fits into the recess  196  formed at the interface end  180  of the PCB  138 . The power source  150  occupies most of the recess  196  when the electronic control device  100  is assembled. 
     In the example of  FIG. 11 , the tips  182   a  and  182   b  are identical in shape. In an alternate embodiment, the tips  182   a  and  182   b  are not identical and can take on variety of shapes or sizes depending on a variety of factors, such as the shape of the housing  102 , the shape of the power source  150 , the shape of the PCB  138 , etc. Further, in the present example, the recess  196  looks like a half or partial circle. In an alternate embodiment, the recess  196  may be any shape so long as the recess  196  fills a void in the PCB  138 . 
     The curved edge  178  of the substrate  142  allows the length (e.g., the length L cd  as seen in  FIG. 8 ) of the electronic control device  100  to be optimized as part of the power source  150  is received within the PCB  138 . This may allow for the length of the electronic control device to be less than if the substrate  142  did not include the curved edge  178 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the power source  150  and the PCB  138  secured within the housing  102  of the electronic control device  100 . The housing  102  includes ramps  188  to hold the PCB  138  in place. During assembly, the power source  150  and the PCB  138  are inserted into the housing  102  and pressed over ramps  188  to secure the PCB  138  within the housing  102 . The housing  102  additionally includes alignment features  190  that may aid in securely holding the power source  150  in place. 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of a PCB  238  of an electronic control device  200  according to one embodiment. The example of the PCB  238  shown in  FIG. 15  differs from the example shown in  FIGS. 7A-12  in that the antenna  248  has a different shape than the antenna  148  in  FIGS. 7A-12 . The antenna  248  may extend partially or wholly around the perimeter  176  of the PCB  238 , following the rounded end  183  of the PCB  238 , as needed to increase or decrease the surface area of the antenna  248 . In the embodiments, although the antenna  248  and  148  are disclosed as being located along the perimeter of the PCB  238  and  138 , the antennas  248  and  148  can be located anywhere on the PCBs  238  and  138 . The antenna trace length on the PCB  238  will determine the resonant frequency of the antenna  248 . The shorter the trace length, the higher the frequency will be. Larger antennas may have higher theoretical maximum efficiencies. Antennas with higher theoretical maximum efficiencies may require a larger clearance area (e.g., a distance to an edge of the substrate) compared to antennas having lower theoretical maximum efficiencies. However, chip surface antennas, or trace antennas, may provide sufficient antenna performance without requiring a very large clearance area. 
       FIG. 15  discloses in more detail the connection between the antenna  248  and the processor  174  (the processor  174  including a radio). An antenna connection  203  and antenna feed line  205  connect the antenna  248  to the processor  174 . A space  201  is reserved as a ground clearance for the antenna  248 , and therefore the space  201  is a ground free area on the PCB  238 . The remainder of the PCB  238  and/or power source  150  may act as a ground plane for the antenna  248 . Between the processor  174  and the antenna  248  will be a filter matching the impedance of the processor  174  to the antenna  248 . In an example, it is desirable to have the antenna  248  as close as possible to the processor  174 . A ground plane may be an area of metallic foil (e.g., such as copper) having good conductivity. A ground plane may be flat or nearly flat horizontal conducting surface that serves as part of an antenna, to reflect the radio waves from the other antenna elements. A ground plane shape and size may play major roles in determining an antenna&#39;s radiation characteristics including gain. 
       FIG. 16  is a section view of an electronic control device  300  according to one embodiment. The example electronic control device  300  differs from the examples shown in  FIGS. 4-12  because the rib  158  and the gasket  140  are not included in the electronic control device  300 . Instead, a sealing element  301  is included. The sealing element  301  may be formed of a compliant material. The sealing element  301  has the necessary flexibility to allow the button  120  to dip and rise freely but prevents the ingress of debris and moisture through the opening  130 . The sealing element  301  may be formed as a co-molded bellows surrounding the button  120 , rubber, silicone (e.g., formed by a liquid silicone resin process), TPE (e.g., Santoprene or Santoprene TPV), plastic material adhered between the button  120  and the housing  102 , etc. In the example of  FIG. 16 , the switch  156  may be secured to the substrate  142  using a thin tape, or other common adhesive means. In an alternate embodiment, the rib  158  and the gasket  140  may be used in combination with the sealing element  301 . 
     Returning to  FIGS. 10-12 , the circuitry  168  and processor  174  may be used alone or in combination to communicate with and control bicycle components. The processor  174  or circuitry  168  may include a memory and transmitter, receiver or transceiver. 
     The processor  174  may include a general processor/microprocessor, digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), analog circuit, digital circuit, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed processor. The processor  174  may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as through shared or parallel processing. 
     The memory may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The memory may include one or more of a read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, an electronic erasable program read only memory (EEPROM), or other type of memory. The memory may be a secure digital (SD) memory card. In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. 
     The memory is a non-transitory computer-readable medium and is described to be a single medium. However, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed memory structure, and/or associated caches that are operable to store one or more sets of instructions and other data. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein. 
     In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
     The electronic control device  100  is configured to send data such as control signals and/or commands to bicycle components. The electronic control device  100  provides for wireless communications in any now known or later developed format. Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, HTTPS) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein are considered equivalents thereof. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented with software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein. 
     A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). 
     As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ or ‘circuit’ refers to all of the following: (a)hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. 
     This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile computing device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device. 
     Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also includes, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio player, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a receiver  310  to name just a few. Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry. 
     The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of the invention. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. 
     Similarly, while operations and/or acts are depicted in the drawings and described herein in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that any described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
     One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, are apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter. 
     It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that the following claims including all equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention. The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.