TWI708698B - Bicycle pillar adjustment system and bicycle thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A bicycle pillar adjustment system and a bicycle thereof are disclosed. The bicycle pillar adjustment system is suitable for a bicycle frame to install a bicycle seat. The bicycle pillar adjustment system includes a seat post, an actuating element, an adjustment device, and a control device. The seat post includes a lower support tube and an upper support tube. The lower support tube is attached to the bicycle frame. The upper support tube is attached to the bicycle seat and is moveable relative to the lower support tube. The actuating element is connected to the seat post to move the upper support tube and the lower support tube relative to each other to adjust the length of the seat post. The adjustment device has a power source that is coupled to the actuating element, and the adjustment device adjusts the length of the seat post by driving the actuating element. The control device is used for controlling the power source of the adjustment device.

Description

Bicycle pillar adjusting system and bicycle

The invention relates to a bicycle pillar adjustment system and a bicycle thereof, in particular to a bicycle pillar adjustment system and a bicycle capable of instantly adjusting the height of the seat cushion.

Most bicycles today include cushion pillars to support the cushion. The height of the seat cushion can be adjusted by changing the length of the seat cushion pillar to conform to the ergonomic design. For example, in the case of off-road riding, the seat cushion can be lowered to lower the driver's center of gravity. On a flat road, the seat cushion can be restored to its original height. Currently on the market, common seat cushion pillar technology applications with seat height adjustment can be roughly classified into three types: "hydraulic", "air-hydraulic hybrid" and "mechanical". The "hydraulic type" is installed in the seat cushion pillar with a linearly-displaceable inner tube inside the outer tube, and adjusts the length of the seat cushion pillar in conjunction with the oil chamber and oil circuit. The "air-hydraulic hybrid" uses oil chambers and oil circuits to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillars. "Mechanical" is to use a general mechanism to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar. However, in the prior art, the length of the seat cushion pillar is adjusted by manually pulling the steel cable or adjusting valve. For cyclists who need to race at high speeds, the prior art seat cushion pillar adjustment method is too slow and not instant enough.

Therefore, it is necessary to invent a new bicycle strut adjustment system and its bicycle to solve the lack of prior art.

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a bicycle pillar adjustment system, which has the effect of instantly adjusting the height of the seat cushion.

Another main objective of the present invention is to provide a bicycle with the bicycle pillar adjustment system.

In order to achieve the above objective, the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention is suitable for the bicycle frame of a bicycle to install a bicycle seat cushion. The bicycle pillar adjustment system includes a seat cushion pillar, an actuating element, an adjustment device and a control device. The seat cushion pillar includes a lower support tube and an upper support tube. The lower support pipe is connected to the bicycle frame. The upper support tube is connected to the bicycle seat cushion and can move relative to the lower support tube. The actuating element is connected to the seat cushion pillar for relative movement of the upper support tube and the lower support tube to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar. The adjusting device has a power source, which is connected to the actuating element, and the adjusting device adjusts the length of the seat cushion pillar by driving the actuating element. The signal transmission between the control device and the adjustment device is used to control the power source of the adjustment device.

The bicycle of the present invention includes a bicycle frame, a bicycle seat cushion and a bicycle pillar adjustment system. The bicycle pillar adjustment system is suitable for the bicycle frame of the bicycle to install the bicycle seat cushion. The bicycle pillar adjustment system includes a seat cushion pillar, an actuating element, an adjustment device and a control device. The seat cushion pillar includes a lower support tube and an upper support tube. The lower support pipe is connected to the bicycle frame. The upper support tube is connected to the bicycle seat cushion and can move relative to the lower support tube. The actuating element is connected to the seat cushion pillar for relative movement of the upper support tube and the lower support tube to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar. The adjusting device has a power source, which is connected to the actuating element, and the adjusting device adjusts the length of the seat cushion pillar by driving the actuating element. The signal transmission between the control device and the adjustment device is used to control the power source of the adjustment device.

In order to allow your reviewer to better understand the technical content of the present invention, preferred specific embodiments are described as follows.

Hereinafter, please refer to FIG. 1 for a schematic diagram of the appearance of the bicycle of the present invention.

The bicycle pillar adjusting system 11 of the present invention is used for the bicycle 1. The appearance of the bicycle 1 shown in FIG. 1 is only for illustration, and the present invention is not limited to this structure. The bicycle 1 includes a bicycle pillar adjustment system 11, a bicycle frame 12, a bicycle seat cushion 13, a front wheel 14, a rear wheel 15 and a grip 16, and so on. The bicycle post adjustment system 11 is suitable for the bicycle frame 12 to install the bicycle seat 13, so the bicycle frame 12 can support the bicycle post adjustment system 11 and the bicycle seat 13. The front wheel 14 and the rear wheel 15 can support the bicycle frame 12, the handle 16 is used for the user to hold and manipulate the bicycle 1, and the front wheel 14, the rear wheel 15 and the handle 16 are all connected by the bicycle frame 12. Since the components of the bicycle 1 are already widely used technologies, the structure thereof will not be repeated here.

The bicycle pillar adjustment system 11 includes a seat cushion pillar 20, an actuating element, an adjustment device 40 and a control device 50. The seat cushion pillar 20 includes a lower support tube 21 and an upper support tube 22 (as shown in FIG. 2A). The lower support tube 21 is connected to the bicycle frame 12. The upper support tube 22 is connected to the bicycle seat cushion 13 and sleeved on the lower support tube 21 to move relative to the lower support tube 21. The actuating element may be a steel cable 31 connected to the seat cushion pillar 20. Pulling the steel cable 31 can make the upper support tube 22 and the lower support tube 21 move relatively to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar 20. The steel cable 31 can control the relative movement between the upper support tube 22 and the lower support tube 21 using mechanisms such as "hydraulic", "air-hydraulic hybrid", and "mechanical", and the present invention is not limited to this. The adjusting device 40 has a power source 41 (as shown in FIG. 2C), and the power source 41 may be a motor. The power source 41 is connected to the steel cable 31. The power source 41 is driven by an encoder in the adjusting device 40 or a brush switch (not shown) to pull the steel cable 31 or release the pulling state, thereby adjusting The length of the cushion pillar 20. The control device 50 is arranged adjacent to the handle 16 for the user to conveniently control the activation of the power source 41 of the adjustment device 40.

Please refer to FIG. 2A which is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2B is an exploded diagram of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The adjusting device 40 can be set in different positions. In the first embodiment of the present invention, there are cushion connection structures 131 and 132 above the upper support tube 22, and the cushion connection structures 131 and 132 are used to mount the bicycle seat cushion 13 on the upper support tube 22. Since the structure of the seat cushion connecting structure 131 and 132 is not the focus of the improvement in this case, it will not be repeated here. Then, the adjusting device 40 is connected to the upper support tube 22 through an outer ring structure 60 so that the steel cable 31 can be connected to the upper support tube 22 with an automatic force source 41 to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar 20.

Please refer to FIG. 2C for an exploded schematic diagram of the adjusting device of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment device 40 may include a power source 41, a first antenna 42, a gear box 43, a battery 44, a warning light 45, etc., and the above-mentioned components may be disposed in the housing 48. As mentioned above, the power source 41 can be a motor with solder joints 411 (as shown in Figure 5) to connect wires to receive power signals to generate power to pull the actuating element (such as the steel cable 31) or release the pulling state. In order to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar 20. The first antenna 42 can receive wireless signals to control the power source 41. The gear box 43 is composed of a plurality of gears 431 (as shown in FIG. 5) meshing with each other to reduce the rotation speed of the power source 41 and increase the torque, thereby driving the actuating elements. The battery 44 can be used to provide power to the warning lamp 45, and the warning lamp 45 can be used as a rear light of the bicycle 1. In addition, the adjusting device 40 may also have a sensor 461, a button 462, and an indicator light 463. The sensor 461 may be a g-sensor to detect the speed and displacement information of the bicycle 1. The button 462 allows the user to control the adjusting device 40, and the indicator light 463 knows whether the adjusting device 40 is activated. The above-mentioned components of the adjusting device 40 are only examples, and the present invention does not limit the adjusting device 40 to be provided with the same components as the above.

Next, please refer to FIG. 3 which is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the bicycle pillar adjusting system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting device 40 is connected or suspended below the lower support tube 21, and the steel cable 31 is then automatically connected to the lower support tube 21 by the force source 41 to adjust the seat cushion pillar 20 length.

Please refer to FIG. 4 which is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, a bracket structure 70 is first installed under the bicycle seat cushion 13, and then the adjusting device 40 is combined with the bracket structure 70, whereby the adjusting device 40 can be connected to the bicycle seat cushion Below 13, the steel cable 31 automatically connects the force source 41 to the upper support tube 22 to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar 20.

Next, please refer to FIG. 5 which is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the actuating element is a transmission rod 32, and it is also possible to control the upper support tube 22 and the upper support tube 22 by using mechanisms such as "hydraulic", "air-hydraulic hybrid" and "mechanical" The relative movement between the lower support tubes 21 is not limited to this in the present invention. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting device 40' is also combined with the lower bracket structure 70 of the bicycle seat cushion 13. In addition to the power source 41 and the gear 431 of the gear box 43, the adjustment device 40' also includes a push rod 47. The power source 41, the gear 431 and the push rod 47 are connected to each other. When the power source 41 of the adjusting device 40' is activated, the gear 431 inside the gear box 43 can be rotated, and the push rod 47 can be further moved. In this way, the push rod 47 can adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar 20 by pushing the transmission rod 32 or releasing the pushing state.

Next, please refer to FIG. 6 which is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the actuating element includes a first transmission rod 33 and a second transmission rod 34, which are connected to each other, so that when the first transmission rod 33 rotates, the second transmission rod 34 can also Synchronous rotation. When the power source 41 of the adjusting device 40' is activated, the gear 431 can be rotated, and the push rod 47 can be further moved. In this way, the push rod 47 can push the first transmission rod 33 or release the pushing state, so that the second transmission rod 34 can adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar 20.

Next, please refer to FIG. 7 which is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the control device of the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention.

The control device 50 is connected to the adjusting device 40 or 40' through a wired signal transmission method or a wireless signal transmission method. Taking FIG. 7 as an example, the control device 50 has a single or plural buttons 51, and the buttons 51 are placed on the main body 53. The single or plural buttons 51 are used for operation by the user to control the operation of the power source 41. For example, when the button 51 is pressed, the power source 41 starts to run to a certain extent and then automatically stops, until the button 51 is released, the power source 41 will reverse to the original position. Or when the button 51 is pressed, the power source 41 starts to start, and the power source 41 stops operating until the button 51 is released. In addition, when the button 51 is pressed once, the power source 41 starts to start, and the motor does not stop until the button 51 is pressed again. The present invention does not limit the way of controlling the operation of the power source 41. The control device 50 may also have a second antenna 52 (as shown in FIG. 8B). The second antenna 52 is used to transmit signals to the first antenna 42 of the adjustment device 40, so that the control device 50 uses a wireless signal transmission method. In order to be connected to the adjusting device 40, the control device 50 can also be directly connected to the adjusting device 40 in a wired manner, and the present invention does not limit its connection mode.

Please also refer to FIG. 8A which is a schematic diagram of the appearance of another embodiment of the control device of the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention and FIG. 8B is an exploded diagram of another embodiment of the control device of the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the button 51 of the control device 50' is provided separately from the main body 53 of the control device 50'. The button 51 can be separately set up on the handle 16 of the bicycle 1, and the main body 53 can be placed on the bicycle. Shelf 12 or other positions. In addition, the main body 53 may include a battery 54 inside to supply power required by the control device 50'. The upper cover 55 and the lower cover 56 are used to protect the internal components of the main body 53, and in combination with the main body 53, the rubber strip 57 can be reused to achieve tight integration and waterproof functions.

Finally, please refer to FIG. 9 for a schematic diagram of the software control of the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the control device 50 can also be controlled by a smart portable device 80. The smart portable device 80 can be a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. The smart portable device 80 can use wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC to search for a pairable control device 50 for wireless connection control, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the status or part of the functions of the control device 50 can be displayed or controlled by the application software of the smart portable device 80. As shown in Figure 9, the first display icon 81 of the smart portable device 80 indicates the power of the control device 50, the second display icon 82 indicates whether the control device 50 is on or off, and the third display icon 83 indicates whether Pair and connect with the control device 50. The above figures are only examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In this way, the user can conveniently know the status of the control device 50 in real time.

Thereby, the bicycle pillar adjustment system 11 of the present invention can enable the user to adjust the bicycle seat 13 more quickly, which can solve the deficiency of the prior art.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned implementation manners are only examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and to avoid redundant description, all possible variations and combinations are not described in detail. However, those skilled in the art should understand that not all of the above-mentioned modules or components are necessary. In order to implement the present invention, other detailed conventional modules or components may also be included. Each module or component may be omitted or modified as required, and there may not be other modules or components between any two modules. As long as it does not deviate from the basic structure of the present invention, the scope of the rights claimed by this patent shall be the scope of the patent application.

Bicycle 1 Bicycle pillar adjustment system 11 Bicycle frame 12 Bicycle seat 13 Seat cushion connection structure 131, 132 Front wheel 14 Rear wheel 15 Grip 16 Seat cushion pillar 20 Lower support tube 21 Upper support tube 22 Steel cable 31 Transmission rod 32 First transmission rod 33 Second transmission rod 34 Adjusting device 40, 40' Power source 41 Solder joint 411 First antenna 42 Gear box 43 Gear 431 Battery 44 Warning light 45 Sensor 461 Button 462 Indicator 463 Push rod 47 Shell 48 Control device 50, 50' Button 51 Second antenna 52 Subject 53 Battery 54 Upper cover 55 Lower cover 56 Rubber strip 57 Outer ring structure 60 Support structure 70 Smart portable device 80 First display icon 81 Second display icon 82 The third display icon 83

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the bicycle of the present invention. 2A is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2B is an exploded schematic diagram of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2C is an exploded schematic diagram of the adjusting device of the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the second embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a bicycle pillar adjusting system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bicycle pillar adjusting system of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the control device of the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention. Fig. 8A is a schematic diagram of the appearance of another embodiment of the control device of the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention. Fig. 8B is an exploded schematic diagram of another embodiment of the control device of the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the software control of the bicycle pillar adjustment system of the present invention.

Bicycle 1 Bicycle pillar adjustment system 11 Bicycle frame 12 Bicycle seat 13 Front wheel 14 Rear wheel 15 Grip 16 Seat cushion pillar 20 Steel cable 31 Adjustment device 40 Control device 50

Claims (18)

A bicycle pillar adjustment system is suitable for a bicycle frame of a bicycle to install a bicycle seat cushion. The bicycle pillar adjustment system includes: a cushion pillar, including: a lower support tube, which is connected to the bicycle frame; And an upper support tube connected to the bicycle seat cushion and movable relative to the lower support tube; an actuating element connected to the seat cushion pillar for relative movement of the upper support tube and the lower support tube To adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar; an adjustment device, with a power source, a first antenna and a gear box, is placed in the same housing, and connected or suspended by an outer ring structure or a bracket structure Hung on the seat cushion pillar or the bicycle seat cushion and connected to the actuating element, the adjusting device adjusts the length of the seat cushion pillar by driving the actuating element; and a control device having a second antenna, A wireless signal is transmitted between the adjusting device and the adjusting device, so that after the first antenna of the adjusting device receives the wireless signal, the power source of the adjusting device is controlled by a plurality of gears of the gear box Drive the actuating element; wherein the actuating element is a steel cable or a transmission rod, the adjusting device The setting system adjusts the length of the seat cushion pillar by pulling the steel cable or releasing the pulling state, or pushing the transmission rod or releasing the pushing state. The bicycle strut adjustment system described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the transmission rod includes a first transmission rod and a second transmission rod, and the first transmission rod and the second transmission rod are connected to each other and synchronized Rotation; The first transmission rod is connected to the adjustment device, the second transmission rod is connected to the seat cushion pillar, the adjustment device is to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar by pushing the first transmission rod or releasing the push state. The bicycle pillar adjustment system described in the first item of the scope of patent application, wherein the adjustment device is connected to the upper support tube by the outer ring structure. The bicycle pillar adjustment system described in the first item of the scope of patent application, wherein the adjustment device is connected under the bicycle seat cushion by the bracket structure. The bicycle pillar adjustment system described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the adjustment device is connected under the lower support tube. The bicycle pillar adjustment system described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the control device has a button for a user to operate; thereby When the button is pressed, the power source starts to run to a certain extent and then automatically stops, until the button is released, the power source restores the seat cushion pillar to the original state. For the bicycle pillar adjustment system described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the control device has a button for a user to operate; whereby when the button is pressed, the power source starts to activate until the button is released Then the power source ceased operation. For the bicycle pillar adjustment system described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the control device has a button for a user to operate; whereby when the button is pressed, the power source starts to activate until the button is pressed again The power source stops operating after pressing the button. For the bicycle pillar adjustment system described in the first item of the scope of patent application, the control device further transmits a usage status to a smart portable device, and displays the usage status on the smart portable device. A bicycle includes: a bicycle frame; a bicycle seat cushion; and a bicycle pillar adjustment system suitable for the bicycle frame to install the bicycle seat cushion; the bicycle pillar adjustment system includes: A cushion pillar includes: a lower support tube connected to the bicycle frame; and an upper support tube connected to the bicycle seat cushion and movable relative to the lower support tube; an actuating element connected to The seat cushion pillar is used for relative movement of the upper support tube and the lower support tube to adjust the length of the seat cushion pillar; an adjustment device with a power source, a first antenna and a gear box is placed In the same housing, and connected or suspended from the seat cushion pillar or the bicycle seat cushion by an outer ring structure or a bracket structure, and connected to the actuating element, the adjusting device adjusts by driving the actuating element The length of the seat cushion pillar; and a control device with a second antenna that transmits a wireless signal to the adjusting device for the first antenna to control the adjusting device after receiving the wireless signal The power source drives the actuating element by a plurality of gears in the gearbox; wherein the actuating element is a steel cable or a transmission rod, and the adjusting device is configured to pull the steel cable or release the pulling state, or By pushing the transmission rod or releasing the pushing state, the length of the seat cushion pillar can be adjusted. For the bicycle described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, the transmission rod includes a first transmission rod and a second transmission rod, and the first transmission rod and the second transmission rod The moving rods are connected to each other and can rotate synchronously; the first transmission rod is connected to the adjustment device, the second transmission rod is connected to the seat cushion pillar, and the adjustment device is driven by pushing the first transmission rod or releasing the pushing state To adjust the length of the cushion pillar. The bicycle described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein the adjusting device is connected to the upper support tube by the outer ring structure. For the bicycle described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, the adjusting device is connected under the bicycle seat cushion through the bracket structure. The bicycle described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein the adjusting device is connected under the lower support tube. For example, the bicycle described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein the control device has a button for a user to operate; whereby when the button is pressed, the power source starts to run to a certain extent and then automatically stops until it is released. After turning on the button, the power source will restore the seat cushion pillar to its original state. For example, the bicycle described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein the control device has a button for a user to operate; whereby when the button is pressed, the power source starts to start until the button is released. The source stopped functioning. For the bicycle described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, the control device has a button for a user to operate; whereby when the button is pressed, the power source starts to start until the button is pressed again. The power source ceased operation. For the bicycle described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, the control device further transmits a usage status to a smart portable device, and displays the usage status on the smart portable device.

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