JP3236258U - Front-wheel drive folding bike - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a front-wheel drive foldable bicycle which adopts front-wheel drive, is foldable, is compact and does not become bulky in the folded state.
SOLUTION: In a front wheel drive foldable bicycle, a front frame 11 and a rear frame 12 are rotatably pivotally attached, and a fork 20 is rotatably installed at the front end of the front frame 11 around an axial center of the fork 20. A stem 43 and a handlebar 44 are installed at the upper end, a front wheel 41 is arranged below the fork 20, and when the fork 20 is rotated to the used position, the front wheel 41 faces the front of the bicycle and the fork 20 is rotated to the folded position. When moved, the front wheel 41 faces the rear of the bicycle, the rear wheel 42 and the fixing device 31 are arranged on the subframe 30, the subframe 30 is pivotally attached to the end of the rear frame 12, and the subframe 30 in the used position is placed. It is fixed by the fixing device 31.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of a bicycle, and particularly to a front-wheel drive foldable bicycle which is easy to operate by front-wheel drive and whose volume is reduced more compactly after the bicycle is folded.

In response to growing environmental protection and health concepts, bicycles have become a popular means of transportation for transportation and exercise.
In recent years, in addition to conventional human-powered bicycles, pollution-free, labor-saving, and convenient electric bicycles and electrically power assisted bicycles have emerged, and they have come to occupy a considerable proportion of the bicycle market.

Some people who enjoy outdoor sports usually attach a bicycle rack to their car so that they can carry and use the bicycle whenever they travel to the outside or far away. Conventional bicycles and electric bicycles take up a considerable amount of space under normal use conditions, and may be difficult to move or place.
Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem of inconvenience in carrying, a foldable bicycle has been created.

Conventional bicycles and electric bicycles basically adopt a rear-wheel drive structure, which is a major limitation in the design of folding bicycles.
Most foldable structures use a frame that can be folded in half, but rear-wheel drive and electric bicycles that are folded are still bulky and easy to carry and move after folding. It wasn't.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a front-wheel drive foldable bicycle that adopts front-wheel drive, is foldable, is compact and does not become bulky in the folded state.

The front wheel drive foldable bicycle of the present invention includes a frame, a fork, and a subframe, the frame includes a front frame, a rear frame, and a saddle, and the saddle is arranged at the upper end of the frame. The frame and the rear frame are rotatably pivotally attached to the first pivot point by a support shaft, and the front frame and the rear frame are used and folded with the first pivot point as the center of rotation. The fork is rotatably installed around the axis at the front end of the front frame of the frame, and the fork rotates between the used position and the folded position. A stem and a handle bar are installed at the upper end of the fork, a front wheel and a transmission system for rotating the front wheel are rotatably arranged below the fork, and the fork is rotated to the position of use. Then, the handle bar is also rotated to the normal use position when riding on the bicycle at the same time, the front wheel faces the front of the bicycle, and the fork is rotated to the folded position, the front wheel is rotated to the rear of the bicycle. A rear wheel and a fixing device are arranged in the subframe, the rear wheel is rotatably arranged at the end of the subframe, and a second pivot point is provided between the front end and the end of the subframe. The subframe is rotatably pivoted to the end of the rear frame of the frame with the second pivot point as the center of rotation, and the subframe has the second pivot point as the center of rotation. Rotating between the used position and the folded position, the subframe in the used position and the rear frame of the frame interfere with each other to stop at the used position and the sub in the used position. The frame and the rear frame of the frame are mutually fixed by the fixing device and kept in the used position.

The preferred location of the second pivot point is the midpoint of the subframe, which is rotated to the end of the rear frame of the frame by a support shaft or hinge located at the second pivot point. It is possible to be subframed.

Preferably, at least one subwheel is pivotally attached to the front end of the subframe.

Two mutually parallel and separated extension frames may be installed in the front half portion of the subframe, and the subwheels may be pivotally attached to the front end of the extension frame.

Preferably, when the subframe comprises a stopper surface and the subframe is rotated to the use position, the stopper surface abuts on the end face of the end of the rear frame and blocks the end face of the end of the rear frame. By the action, it stops at the used position.

Preferably, when the rear frame rotates to the folding position with the first pivot point as the center of rotation and the subframe rotates to the folding position, the rear frame is arranged at the end of the subframe. When the wheels are located below the front frame of the frame and the forks are rotated to the folded position, the front wheels face the rear of the bicycle and the front wheels and the transmission system move below the rear wheels. Will be done.

The transmission system includes a pedal, a crank, a chain wheel, a chain, and a freewheel, the pedal is attached to the crank, the chain wheel is connected to the crank, and the chain wheel is attached to the freewheel. It may be installed, a chain ring may be attached to the front wheel and connected to the chain, and the chain wheel may move the chain to rotate the front wheel.

The front-wheel drive folding bicycle is an electric front-wheel drive folding bicycle, and the battery of the electric front-wheel drive folding bicycle may be arranged on the front frame of the frame and used to provide necessary power. be.

Preferably, the subframe includes a latch mechanism that temporarily fixes the subframe when it is rotated to the folding position.

In this case, the latch mechanism includes a plug arranged in the subframe and a catch member arranged in the frame, and when the subframe is rotated to a folding position, the plug is sandwiched by the catch member. May be done.

The front-wheel drive foldable bicycle of the present invention is easy to operate and shortens the overall length by adopting front-wheel drive and a foldable front frame and a foldable subframe. It is possible, and when folded, the front wheels face the rear, which is the direction of the frame, so the volume is reduced more compactly.
Further, when the sub-wheel is pivotally attached to the front end of the sub-frame, the sub-wheel can be easily towed and moved by using the sub-wheel of the sub-frame in the folded state.

It is a side view in the use state of the front wheel drive folding bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of a front-wheel drive folding bicycle showing the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the main part of the front wheel drive folding bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a side view in the folded state of the front wheel drive folding bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a rear view in the folded state of the front wheel drive folding bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation process from the use state to the fold state of the front wheel drive foldable bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation process from the use state to the fold state of the front wheel drive foldable bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation process from the use state to the fold state of the front wheel drive foldable bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation process from the use state to the fold state of the front wheel drive foldable bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation process from the use state to the fold state of the front wheel drive foldable bicycle which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view in the deployed state of the front wheel drive folding bicycle which shows Example 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view in the folded state of the front wheel drive folding bicycle which shows Example 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[Example 1]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front wheel drive folding bicycle of the present invention is arranged on a frame 10, a fork 20, a subframe 30, a saddle 40, and a fork 20. It includes a handlebar 44, a transmission system T, a front wheel 41, a rear wheel 42 located on the subframe 30, and a necessary braking system.

The frame 10 includes a front frame 11, a rear frame 12, and a saddle 40, and the rear end of the front frame 11 and the front end of the rear frame 12 can be rotated at the first pivot point P1 by a support shaft or a pivot mechanism. The front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 rotate relative to the used position (see FIG. 6A) and the folded position (see FIGS. 6D and 6E) with the first pivot point P1 as the center of rotation. can do.

The fork 20 is rotatably installed at the front end of the front frame 11 of the frame 10, and the fork 20 can be rotated between the used position (see FIGS. 6A to 6D) and the folded position (see FIG. 6E). ..

Similar to a general bicycle, the saddle 40 is arranged at the upper end of the frame 10, and the tubular head parts 13 (head parts) are installed at the front end of the front frame 11 of the frame 10.
The fork 20 is rotatably inserted into the head part 13, a stem 43 and a handlebar 44 are attached to the upper end of the control tube of the fork 20, and the front wheel 41 and the transmission system T can rotate below the fork 20. Placed in.

When the fork 20 is rotated to the used position, the handlebar 44 is also rotated to the normal used position when riding the bicycle (FIG. 6A), the front wheel 41 faces the front of the bicycle, and the user is the bicycle. You can ride and drive normally.
When the fork 20 is rotated to the folded position (see FIG. 6E), the fork 20 is rotatable 180 degrees from the used position, and the front wheel 41 in the folded position faces the rear of the bicycle. Preferably, the front wheel 41 and the transmission system T are moved to the lower part of the front frame 11 of the frame 10, so that the volume can be reduced more compactly after the bicycle is folded.

A fixing device 31 is arranged in the subframe 30, preferably at least one subwheel 32 is installed at the front end of the subframe 30, and the rear wheel 42 of the bicycle is rotatably arranged at the end of the subframe 30. ..
A second pivot point P2 is provided between the front end and the end of the subframe 30, and the subframe 30 is pivotally attached to the end of the rear frame 12 of the frame 10 with the second pivot point P2 as the center of rotation. Will be done. The preferred position of the second pivot point P2 is the midpoint of the subframe 30, which is rotated to the end of the rear frame 12 of the frame 10 by a support shaft or hinge 33 located at the second pivot point P2. It is possible to be subframed.

The subframe 30 can rotate between the used position (see FIGS. 6A to 6B) and the folded position (see FIGS. 6C to 6E) with the second pivot point P2 as the center of rotation.
The subframe 30 and the rear frame 12 of the frame 10 interfere with each other or block at the use position to stop at the use position, and the subframe 30 and the rear frame 12 of the frame 10 at the use position mutually interfere with each other by the fixing device 31. It is fixed and maintained in that position so that it does not loosen or fold when the user rides on the bicycle.
On the contrary, when the bicycle is folded, the subframe 30 can be easily rotated from the used position to the folded position by releasing or loosening the fixing device 31.
In the example shown in the figure, the fixing device 31 is a metal hook, but it may be a structure or a member (such as a metal fitting) having the same effect, and is not limited to the metal hook shown in the figure.

In the example shown in the figure, the front half portion of the subframe 30 (ie, between the second pivot point P2 and the front end of the subframe 30) comprises two mutually parallel stretched frames 34, which are sub. The wheels 32 are pivotally attached to the front end of the extension frame 34 (ie, the front end of the subframe 30). That is, the first half of the subframe 30 is similar to the structure of a bicycle fork, and due to the structure of the subframe 30 similar to this fork, the subframe 30 is used with the second pivot point P2 as the center of rotation. It can be easily rotated to the folding position.

A preferred structure includes a latch mechanism for temporarily fixing the subframe 30 when it is rotated to a folded position.
The latch mechanism includes a plug 35 and a catch member 14, the plug 35 is arranged in the subframe 30, and the catch member 14 is arranged in the frame 10 (for example, the rear frame 12 of the frame 10).
When the subframe 30 is rotated to the folded position, the plug 35 is sandwiched by the catch member 14 arranged on the frame 10. The catch member 14 is composed of two holding portions 141 (or roller shafts) controlled by a spring (not shown), the plug 35 is provided with a head portion 351 (see FIG. 4) at the tip, and the plug 35 is held by two holding portions. It can be inserted between 141 so that it can be sandwiched. The action of the head portion 351 does not cause it to fall out between the two sandwiching portions 141, and the plug 35 can be easily detached from between the two sandwiching portions 141 with a little force by the user, and then the subframe 30 is used. It can be rotated to the position.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6C, the subframe 30 includes a stopper surface 36, and when the subframe 30 is rotated to the used position, the stopper surface 36 comes into contact with the end surface 121 at the end of the rear frame 12, and the rear It stops at the used position due to the blocking action of the end face 121 at the end of the frame 12. After that, the subframe 30 at the used position and the rear frame 12 of the frame 10 are mutually fixed by the fixing device 31 and maintained at the used position. At this time, the user can ride the bicycle normally.

On the contrary, after the fixing device 31 is released, the subframe 30 can be rotated to the folded position with the second pivot point P2 as the center of rotation, and as shown in FIG. 6E, the subframe 30 can be rotated from the used position. The rear wheel 42, which is rotated 180 degrees to reach the folded position and is arranged at the end of the subframe 30, is located below the front frame 11 of the frame 10. Preferably, the rear wheel 42 is located above the front wheel 41 and the transmission system T so that the volume can be reduced more compactly when the bicycle is folded.

The operation step of converting the front-wheel drive folding bicycle from the used state to the folded state follows the order of FIGS. 6A to 6E. The black arrow indicates the folding operation direction, and the white arrow indicates the unfolding operation direction.
The usage state of the front-wheel drive folding bicycle is as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6A. The fork 20 is rotated to the used position, and the front wheel 41 is installed so as to protrude from the lower end of the fork 20 toward the front of the bicycle. ing.

In the folding step, the fixing device 31 is first released, and then the subframe 30 is rotated to the folding position in the direction indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 6B with the second pivot point P2 as the center of rotation (see FIG. 6C). Further, the rear frame 12 of the frame 10 is rotated to the folded position in the direction indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 6C with the first pivot point P1 as the center of rotation (see FIG. 6D). At this time, the rear wheel 42 is located below the front frame 11 of the frame 10.

Finally, the fork 20 is rotated around its axis to the 180 degree folding position in the direction indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 6D (see FIG. 6E). At this time, the front wheel 41 faces the rear of the bicycle (in the direction of the front frame 11), and the front wheel 41 and the transmission system T are moved below the rear wheel 42. Since either one of the sub-wheel 32 and the front wheel 41 arranged on the sub-frame 30 can come into contact with the ground, it is convenient for moving and towing a bicycle.
On the contrary, the front-wheel drive folding bicycle of the present invention can be completed by performing the opposite operation steps in the order of FIGS. 6E to 6A when the folded state is expanded into the used state.

The transmission system T has a pedal 51 (pedals), a crank 52 (crank), a chain wheel 53 (chainwheel), a chain 54 (chain), and a freewheel 55 (chain), as in the case of a conventional human-powered bicycle. Freewheel) and included.
The pedal 51 is attached to the crank 52, the crank 52 is connected to the chain wheel 53, the chain wheel 53 is installed on the freewheel 55, the chain ring 56 is arranged on the front wheel 41 and connected to the chain 54. The user steps on the pedal 51 with both feet to rotate the chain wheel 53, and the chain wheel 53 moves the chain 54 to rotate the front wheel 41.
It also has other basic structures of bicycles (brake system, etc.) and should be understood by those who are familiar with the technical field of bicycles, so the explanation is omitted here.

[Example 2]
7A and 7B show Example 2 of the present invention.
The second embodiment relates to an electric front-wheel drive folding bicycle.
In the second embodiment, the battery 61 used for supplying electric power is arranged on the front frame 11 of the frame 10. As the battery 61, a rechargeable secondary battery (for example, a lithium ion battery or the like) can be adopted.
Since other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment, common reference numerals are given to the same parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

10 Frame 11 Front frame 12 Rear frame 121 End face 13 Head parts 14 Catch member 141 Holding part 20 Fork 30 Subframe 31 Fixing device 32 Sub wheel 33 Hinge 34 Extension frame 35 Plug 351 Head part 36 Stopper surface 40 Saddle 41 Front wheel 42 Rear wheel 43 Stem 44 Handlebar 51 Pedal 52 Crank 53 Chain wheel 54 Chain 55 Free wheel 56 Chain ring 61 Battery P1 1st pivot point P2 2nd pivot point T transmission system

Claims (10)

Front-wheel drive folding bike, including frame, fork and subframe
The frame includes a front frame, a rear frame, and a saddle, the saddle is arranged at the upper end of the frame, and the front frame and the rear frame can be rotated at a first pivot point by a support shaft. It is pivotally attached, and the front frame and the rear frame are relatively rotatable between the used position and the folded position with the first pivoting point as the center of rotation.
The fork is rotatably installed around the axis at the front end of the front frame of the frame, the fork can rotate between the used position and the folded position, and the stem and handlebar are at the upper end of the fork. Installed, the front wheel and the transmission system for rotating the front wheel are rotatably arranged below the fork, and when the fork is rotated to the position of use, the handlebar also rides on the bicycle at the same time. When the front wheel is rotated to the front of the bicycle and the fork is rotated to the folded position, the front wheel is directed to the rear of the bicycle.
A rear wheel and a fixing device are arranged in the subframe, the rear wheel is rotatably arranged at the end of the subframe, and a second pivot point is provided between the front end and the end of the subframe. The subframe is rotatably pivoted to the end of the rear frame of the frame with the second pivot point as the center of rotation, and the subframe is positioned with the second pivot point as the center of rotation. Rotating between the folded position, the subframe in the used position and the rear frame of the frame interfere with each other to stop at the used position, and the subframe in the used position and the said. The rear frames of the frame are mutually fixed by the fixing device and kept in the used position.
A front-wheel drive folding bike that features this. The position of the second pivot point is the midpoint of the subframe, and the subframe is rotated to the end of the rear frame of the frame by a support shaft or hinge arranged at the second pivot point. The front-wheel drive foldable bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the bicycle is pivotally mounted as possible. The front-wheel drive folding bicycle according to claim 2, wherein at least one sub-wheel is pivotally attached to the front end of the sub-frame. 3. The third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that two stretch frames separated from each other in parallel are installed in the front half portion of the subframe, and the sub wheels are pivotally attached to the front end of the stretch frame. Front-wheel drive folding bike. When the subframe has a stopper surface and the subframe is rotated to the used position, the stopper surface comes into contact with the end surface of the end of the rear frame, and the blocking action of the end surface of the end of the rear frame causes the subframe to act. The front-wheel drive foldable bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the bicycle stops at the position of use. When the rear frame rotates to the folding position with the first pivot point as the center of rotation and the subframe rotates to the folding position, the rear wheel arranged at the end of the subframe is said to be the same. Located below the front frame of the frame and when the fork is rotated to the folded position, the front wheels face the rear of the bicycle and the front wheels and the transmission system are moved below the rear wheels. The front wheel drive folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the bicycle is characterized by the above. The transmission system includes a pedal, a crank, a chain wheel, a chain, and a freewheel, the pedal is attached to the crank, the chain wheel is connected to the crank, and the chain wheel is attached to the freewheel. The front wheel drive foldable type according to claim 1, wherein a chain ring is attached to the front wheel and connected to the chain, and the chain wheel moves the chain to rotate the front wheel. bicycle. The front wheel drive folding bicycle is an electric front wheel drive folding bicycle, and the battery of the electric front wheel drive folding bicycle is arranged in the front frame of the frame and used to provide necessary power. The front wheel drive folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the bicycle is characterized by. The front-wheel drive folding bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising a latch mechanism for temporarily fixing the subframe when it is rotated to a folding position. The latch mechanism includes a plug arranged in the subframe and a catch member arranged in the frame, and when the subframe is rotated to a folding position, the plug is sandwiched by the catch member. The front-wheel drive foldable bicycle according to claim 9, wherein the bicycle is characterized by this.

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