EP0062158B1 - Method and apparatus for straightening soldered or welded bicycle frames - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to methods for straightening the soldered and / or welded frames of two-wheelers and devices for carrying out these methods.

Two-wheelers are to be understood in the following as bicycles, mopeds, mopeds and motorcycles.

Two-wheelers generally have two wheels of the same size, which one behind the other, i. H. are arranged in a plane in a frame so that they draw a track when driving straight ahead. In the front part of the frame, in the control head, the fork is rotatably mounted at a predetermined angle. The wheel contact point forms the so-called caster with the point of intersection of the theoretical axis of rotation in the driving plane. The handlebar, which is firmly connected to the fork, enables the driver to change direction of travel and stabilize the two-wheeler at low speeds. The two-wheeler stabilizes itself approximately above the walking speed. B. the two-wheeler to the right, then the front wheel turns to the right due to the gyroscopic forces and the two-wheeler begins to turn right. The centrifugal forces that occur in this case straighten the two-wheeler and generally tilt it to the other side, so that a sinusoidal movement takes place in the direction of travel. The deflections of the oscillating movement decrease continuously when the frame of the two-wheeler is aligned and the assembly of the individual parts has been carried out properly. At speeds from about 40 km / h, e.g. B. with mopeds, upwards the return to the so-called zero position takes place without noticeable pendulum vibrations, since they are strongly damped. Unstable driving behavior occurs because the two-wheeler then slowly changes to a side position. This very slow movement is almost unconsciously compensated by the driver through slight movements of the body relative to the two-wheeler. Theoretical studies and tests have shown that the moments of inertia of the front wheel system are primarily responsible for these described processes, with the steering angle and the center of gravity acting additionally as fine adjustment. For these reasons, it is necessary that the front and rear wheels are aligned in one plane during straight running, i. that is, the frame itself must be directional.

In bicycles, this is done in such a way that the rear wheel dropouts, the bottom bracket and the seat tube are firmly clamped in a hydraulic straightening device. For this purpose, centering mandrels are hydraulically inserted into the bottom bracket and the seat tube and the rear wheel dropouts are firmly clamped with one clamping jaw each. The control head is then hydraulically directed into the reference plane running through the axis of the seat tube and bisecting the distance between the rear wheel dropouts. For this purpose, the control head is bent in the opposite direction beyond the reference plane by means of a hydraulic working cylinder via a clamping jaw, whereby it then resiliently assumes a new position when released, which after about one or two bending operations approximately coincides with the aligned position of the axis of the control head in this reference plane. However, it was shown that an exact alignment is not possible. The reason lies in particular in the fact that during the operation of the hydraulic straightening device, the temperature of the hydraulic work means and its viscosity change, and gap losses occur during extended operation. This also changes the set hydraulic straightening force. In principle it would be possible to use temperature sensors, computers etc. Check and change this predetermined hydraulic straightening force as a function of these temperature changes. However, the prerequisite would be that the tensions of the individual pipe sections soldered together to form the frame are approximately the same. However, this is not the case. For these reasons, it has hitherto been satisfactory to only approximate two-wheel frames and to sort out two-wheel frames whose measured values were outside the tolerances.

In this known approximate Rich one considers the frame as aligned except for the control head and only brings the control head with the reference plane approximately to cover.

Attempts are also known to hydraulically align the further frame in addition to the control head. However, there were such large scatter values during the final straightening of the control head that these additional straightening processes were not carried out.

The invention is based on the fact that the ideal driving behavior is achieved when the axes of the control head and the seat tube lie in a reference plane, which is perpendicular to the center of the bottom bracket and contains the central plane of the rear wheel and the straight line also contains the central plane of the front wheel. The invention is therefore concerned with straightening the whole frame.

In particular, the invention relates to a procedural ren for straightening the brazed and / or welded frame of two-wheelers by firmly clamping the bottom bracket (the pivot axis) of a frame in a straightening device and clamping the seat tube so that it can be aligned and extending perpendicularly to the axis of the bottom bracket and it bisects the bisecting reference plane.

The invention further relates to a method for straightening the soldered and / or welded frames of two-wheelers by in a Straightening device, the bottom bracket (the swing axle) and the seat tube of a frame are firmly clamped and the rear wheel dropouts (the rear wheel tuning fork) are clamped in an alignable manner and are directed into the reference plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the bottom bracket and bisects it (halving) or a method for straightening the Soldered and / or welded frames of two-wheelers by firmly clamping the bottom bracket (the swinging axle) and the seat tube of a frame in a straightening device and the rear wheel dropouts (the rear wheel tuning fork) are clamped in an alignable manner and in the frame that runs perpendicular to the axis of the bottom bracket and it (they ) bisecting reference plane are directed so that the center of the wheel hub of the rear wheel lies in the reference plane.

The invention further relates to a method for straightening the soldered and / or welded frames of two-wheelers, in that the rear wheel dropouts (the rear wheel tuning fork), the bottom bracket (the swing axle) and the seat tube of a frame are fixed in a straightening device and the control head is clamped in an alignable manner and the axle of the control head into the reference plane containing the axis of the seat tube and bisecting the distance between the rear wheel dropout.

The invention further relates to devices for performing these methods.

The invention has for its object to align the soldered and / or welded frames of two-wheelers, to align the seat tube to the bottom bracket (to the pivot axis), to the mutually facing bottom bracket (pivot axis) and the seat tube to align the rear frame of the two-wheel frame and to them directed parts of the two-wheel frame to direct the control head. It also includes the task of directing only the control head or only individual parts of the two-wheeler.

The invention is based on the experimental result that straightening the seat tube requires considerably greater forces than straightening the other parts of a two-wheel frame, i. that is, after straightening the seat tube to the bottom bracket (to the swing axis), the seat tube is still directed when the other parts, i. H. the rear end and the front end or the control head of the two-wheeled frame are directed.

The task of directing the seat tube into the reference plane running perpendicular to the axis of the bottom bracket or the swinging axis and bisecting the bottom bracket or the swinging axis is achieved according to the invention in that the angle between the axis of the bottom bracket (the swinging axis) and the axis of the Seat tube is measured, the seat tube is mechanically prepared in both angular directions beyond the yield point, the angle is measured again and the seat tube is mechanically directed into the reference plane depending on this angle. According to the invention, the seat tube is mechanically prepared by directing the seat tube in both angular directions beyond the yield point, measuring the angle between the two axes again and then directing the respective device with mechanical angular forces or corresponding directional paths that depend on this angular value.

For the purposes of the invention, mechanical straightening forces are understood to mean those forces which are generated by means of motor-adjustable devices and not by means of hydraulic working cylinders.

Accordingly, mechanical devices are to be understood as those that are motor-adjustable devices that perform this straightening (straightening and (re)) straightening according to the invention. It is essential to the invention that the angles and paths are measured precisely.

The object of straightening the rear wheel dropouts is achieved according to the invention in that the distance between the center of the wheel hub of the rear wheel and the reference plane is measured and the two rear wheel dropouts (the rear wheel tuning fork), which are firmly clamped to one another, are linearly mechanically aligned on both sides beyond the yield point, the distance is measured again and the center of the wheel hub of the rear wheel is mechanically brought into line with the reference plane as a function of this distance

This straightening is useful when the wheel tire and the wheel hub, based on the center plane of the rear wheel, are arranged symmetrically to each other.

In some cases, e.g. B. with wheel hubs, which have a plurality of sprockets arranged side by side for a derailleur, in practice so far was done to ensure that this symmetry was preserved by appropriate inclination of the spokes. However, this leads to an extremely steep position of the spokes in the area of the ring gears, which is disadvantageous in terms of mechanical stability.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear wheel dropouts are straightened in such a way that the distance of the center plane of the rear wheel from the reference plane is measured and the two rear wheel dropouts (the rear wheel tuning fork) are linearly mechanically aligned on both sides beyond the yield point, the distance again is measured and the center plane of the rear wheel is mechanically brought into line with the reference plane as a function of this distance.

These measures ensure that the spokes can be mounted on both sides of the wheel hub at the same angular position.

The task, the axis of the control head, into which the axis of the seat tube and the center of the wheel hub or the center plane of the rear wheel Direction containing reference plane is solved according to the invention in that the intersection angle between the axis of the control head and the penetration line is measured, which is given by the intersection of the reference plane with the plane perpendicular to it containing the axis of the control head, that the control head in both Angular directions beyond the yield point are mechanically prepared, the angle is measured again and the control head is mechanically oriented with its axis parallel to the penetration line depending on this angle, the distance between the axis of the control head free of the straightening devices and the penetration line being measured, the control head on both sides beyond the yield point is linearly mechanically prepared, the distance is measured again and the control head is mechanically brought into line with the penetration line depending on this distance.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the axis of the control head is directed into the reference plane containing the axis of the seat tube and bisecting the distance between the rear wheel dropouts bisecting or containing the center plane of the rear wheel in such a way that the intersection angle between the projection of the axis of the control head onto a plane perpendicular to the reference plane and the penetration line is measured, which is given by the intersection of this plane with the reference plane, the control head being mechanically prepared in both angular directions beyond the yield point, the angle measured again and the control head mechanically depending on this angle its axis is directed parallel to the reference plane, then the distance of the control head free of the straightening devices is measured from the reference plane, the control head is linearly mechanically aligned on both sides beyond the yield point, the distance again g is measured and the control head is mechanically brought into line with the reference plane as a function of this distance.

In complete departure from the prior art, the frames of two-wheelers are straightened according to the invention in that the angles and the cutting angle and the distances or the angles and cutting angles or only the distances are measured and the corresponding straightening processes by means of mechanical values dependent on these values Straightening forces or corresponding directional routes. Mechanical straightening forces are to be understood as those forces which are generated by means of motor-adjustable devices and not by means of hydraulic working cylinders.

Mechanical device and mechanical alignment with the penetration line or the reference plane tn-covering means that this is done by means of such motor-adjustable devices. It is also essential to the invention that the angular intersection angles and distances are measured precisely.

The device for straightening the seat tube to the bottom bracket is characterized according to the invention by a tensioning device for the bottom bracket (the oscillation axis) and by an adjustable depending on the angle clamping device for the seat tube. Through these measures it is achieved that the bottom bracket or the swing axis is immovably clamped firmly in its spatial position by the tensioning device and that afterwards beyond the yield point, the seat tube is first set up in both angular directions beyond the yield point and then closes after measuring the angle depending on this angle, a message follows. According to a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention is characterized by a machine frame with tensioning devices for the bottom bracket (the swinging axis) and a device for the seat tube that is displaceable (pivotable) in the machine frame. Because the rotation in both angular directions takes place only in small angular ranges, it is possible to provide a displaceable instead of a swiveling clamping device, the swivel arch, which the clamping device has to cover, being replaced in the first approximation by a path section running in the tangential direction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device is characterized according to the invention by an angle stepper assigned to the tensioning device for the seat tube for determining the angle and a motor drive which can be coupled to the tensioning device and which is coupled out to determine the angle. When the drive is coupled, the tensioning device for the seat tube is brought into the slot position and the seat tube is clamped. After the drive has been uncoupled, the non-aligned seat tube rotates or shifts the tensioning device by the corresponding amount, which can be read on the angle encoder. A previously experimentally determined guide value is assigned to this value, which is a measure of the guide path of the tensioning device. For this purpose, it is coupled again to the motor drive.

The zero position is defined by the reference plane passing through the center of the bottom bracket and perpendicular to its axis.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided, each with an input for the angular step encoder, with a memory for stored values for the angular deviation and associated values for straightening, and a device for assigning the measured value to the value closest to it and a device for assigning this value to the Guide value for the motor drive.

The device for straightening the rear wheel dropouts is characterized according to the invention by tensioning devices for the bottom bracket (the pivot axis) and the seat tube and by a tensioning device or receptacle for the rear wheel dropouts which can be displaced depending on the distance from the center plane of the rear wheel or the center of the wheel hub from the reference plane. It is essential to the invention that the bottom bracket (the swinging axis) and the seat tube are aligned with and fixed to the reference plane.

According to an advantageous exemplary embodiment, a machine frame with the tensioning devices for the bottom bracket and the seat tube and a tensioning device or receptacle for the rear wheel dropouts, which is displaceably guided in the machine frame, are provided.

In a still further embodiment, an angle step encoder coupled to the tensioning device or the receptacle via a toothed rack is provided for determining the distance, and a motor drive that can be coupled to the tensioning device or the receptacle, which is decoupled to determine the distance.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided, each with an input for the angular step encoder, with a memory for stored values for the distances and associated values for straightening with a device for assigning the measured value to the value closest to it and a device for assigning this value to the guide value for the motor drive.

The device for carrying out the method for straightening the control head according to the first or the second solution principle is characterized according to the invention by tensioning devices for the rear wheel dropouts (rear wheel swing), the bottom bracket (the swing axle) and the seat tube and by a rotation depending on the cutting angle and depending the distance of the axis of the control head from the penetration line or the reference plane displaceable tensioning device for the control head. It is essential to the invention that the tensioning device for the control head has both a rotary movement and an independent displacement, i. H. can perform a linear movement, these rotary movements and translatory movements being carried out by motor drives and not by means of hydraulic working cylinders. The tensioning devices for the rear wheel dropouts, the bottom bracket and the seat tube are designed in a manner known per se and are stationary or spatially fixed to the device. A particular advantage results from the high working speed achieved by the measures according to the invention.

According to an advantageous embodiment, according to the invention, a machine frame with tensioning devices for the rear wheel dropouts (rear wheel tuning fork), the bottom bracket (the swing axle) and the seat tube, as well as a slide which is guided in the machine frame and is rotatable with clamping jaws arranged on it, are provided as a rotatable and displaceable tensioning device for the control head. These measures ensure that the reference plane, which contains the axis of the seat tube and halves the distance between the rear wheel dropouts, is fixed with respect to the tensioning device for the control head. The tensioning devices for the rear wheel dropouts, the bottom bracket and the seat tube can additionally be adjusted together by optoelectronic means in such a way that this reference plane runs exactly perpendicular to the slide or the cutting plane. The line of intersection of the reference plane with the plane of the slide or the slide itself defines the zero position of the slide into which it is placed and pivoted before the rotatable clamping jaw on it is clamped with the control head. The axis of rotation of the clamping jaw runs perpendicular to the plane of the slide and lies in the reference plane which intersects the plane of the slide or this at a right angle. When the rotatable jaw is released, the control head rotates it into an angular position that corresponds to the cutting angle. This cutting angle is measured in order to determine any distortion of the frame. The clamping jaw with the control head clamped is then rotated mechanically, ie via a motor drive, in both angular directions in both angular directions beyond the yield point of the frame, and the frame or control head is prepared in the process. Then after releasing the rotatability of the clamping jaw, i.e. after decoupling from the motor drive, the cutting angle that is set is measured again and then, depending on this cutting angle in relation to the zero position, the control head is rotated in the other angular direction so that the axis of the control head after opening the clamping jaws is aligned parallel to the penetration line or to the reference plane. Then the control head is mechanically set up on both sides via the penetration line or the reference plane, i.e. above the zero position when the yield point is exceeded by a linear movement of the clamping jaws, and then with the clamping jaws open the distance between the axis of the control head and the zero position is measured. The clamping jaws are closed by clamping the control head. The slide is then motorized in the other direction by a directional path that depends on this distance, measured from the zero position, the clamping jaws being in the angular position “zero”. After opening the jaws, the control head springs into the end position, with its axis in the reference level runs.

According to a preferred embodiment, for determining the cutting angle and the distance and for applying the mechanical straightening forces, the device has a toothed ring assigned to the tensioning device for the control head, an angular step encoder coupled to the toothed ring for determining the cutting angle and a motor drive which can be coupled to the toothed ring to determine the cutting angle is coupled out as well as a further motor drive for displacing the slide and a displacement sensor for determining the distance between the reference plane and the axis of the control head directed parallel to it.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided, each with an input for the angular step encoder and for the displacement encoder, with a memory for stored values γ * 'for the angular deviation and values γ *' + ε associated with this for straightening a memory for stored values b ^* 'for the distances and assigned values b *' + δ for straightening, a device for assigning the measured value i (b ') to the closest value γ *' (b ^* ') and a device for assigning this value to the guide value γ * '+ ε (b *' + δ and a device for delivering the guide value γ * '+ ε or b *' + <J to the motor drive.

In order to be able to take into account different frame designs, the values are stored in the individual computers depending on the frame designs. It is essential to the invention that the mechanical straightening according to the invention is carried out very sensitively. For this reason, in a further embodiment of the invention, the motor drives disc motors, which, for. B. allow higher working speeds compared to stepper motors and require no significant technical effort on the devices or devices of the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the angle step encoders are absolute angle step encoders. Absolute angle step encoders or absolute angle encoders are already known per se (see brochure optoelectronic, absolute angle step encoders, from Stegmann). You absolutely assign a certain combination of numerical values to each angle. Incorrect measurements are excluded, since the zero point of the absolute angle encoder is defined by the code and the query is made in the static state.

• Fig 1 einen Zweiradrahmen,
• Fig. 2 den Zweiradrahmen nach Fig. 1 mit den Bezugsebenen,
• Fig.3 eine Draufsicht auf einen Zweiradrahmen mit eingespanntem Hinterrad,
• Fig. 4 das Richten des Sitzrohres und des Hinterbaus,
• Fig. 5 das Richten des Steuerkopfes,
• Fig.6a-6d eine Ansicht in Pfeilrichtung der Fig. 5,
• Fig. 7 das Funktionsprinzip der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Richten des Steuerkopfes,
• Fig. 8 eine Vorderansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Vorrichtung nach Fig. 7,
• Fig. 9-9c das Blockschaltbild mit dem Rechner zum Richten des Steuerkopfes,
• Fig. 10 die Vorderansicht des Ausführungsbeispiels nach Fig. 8 mit zusätzlichen Einrichtungen zum Richten des Sitzrohres und der Hinterradausfallenden,
• Fig. 11 eine Draufsicht gemäß Linie XI-XI in Fig. 10,
• Fig. 12 das Blockschaltbild nach Fig. 9 mit den zusätzlichen Rechnern für das Richten des Sitzrohres und der Hinterradausfallenden,
• Fig. 13, 14 entsprechende Darstellungen für das Sitzrohr und die Hinterradausfallenden wie in Fig. 9b, 9c.

The invention is explained in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment. It shows

• 1 shows a two-wheel frame,
• 2 shows the two-wheeled frame according to FIG. 1 with the reference planes,
• 3 shows a plan view of a two-wheeled frame with a clamped rear wheel,
• 4 the straightening of the seat tube and the rear triangle,
• 5 the straightening of the control head,
• 6a-6d a view in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5,
• 7 shows the functional principle of the device according to the invention for straightening the control head,
• 8 is a front view of an embodiment of a device according to FIG. 7,
• 9-9c the block diagram with the computer for straightening the control head,
• 10 shows the front view of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8 with additional devices for straightening the seat tube and the rear wheel dropouts,
• 11 is a plan view according to line XI-XI in Fig. 10,
• 12 shows the block diagram according to FIG. 9 with the additional computers for straightening the seat tube and the rear wheel dropouts,
• 13, 14 corresponding representations for the seat tube and the rear wheel dropouts as in Fig. 9b, 9c.

In the figures, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols.

In the figures, 1 denotes the control head, 2 the down tube, 3 the top tube, 4 the seat tube, 5 the bottom bracket of a two-wheel frame shown as a bicycle frame. With 6 and 7, the right and left rear wheel dropout are designated, which together form the rear triangle. Each rear wheel dropout consists of the upper strut 30 and 31, the lower strut 32 and 33 and the receptacle 34 and 35 for the rear wheel designated 36 in FIG. 3. The axis of the control head is AA ', that of the seat tube BB', that of the bottom bracket CC and that of the rear wheel hub DD '. With an ideally aligned two-wheeler. Men the axes AA ', BB' are parallel and lie in a plane which is referred to in Fig. 2 as the reference plane E _o . Furthermore, in the case of an ideally aligned two-wheel frame, the axes BB 'and CC' are aligned perpendicular to one another, the axis DD 'of the wheel hub of a properly installed rear wheel being aligned parallel to the axis CC'. This plane is referred to in FIGS. 2 and 4 as the reference plane E3.

3 shows a plan view of a bicycle frame with a built-in rear wheel 36. This has a wheel hub 37 which is connected to the rim (not shown) via the spokes 38 and 39. The rim has the tire 40. The center plane of the tire is labeled E ₄ . It is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and coincides with the level Eo in the directional two-wheel frame and properly installed rear wheel. The wheel nuts 41 and 41 'are used for assembly, by means of which the rear wheel is centered on the one hand and the bicycle chain (not shown) is tensioned on the other hand. In Fig. 3, the wheel hub carries a plurality of 42 gear rings. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the straightening according to the invention can take place in such a way that the spokes 38 and 39 each abut against the wheel hub at the same angular position and that the center plane E ₄ coincides with the reference plane Eo (FIG. 2). The straightening according to the invention can also be carried out in such a way that rear wheels can be mounted whose spokes have an uneven angular position.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the plane E2 serves as a reference plane for straightening the seat tube and the plane E3 serves as a reference plane for straightening the rear wheel dropouts. The intersection of these planes E2 and E3 with the plane E _o shown in FIG. 2 defines the zero lines 0-0 and O'-O ', respectively. Based on these zero lines, the seat tube or the rear wheel dropouts are aligned beyond the yield point on both sides of the relevant zero line in the plane E2 or E3, ie in both angular directions. In FIG. 2, the plane E _o along the section line O'-O 'with the plane E _o halves the distance between the rear wheel dropouts, while for a rear wheel according to FIG. 3 the rear wheel dropouts are asymmetrical to the line 0'-O'(Fig 4).

In the following, the straightening of the control head according to the invention will first be explained with reference to FIG. 5, provided that the rest of the frame is straightened or the deviations are so small that they do not or not noticeably influence the running properties of the two-wheeler.

1 denotes the control head, 2 the down tube, 3 the top tube, 4 the seat tube, 5 the bottom bracket, 6 the right dropout and 7 the left dropout of the frame. E _o denotes the reference plane which contains the axis BB 'of the seat tube and which halves the distance a between the rear wheel dropouts. The axis of the control head is labeled AA '. With an aligned frame, this axis AA 'also lies in the reference plane E _o . In Fig. 5 is also a first, perpendicular to the plane E _o plane E _{1 is} drawn, which is placed in the directionally drawn bicycle frame so that it also contains the axis AA 'of the control head, ie its step line hh with the plane Eo coincides with the axis AA '. In the case of a non-directional bicycle frame, the axis A ₁ A ₁ 'of the control head is not in the plane E _o and also not in the intersection of the two planes E _o , E _i , but only in the plane E _i . Rather, the two axes AA 'and A ₁ A ₁ ' together enclose the intersection angle γ. These two axes intersect halfway up the control head if it is only twisted.

In general, the non-directional two-wheeled frame is warped so that in addition to this rotation of the control head from plane E _o there is a parallel displacement of the control head to plane E _o , so that in plane E ₁ the axis of the control head takes position A ₂ A ₂ 'occupies and has the distance b from the plane Eo. The straightening can also take place in a plane E ₂ ', not shown, which likewise runs perpendicular to the plane E _o , with the projection of the intersection of this plane E _o with the plane E2 coming to coincide with the axis of the control head in an ideally aligned control head. The same applies to the projection of the central axis of the control head in the case of a non-aligned two-wheel frame, which results from simple geometric laws by corresponding projection from the plane E ₁ into the plane E ₂ '. In principle, it is therefore possible to carry out the straightening processes in plane E _i or in plane E ₂ '.

6a to 6d show a view in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 5 on the axis of the control head of a two-wheel frame which has not yet been aligned. In Fig. 6a, the axis A _i Ä _i 'of the control head with the section line h includes the angle γ. This angle γ is measured and the control head is set up by means of a mechanical straightening force which is dependent on this cutting angle, so that its axis assumes the position in FIG. 2b. The angle γ is measured and by means of a mechanical straightening force dependent on this angle γ 'a message is given, so that, according to FIG. 6c, the axis of the control head is aligned parallel to the plane E _o and has the distance b (FIG. 5). By means of a mechanical straightening force dependent on this distance, the control head is set up and brought into the position according to FIG. 6d, its axis taking up the distance b '. The motor head is directed by a repeated motorized straightening (messages) depending on this distance b 'in such a way that its axis coincides with the line hh. The same applies if the straightening takes place with reference to the level E2. It can also happen that the control head is directed by a single straightening with a mechanical straightening force dependent on this angle or the distance.

The angles and the distances are measured using angle encoders and displacement sensors. The determined values are fed to a computer which determines the directional paths as a function of these values using a comparison program. This comparison program contains the experimentally determined values of the angles and the distances depending on the frame size.

Fig. 7 shows schematically the principle of operation of the device according to the invention. In it, only the control head 1 of the two-wheeled frame is shown. It is clamped in the clamping device 8, which is rotatable depending on the cutting angle and displaceable depending on the distance of the axis of the control head from the penetration line or the reference plane E _o (see FIG. 5). For this purpose, the two clamping jaws 9 and 10 for the control head are arranged on a turntable 13 'with corresponding pneumatic working cylinders 11, 12 (FIG. 8). The turntable has a ring gear 13 which, on the one hand, engages with the pinion of an absolute angle encoder 14. Furthermore, a motor drive 15 is provided, which ge via a clutch 16 with the ring gear of the turntable can be coupled or uncoupled. The turntable is arranged on a slide 17 which is guided on a slide guide 18 by a further motor drive 19. The zero position OO of the slide and the angular position 0-0 of the turntable (Fig. 3, 3 and Fig. 4) correspond to the penetration line or the cutting line hh in Fig. 5. To determine the cutting angle after the preparation, the motor drive 15 is decoupled from the turntable via the coupling 16 in the zero position of the slide. As a result, the control head 1 of the non-directional two-wheel frame rotates the turntable 13 'by the angle γ' (FIG. 5, FIG. 6). This angle γ 'is recorded by the absolute angle encoder 14, which is always coupled to the ring gear, and passed on to the computer, not shown. This computer determines the angular extent to which the turntable is rotated by a motor, so that it is aligned in the plane E _o (FIG. 5, FIG. 6e, FIG. 6d). Then the jaws 9 and 10 are raised so that the control head is disengaged from them. As a result, the control head generally assumes a position with its axis parallel to the plane E _o (FIG. 6c, FIG. 6d). This distance b or b 'is measured by means of a displacement sensor 20, which is applied via a guide 21 and by means of a compression spring 22 against the control head 1 when the clamping jaws are open. This value b or b 'is measured and entered into the computer which, depending on the distance b', determines the path by which the carriage is moved, so that after the control head is released by the clamping jaws, the control head is directed into the plane E _o is.

8 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment. In the machine frame 23, the slide guide 18 is fixedly arranged, on which the slide 17 is guided with the turntable and the other devices (identical parts are identified by the same reference numerals).

A two-wheel frame is self-tensioned with the rear wheel dropouts 6 and 7 in the guide 24, which is used to define the plane E _o . The two-wheeled frame according to FIG. 5 is centered by means of clamping jaws 25 and 26 for the bottom bracket and a mandrel 27 for the seat tube (FIG. 7) as well as associated, not numbered, pneumatic working cylinders.

9a shows the block diagram with the computer 28. An input of the computer is assigned to the angle step encoder 14 and the displacement encoder 20. Values for the angular deviation designated as well as assigned values (γ * '+ ε) for straightening are stored in the computer in each case with γ *'. Furthermore, the values designated with b * 'for the distances b' and associated values b * '+ δ for the straightening are stored.

After measuring a value γ ', this value is compared by the computer with the stored values γ *' and assigned to the one which it comes closest to. The computer assigns the assigned value γ * '+ ε to this value and issues a corresponding command to the motor drive 15. The clamping jaws 9 and 10 are then rotated with the control head in the opposite direction relative to the zero position (cf. Fig. 9b). The axis of the control head is then aligned parallel to the plane Eo and spaced apart at the distance b. The computer compares the distance b 'with the stored values b ^* ' and assigns it to the one that it comes closest to. This value is assigned the assigned value b * '+ δ, which corresponds to the amount by which the control head is displaced in the other direction via the zero position (cf. FIG. 9c). After its release, it is aligned in the reference plane Eo. The computer is constructed in a manner known per se using known components (microprocessors and the like).

Fig. 10 shows the front view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which, in addition to straightening the control head, straightening the seat tube and the rear wheel dropouts and in which the guide 24 (Fig. 7) for the 'rear wheel dropouts is explained in more detail. The device according to FIG. 10 is integrated as a work station in a production line for two-wheel frames, which is not shown any further. The two-wheeled frames are transported through the production line on wagons, which are schematically designated 43 and are coupled with a driven chain. Each carriage 43 has a gauge 44 with a receiving prism 44 'on which a two-wheel frame with the seat tube is placed. The gauge can be lowered and raised with the trolley (not shown).

While the receptacle 24 in FIG. 8 is arranged stationary with respect to the device in such a way that after the insertion of the rear wheel dropouts, the distance a is halved by the reference plane Eo (FIG. 5), the receptacle 24 in FIG. 10 is in the device according to the invention integrated for straightening the rear wheel dropouts. For the sake of clarity, this device is only partially shown in FIG. 10, but is shown schematically in FIG. 11. From this Fig. 11 it can be seen that the machine frame consists of four profiles 23 '(Fig. 10) which are connected by bars 45 and 46. The spar 45 guides a slide 47 by means of the driving cylinder 48 in the direction of the double arrow F ₁ . A second driving cylinder 49, which can be acted upon on both sides, is arranged on the carriage 47, which guides a second carriage 50 in the direction of the assigned double arrow F ₂ , on which a disc rotor motor 51 and an absolute angle encoder 52 are arranged. The disc rotor motor is in engagement with a rack 54 via the clutch 53, which can be seen in FIG. 10, with which the absolute angle encoder 52 is always in engagement. The rack has the receptacle 24 for the rear wheel dropouts.

The device according to the invention for Rich ten of the seat tube is not shown in Fig. 10 for clarity. Their basic structure, however, can be seen from the embodiment of FIG. 11.

Arranged on the spar 45 is a further driving cylinder 55 which can be acted on on both sides and which displaces a carriage 56 on a guide (not shown) in the direction of the double arrow F _4. This carriage guides a second carriage 55 in the direction of the double arrow Fr. 58. An absolute angle encoder 59 and a disc rotor motor 60 are arranged on this second carriage 57. The absolute angle encoder is always in engagement with the rack 61 and the disk motor can be disengaged from the rack via a clutch (not shown) (FIG. 12, item 67). The rack has the tapered seat tube mandrel 62.

The device is set up in the following way: after setting the zero position 0-0 of the slide 17 and the zero position 00 of the turntable 13 ', the two clamping jaws 25 and 26 are adjusted such that they come to rest in the plane E _o . For this purpose, the two pneumatic working cylinders 63 and 64 are provided, which are flanged to the spars 45 and 46, respectively. The two working cylinders are controlled in such a way that they have the same distance to the plane E _o in all positions. 11 is then moved to its left end position and the rack 61 is adjusted by means of the disc motor 60 so that the axis of the seat tube mandrel lies in the intersection of the planes E _o and E2 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ). Here, the position of the rack is such that it can be moved in both directions of the double arrow F ₅ .

In this position of the saddle mandrel, the absolute angle encoder 59 is set to zero.

Then the drive cylinders 48 and 49 in Fig. 11 are brought into their retracted end position and by means of the motor 51, the receptacle 24 is moved so that either the plane E _o halves the distance a between the rear wheel dropouts of a two-wheel frame (FIG. 5) or Middle plane E _{4 of} the rear wheel to be mounted (FIG. 3) comes to congruence with plane Eo. In this position of the receptacle, the rack 54 can be moved in the direction of the double arrow F ₃ (FIG. 11). ). The absolute angle encoder 52 is set to zero in this position of the recording. Accordingly, the jaws 9 and 10 are adjusted in the plane E _o .

FIG. 12 shows the computer 28 from FIG. 9 again for straightening the control head. It is supplemented by a computer 65 or 66 for straightening the seat tube or the rear wheel dropouts, both of which are connected in accordance with the computer 28. The straightening of a two-wheel frame according to the invention is carried out as follows: A two-wheel frame mounted on the receiving prism with the seat tube is moved into the device on the carriage in such a position that the bottom bracket and the seat tube can be clamped. After clamping the bottom bracket and saddle tube, the trolley is lowered with the gauge and prism. The disc rotor motor 60 is then uncoupled from the rack 61. As a result, the redesigned seat tube can shift the slide from the zero position by a corresponding amount. The amount is displayed by the absolute angle encoder 59 or passed on to the computer. Then set up beyond the yield point in both directions. Thereafter, in the same way as already described for the lateral straightening of the control head, the straightening into the reference plane E _{o is} carried out. If the seat tube is not yet aligned with its axis in the plane Eo, it shifts the rack by a corresponding amount b ₁ ', which corresponds to a specific angular position of the axis of the seat tube to the plane E _o . Because this angular position is small. can the direction of the axis of the seat tube in the plane Eo by means of a directional path for the seat tube mandrel in the direction of arrow F ₅ (Fig. 11). This amount b ₁ 'is output by the absolute angle encoder 59 to the computer 65. Values b ₁ * 'are stored in this, to which stored values b ₁ *' + δ are also assigned (cf. FIG. 14). The computer assigns the storage value bi "to the value b _i 'which comes closest to it and issues the control command b ₁ *' + δ ₁ , which is dependent on the sign with respect to the level Eo, to the disk rotor motor 60, which in the corresponding direction has the rack 61 and thus moves the seat tube mandrel.

After straightening the seat tube, the rear wheel dropouts are straightened. For this purpose, the receptacle 24 (FIG. 11) is moved by means of the drive cylinder 49 so that, for. B. the center plane of the rear wheel to be assembled coincides with the plane Eo, the receptacle 24 being out of engagement with the receptacles 34, 35 (FIG. 24) for the rear wheel (FIG. 1). Then the receptacle 24 is moved by means of the driving cylinder 48 (FIG. 11) in the direction of the working cylinders 63, 64 in such a way that it receives and sets the cone for the rear wheel with the conical slot guides 24 '.

Subsequently, the rear triangle is prepared on both sides of the reference plane E _{o, in} each case beyond the yield point, by means of the disc rotor motor 51. The motor 51 is decoupled by means of the clutch 53. If the rear triangle is not yet aligned, it moves the slide 50 by a corresponding amount b ₂ '. This value is output by the absolute angle encoder 52 to the computer 66, which has stored corresponding values b ₂ * 'and b ₂ *' + δ ₂ (FIG. 12) as the computer 65 and makes a corresponding assignment. The corresponding control command b ₁ * '+ δ ₂ is issued to the disk motor 51, which accordingly moves the rack and thus the receptacle 24. Then, by decoupling the disc motor, it is checked whether the rear end is aligned.

Then the control head - as described at the beginning - is directed.

To shorten the cycle times, the control head and rear triangle can be straightened at the same time.

Claims (21)

1. Method of aligning soldered and/or welded bicycle frames by firmly clamping the bottom bracket bearings (the pivot axis) of the frame and adjustably clamping the seat tube in an aligning apparatus and by aligning it into the reference plane which runs perpendicularly to the axis of the bottom bracket bearing and bisects it, characterised in that the angle between the axis of the bottom bracket bearing (the pivot axis) and the axis of the seat tube is measured, the seat tube is mechanically pre-aligned beyond the apparent limit of elasticity in both angular directions, the angle is measured again and the seat tube is mechanically aligned into the reference plane as a function of this angle.

2. Method of aligning soldered and/or welded bicycle frames by firmly clamping the bottom bracket bearing (the pivot axis) and the seat tube of a frame and adjustably clamping the rear wheel prongs (the rear wheel pivot fork) in an aligning apparatus and by aligning them into the reference plane which runs perpendicularly to the axis of the bottom bracket bearing and bisects it, characterised in that the distance between the central plane of the rear wheel and the reference plane is measured and the two rear wheel prongs (the rear wheel pivot fork) are mechanically pre-aligned together in linear fashion beyond the apparent limit of elasticity towards both sides, the distance is measured again and the central plane of the rear wheel is mechanically made to cover the reference plane as a function of this distance.

3. Method of aligning soldered and/or welded bicycle frames by firmly clamping the bottom bracket bearing (the pivot axis) and the seat tube of a frame and adjustably clamping the rear wheel prongs (the rear wheel pivot fork) in an aligning apparatus and by aligning them into the reference plane which runs perpendicularly to the axis of the bottom bracket bearing and bisects it, in such a way that the centre of the wheel hub of the rear wheel lies in the reference plane, characterised in that the distance between the centre of the wheel hub of the rear wheel and the reference plane is measured and the two rear wheel prongs (the rear wheel pivot fork) are mechanically pre-aligned together in linear fashion beyond the apparent limit of elasticity towards both sides, the distance is measured again and the centre of the wheel hub of the rear wheel is mechanically made to cover the reference plane as a function of this distance.

4. Method of aligning soldered and/or welded bicycle frames by firmly clamping the rear wheel prongs (the rear wheel pivot fork), the bottom bracket bearing (the pivot axis) and the seat tube of a frame and adjustably clamping the control head in an aligning apparatus and by aligning the axis of the control head into the reference plane which contains the seat tube axis and bisects the distance between the rear wheel prongs, characterised in that the angle of intersection between the control head axis and the line of penetration predetermined by the intersection between the reference plane and the plane which is perpendicular to it and contains the control head axis is measured, in that the control head is mechanically pre-aligned beyond the apparent limit of elasticity in both angular directions, the angle is measured again and the control head is mechan. ically aligned with its axis parallel to the line of penetration as a function of this angle, in that the distance between the axis of the control head free from the aligning apparatuses and the line of penetration is measured, the control head is mechanically pre-aligned in linear fashion beyond the apparent limit of elasticity towards both sides, the distance is measured again and the control head is mechanically made to cover the line of penetration as a function of this distance.

5. Method of aligning soldered and/or welded bicycle frames by firmly clamping the rear wheel prongs (the rear wheel pivot fork), the bottom bracket bearing (the pivot axis) and the seat tube of a frame and by adjustably clamping the control head in an aligning apparatus and by aligning the axis of the control head into the reference plane which contains the seat tube axis and bisects the distance between the rear wheel prongs, characterised in that the angle of intersection between the projection of the control head axis onto a plane perpendicular to the reference plane and the line of penetration which is predetermined by the intersection between this plane and the reference plane is measured, in that the control head is pre-aligned mechanically beyond the apparent limit of elasticity in both angular directions, the angle is measured again and the control head is aligned mechanically with its axis parallel to the reference plane as a function of this angle, in that the distance be tween the axis of the control head free from aligning apparatuses and the reference plane is measured, the control head is pre-aligned mechanically in linear fashion beyond the apparent limit of elasticity towards both sides, the distance is measured again and the control head is mechanically made to cover the reference plane as a function of this distance.

6. Method according to claims 1 to 5, charac terised in that the control head and the rear wheel prongs are aligned simultaneously after aligning the seat tube.

7. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterised by a clamping device (25, 26) for the bottom bracket bearing (5) (the pivot axis) and by a clamping device (62) adjustable as a function of the angle for the seat tube (4).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised by a machine frame (23) with the clamping device for the bottom bracket bearing (the pivot axis) and a clamping device for the seat tube which is movably (pivotally) quided in the ma chine frame.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised by an angular step transmitter (59) which is allocated to the clamping device for the seat tube for determining the angle and a motor drive means (60) which can be coupled to the clamping device and is disengaged for determining the angle.

10. Apparatus according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised by a computer (65) with a respective input for the angular step transmitter (59), with a memory for stored values of the angular deviation and values allocated thereto for the aligning operation and a device for allocating the measured value to the value closest to it as well as a device for allocating this value to the alignment value for the motor drive means (60).

11. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 2 or 3, characterised by clamping devices (25, 26) for the bottom bracket bearing (5) and the seat tube (4) and by a rotatable clamping device or holder (24) for the rear wheel prongs (6, 7) which is movable as a function of the distance between the central plane of the rear wheel or the centre of the wheel hub and the reference plane (E_o).

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterised by a machine frame (25) with the clamping devices (25, 26 or 62) for the bottom bracket bearing and the seat tube and a clamping device or holder (24) for the rear wheel prongs which is guided movably in the machine frame.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterised by an angular step transmitter (52) which is coupled via a toothed rack to the clamping device or holder for the rear wheel prongs for determining the distance and a motor drive means (51) which can be coupled to the clamping device or the holder and is disengaged for determining the distance.

14. Apparatus according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised by a computer (66) with a respective input for the angular step transmitter (52) with a memory for stored values for the distances and values allocated to them for the aligning operation, a device for allocating the measured value to the value closest to it as well as a device for allocating this value to the aiign- ing value for the motor drive means.

15. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 4 or 5, characterised by clamping devices (24 or 25, 26 or 62) for the rear wheel prongs (67), the pedal mount (5) and the seat tube (4) and by a clamping device (8) for the control head (1) which can be rotated as a function of the angle of intersection and can be moved as a function of the distance between the control head axis and the line of penetration or the reference plane (Eo).

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterised by a machine frame (23) with the clamping device for the rear wheel prongs, the bottom bracket bearing and the seat tube and a carriage (17) guided movably in the machine frame with clamping jaws (9, 10) arrranged rotatably thereon as rotatable and movable clamping device for the control head.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterised by a toothed ring (13) allocated to the clamping device for the control head, an angular step transmitter (14) coupled to the toothed ring for determining the angle of intersection and a motor drive means (15) which can be coupled to the toothed ring and is disengaged for determin. ing the angle of intersection, a further motor drive means (19) for moving the carriage and a path length transmitter (20) for determining the distance between the reference plane and the control head axis aligned parallel thereto.

18. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 10, 14 or 17, characterised by a computer (28) with a respective input for the angular step transmitter (14) and for the path length transmitter (20), with a memory for stored values for the angular deviation and values allocated thereto for the aligning operation, with a memory for stored values for the distances and allocated values for the aligning operation, a device for allocating the measured value to the value closest to it as well as a device for allocating this value to the aligning value on the motor drive means (15) or (19).

19. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 10, 14 or 18, characterised in that the values are stored as a function of the frame designs.

20. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 7 to 18, characterised in that the motor drive means are disc armature motors

21. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 7 to 18, characterised in that the angular step transmitters are absolute angular step transmitters.

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