WO2021037748A1

WO2021037748A1 - Bicycle steering device

Info

Publication number: WO2021037748A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/073539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Justin CLAUSSEN; Johannes Rasche
Original assignee: Rti Sports Gmbh
Priority date: 2019-08-28
Filing date: 2020-08-21
Publication date: 2021-03-04
Also published as: DE202019104711U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a bicycle steering device having a first steering element (50), which can be connected to a bicycle handlebar (20). A second steering element (104) can be connected to a steerer tube (36). At least one tension cable pair (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) is furthermore provided which connects the two steering elements (50, 104) to each other. A tensioning device (80) is provided in order to tension the at least one tension cable pair (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78). The tensioning device (80) has a retaining element (22), in particular connected to the frame, and a receiving element (86) which is movable relative to the retaining element (22).

Description

Bicycle steering equipment

The invention relates to a bicycle steering device.

In the case of bicycles, in particular cargo bicycles, a receiving box for loads such as people or goods is optionally arranged between a handlebar and a front wheel. It is therefore necessary to transfer the steering movement to the front wheel. This is done, for example, via a linkage. However, this has the disadvantage that the linkage can bend if necessary and the force must be transmitted via joints in the linkage. Furthermore, the provision of linkages has the significant disadvantage that a correspondingly large installation space often has to be provided under the frame for this purpose. It is also known to transmit the steering movement to the front wheel via cable pulls ge. Such cables or the like have a pair of steering cables, a tensile force being transmitted by one of the two steering cables of the pair of steering cables, depending on the steering direction. This is based on the fact that steering cables of this type can only transmit tensile forces and no compressive forces. Steering cables have the disadvantage, however, that they can elongate due to the action of force and, in this respect, the steering cables must be tensioned or readjusted. A tensioning device for steering cables is known from a recumbent bike described in US 4,838,568. It describes that the position of Umlenkrol len of the cable for tensioning the cable can be changed. Such a tensioning or adjustment device can, however, only be provided for steering cable pairs with swivel castors in order.

Furthermore, it is known from DE19734849 to provide a tensioning element in a steering system for a seat or recumbent bike within the steering cable, by means of which the length of the cable itself is changed.

The object of the invention is to create a bicycle steering device with which a simple and reliable tensioning or adjustment of the steering cables is possible.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a bicycle steering device according to claim 1.

The bicycle steering device according to the invention, which is particularly suitable for cargo bikes in which the tensioning element is arranged between a handlebar and the front wheel, according to the invention has a first steering element. This can be connected to a bicycle handlebar. In particular, the connection with the bicycle handlebar is made via a firmly verbun with the bicycle handle denes tubular element, which is arranged for example in a handlebar tube of the Fahrradrah mens and is pivoted when steering about its longitudinal axis. Such a pivoting of this tubular element causes the first steering element to pivot.

Furthermore, the bicycle steering device according to the invention has a second steering element. This steering element can be connected to the steerer tube of the front fork. Pivoting the second steering element thus causes the front wheel to pivot. The two steering elements are connected to one another via at least one pair of steering cables. The pair of steering cables has two steering cables ge, whereby one steering cable is used for steering to the left and the other steering cable is used for steering to the right. Furthermore, a tensioning device is provided for tensioning the at least one steering cable pair.

According to the invention, the clamping device has a holding element connected to the at least one steering cable pair and a receiving element slidably connected to the Hal teelement. By moving the receiving element relative to the holding element, the at least one steering cable pair is adjusted or clamped.

The receiving element is preferably connected to the bicycle frame or is supported on it. Furthermore, it is preferred that a slide guide is provided for moving the holding element relative to the receiving element, so that it is possible in a simple manner to enable an exact displacement and thus adjustment.

In a particularly preferred development of the invention, the clamping device has an adjustment element. With the help of the adjustment element, in particular, very precise displacement of the holding element relative to the receiving element is possible, so that very precise adjustment or very precise tensioning of the steering cables of the at least one steering cable pair is possible. In particular, the adjustment element has an adjusting screw. This adjusting screw can for example be arranged with a thread or the like in the holding element and act on the receiving element or an approach connected to the receiving element. By turning the adjustment element designed as an adjusting screw, a relative movement takes place between the holding element and the receiving element.

It is further preferred that the tensioning device has a fixing element for fixing the holding element on the receiving element. The Fi xierelement serves to avoid a displacement of the holding element relative to the receiving element after the adjustment. Such a fixing element can, for example, be integrated into the adjustment element by avoiding a change in the position of the adjustment element, in particular a rotation of the adjustment element designed as an adjusting screw, by means of a locking pin, a latching element or the like. In a preferred further development of the invention, however, it is a separate Fixierele element. For example, one or more screws that protrude through an elongated hole can be provided as the fixing element. The elongated hole is provided, for example, in the receiving element. Corresponding threaded bores are then provided in the holding element so that the two fixing elements, for example, can first be released in order to then carry out an adjustment with the aid of the adjustment element. After the adjustment has been made, the two fixing elements in particular can be fixed again, in particular tightened. Furthermore, it is particularly possible to tighten the adjustment element with a torque wrench. In this way, a targeted pretensioning in the cable pull can be achieved via a corresponding torque specification.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one, in particular both, steering elements are designed as steering disks. In particular, the steering elements have an at least partially circular outer side in plan view. In this outside, a guide groove for the steering cables can preferably be arranged. Regardless of whether the steering elements are disc-shaped, partially ring-shaped or ring-shaped, it is preferred that the steering cables are connected to the steering elements at a, in particular radial, distance from the axis of rotation of the steering elements. There is thus in particular a radial distance from a central axis of the steering elements. Preferably, the central axis of the steering elements corresponds to the central axis of the steering tube connected to the handlebar or the central axis of the fork shaft. Turning the steering tube thus causes pulling on one of the two steering cables of a steering cable pair on the first steering element and, via the second steering element, a corresponding turning of the fork shaft. Preferably, the two steering cables of a steering cable pair on the steering elements are arranged opposite one another, so that based on a frame center level a steering cable is arranged on the left in the direction of travel and a steering cable on the right side of the corresponding steering element in the direction of travel.

Furthermore, it is preferred that two pairs of steering cables are provided, the two steering cables of which preferably run parallel to one another. The provision of two pairs of steering cables has the advantage that the steering remains functional in the event of damage, such as when a steering cable tears.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the two steering cables of a steering cable pair intersect between the first steering element and the tensioning device. Furthermore, it is preferred that the two steering cables of a steering cable pair then cross each other again in the area of the second steering element. This has the advantage that, for example in the case of partially annular steering elements, good guidance of the steering cables on the outside of the steering elements, which in particular have special grooves, is possible. Large radii can also be achieved in this way.

In particular, to enable the steering cables to cross, a steering cable holder is provided near the second steering element. This can be provided directly behind the second steering element in the direction of travel.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the steering cables are designed as Bowden cables. It is particularly preferred here that the sleeve of the Bowden cables extends from the tensioning device in the direction of the second steering element and in particular from the tensioning device to the steering cable holder, which is arranged in the area of the second steering element. The cables arranged in the sleeve of the Bowden cable thus run vorzugswei se from the first steering element to the clamping device, then in the corresponding sleeve to the steering cable bracket and then again without a sleeve from the steering cable bracket to the second steering element. The ends of the particular special made of a metal wire trains are each with the two Steering elements firmly connected. In order to fasten the sheaths of the Bowden cables, it is also preferred that the tensioning device also have steering cable holders. These steering cable brackets integrated in the tensioning device are preferably pivotable. The pivotability is preferably about an axis perpendicular to the course of the steering cables. This has the advantage that when the steering cables are tensioned by moving the receiving element relative to the holding element of the tensioning device, the steering cables, in particular the sleeves of the Bowden cables, are automatically rotated or pivoted. This ensures that the trains continue to run in large radii and, for example, there is no additional friction in the trains due to the tensioning.

The invention also relates to a cargo bike frame with a rear structure for receiving a rear wheel and a fork element for receiving a front wheel. Furthermore, the cargo bike frame has a support element. The support element is used to accommodate a load receiving container, which is then arranged between a handlebar tube and the fork element is. The fork element has a fork tube connected in particular to the support element of the frame. The fork tube is rotatably arranged on the fork shaft of the front fork in the assembled position. Furthermore, the cargo bike frame according to the invention has a bicycle steering device, as described above in particular in preferred developments.

In particular, the first steering element of the bicycle steering device is connected to egg nem tubular element, which in turn is connected to a handlebar. The tubular element is pivotably arranged in a handlebar tube of the cargo bike frame. The second steering element is then preferably connected to the fork stem of the fork element.

It is particularly preferred that the at least one steering cable pair runs in the area of the support element. In particular, the steering cables are on the preferential wise frame-shaped support element fixed. It is particularly preferred that the support element has two essentially horizontally extending frame elements. It is preferred to the extent that one steering cable of a steering cable pair runs opposite one another on the inside of a respective frame element. The two frame elements preferably extend to the fork tube and are then brought together in this area. In this respect, it is preferred that the steering cables also run in this area on the inside of these frame elements. It is also possible, please include, to arrange the steering cables inside these frame elements or otherwise ausgebil deter parts of the cargo bike frame.

The bicycle steering device is also advantageously developed with regard to the cargo bicycle frame, as described above with reference to the bicycle steering device.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective side view of a cargo bike,

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of part of the bicycle steering device,

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective top view of the part of the bicycle steering device shown in Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a schematic bottom view of the part of the bicycle steering device shown in Figure 2, FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the one shown in FIG

Part of the bicycle steering device and

Figure 6 is a schematic, partially sectioned view of the on one

Cargo bike frame-mounted bike steering device.

A preferred embodiment of the cargo bike according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1 has a cargo bike frame 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cargo bike frame 10 has a seat tube 14, a down tube 16 and a handlebar tube 18. A pivotable tube, which is connected to a handlebar 20, is arranged in the handlebar tube 18. Fer ner a drive device 22 is arranged between the down tube 16 and the seat tube 14 in the illustrated embodiment. This has a conventional bottom bracket that is connected to an electric motor so that pedaling can be supported by an electric motor. A rear wheel 24 is driven via a conventional drive, not shown here, by means of a chain, toothed belt or the like. Furthermore, the cargo bike frame 10 has a rear structure 26 which carries the rear wheel 24. In the illustrated embodiment, a single-track cargo bike is shown.

The bicycle frame 10 also has a support element 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the support element 28 has two horizontal frame elements 30 which are connected to the down tube 16 and the handlebar tube 18. With the two horizontally extending frame elements 30, two fork elements 32 rising in the direction of travel 34 are arranged in the illustrated embodiment. These are connected to and with one another in the area of a fork shaft 36. The fork stem 36 is part of a fork element 40 which also includes the fork 38 and which carries a front wheel 42 in the illustrated embodiment.

A battery 44 can be connected to the support element 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 44 is between the two fork elements th 32 of the support element arranged. Furthermore, the battery 44 or a further battery can be arranged between the two frame elements 30.

A grip element 46 is connected to the handlebar tube 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle element is arranged on a rear side of the handlebar tube 18 and points in the direction of the rear end 26 or in the direction of the seat tube 14. The handle element 46 is thus arranged in the frame center plane, in which the two wheels and the cargo bike shown in the illustrated cargo bike Seat tube 14, the down tube 16 and the handlebar tube 18 are arranged.

In order to lift the cargo bike or, for example, to lift it onto a main stand 48, the user can grip the upper part 46 of the grip element in particular.

In Figures 2 to 5, a part of the inventive bicycle steering device is shown in different views. A first steering element 50 is shown, which is connected to the pivotable tube in the handlebar tube 18 of the bicycle frame. The first steering element is connected via a clamp 52 to the pivotable tube, which is connected at its upper end to the handlebar 20. The pivotable tube is not shown in the figures and, in the assembled state, is arranged in an opening 54 and fixedly connected to the first steering element via the clamp 52.

The first steering element has a partially annular frame 56. This partially annular frame 56 has an upper guide groove 58 and a lower guide groove 60 (FIG. 5) on its outside. The tension elements 62, 66 and 66, 68 (FIG. 4), made in particular of metal, are arranged in the two guide grooves 58, 60. The two upper tension elements 62, 64 form a first pair and the two lower tension elements 66, 68 form a second pair of tension elements. These tension elements are inserted into sleeves 70, 72 and 74, 78 of Bowden cables. In this respect, a first pair of steering cables is formed through the cables 62, 64 and the sleeves 72, 74 and a second pair of steering cables through the cables 66, 68 and the sleeves 74, 78.

Furthermore, the bicycle steering device according to the invention has a clamping device 80. The tensioning device 80 has a holding element 82 and a receiving element 86 connected to the holding element 82 such that it can be displaced in the direction of an arrow 84.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the holding element 82 is connected to a cross member 89 of the bicycle frame by means of screws 88 (FIG. 6). The cross member 89 is verbun with the frame elements 30 of the support element 28 the.

The holding element 82 has two elongated holes 90. Two fixing elements designed as screws 92 protrude through the elongated holes 90. These engage in threads provided in the receiving element 86. When the screws 92 are loosened, it is thus possible to move the receiving element in the direction of the arrow 84 with respect to the stationary holding element 82. An adjustment element 94 is provided for such a displacement. The adjustment element 94 is also designed as a screw in the illustrated embodiment. The adjustment element 94 is arranged in an opening provided in an extension 96 of the receiving element 86, a front side of the adjustment element 94 designed as a screw resting against a surface of an extension 98 of the holding element 82 facing in the direction of the screw 94. By turning the screw 94, the receiving element 86 is displaced relative to the holding element 82 in the direction of the arrow 84. For adjustment, the fixing element 92, which is designed as screws, is first loosened, the adjusting element 94, which is designed as a screw, is rotated for adjustment, and then the screws 92 dressed again. As a result, an adjustment or tensioning of the steering cables 62, 64, 66, 68 is possible, please include in a simple manner, the tensioning device being designed as a slide guide. The sleeves 70, 72, 74, 78 of the Bowden cables are held in steering cable holders 100 (FIG. 5). On the left-hand side of the steering cable holders 100 in FIG. 5, only the cables 62, 64, 66, 68 are provided. The steering cable holders 100 can be pivoted about an axis 102, which is essentially vertical in the assembled state, in order to ensure alignment of the cables during the adjustment and to avoid the occurrence of additional friction.

A second steering element 104, which is shown in FIG. 6 for clarity, but not in FIG. 1, is firmly connected to the fork shaft 36. The second steering element 104 is designed corresponding to the first steering element 50 and is pivotable together with the fork shaft 36 about an essentially vertical axis of rotation 106. The axis of rotation 106 corresponds to the pivot axis of the front fork shaft and can optionally be slightly inclined. The second steering element 104 is designed identically to the first steering element 50 and also has corresponding grooves and the like. In the bicycle direction 34 behind the second steering element 104, a steering pull bracket 108 is arranged. The steering cable bracket 108 is constructed similar to the Lenkzughal sion 100 and serves to receive the ends of the sleeves 70, 72, 74, 78. The steering cable bracket 108 is firmly attached to the frame, in particular to the fork tube of the frame.

Claims

Requests

1. Bicycle steering device with a first steering element (50) which is ver bindable with a bicycle handlebar (20), a second steering element (104) which is ver bindable to a fork shaft (36), at least one steering cable pair (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78), which connects the two steering elements (50, 104) to one another and a tensioning device (80) for tensioning the at least one steering train pair (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78), characterized in that the tensioning device (80) has a holding element (82) connected to the at least one steering cable pair (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) and a holding element (82) that is displaceable with the holding element (82 ) has connected receiving element (86).

2. Bicycle steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (82) is connected to the bicycle frame.

3. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a slide guide is provided for moving the receiving element (86) GE compared to the holding element (82).

4. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the clamping device (80) has an adjustment element (94) for moving the receiving element (86) relative to the Halteele element (82).

5. Bicycle steering device according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjustment element (94) has an adjusting screw.

6. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping device (80) has a fixing element (92) for fixing the receiving element (86) on the holding element (82).

7. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that at least one, in particular both steering elements (50, 104) are designed as steering disks.

8. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one pair of steering cables (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) with the steering element (50, 104) in a particularly radial Distance to a corresponding axis of rotation (55, 106) is connected.

9. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the at least one pair of steering cables (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) in a guide groove (58, 60) of the steering element ( 50, 104) is arranged.

10. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the two parallel steering cable pairs (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) are provided.

11. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the at least one steering cable pair (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) has two steering cables.

12. Bicycle steering device according to claim 11, characterized in that the two steering cables on the respective steering element (50, 104) in particular special arranged opposite one another, in particular are attached.

13. Bicycle steering device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the two steering cables (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) between the first steering element (50) and the clamping device (80) cross.

14. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 - 13, characterized in that a steering cable bracket (108) is provided near the second steering element (104).

15. Bicycle steering device according to claim 4, characterized in that the steering cables of a steering cable pair (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) on the steering cable bracket (108) or between the steering cable bracket (108) and the cross the second steering element (104).

16. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 11-15, characterized in that the steering cables (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) are designed as Bowden cables.

17. Bicycle steering device according to claim 16, characterized in that the sleeves (70, 72, 74, 78) of the Bowden cables between the Spannein direction (80) and the steering cable bracket (108) are arranged.

18. Bicycle steering device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the clamping device has steering cable holders (100) which are preferably pivotably connected to the receiving element (86).

19. Cargo bike frame with, a rear structure (26) for receiving a rear wheel (24), a fork element (40) for receiving a front wheel (42), a support element (28) for receiving a cargo container between a handlebar tube (18) and the Fork element (40) and a bicycle steering device according to one of Claims 1 to 18.

20. Cargo bike frame according to claim 19, characterized in that the first steering element (50) is connected to a tubular element which is arranged in the handlebar tube (18) and can be connected to a handlebar (20).

21. cargo bike frame according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the second steering element (104) is connected to a fork shaft (36) of the fork element (40).

22. Cargo bike frame according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the at least one pair of steering cables (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) is arranged in the region of the support element (28).

23. cargo bike frame according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the support element (28) has two substantially horizontally extending frame elements (30).

24. Cargo bike frame according to claim 23, characterized in that in each case one of the two pairs of steering cables (62, 64, 70, 72; 66, 68, 74, 78) is arranged on a frame element (30), in particular is held by this.