TWM656089U - Electrically-assisted hub - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric hub comprises a motor unit, a gear unit and a one-way clutch. The gear unit comprises a driving gear that can be linked by the motor unit, a plurality of first gears arranged around the driving gear, a ring gear arranged around the outer side of the first gears, a plurality of second gears arranged around the driving gear, and an output ring pivotally connected to the second gears. The second gears are linked by the driving gear and the ring gear to rotate and revolve simultaneously. The driving gear revolves and links the output ring to rotate. The one-way clutch includes a first ring portion arranged on the output ring and a second ring portion arranged on the outer side of the first ring portion. When the first ring portion is in a linked state relative to the second ring portion, the second ring portion is linked by the first ring portion, so that the output ring can drive the first ring portion and the second ring portion to rotate.

Description

Electronic hub

The invention relates to a hub, in particular to an electric assisted hub.

With the advancement of technology, in addition to the user's own pedaling method, the design of using electric assistance to assist the movement of bicycles has also received more and more attention. However, since the two power sources of electric assistance and pedaling are prone to interfere with each other, the hub structure located between the two power sources is very important. Therefore, how to design a hub structure that prevents the two power sources from interfering with each other is one of the important research areas in current bicycle development.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an electric auxiliary hub that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

Therefore, the novel electric hub includes a housing unit, a motor unit, a gear unit, and a one-way clutch.

The housing unit includes a base wall surrounding an axis, a peripheral wall extending from the outer periphery of the base wall along the extending direction of the axis, and an end cover arranged on a side of the peripheral wall opposite to the base wall and surrounding the axis. The base wall, the peripheral wall and the end cover together surround and define an accommodation space. The motor unit is arranged around the axis in the accommodation space. The gear unit is arranged in the accommodation space and includes a driving gear which is arranged around the axis and can be rotated by the motor unit, a plurality of first gears which are arranged around the driving gear at intervals and are engaged with the driving gear and can be rotated by the driving gear, and a first gear which is arranged around the outer side of the first gears and is engaged with the first gears and can be rotated by the first gears. A ring gear that rotates in conjunction with the first gear, a plurality of second gears that are spaced apart from the first gears along the extending direction of the axis and are spaced around the driving gear and are engaged between the driving gear and the ring gear, and an output ring pivotally connected to the second gears. The second gears are linked to the driving gear and the ring gear and simultaneously rotate and rotate around the driving gear. The driven gear revolves, and the second gears revolve around the driving gear to link the output ring to rotate. The one-way clutch includes a first ring portion arranged on the outer side of the output ring, and a second ring portion arranged on the outer side of the first ring portion and connected to the end cover. The first ring portion can be switched between a linked state and a non-linked state relative to the second ring portion. When the first ring is in the linkage state relative to the second ring, the second ring is linked to the first ring, so that the output ring can drive the first ring, the second ring and the outer shell unit to rotate; when the first ring is in the non-linked state relative to the second ring, the second ring is not linked to the first ring, and the output ring can only drive the first ring to rotate idly.

The utility model has the following effects: by arranging the motor unit, the driving gear, the first gears, the ring gear, the second gears, the output ring and the one-way clutch, the electric-assisted hub can be used as an electric-assisted hub.

Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , an embodiment of the novel electric hub includes a housing unit 2 , a spindle 3 , a motor unit 4 , a gear unit 5 , a one-way clutch 6 , and a ratchet unit 7 .

The housing unit 2 includes a base wall 21 surrounding an axis L, a peripheral wall 22 extending from the outer periphery of the base wall 21 along the extension direction of the axis L, and an end cap 23 disposed on a side of the peripheral wall 22 opposite to the base wall 21 along the extension direction of the axis L and surrounding the axis L. The base wall 21, the peripheral wall 22 and the end cap 23 together surround and define an accommodation space 24. The end cap 23 has a ratchet area 231 surrounding the axis L.

The spindle 3 extends along the extending direction of the axis L.

The motor unit 4 is disposed around the axis L in the accommodating space 24 . The motor unit 4 includes a motor housing 41 disposed around the spindle 3 , a stator 42 disposed inside the motor housing 41 , and a rotor 43 disposed inside the stator 42 and controllably rotatable relative to the stator 42 .

The gear unit 5 is disposed in the accommodating space 24 and includes a driving gear 51 which is rotatably sleeved on the axle 3 and can be rotated by the motor unit 4, four first gears 52 which are arranged at intervals around the driving gear 51 and are engaged with the driving gear 51 and can be rotated by the driving gear 51, and a gear frame which is rotatably mounted on the axle 3 for the first gears 52 to be pivoted. 53, an annular gear 54 which surrounds the outer sides of the first gears 52 and is engaged with the first gears 52 and can be rotated by the first gears 52, second gears 55 which are arranged at intervals from the first gears 52 along the extending direction of the axis L and are arranged at intervals around the driving gear 51 and are engaged between the driving gear 51 and the annular gear 54, and an output ring 56 which is pivotally connected to the second gears 55. It should be noted that the number of the first gears 52 and the second gears 55 can also be two, three, or more than five.

Referring to Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the driving gear 51 is disposed inside the rotor 43 and can be rotated in conjunction with the rotor 43. The ring gear 54 has a first inner tooth portion 541 and a second inner tooth portion 542 spaced apart along the extending direction of the axis L. The first inner tooth portion 541 is annular and engages with the first gears 52, and the second inner tooth portion 542 is annular and engages with the second gears 55. In this embodiment, the ring gear 54 is integrally formed, but it can also be assembled from two components having the first inner tooth portion 541 and the second inner tooth portion 542, respectively.

The second gears 55 can be linked with the driving gear 51 and the second inner gear 542 of the ring gear 54 to simultaneously rotate and revolve around the driving gear 51. When the second gears 55 revolve around the driving gear 51, the output ring 56 is linked to rotate.

The reduction ratio of this embodiment is the combined calculated value of the drive gear 51, the first inner gear 541 and the second inner gear 542. The calculation formula is as follows: First reduction ratio = - (number of teeth of the drive gear 51 / number of teeth of the first inner gear 541). Second reduction ratio = number of teeth of the drive gear 51 / (number of teeth of the drive gear 51 + number of teeth of the second inner gear 542). Total output reduction ratio = (first reduction ratio + second reduction ratio) - (first reduction ratio × second reduction ratio).

Thus, the required total output reduction ratio can be easily obtained by changing the number of teeth of the driving gear 51, the first inner tooth portion 541, and the second inner tooth portion 542. Therefore, the present embodiment has a larger reduction ratio design range compared to the traditional planetary reducer.

Referring to FIG. 2 , FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 , the one-way clutch 6 includes a first ring portion 61 disposed outside the output ring 56, and a second ring portion 62 disposed outside the first ring portion 61 and connected to the end cover 23. The first ring portion 61 and the second ring portion 62 of the one-way clutch 6 define six slideways 63 connected in sequence to form a ring. Each slideway 63 has a wide portion 631 and a narrow portion 632 connected in sequence along a direction around the axis L. The narrow portion 632 gradually narrows as it moves away from the wide portion 631. The one-way clutch 6 also includes six elastic members 64 and six balls 65. Each elastic member 64 is disposed at the respective wide portion 631 , and each rolling ball 65 is disposed at the respective narrow portion 632 .

The first ring portion 61 can be switched between a linkage state and a non-linkage state relative to the second ring portion 62. When the first ring portion 61 is in the linkage state relative to the second ring portion 62, the second ring portion 62 is linked to the first ring portion 61, so that the output ring 56 can drive the first ring portion 61, the second ring portion 62 and the housing unit 2 to rotate. When the first ring portion 61 is in the non-linkage state relative to the second ring portion 62, the second ring portion 62 is not linked to the first ring portion 61, and the output ring 56 can only drive the first ring portion 61 to rotate idly.

Referring to FIG. 8 , when the first ring portion 61 is in the linkage state relative to the second ring portion 62, the balls 65 are respectively located at a side of the narrow portion 632 away from the elastic members 64 so that the second ring portion 62, the balls 65 and the first ring portion 61 are pressed against each other and can move together, thereby causing the second ring portion 62 to be linked to the first ring portion 61. Referring to FIG. 9 , when the first ring portion 61 is in the non-linked state relative to the second ring portion 62, the balls 65 are close to and press against the elastic members 64, so that the second ring portion 62, the balls 65 and the first ring portion 61 are loosened and cannot move together, thereby making the second ring portion 62 not linked to the first ring portion 61.

Referring to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 10, the ratchet unit 7 includes a seat 71 rotatably sleeved between the spindle 3 and the end cover 23, and six ratchet pawls 72 angularly spacedly disposed on the seat 71 and swingably extending toward the ratchet area 231. The ratchet pawls 72 cooperate with the ratchet area 231 so that the ratchet unit 7 can only drive the housing unit 2 to rotate relative to the spindle 3 in a single direction. Since the structure in which the ratchet pawls 72 cooperate with the ratchet area 231 is a common ratchet structure, it will not be further described.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 7, when in use, the electric auxiliary hub is installed on a rear wheel (not shown) of an electric bicycle (not shown), both ends of the spindle 3 are fixed to a rear wheel frame (not shown) of the electric bicycle, and the seat 71 of the ratchet unit 7 is driven by a chain (not shown) linked to a pedal set (not shown) of the electric bicycle.

When the electric bicycle does not need electric assistance and is operated by a user, the motor unit 4 does not operate, the seat body 71 is driven by the chain, and the ratchet pawls 72 are linked to the ratchet area 231 to rotate, thereby rotating the housing unit 2 to drive the rear wheel to rotate. At this time, the rotation speed of the end cover 23 linked by the chain is relatively greater than the rotation speed of the output ring 56, that is, the rotation speed of the first ring part 61 is less than the rotation speed of the second ring part 62, the balls 65 are linked and moved to make the first ring part 61 relative to the second ring part 62 in the non-linked state, so that the output ring 56 will not interfere with the rotation of the end cover 23.

When the electric bicycle needs electric assistance, the motor unit 4 operates, so that the rotor 43 drives the driving gear 51 to rotate, and links the first gears 52 to rotate on the gear frame 53, and the first gears 52 also link the first inner gear 541 to rotate, so that the second inner gear 542 rotates at the same time. At this time, the second gears 55 are simultaneously linked by the driving gear 51 and the second inner gear 542, so they will rotate at the same time and revolve relative to the driving gear 51. When the second gears 55 revolve, they also link the output ring 56 to rotate.

When the output ring 56 rotates at a speed greater than the speed at which the end cap 23 is originally driven by the chain, that is, the first ring portion 61 rotates at a speed greater than the second ring portion 62, the balls 65 are linked and moved to make the first ring portion 61 relative to the second ring portion 62 in the linked state, thereby making the second ring portion 62 linked to the first ring portion 61, so that the output ring 56 can drive the first ring portion 61, the second ring portion 62 and the housing unit 2 to rotate, thereby making the rotation of the rear wheel electrically assisted. At this time, the rotation speed of the end cover 23 is greater than the speed at which the seat body 71 is driven by the chain, thereby causing the ratchet unit 7 to idle, so that the seat body 71 will not interfere with the rotation of the end cover 23.

In this way, the electric-assisted hub can be used normally regardless of whether the electric bicycle is pedaled manually or with electric assistance.

In this embodiment, the number of teeth of the driving gear 51 linking the first gears 52 and the second gears 55 is the same, but it can also be designed to be different numbers according to needs, and is not limited to this. Through the arrangement of the driving gear 51, the first gears 52, the first inner gear 541, the second inner gear 542 and the second gears 55, a large torque output can be generated, and the distance of the gear unit 5 in the extension direction along the axis L can be reduced, that is, a large reduction ratio is generated in a small space, thereby saving the overall size.

In summary, by providing the motor unit 4, the drive gear 51, the first gears 52, the ring gear 54, the second gears 55, the output ring 56 and the one-way clutch 6, the electric-assisted hub can be used as an electric-assisted hub, and thus the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

However, the above is only an example of the implementation of the present invention, and it cannot be used to limit the scope of the implementation of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention and the content of the patent specification are still within the scope of the present patent.

2: Housing unit 21: Base wall 22: Peripheral wall 23: End cover 231: Ratchet area 24: Accommodation space 3: Spindle 4: Motor unit 41: Motor housing 42: Stator 43: Rotor 5: Gear unit 51: Drive gear 52: First gear 53: Gear rack 54: Ring gear 541: First inner gear 542: Second inner gear 55: Second gear 56: Output ring 6: One-way clutch 61: First ring 62: Second ring 63: Slideway 631: Wide part 632: Narrow part 64: elastic part 65: ball bearing 7: ratchet unit 71: seat 72: pawl L: axis

Other features and functions of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of the present invention's electric hub; Figure 2 is a three-dimensional exploded diagram of the embodiment; Figure 3 is a three-dimensional exploded diagram of the embodiment at another viewing angle; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the straight line V-V in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the straight line VI-VI in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a three-dimensional diagram of a one-way clutch of the embodiment; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the straight line VIII-VIII in Figure 4, illustrating the state in which the six balls do not press against the six elastic members; Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, illustrating the state in which the balls press against the elastic members respectively; and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the straight line X-X in Figure 4.

2: Housing unit

21: Base wall

22: Peripheral wall

23: End cover

231: Thorn area

3: Axis

4: Motor unit

41: Motor housing

42: Stator

43: Rotor

5: Gear unit

51: Drive gear

52: First gear

53: Gear rack

54: Ring gear

541: First inner tooth

542: Second inner tooth

55: Second gear

56: Output ring

6: One-way clutch

61: First Ring

62: Second Ring

7: Ratchet unit

71: Seat

72: Paw

L: axis

Claims (6)

An electric hub comprises: A housing unit, including a base wall surrounding an axis, a peripheral wall extending from the outer periphery of the base wall along the extension direction of the axis, and an end cover arranged on a side of the peripheral wall opposite to the base wall and surrounding the axis, wherein the base wall, the peripheral wall and the end cover together define a containing space; A motor unit, arranged in the containing space around the axis; A gear unit is disposed in the accommodation space and includes a drive gear that is arranged around the axis and can be rotated by the motor unit, a plurality of first gears that are arranged around the drive gear at intervals and are engaged with the drive gear and can be rotated by the drive gear, a ring gear that is arranged around the outer side of the first gears and is engaged with the first gears and can be rotated by the first gears, and a plurality of The first gears are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the axis and are arranged at intervals around the driving gear and are engaged between the driving gear and the ring gear, and an output ring is pivotally connected to the second gears. The second gears are linked to the driving gear and the ring gear to rotate and revolve around the driving gear at the same time. When the second gears revolve around the driving gear, the output ring is linked to rotate; and A one-way clutch includes a first ring portion disposed on the outer side of the output ring, and a second ring portion disposed on the outer side of the first ring portion and connected to the end cover. The first ring portion can be switched between a linkage state and a non-linkage state relative to the second ring portion. When the first ring portion is in the linkage state relative to the second ring portion, the second ring portion is linked by the first ring portion, so that the output ring can drive the first ring portion, the second ring portion and the outer shell unit to rotate. When the first ring portion is in the non-linkage state relative to the second ring portion, the second ring portion is not linked by the first ring portion, and the output ring can only drive the first ring portion to rotate idly. The electric hub as described in claim 1 further includes a spindle and a ratchet unit, the spindle extends along the extension direction of the axis so that the drive gear can be rotatably mounted thereon, the end cover has a ratchet area surrounding the axis, the ratchet unit includes a seat rotatably mounted between the spindle and the end cover, and a plurality of pawls arranged at angles on the seat and swingably extending toward the ratchet area, the pawls cooperate with the ratchet area so that the ratchet unit can only drive the housing unit to rotate in a single direction. An electric hub as described in claim 2, wherein the gear unit further includes a gear frame surrounding the spindle for pivoting the first gears. An electric hub as described in claim 2, wherein the motor unit includes a motor housing arranged around the spindle, a stator arranged inside the motor housing, and a rotor arranged inside the stator and controllably rotatable relative to the stator, and the drive gear is arranged inside the rotor. The electric hub as described in claim 1, wherein the first ring portion and the second ring portion of the one-way clutch jointly define a plurality of slideways connected in sequence to form an annular shape, each slideway having a wide portion and a narrow portion connected in sequence along a direction surrounding the axis, the narrow portion gradually narrows as it moves away from the wide portion, the one-way clutch further comprises a plurality of elastic members and a plurality of rollers, each elastic member is disposed at the respective wide portion, each roller is disposed at the respective narrow portion, the first ring portion is relatively narrow to the second ring portion, and the second roller portion is relatively narrow to the first ring portion. When the two rings are in the linkage state, the balls are respectively located on one side of the narrow parts away from the elastic parts so that the second ring, the balls and the first ring are pressed against each other and can move together, thereby making the second ring linked to the first ring. When the first ring is in the non-linked state relative to the second ring, the balls are close to and press against the elastic parts so that the second ring, the balls and the first ring are loosened and cannot move together, thereby making the second ring not linked to the first ring. An electric hub as described in claim 1, wherein the annular gear has a first inner tooth portion and a second inner tooth portion spaced apart along the extension direction of the axis, the first inner tooth portion is annular and meshes with the first gears, and the second inner tooth portion is annular and meshes with the second gears.