DE102016010148B4 - Electric bicycle as pedelec with mid-engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric bicycle pedelec with a central motor (12), with a Pedelecrahmen (1) of a main frame (2) and a rear frame (8), wherein the rear frame (8) for supporting a rear wheel has a rear fork (9) as a rocker , and wherein the center motor (12) in the connection region between the down tube (4) and seat tube (6) is arranged. According to the invention, the rear triangle (8) has a rear suspension in such a way that the rear fork (9) protrudes as a rocker approximately horizontally freely without further support by seat stays from the main frame (2), and the rear fork (9) two chain stays (10a, 10b) guided side by side. has, which are fixedly connected to a motor carrier (11). The engine mount (11) is pivotally connected to the main frame (2) in the region of a nodal point between the seat tube (6) and down tube (4) with a pivot bearing (16) with an elastomer-metal bushing (18). The inner part (19) of the elastomer-metal bushing (18) is connected to the engine mount (11) and this with the center motor (12) to a motor-swing unit (15), so that during compression or rebound of the rear wheel Swivel movement molecular and resilient resetting in the elastomeric material of the pivot bearing (16) is added. Between the engine mount (11) and the main frame (2), a rear fork support means (27) with at least one damper element as elastomer package (32a, 32b) is also arranged.

Description

The invention relates to an electric bicycle pedelec with a mid-engine according to the preamble of claim 1.

A pedelec (the term is formed from parts of words pedal electric cycle) is an embodiment of an electric bicycle, in which the driver is supported by an electric drive only if he also pedaling at the same time. Pedelecs are known with different electric drive arrangements. However, a large part of the pedelecs is equipped with so-called center motors, wherein the required batteries can be arranged on frame parts or luggage carriers.

A well-known common pedelec has a pedelec frame of a main frame and a rear triangle. The main frame as a so-called diamond frame consists of a top tube, a down tube, a seat tube and a head tube. The rear suspension for supporting a rear wheel has a lower rear fork as a swingarm with chain stays and an upper rear fork with seat stays on.

The center motor as a motor unit has a motor housing, in which a bottom bracket lying transverse to the direction of travel is integrated for bilateral connection of cranks of a crank mechanism. Further, in the motor housing, a pedaling supporting electric motor, a sensor for a crank motion detection and control electronics are included. The center motor is arranged with its motor housing in the connecting region between down tube and seat tube.

Since a Pedelecrahmen must withstand greater loads compared to a bicycle frame of an exclusive powered by muscle power especially by the weight of the electric motor and the battery, pedelec frames are comparatively stable and heavy. Therefore, without additional suspension measures road-induced vibrations, for example, when driving on rough asphalt or when driving over bumps in the road are no longer sufficiently absorbed by the frame and attachments, but largely transmitted directly to the driver. Such loads let a driver tire relatively quickly and it can lead to negative influences on driving behavior at higher speeds.

Suspension systems on bicycles and on pedelecs are well known in various designs for seat posts, front forks and rear suspensions. Well-known rear suspension mountings have a lower rear fork formed as a rocker, which is connected in a vertical plane pivotally connected to a main frame, wherein at the rear end of the rocker the rear wheel via its hub with a clamping and / or screwing system can be fastened. Further, it is known to support such a rocker via a multi-part formed rear fork assembly by means of spring and damper elements on an upper main frame area. Depending on the embodiment, the spring and damper elements can be arranged lying or standing to the longitudinal direction of the bicycle. A circular movement, which describes a lower rear fork as a rocker during compression, is thereby converted via an articulated lever and bridge assembly in a straight-line movement as possible. In order to enable the change in angle occurring between the components during a deflection, industrial bearings are pressed into the respective articulation points as ball bearings or sliding bearings, which are subject to very high wear due to external influences and at the relatively low angles of rotation and therefore must be replaced frequently. A higher ride comfort or possibly a sporting use are thus bought here by a high maintenance. In addition, the associated rear end constructions are relatively complex and therefore lead to their use in pedelecs to expensive, heavy and maintenance-intensive Pedelecrahmen.

Another disadvantage of many known Hinterbufederungen is that during compression relatively large changes in distance between a bottom bracket and a rear hub occur, which can lead to switching errors in derailleurs. In addition, the use of low-maintenance hub gears and belt drives is not possible. Further, unpleasant, larger seat height changes may be associated with compression.

A generic, known pedelec ( WO 2010/124 742 A1 ) comprises a frame of a main frame and a rear frame, wherein the main frame as a so-called diamond frame consists of a top tube, a down tube, a seat tube and a head tube. The rear suspension has a rear fork for supporting a rear wheel as a rocker with chain stays. The center motor as a motor unit has a motor housing, in which a transverse to the direction of bottom bracket is integrated for two-sided connection of cranks of a crank mechanism and in which further include a pedaling supporting electric motor, a sensor for a crank motion detection and control electronics, wherein the center motor with his motor housing is arranged in the connecting region between down tube and seat tube. In addition, the rear suspension has a rear suspension in such a way that the rear fork as a rocker without further support by seatstays approximately horizontally protrudes freely from the main frame, and the rear fork has two side by side guided chain stays, which are firmly connected to a motor carrier. The engine mount is pivotally connected to the main frame in the region of a nodal point between the seat tube and down tube with a pivot bearing. The pivot bearing consists of a frame-side, transverse to the direction of travel, cylindrical receiving eye, with an inner part of the pivot bearing is firmly connected to the motor carrier and also the center motor with the motor carrier is firmly connected to a motor-swing unit, so that during compression the rear wheel pivotal movement of the motor-swing unit (15) takes place in the pivot bearing, and that between the engine mount and the main frame a rear fork support means is arranged with at least one damper element such that at a static load and / or dynamic load during compression or Rebounding of the rear wheel, the rear fork support means of the associated pivotal movement resists acting as a compression spring or pressure push spring.

In addition, in a bicycle storage of a free-standing rear fork-swingarm by means of an elastomer-metal bushing and an elastomeric block is known ( GB 1 101 442 A1 ). Next is a conventional storage of a drive rocker a bicycle with hybrid drive known ( DE 43 44 008 A1 ).

In a known storage of a lower rear fork ( DE 10 2014 107 558 A1 ) is an elastomer-metal bushing used as a slot bushing.

Next is a cross member for receiving a receiving eye between the seat tube and down tube known ( DE 10 2013 216 826 A1 ).

The object of the invention is to propose a development of a generic pedelec with mid-engine with a simple and inexpensive built Hinterbaufederung that is maintenance-free with high ride comfort. This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to claim 1, the rear of the Pedelecrahmens a Hinterbaufederung in such a way that the rear fork as a rocker without further support by seat struts approximately horizontally protrudes freely from the main frame and the rear fork consists of two side by side chainstays, which are firmly connected via a motor carrier. The engine mount is pivotally connected to the main frame in the region of a node between the seat tube and down tube with a pivot bearing.

The pivot bearing consists of a frame-side, transverse to the direction of travel, cylindrical receiving eye, in which an elastomer-metal bushing with a stable inner part and at least one inner part at least partially annular and rotationally surrounding elastomer body is biased against rotation in the receiving eye pressed.

The inner part is firmly connected to the engine mount and the center motor is also firmly connected to the engine mount to a motor-swing unit. During compression of the rear wheel thus a pivoting movement of the motor-swing unit is performed in the pivot bearing, which is molecularly and resiliently resuming absorbed in the elastomeric material of the pivot bearing.

A design and support static and dynamic loads on the rear wheel only as a rotational thrust load in the elastomer-metal bushing is in principle possible but practically unsuitable for a freely projecting rear fork rear fork - the pivot bearing would have to be designed very stiff, so that so the desired ride comfort could not be obtained. It is therefore in addition to the elastic return function in the pivot bearing arranged at least one damper element between the motor holder and the main frame, which supports the motor-swing unit in addition to the pivot bearing molecularly and resiliently as a compression spring or pressure push spring as a rear fork support means. The damper element consists of one or more preferably loaded on thrust thrust elastomeric packets that counteract at a static load and / or a dynamic load during compression of the rear wheel of the associated pivotal movement of the motor-swing unit as an elastic compression spring or pressure thrust spring.

In a concrete rear fork support device according to the invention, two support surfaces, which are directed transversely and from the engine mount in the direction of the pivot bearing, are arranged on the motor mount below or possibly above the pivot bearing, which can be formed by a support body of V-shaped cross-section. To this end, the main frame in the area below or possibly above the pivot bearing as the bearing housing of the rear fork support device is formed with two respectively associated with the two support surfaces and spaced from these support plates, at this distance between each support plate and a support surface an elastomeric package, preferably under bias is used.

By such an arrangement with two elastomer packages in a V-bearing arrangement is achieved that during compression an elastomeric package is subjected to substantially pressure and correspondingly the other elastomeric packet is pressure-loaded during rebounding in the other pivoting direction.

Advantageously, the support plates in the bearing housing by means of linear actuators, in particular by means of screws in the direction of the elastomer packages to be adjustable, so that thus a bias in the elastomer packages can be applied and this is adjustable for different circumstances and applications.

The combination of the claimed on rotary thrust bearing and the claimed pressure and / or pressure thrust damper element can be achieved for a high driving comfort to a preferably adjustable operating point for soft driving conditions for normal driving conditions, which then at extreme loads in the desired manner, especially for good Leadership properties increases progressively.

Another advantage of the arrangement is that the distance between the bottom bracket and a rear hub does not change during compression of the rear wheel, so that a good and safe operation of a chain mechanism is ensured and also low-maintenance hub gears and belt drives can be used advantageously. In addition, advantageously changes a seat height at full deflection only minimally and can be in a specific embodiment only about 3 mm.

Another significant advantage is that the rear of the Pedelecrahmens requires no upper rear fork with their connection to the main frame. Since the lower rear fork has no further support lever, also eliminates maintenance-intensive pivot bearing in which relative rotations would have to be included. Since according to the invention maintenance-free elastomer-metal elements are used in the camps, the rear end is advantageous overall simple and maintenance-free.

For pivotal connection of the center motor on the engine mount on the main frame is proposed to form the engine support bow-shaped with two strap side parts that overlap the area of the pivot bearing and its inner part from below, in which case the two opposite strap side parts are firmly connected on both sides with the inner part. In a pivoting movement of the motor-swing unit is carried out to the same extent a pivoting movement of the inner part, which is then molecularly and resiliently received and supported in the prestressed elastomeric material of the elastomer-metal bushing.

As a bracket base of the bow-shaped engine mount a plate and arcuate holding member is advantageously used, which engages over the center motor from above partially positive fit.

Directional information, such as above or below and front or rear or transverse are related here respectively to the high axis direction and the longitudinal direction of Pedelecrahmens. In addition, the term "elastomer-metal bushing" is usually understood by the term "elastomer" to mean preferably vulcanization-processed rubber material. By "metal" is also understood in terms of stability equivalent plastic, so that the claims and the description should include such embodiments.

The center motor as a motor unit with a motor housing is usually made independently of Pedelecrahmen and provided as a unit for mounting on a Pedelecrahmen available. The motor carrier is therefore used as a separate component which is connected to the motor housing. Alternatively, however, the motor carrier could be an integral part of the motor housing. By varying the motor mount, optionally in conjunction with an intermediate suitable adapter, it is also possible to connect different embodiments of center motors with the same Pedelecrahmen.

For a heavy-duty and stable Pedelecrahmen is proposed that the node between the seat tube and down tube is formed by an approximately horizontally extending, possibly integrated as a frame thickening in the frame Traverse, in which the receiving eye and below a further illustrated damper element are arranged.

As an elastomer-metal bushing in the pivot bearing a known so-called slot bushing is preferably used, which can accommodate high radial forces in conjunction with torsional vibrations. In this case, the at least one elastomeric body is adhered as an elastomeric bushing on the inner part, preferably vulcanized as a rubber bushing, and surrounded by a longitudinally slotted outer tube. The longitudinal slot continues into the elastomeric material and is closed during the pressing of the elastomer-metal bushing in the receiving eye with a reduction in diameter of the outer tube to build up a substantially radial bias in the elastomeric material.

Reference to a drawing an embodiment of the invention will be further explained.

• 1 einen Pedelecrahmen in perspektivischer Darstellung,
• 2 eine vergrößerte Explosionsansicht im Bereich eines Motorträgers, und
• 3 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung im Bereich eines Motorträgers mit Einstellelementen.

Show it:

• 1 a Pedelecrahmen in perspective view,
• 2 an enlarged exploded view in the area of a motor carrier, and
• 3 a schematic sectional view in the region of a motor carrier with adjusting elements.

In 1 is a pedelec frame 1 shown with a main frame 2 from a top tube 3 , a down tube 4 , a head tube 5 and a seat tube 6. In the area of the connection between the top tube 3 and seat tube 6 is a seatpost mount 7 appropriate.

A rear triangle 8th of the pedelec frame 1 consists only of a lower rear fork 9 as a rocker, which without further support by seat stays about horizontally free from the main frame 2 protrudes to the rear. The rear fork 9 has two side-by-side guided chainstays 10a . 10b on, in the front area firmly with a motor carrier 11 are connected.

A mid-engine 12 with a motor housing 13 is fixed to the engine mount 11 connected and forms together with the rear fork 9 a motor swing unit 15 ,

This engine swing unit 15 is with her engine mount 11 in the area of a node between seat tube 6 and down tube 4 with a pivot bearing 16 swiveling with the main frame 2 connected.

As seen from the exploded view 2 can be seen, there is the pivot bearing 16 from a frame-side, transverse to the direction of travel, cylindrical receiving eye 17 , in the assembled state an elastomeric metal socket 18 is pressed. The elastomer-metal bush 18 has a stable inner part as inner tube 19 on which an elastomeric bushing 20 is adhered. The elastomer bush 20 is from an attached longitudinally slotted outer tube 21 surrounded, with the longitudinal slot 22 continues into the elastomeric material and when pressed into the receiving eye 17 with a diameter reduction of the outer tube 21 under construction of a bias closes.

At the engine swing unit 15 is the engine mount 11 bow-shaped, with a bracket base part as a plate and arcuate holding part 23, which the center motor 12 from above to the housing 13 positively engages over and is firmly connected there. At the holding part 23 are cheek-shaped strap side parts on both sides 24a . 24b arranged with which the engine mount 11 the area of the pivot bearing 16 overlaps here on both sides from below. The strap side parts 24a . 24b are rotationally fixed in their upper area by means of a (not shown in detail) screw with the inner tube 19 connected. When compressing one in the rear of the chainstays 10a . 10b mounted rear wheel is a pivoting movement of the motor-swing unit 15 in the pivot bearing 16 Resetting the molecular and resilient in the elastomeric material of the pivot bearing 16 (And in the below-mentioned damper element) is added.

At the mid-engine 12 the motor swing unit 15 is a bottom bracket axis running transversely to the direction of travel 25 arranged for the two-sided connection of cranks. Next contains the motor housing 13 the center motor 12 a pedaling assisting electric motor 26 and a sensor for crank motion detection and control electronics.

For additional elastic support of the free rear fork 9 or the motor-swing unit 15 is in addition to the elastomer-metal socket 18 of the pivot bearing 16 an elastic rear fork support device 27 intended. This is an area between the seat tube 6 and down tube 4 broadened and reinforced like a truss, with the receiving eye there 17 is appropriate. Under the receiving eye 17 is a down here open bearing housing 28 educated.

The rear fork support device 27 includes one on the holding part 23 of the engine mount 11 upwardly directed V-shaped support body 29 with two roof-shaped support surfaces 30a . 30b , These support surfaces 30a . 30b are spaced and also obliquely employed support plates 31a . 31b in the bearing housing 28 assigned, in each case between associated support surfaces 30a . 30b and support plates 31a . 31b an elastomer package 32a . 32b is clamped. The elastomer packages 32a . 32b act as damper elements such that at a static load and / or dynamic load during compression of the rear wheel and thus a pivoting movement of the motor-swing unit, the rear fork support means 27 resetting such pivotal movements as a compression spring counteracts.

The rear fork support device 27 may optionally also mirror images of the receiving eye 17 be arranged with modified strap side parts.

In 3 is a schematic representation of a longitudinal section through an advantageous development of the rear fork support means 27 shown:

Also in 3 is the V-shaped support body 29 on the holding part 23 of the engine mount 11 with its roof-shaped supporting surfaces 30a . 30b seen. Next are bearing housing side support plates 31a . 31b shown, in each case between the spaced and associated support surfaces 30a and 30b and the support plates 31a respectively. 31b the elastomer packages 32a , 32b are arranged under prestress. The support plates 31a . 31b are here by means of linear actuators 33a . 33b , here specifically by means of screws in their distance from the support surfaces 30a . 30b adjustable, whereby a bias in the elastomeric material of the elastomeric packets 32a . 32b adjustable and adaptable to different circumstances.

Upon compression of a rear wheel pivots the engine-swing unit 15 with the rear fork 9 upwards, as with arrow 34 shown schematically. As a result, it becomes apparent that the elastomer package lying in the pivoting direction 32b pressure loaded and rebound accordingly the opposite elastomer package 33a pressure-loaded.

Claims (7)

Electric bicycle pedelec with central motor (12), with a Pedelecrahmen (1) of a main frame (2) and a rear frame (8), wherein the main frame (2) as a so-called diamond frame of a top tube (3), a down tube (4), a seat tube (6) and a control tube (5), and the rear assembly (8) for supporting a rear wheel has a rear fork (9) as a rocker with chain stays (10a, 10b), and wherein the center motor (12) as a motor unit, a motor housing (13), in which a transverse to the direction of travel bottom bracket (25) is integrated for bilateral connection of cranks of a crank mechanism and in which further a pedaling supporting electric motor (26), a sensor for a crank motion detection and control electronics are included Middle motor (12) with its motor housing (13) in the connecting region between the down tube (4) and the seat tube (6) is arranged, wherein the rear frame (8) has a Hinterbaufederung such t, that the rear fork (9) as a rocker without further support by seat stays horizontally protrudes freely from the main frame (2), and the rear fork (9) has two side by side guided chain stays (10a, 10b) fixedly connected to a motor carrier (11) in that the engine mount (11) is pivotably connected to the main frame (2) in the area of a nodal point between the seat tube (6) and the down tube (4) with a pivot bearing (16), that the pivot bearing (16) consists of a frame-side, transverse to the direction of travel, cylindrical receiving eye (17) that an inner part (19) of the pivot bearing (16) with the motor carrier (11) is fixedly connected and also the center motor (12) with the motor carrier (11) fixed to a Motor-swing unit (15) is connected so that during compression of the rear wheel pivotal movement of the motor-swing unit (15) in the pivot bearing (16), and in that between the motor carrier (11) and the main frame (2) Hinterradgabel- Support means (27) is arranged with at least one damper element such that at a static load and / or dynamic load during compression or rebound of the rear wheel, the rear fork support means (27) counteracts the associated pivoting movement as a compression spring or pressure push spring, characterized in that in the cylindrical receiving eye (17) an elastomer-metal bush (18) with the stable inner part (19) and with at least one of the inner part (19) at least partially annular and rotationally surrounding elastomer body (20) in a bias against rotation in the receiving eye (17) is pressed and pivotal movements molecular and resiliently resetting in the elastomeric material of the pivot bearing (16) are included, that the at least one damper element of the rear fork support means (27) as an elastomeric packet (32a, 32b) is formed that in the rear fork support means (27) on the engine mount (11) u nter or over the pivot bearing (16) two in the transverse direction and by the motor carrier (11) in the direction of the pivot bearing (16) directed support surfaces (30a, 30b) are arranged, which are preferably attached to a cross-sectionally V-shaped support body (29) in that the main frame (2) is formed in the area below or above the pivot bearing (16) as a bearing housing (28) of the rear fork support means (27) with two support plates associated respectively with and spaced from the two support surfaces (30a, 30b) ( 31a, 31b), wherein in each case between a support plate (31a, 31b) and a support surface (30a, 30b), the elastomer package (32a, 32b) is inserted. Pedelec after Claim 1 , characterized in that the support plates (31a, 31b) by means of linear actuators (33a, 33b), in particular by means of screws in the direction of the elastomer packages (32a, 32b) towards applying a bias or to change a bias on the elastomeric packets (32a, 32b ) are adjustable. Pedelec after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the motor carrier (11) the region of the pivot bearing (16) and its inner part (19) from below her bow-shaped with two strap side parts (24a, 24b) engages over, and that both opposite strap side parts (24a, 24b) are fixedly connected to the inner part (19). Pedelec after Claim 3 , characterized in that the motor support (11) as a bracket base from which protrude the strap side parts (24a, 24b), a plate and arcuate holding part (23) which engages over the mid-motor (12) from above partially positively. Pedelec after Claim 1 or Claim 4 , characterized in that the motor carrier (11) is connected as a separate component to the motor housing (13) or that the motor carrier (11) is an integral part of the motor housing (13). Pedelec after one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the node between the seat tube (6) and the down tube (4) by an approximately horizontally extending cross member and / or a frame thickening is formed, in which the receiving eye (17) and below a bearing housing (28) are. Pedelec after one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the at least one elastomeric body (20), as an elastomeric bushing (20) adhered to the inner part (19), preferably vulcanized as a rubber bushing, and that the elastomeric bush (20) from a adhered, preferably vulcanized, longitudinally slotted outer tube (21) is surrounded, wherein the longitudinal slot (22) continues into the elastomeric material and closes when pressed into the receiving eye (17) with a reduction in diameter of the outer tube (21) under construction of the bias voltage.

Images