DE19737293A1 - bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bicycle provided with a hydropneumatic spring and damping element i.e. a shock-absorbing strut (14) of a bicycle fork (10). The damping element is connected between two first structural members (19, 20) which are movable against one another during operation of the bicycle and contains a first air pressure chamber (39). An air pumping arrangement is connected between two second structural members (19, 20) which are movable against one another during operation of the bicycle. Said pumping arrangement includes a second air pressure chamber (25). The air pressure chambers (25, 39) can be joined with one another.

Description

The invention relates to a bicycle with a hydropneumatic Spring and damping element, which is between two first, in loading drove the bicycle against each other moving components of the ride wheel is switched and has a first air pressure chamber.

In this respect, however, the invention is not applicable to bicycles conventional sense limited. It can also be used on mopeds, Motorcycles, tricycles and similar vehicles used without departing from the scope of the invention becomes.  

DE 195 01 490 describes a hydropneumatic shock absorber, especially known for a fork of a bicycle. From the DE 195 24 789 a bicycle is known in which between driving wheel frame and the saddle a hydropneumatic spring and Damping element is arranged.

In both cases, the hydropneumatic spring and damping element with an air pressure chamber that the forms pneumatic component of the damping element.

To create the pressure in the pressure chamber during the Manufacture of the damping element at the factory of the pressure chamber ter put an average pressure equal to the average Corresponds to the weight of a user of the bicycle. Before Inbe Driving the bike and also in its later operation the pressure can now vary depending on the driver's body weight become. In a corresponding manner, the pressure can also be adjusted be set if the air pressure in the Pressure chamber should have dropped. You can do this at the known arrangements of a hand-operated air pump.

From DE 31 06 122 a motorcycle is known in which the ra which has a telescopic suspension with a pneumatic shock absorber point. Depending on the height adjustment of the shock absorber speed of the motorcycle's driving speed To deliver, an electric motor-operated pump is provided hen with which a compressed gas is generated in a high pressure gas source and can be supplied to the shock absorber assembly.

DE 36 02 279 A1 describes an integrated bicycle air pump known. The air pump is in the horizontal tube of the  Integrated frame of a men's bike. The slider of the Air pump is designed as a socket on the horizontal Pipe is running.

Similarly, DE 40 02 827 C1 describes a gentleman bicycle with integrated air pump. Even with this well-known Bicycle is the air pump in the horizontal tube of the frame integrated. The operating rod of the air pump is however in Extension of the horizontal tube placed behind the saddle.

In both of the above cases, the integrated air pump must be in can be operated by hand in the usual way. The pump serves in both cases for inflating the pneumatic tires. For this purpose the bike stopped and a hose connection between the air pump and the valve of the front or rear wheel be put.

DE 27 34 384 A1 is finally a portable pump for Inflation of pneumatic tires known. The well-known pump is with a pressure relief valve, the response threshold ma is manually adjustable. With this well-known air pump he will is sufficient that the pneumatic tires do not have a predetermined Pressure value can be inflated.

In the two bicycles described in the introduction according to DE 195 01 490 A1 and DE 195 24 789 A1 is disadvantageous that the up loading or reloading the pressure chamber in the hydropneumatic Fe der- and damping element each with a separate pump must be led. In addition, there is no way to Set the pressure value exactly to a value that in particular corresponds to the body weight of the rider of the bicycle. It can  therefore happen that a driver sets off on a bicycle and only after a few kilometers, for example when the route becomes uneven, notices that the damping element in the fork or is not set correctly in the seat post. If then it is found that for adjusting the damping element tes required hand air pump accidentally not carried the driver must either turn back or for the rest of the Drive with the damping element not set correctly love.

The invention is therefore based on the object, disadvantages of to avoid the aforementioned type. In particular, he should be enough that the required air pressure in the damping element ment is automatically adjusted at any time without it separate measures are required.

This task is the bike of the type mentioned solved according to the invention in that between two second, in Operation of the bicycle mutually movable components of the Bicycle is connected to an air pump assembly, the one includes second air pressure chamber, and that the air pressure chambers with are interconnectable.

The object underlying the invention is thus completely men solved.

According to the invention, instead of that in the generic State of the art provided separate and commercially available Hand air pumps use an integrated air pump so that it is not necessary to carry separate elements. Ge compared to the known air pumps further explained above, which  are integrated into the frame of a bicycle However, the advantage is that to operate the air pump arrangement movement that occurs in the operation of the bicycle be exploited. No special work is therefore required to be performed and the desired air pressure becomes, so to speak generated by yourself while riding your bike. This is possible and advantageous according to the invention because the with the elements to be supplied with air pressure, namely the damping elements, at least with one half each frame-fixed or are axially fixed, so that a continuous Air supply is also possible when riding the bike, which is e.g. B. for inflating the pneumatic tires of the bicycle not bewerk can be made.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, they are Most components and the second components are the same.

This measure has the advantage that it is particularly compact Construction is possible because no separate modules from Ele elements must be switched on.

This applies in particular if the air pump arrangement in the damping element is integrated.

This measure has the advantage that no difference externally is noticeable and especially no bulky or otherwise disturbing arrangements on the bike are present.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the air is pump arrangement integrated in one end of the damping element,  especially in the normal operating position of the bike upper end.

This measure has the advantage that the air pump arrangement of is easily accessible from the outside, so that the required or ge wanted connections to the outside in an easy way are adjustable.

In embodiments of the invention, the air pump arrangement is between a first outer tube and a second outer tube of the damping element switched, the tubes telescopic merge like one another.

This measure has the advantage of being concentric voltage arises in which the air pump arrangement is particularly good at Damping element can be integrated.

This applies in particular to a further development of this variant, in which the first outer tube is axially rigid with a piston cut is provided, which is sealed in a cylinder section of the second outer tube runs.

This measure has the advantage that with very few construction elements an air pump arrangement can be realized.

According to two alternative developments of this embodiment The second outer tube can play in the area of the cylinder be formed thickened section, the piston section but also fill the second outer tube tightly.  

This measure has the advantage that the effective cross section of the piston section or the cylinder section in a wide range range can be set, always taking into account that this cross section is dimensioned so that that in the pressure chamber pressure prevailing in the pneumatic spring element can be.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention is the first air pressure chamber with a pressure relief valve Connectable outside. The pressure relief valve is preferably with its pressure response value adjustable.

These known measures have the advantage that the pneumatic pressure in the damping element to a certain Value is adjustable, which is particularly dependent on the body driver's weight can be selected. This measure is particularly important and advantageous in the present context liable, because according to the invention the air pump arrangement when driving of the bike is constantly operated, and more so, ever more the terrain is more difficult. Then air pressure is constantly generated, so that setting to a preselected response value can take into account in a special way.

In other embodiments of the invention, the first is Air pressure room can be connected to the outside via a valve.

This measure has the advantage that the rider of the bike the hydropneumatic spring and damping element on simple Way can relax by releasing the air pressure from the pneumati the spring element is drained, which is otherwise not possible is. So if e.g. B. the damping element mistakenly too hard  was set or a bicycle by a rider with a high Body weight to a low body weight driver is given and the pressure in the damping element is still high the driver can do this by operating the valve Relax the cushioning element and then reload the pressure now set existing requirements.

In embodiments of the invention, the damping element a shock absorber of a bicycle fork, in particular such that at de Struts of the bicycle fork with the air pump arrangement ver are seen.

This measure has the advantage that when the bike is deflected fork, whether on the front wheel or on the rear wheel, the air pumps arrangement is operated. The large feather that occurs paths can advantageously be used to operate the air pump pen arrangement can be provided.

In this case, the two versions mentioned above Examples can be combined, namely by the air pressure clear the struts with each other and with a line are connected to the valve.

This has the advantage that the two struts in strictly sym metric way can be relaxed.

It is particularly preferred if the valve is in the middle Salmon of the bicycle fork arranged and due to its position nation can be operated manually by the driver.  

This measure has the advantage that the entire setting can also be made while driving. The driver will then the two by manually actuating the valve Relax the struts symmetrically and then by specifying the Response pressure in the pressure relief valve for his body weight set correct spring constant.

Alternatively or in addition, however, it is according to further details tion examples of the invention also possible, as a saddle ze used damping element with the air pump arrangement combine.

Since in both cases it is possible to switch on the air pumps order to be operated manually even when the vehicle is stationary, ins special in that the bicycle handlebar in the vertical direction is operated, you can in other embodiments of the Invention the air pump assembly by means of a hose too connect to other pressure rooms, for example on pneumatic tires from Rä that of the bicycle.

Further advantages result from the description and the at added drawing.

It is understood that the above and the next Features to be explained not only in the respective given combination, but also in other combinations or can be used alone, without the scope of to leave the present invention.  

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing provides and will he in the description below purifies.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a highly schematic front view of an exemplary embodiment from a bicycle fork, as can be used in a bicycle according to the invention.

Figure 2 on an enlarged scale a portion of a spring leg of a bicycle fork, in a sectional view to explain the invention. and

Fig. 3 shows a variant of FIG. 2.

In Figs. 1 and 2, 1 denotes overall a partially represents asked bicycle fork, eg. For a front wheel of a Fahrra of. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to a bicycle. Rather, it can also be used on mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles or the like.

The bicycle fork 1 is provided at its upper end with a fastening rod 2 for the handlebar, which in turn has a threaded section 3 . The fastening rod 2 is extended downwards at 4 .

At the lower end of the bicycle fork 1 you can see two fastening supply flanges 5 , which define a wheel axis 6 , the wheel itself being indicated at 7 .

The bicycle fork 1 is only partially shown in FIG. 2, its axis of symmetry is designated 11 . A central flange 12 leads from the axis of symmetry 11 to both sides of the bicycle fork 1 . It runs out on both sides in a holding section 13 for a shock absorber designated overall by 14 .

The strut 14 is designed as a hydropneumatic damping element. Details on this can be found in DE 195 01 490 A1 by the same applicant, to which reference may be made to avoid repetitions. It should also be noted that the bicycle fork shown in the figure is to be understood only as an example. The invention can be used in a very similar way also with other hydropneumatic damping elements, as z. B. used as a seat post of a bicycle. Further details for this application can be found in DE 195 24 789 A1 by the same applicant, to which reference may also be made for further details.

It should be noted for the present invention that the hydropneumatic spring and damping elements of interest here each comprise a first outer tube 19 and a second outer tube 20 , which run into one another telescopically. The first outer tube 19 leads down to the wheel and therefore stands on the floor of the road. The second outer tube 20 , however, is connected to the handlebar and the frame of the bicycle via the holding section 13 and the central flange 12 . It therefore moves in the direction of the longitudinal axis 18 of the suspension strut 14 when the bicycle springs in and out. This happens in particular when the driver runs over a depression or an elevation on an uneven roadway.

In the second outer tube 20 , a head part 21 is inserted above. The head part 21 has a longitudinal bore 22 along the axis 18 . The longitudinal bore 22 is connected to the outside at its upper end via an adjustable pressure relief valve 23 . The pressure relief valve 23 has, for example, a spring-loaded ball valve, the force of the spring and since the response value of the pressure relief valve 23 can be changed by means of a screwable bolt. To twist the bolt z. B. a slot can be provided which can be gripped with a coin or the like.

The lower section of the head part 21 , in which the longitudinal bore 22 is located, acts as a cylinder section 24 . A first pressure chamber 25 is thus defined in the longitudinal bore 22 .

The first pressure chamber 25 is also connected to a line 27 . The line 27 leads via a first check valve 28 to an opening 29 which also leads to the outside. The first check valve 28 is preferably arranged next to the pressure valve 23 on the upper end face of the head part 21 .

Located in the first outer tube 19 along the axis 18 is an inner tube 35 surrounded by the oil pressure chamber 34 of the hydraulic damping element, which inner tube is rigidly connected to the first outer tube 19 in the axial direction. The inner tube 35 is formed at its upper end in the figure as a piston section 36 . The piston section 36 runs in the cylinder section 24 of the head part 21 , with corresponding seals being provided.

The piston section 36 is penetrated by an axially extending channel 37 . A second check valve 38 is connected into the channel 37 . The channel 37 connects the first pressure chamber 25 with a second pressure chamber 39 in the lower part of the inner tube 35 . The second pressure chamber 39 is at the same time the pressure chamber of the hydropneumatic spring and damping element, not shown in the rest, for the further details of which reference was made to two published patent applications by the same applicant at the beginning of this description of the exemplary embodiment.

The mode of operation of the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is as follows:
In the rebounding operation indicated by solid arrows, the bicycle frame moves upward with the rider relative to the wheels of the bicycle, as indicated by an arrow 45 on the central flange 12 . The cylinder section 24 therefore moves upward in the figure, as indicated by arrows 46 . Since the piston section 36 is stationary, the volume of the first pressure chamber 25 consequently increases, so that a negative pressure is created there. As a result of this negative pressure, he opens the non-return valve 28 in line 27 and air can flow in from the outside into the first pressure chamber 25 , as indicated by an arrow 47 .

When the bicycle fork 10 is subsequently deflected, it moves downward relative to the wheels of the bicycle, as indicated by dashed arrows in the figure. Arrow 48 indicates the lowering of the middle flange 12 . Accordingly, the cylinder section 24 also moves downward in the figure, as indicated by arrows 49 .

Since the piston section 36 can again be assumed to be spatially fixed, the first pressure chamber 25 is reduced in size, so that the pressure therein increases. As a result, the first check valve 28 closes and the second check valve 38 opens. The excess pressure from the first pressure chamber 25 can now flow through the channel 37 into the two th pressure chamber 39 and thus into the pneumatic working chamber of the damping element. If the pressure in the first pressure chamber 25 becomes too high, the excess pressure is blown off via the pressure relief valve 23 .

Since the compression and rebound processes take place periodically, the response pressure set at the pressure relief valve 23 is always set and maintained in the second pressure chamber 39 .

In the variant shown in Fig. 3, the ratios are somewhat modified in that the effective cross sections are changed ver.

In the variant according to FIG. 3, the head part 21 a is provided with a radially flat underside 60 , into which the line 27 and the adjustable pressure relief valve 23 open.

The first pressure chamber 25 a thus has an effective cross section, which speaks ent the inner cross section of the second outer tube 20 .

The modified piston section 36 a is in contrast firmly connected to a piston ring 61 which slides tightly on the inside of the second outer tube 20 .

Further, FIG. 3 is shown in the variant of that of the second pressure chamber 39 of the pneumatic spring element via a line 40 and an arc 41 with a drain valve 42-jointed is via which the pressure in the second pressure chamber 39 in which are discharged To gebung can , as indicated by an arrow 43 .

Since preferably the hydropneumatic spring and damping elements te are provided in both struts 14 of the bicycle fork 1 , the arc 41 is preferably carried over into the other spring leg, so that the second pressure spaces 39 of both struts are evenly, ie symmetrically relaxed, who can.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the sheet 41 is mechanically protected by a bracket 44 , the drain valve 42 is located in the symmetry axis 11 , at a position in which it can still be manually gripped and actuated by the driver.

Claims (18)

1. Bicycle with a hydropneumatic spring and damping element, which is connected between two first, in the operation of the Fahrra of the mutually moving components ( 19 , 20 ) of the driving wheel and has a first air pressure chamber ( 39 ), characterized in that between two two te, in the operation of the bicycle mutually movable components ( 19 , 20 ) of the bicycle an Luftpumpenanord voltage is connected, which comprises a second air pressure chamber ( 25 ), and that the air pressure chambers ( 25 , 39 ) can be connected to each other are. 2. Bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first components ( 19 ) and the second components ( 20 ) are the same. 3. Bicycle according to claim 2, characterized in that the Air pump arrangement integrated in the damping element is. 4. Bicycle according to claim 3, characterized in that the Air pump assembly in one end of the damping element is integrated. 5. Bicycle according to claim 4, characterized in that the Air pump arrangement in normal operating position of the bicycle integrated into the upper end of the damping arrangement is.   6. Bicycle according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the air pump arrangement between a first outer tube ( 19 ) and a second outer tube ( 20 ) of the damping element is connected, where the tubes ( 19 , 20th ) run into each other telescopically. 7. Bicycle according to claim 6, characterized in that the first outer tube ( 19 ) is axially rigidly provided with a Kolbenab section ( 36 ) which is tight in a cylinder section ( 24 ) of the second outer tube ( 20 ). 8. Bicycle according to claim 7, characterized in that the second outer tube ( 20 ) is thickened in the region of the cylinder section ( 24 ). 9. Bicycle according to claim 7, characterized in that the piston section ( 36 a) fills the second outer tube ( 20 ) tightly. 10. Bicycle according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first air pressure space ( 25 ) is connected to the outside space via a pressure relief valve ( 23 ). 11. Bicycle according to claim 10, characterized in that the pressure relief valve ( 23 ) with its pressure response value is adjustable manually. 12. Bicycle according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first air pressure space ( 39 ) via a valve ( 42 ) can be connected to the outside space. 13. Bicycle according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the damping element is a Fe derbein ( 14 ) of a bicycle fork ( 1 ). 14. Bicycle according to claim 13, characterized in that both struts ( 14 ) of the bicycle fork ( 1 ) are provided with the air pump arrangement. 15. Bicycle according to claim 12 and 14, characterized in that the air pressure chambers ( 39 ) of the struts ( 14 ) via egg ne line ( 40 , 41 ) with each other and with the valve ( 42 ) are connected. 16. Bicycle according to claim 15, characterized in that the valve in the central axis ( 50 ) of the bicycle fork ( 1 ) is arranged and can be operated manually by the driver due to its positioning. 17. Bicycle according to one or more of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the damping element a Seat post is. 18. Bicycle according to one or more of claims 1 to characterized in that the air pump assembly with can be connected to other pressure chambers by means of a hose is.