JPH0569875A - Front wheel shock absorber for bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a front wheel shock absorber wherein a brake mechanism of caliper brake, rim brake, etc., most suitable for a bicycle can be mounted, and in addition, running can be comfortably performed even at large shock time and reversely even at fine vibration time further with tension of a spring adjustable in accordance with body weight and an attitude of a rider and a condition of a running road surface. CONSTITUTION:One end of a swivel arm 7 is turnably connected to a lower end part of a front fork 2 to form an axle mounting part in a rear end part of the swivel arm 7 by directing it rearward, and also a rear end of a stabilizer 9 is turnably connected to a rear end of the swivel arm 7 to interpose an elastic unit 11 between the swivel arm 7 and the front fork 2 by slidably inserting an upper part of the stabilizer 9 into a front fork stem 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shock absorber for a front wheel of a bicycle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As conventional front wheel shock absorbers for bicycles, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-172689 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-130487.
In the structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1994-331, that is, the base end of the swing arm having the front wheel mounting portion is rotatably connected to the lower end portion of the front hawk, and the cushion is provided between the front hawk and the swing arm. A structure having a container is generally known.

Further, like the AM2 type bicycle manufactured by Moulton of England, the lower end of the stabilizer extending from the inside of the stem above the front hawk is attached to the front end of the swing arm rotatably provided at the lower end of the front hawk. There is also known a structure in which a spring is mounted between a front hawk stem and a stabilizer, which is rotatably connected.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
The front wheel shock absorber having the structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 689 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-130487 is often used in small motorcycles because of its simple structure. However, in such a structure, since the front hawk and the front wheels move independently, only a drum brake or a disc brake can be adopted as the front brake. However, in a bicycle, caliper brakes and rim brakes that are excellent in terms of lightness and cooling effect, that is, the brake main body is fixed to the front fork, and the wheel rim is sandwiched by the brake shoes attached to the brake main body, or A brake with a mechanism that brakes by pressing the brake shoe against the rim is suitable. However, if a caliper brake or rim brake is adopted for the above-mentioned structure in which the wheel moves independently of the front hawk, the position of the rim and the brake shoe will shift and the brake will not work, or the wheel will move because the brake shoe hits the tire. There is a big problem that it will disappear.

The AM2 type bicycle manufactured by Moulton Co., Ltd.
The base end of a swing arm having an axle mounting portion is rotatably connected to the lower end of the front fork so that the front wheel is located in front of the base end, and the lower end of the stabilizer is attached to the front end of the swing arm. Rotatably connected, the upper end of the stabilizer is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem provided above the front hawk, and a spring is attached between the upper end of the stabilizer and the front hawk stem. Since the brake body is attached to the upper part of the stabilizer and the axle is arranged in front of the base end of the swing arm, when the front wheel a rides on the obstacle b as shown in FIG. , A force in the F direction acts, but since the front wheel a rotates in the direction of arrow A about the fulcrum O, a large force acts in the direction of arrow X on the front fork c.
Therefore, while a large vibration is transmitted to the rider's arm and shoulder,
It is also necessary to increase the rigidity of the front fork c, which causes a problem that the weight increases. Further, since this device supports the entire front wheel load only by the spring provided in the front fork stem d, it is necessary to use a strong spring so that the spring does not bottom out when a large shock is applied. There was also a problem that it could not absorb the slight vibration. In addition, since the spring constant of the spring is constant, it is difficult to select a spring suitable for the weight and posture of the rider and the condition of the road surface on which the rider rides.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, one end of a swing arm is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of a front hawk, and the swing arm is directed rearward. , Forming an axle mounting portion at the rear end thereof, rotatably connecting the lower end of the stabilizer to the rear end of the swing arm, and slidably inserting the upper portion of the stabilizer into the front hawk stem, An elastic body is interposed between the swing arm and the front hawk to form a front wheel shock absorber for a bicycle.

Further, the bicycle front wheel shock absorber may be constructed so that the mounting position of the elastic body on the swing arm can be adjusted.

Further, one end of the swing arm is rotatably connected to the lower end of the front hawk, the swing arm is directed rearward, and an axle mounting portion is formed at the rear end of the swing arm. The lower end of the stabilizer is rotatably connected to the rear end, the upper part of the stabilizer is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem, and an elastic body is inserted into the front hawk stem to form a front wheel shock absorber for a bicycle. You can also do it.

Further, one end of a swing arm is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of the front fork, the swing arm is directed rearward, and an axle mounting portion is formed at a rear end portion of the swing arm. The lower end of the stabilizer is rotatably connected to the rear end, the upper part of the stabilizer is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem, and an elastic body is interposed between the swing arm and the front hawk, and An elastic body may be inserted in the front fork stem above the stabilizer.

Further, one end of the swing arm is rotatably connected to the lower end of the front fork, the swing arm is directed rearward, and an axle mounting portion is formed at the rear end of the swing arm. The lower end of the stabilizer is rotatably connected to the rear end, the upper part of the stabilizer is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem, and the bracket is projected on the front extension of the swing arm substantially parallel to the front hawk. Then, an elastic body is interposed between the bracket and the front hawk, and a bracket is provided at an intermediate portion of the swing arm so as to project substantially parallel to the front hawk, and the elastic body is also provided between the bracket and the front hawk. It is also possible to form a front wheel shock absorber for a bicycle by interposing.

Further, each type of stabilizer described above may be provided with a brake mounting base, and the brake device may be mounted on the base.

[0012]

The operation of the device of the present invention constructed as described above is shown in FIG.
Will be explained generally. In the figure, a is a front wheel, b is an obstacle, c is a front hawk, d is a front hawk stem, e is a stabilizer, and f is a swing arm. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the front wheel a of a bicycle rides on an obstacle b on the road surface, the front wheel a
A moment around the fulcrum O of the swing arm f acts in the direction of the arrow B, and accordingly the swing arm f fastened to the front wheel a rotates about the fulcrum O in the direction of the arrow B as well. The stabilizer e attached to the rear end of the swing arm f is pushed up. Then, the elastic body (not shown) provided between the stabilizer e and the front hawk stem d or the elastic body (not shown) provided between the swing arm f and the front hawk c is compressed. .. When the elastic body is deformed by the compressive force, the vibration can be absorbed, and then the repulsive force of the elastic body can restore the original state. According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to effectively suppress the vibration generated by the unevenness of the road surface from being transmitted to the body, particularly the arm or the shoulder.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the figure, 1 is a front wheel of a bicycle, 1a is its rim, 2 is a front hawk for supporting the front wheel 1, 3 is the hawk stem fitted with the upper part of the front hawk 2, 4 is the front hawk stem 3
The head pipe 5 and the head pipe 4 are fitted with each other.

As a common constituent feature of the present invention, one end 7a of a swing arm 7 is rotatably connected to a lower end portion 2a of the front fork 2 by a shaft 8 such as a bolt, and the swing arm 7 is rearward. Towards,
An axle mounting portion 7b is formed at the rear end of the swing arm 7, and a lower end 9a of the stabilizer 9 is rotatably connected to the rear end 7c of the swing arm 7 by a shaft 10 such as a bolt, and the upper portion of the stabilizer 9 is connected to the front hawks. It is slidably inserted into the system 3.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first invention of the present invention. In the first invention, a bicycle is provided with an elastic body 11 or 12 interposed between the swing arm 7 and the front fork 2. A front wheel shock absorber is constructed.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the first invention, and the elastic body 11 in this case is made of a flexible material such as rubber. Reference numeral 13 is a pedestal projecting from the rear side of the lower part of the front hawk 2, 14 is a pedestal connected to the intermediate portion of the swing arm 7 by a bolt 15 so as to be tiltable, and the elastic body 11 is these pedestals 13, 14
It is provided in between.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the first invention. In this case, the elastic body 12 is a coil spring, and the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are equivalent. 16 is a coil spring 12
17 is a connector connected to the upper end of the connector 16.
It is a bolt for connecting to.

3 and 4 show the second invention of the present invention, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same elements. That is, in the second aspect of the invention, the mounting position of the elastic body 12 with respect to the swing arm 7 can be adjusted.

FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the second invention. In this embodiment, a large number of bolt holes 18 are provided in the swing arm 7 in parallel, and a pedestal 14 connected to the lower end of the coil spring 12 is provided. Bolt 15
Is inserted into a desired bolt hole 18 so that the mounting position below the coil spring 12 can be arbitrarily adjusted.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the second invention, which replaces the multiple bolt holes 18 shown in FIG.
The upper half of a large number of bolt holes arranged in parallel are connected to each other and the lower side is formed into a long hole 19 having a wavy shape.

5 and 6 show a third invention, which is one end 7a of the swing arm 7 on the lower end portion 2a of the front hawk 2.
Is rotatably connected by a shaft 8, its swing arm 7 is directed rearward, and an axle mounting portion 7b is formed at the rear end of the swing arm 7.
The lower end 9a of the stabilizer 9 is rotatably connected to the rear end 7c of the swing arm 7 by a bolt 10, and the stabilizer 9
The upper part of the above is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem 3, and the elastic body 20 or 21 is inserted into the front hawk stem 3 to form a front wheel shock absorber for a bicycle.

FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment of the third invention. In this embodiment, the elastic body 20 is a coil spring, and the spring receiving plate 22 is fixed to the upper part of the hollow fork-shaped front hawk stem 3. At the same time, a disc portion 9b that can slide in the front fork stem 3 is provided at the upper end of the stabilizer 9, and a coil spring 20 is contracted between the disc portion 9b and the spring receiving plate 22.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the third invention, in which, instead of the coil spring 20 of FIG. 5, an elastic body 21 made of a flexible material such as rubber is used as the spring bearing. Board 22
And the disk portion 9b of the stabilizer 9 are inserted.

7 to 9 show a fourth invention in which one end 7a of the swing arm 7 is connected to the lower end 2a of the front fork 2 by a shaft 8.
Rotatably connect the swing arm 7 to the rear and form an axle mounting portion 7b at the rear end thereof, and at the rear end 7c of the swing arm 7, lower end 9a of the stabilizer 9 is bolted.
It is connected rotatably by means of 10, and the disc portion 9b at the upper part of the stabilizer 9 is slidably inserted into the front fork stem 3, and the elastic body 11 or between the swing arm 7 and the front fork 2 is inserted.
12 is interposed, and an elastic body 20 or 21 is inserted between the disk portion 9b above the stabilizer 9 and the spring receiving plate 22 provided in the front hawk stem 3.

FIG. 7 shows a first embodiment of the fourth invention, in which the elastic body provided in the front fork stem 3 is a coil spring 20, and the front fork 2 and the swing arm 7 are connected. The elastic body provided between the elastic bodies 11 is made of a flexible material such as rubber. In the figure, 13 is a pedestal, and 14 is a pedestal connected to an intermediate portion of the swing arm 7 by a bolt 15.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the fourth invention, in which an elastic body 21 made of a flexible material such as rubber is used instead of the coil spring 20 of the first embodiment of FIG. Was done,
Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the fourth invention, which is a coil spring instead of the elastic body 11 of the first embodiment of FIG.
12 is used, and other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. In the figure, 16 is a connecting tool, and 17 is a bolt.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the fifth invention, which is one end 7a of the swing arm 7 at the lower end 2a of the front fork 2.
Are rotatably connected by bolts 8, the swing arm 7 is directed rearward, an axle mounting portion 7b is formed at the rear end thereof, and the rear end 7c of the swing arm 7 has a lower end 9a of the stabilizer 9 attached thereto.
Is rotatably connected by a bolt 10, and the upper portion of the stabilizer 9 is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem 3,
A bracket 7e is provided on a front extension portion 7d of the swing arm 7 so as to project substantially parallel to the front hawk 2. An elastic body 23 is interposed between the bracket 7e and the front hawk 2 and the swing arm 7 A bracket 24 is provided at an intermediate portion so as to project substantially parallel to the front hawk 2, and an elastic body 25 is interposed between the bracket 24 and the front hawk 2 to form a front shock absorber for a bicycle. Reference numeral 26 in the drawing denotes a bolt for connecting the bracket 24 to the swing arm 7.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the sixth aspect of the invention, in which the stabilizer 9 is provided with a brake cylinder mounting base 27 and a brake device 28 is mounted on the mounting base 27.
It is designed to be attached. The brake device 28 of the present embodiment is a caliper type rim brake,
Is the brake shoe.

The sixth aspect of the invention is based on the above-mentioned FIGS.
All of the embodiments shown in FIG. 10 are applicable, and therefore, the state in which each stabilizer 9 is provided with the brake mounting base 27 is shown.

[0031]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. That is, since the stabilizer 9 and the front wheel 1 move almost integrally, even if the brake device 28 is attached to the stabilizer 9, the wheel 1
Since the rim 1a and the brake shoe 28a do not shift in position,
It has become possible to install the most suitable brakes for bicycles, namely caliper brakes, rim brakes and cantilever brakes, which are lightweight and have a high cooling effect.

Since the axle mounting portion 7b is located rearward of the front fork 2, the impact force F due to the uneven road surface is the direction in which the front wheel a rotates about the fulcrum O, that is, as shown in FIG. Since it is in the same direction as the arrow B direction, the impact force can be suppressed more effectively without applying an excessive force to the front fork 2.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the structure in which the mounting position of the elastic body 12 mounted on the swing arm 7 is adjustable, the apparent spring constant changes depending on the mounting position. Since the strength of the spring can be adjusted according to the weight and posture of the rider and the condition of the road surface on which the vehicle travels, a more effective front wheel shock absorber can be provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a coil spring 20 is provided in the upper portion of the stabilizer 9 and in the front hawk stem 3, and an elastic body made of rubber is provided between the hawk 2 and the swing arm 7. When the structure provided with 11 is adopted, the cushion characteristic as shown in FIG. 14 is obtained. That is, the straight line area of the range G shown in the figure is mainly due to the coil spring 20, and H in the latter half.
The rising of the curve in the range indicated by is obtained by the coil spring 20 + rubber 11. Therefore, it is possible to handle not only normal vibration but also both during large shock and slight vibration.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the bracket 7 is provided in front of and behind the pivot point of the swing arm 7 by the bolt 8.
If the structure in which the elastic bodies 23 and 25 are provided between the brackets 7e and 24 and the front fork 2 is adopted,
Since the elastic body 23 receives the rebounding force at the time of a large shock, the vibration can be suppressed, which is more effective.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a front wheel shock absorber showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a front wheel shock absorber showing a modification thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the front wheel shock absorber according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a front wheel shock absorber showing a modification thereof.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the front wheel shock absorber according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a front wheel shock absorber showing a modification thereof.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the front wheel shock absorber according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a front wheel shock absorber showing a modification thereof.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a front wheel shock absorber showing another modification.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the front wheel shock absorber according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the front wheel shock absorber showing the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the conventional device.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the operation of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing cushion characteristics when a coil spring is provided in the fork and rubber is used in a lower portion of the front fork in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 front wheel 1a rim 2 front hawk 3 front hawk stem 4 head pipe 5 upper pipe 6 lower pipe 7 swing arm 8 axis (bolt) 9 stabilizer 10 axis (bolt) 11 elastic body 12 elastic body (coil spring) 13, 14 pedestal 15 Bolt 16 Coupling 17 Bolt 18 Bolt hole 19 Oblong hole 20 Elastic body (coil spring) 21 Elastic body 22 Spring support plate 23 Elastic body 24 Bracket 25 Elastic body 26 Bolt 27 Brake mounting base 28 Brake device

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A swing arm is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of a front fork, the swing arm is directed rearward, and an axle mounting portion is formed at a rear end portion of the swing arm. The lower end of the stabilizer is rotatably connected to the rear end, and the upper part of the stabilizer is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem,
A front wheel shock absorber for a bicycle, wherein an elastic body is interposed between the swing arm and the front hawk. 2. A front wheel shock absorber for a bicycle according to claim 1, wherein a mounting position of the elastic body to the swing arm can be adjusted. 3. A swing arm is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of the front hawk, the swing arm is directed rearward, and an axle mounting portion is formed at a rear end portion of the swing arm. The lower end of the stabilizer is rotatably connected to the rear end, and the upper part of the stabilizer is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem,
A front shock absorber for a bicycle, characterized in that an elastic body is inserted into the front hawk stem. 4. An end of a swing arm is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of a front fork, the swing arm is directed rearward, and an axle mounting portion is formed at a rear end portion of the swing arm. The lower end of the stabilizer is rotatably connected to the rear end, and the upper part of the stabilizer is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem,
A front shock absorber for a bicycle, wherein an elastic body is interposed between the swing arm and the front hawk, and the elastic body is inserted into a front hawk stem above the stabilizer. 5. A swing arm is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of the front hawk, the swing arm is directed rearward, and an axle mounting portion is formed at a rear end portion of the swing arm. The lower end of the stabilizer is rotatably connected to the rear end, and the upper part of the stabilizer is slidably inserted into the front hawk stem,
A bracket is provided at the front extension of the swing arm so as to project substantially parallel to the front hawk, an elastic body is interposed between the bracket and the front hawk, and a bracket is provided at the middle of the swing arm. A front shock absorber for a bicycle, characterized in that the front shock absorber is provided substantially in parallel, and an elastic body is also interposed between the bracket and the front fork. 6. A front shock absorber for a bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizer is provided with a pedestal for mounting a brake, and the brake device is mounted on the pedestal.