Steering device for two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering device for two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles, which ensures a rotationally fixed connection between the handlebar and the stem and / or between the stem and the front fork of the two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle. The invention also relates to a steering device for two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles with a stop. The steering device has a frame with a head tube (1), a front fork with a stem tube (3) and a stem (4) with a handlebar (7). In addition, the handlebar (7) can be provided with a stop, which consists of a base and a stop element, the base being rotationally fixedly connected to the front fork of the two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle and having a recess, the stop element being fixedly arranged in the bearing shell and protruding radially through the recess. According to the invention, in each case, one component of the rotationally fixed connection has a smooth cylindrical surface over its axial length, and the surface of the other component, which is frictionally connected to the smooth cylindrical surface in the installed state, which is arranged coaxially with the above-mentioned component, is constructed as an n-sided polygon.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention derives from a steering device for two- and three-wheeled vehicles of the generic type and a steering device for two- and three-wheeled vehicles with a stop, which ensure a rotationally fixed connection between the handlebar and the stem and / or between the stem and the front fork of a two- or three-wheeled vehicle, and a steering device for two- and three-wheeled vehicles of the generic type with a stop. Background Art

[0002] Steering devices for two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles are sufficiently known. The rotationally fixed connection is formed by the joining area between the stem and the handlebar of the steering device and the joining area between the stem tube and the stem of the front fork of the two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle. The joining areas between the stem and the stem tube and between the stem and the handlebar are known, wherein the contact lines of the stem and the stem tube and of the stem and the handlebar form a polygonal chain with an arbitrary number of corners. In this case, the rotationally fixed connection is achieved by an interlocking connection between the counterparts of the joining area (DE 20003227 U1).

[0003] A disadvantage of this interlocking connection is that the polygonal cross-section of the mating parts in the joining region, which deviates from the cross-sectional shape, must be manufactured within very narrow fitting ranges in order to avoid play between the handlebar and the stem and between the stem and the stem tube. This results in an increased manufacturing outlay for the joining region of the mating parts of the rotationally fixed connection.

[0004] Likewise, stops for handlebars of two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles are also sufficiently known. They serve to prevent damage to the vehicle frame and control elements arranged on the handlebars (such as gears, brake and clutch levers) in the event of an unintentional excessive rotation of the front wheel and the handlebars connected to the front wheel in a rotationally fixed manner. In this case, stops of this type are effective only to an extent that is not relevant to safety, so that the functional steering of the vehicle is not impaired.

[0005] To this end, a stop for a handlebar of a two-wheeled vehicle is known, which stop is arranged in a lower headset bearing inside the head tube. To this end, the lower headset bearing consists of a base, a rolling bearing, which is connected to the front fork of the vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner, and a bearing shell, into which the base and the rolling bearing can be inserted. A circular arc-shaped recess is provided in the base, which is open towards its outer periphery. Its minimum opening angle complies with the legal requirements for the steering angle of the handlebar of a two-wheeled vehicle. The bearing shell has a recess extending over its height, which recess accommodates a stop element. The stop element has two different radial thicknesses over its height, wherein the thickness in the region of the lower rolling bearing is not greater than the radial depth of the recess of the opening of the lower bearing shell. The thickness in the region of the base is selected to be larger so that the stop element protrudes into the circular arc-shaped recess of the base. In order to connect the base to the stem of the front fork in a rotationally fixed manner, three longitudinal grooves are provided, each for accommodating a pin, which are distributed on the inner circumference of the base at the same angular distance from each other. A part of the side surface of the pin protrudes slightly beyond the inner wall of the base into the inner space surrounded by the base, so that the base, which is tightly engaged (impinges) on the stem of the front fork, is connected to the front fork in a rotationally fixed manner. As a result, a strong friction and interlocking connection is achieved between the front fork and the base (DE102018123310A1).

[0006] A disadvantage of this handlebar stop is the way in which a rotationally fixed connection is produced between the stem tube of the front fork and the base in order to ensure a torque transmission from the stem to the vehicle fork at the legally required level of 60 Nm. The relevant rotationally fixed connection is therefore the connection between the base and the stem tube of the front fork. When the base is tightly engaged onto the stem tube, the three pins used for this connection produce ridges, i.e. plastic deformations thereon, which are considered inadmissible by the manufacturers of the front forks. A second relevant rotationally fixed connection for transmitting torque from the stem to the vehicle fork is the connection between the lower bearing shell and the stem tube. This is achieved in a known manner, i.e. by pressing the lower bearing shell, that is to say by a press fit.

[0007] Finally, a fastening device for a bicycle stem is known, in which the connection force of the rotationally fixed connection between the bicycle stem and the stem tube of the front fork is increased by applying teeth (surrounded by the cylindrical body of the stem) to the upper area of ​​the outer side of the stem tube of the front fork. The teeth can be designed with a sawtooth shape or a rectangular or trapezoidal cross section (US5553511A). In this rotationally fixed connection, the above-mentioned disadvantage of plastic deformation of the cylindrical inner surface of the stem also occurs.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to produce a reliable rotationally fixed connection between a handlebar and a handlebar stem and / or between a handlebar stem and a stem tube of a front fork with low manufacturing and assembly costs. Furthermore, a further object is to produce a secure rotationally fixed connection between parts of an upper or lower headset bearing connected to a stem tube of a front fork and / or a stem tube of a frame of a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle with low manufacturing and assembly costs, wherein a stop for the handlebar is integrated in the headset bearing. Summary of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the purpose of establishing a rotationally fixed connection between the handlebar and the stem and / or the stem and the stem tube is achieved by the following features: the inner side surface of the area of ​​the stem connected to the stem tube or the outer side surface of the area of ​​the stem tube connected to the stem is configured as an n-sided polygon, and the side surface of the corresponding other component of the rotationally fixed connection is a cylindrical side surface, which is operatively connected to the side surface of the polygon, and / or the inner side surface of the mounting part of the stem for the handlebar or the outer side surface of the area of ​​the handlebar connected to the stem is configured as an n-sided polygon, and the outer side surface of the corresponding other component of the rotationally fixed connection is a cylindrical side surface, which is operatively connected to the side surface of the polygon. Furthermore, the purpose of establishing a rotationally fixed connection between components of a headset bearing that are fixed to a stem tube of a front fork and / or a head tube of a frame in a rotationally fixed manner is achieved by the following features: in order to rotationally fixedly connect a base to the stem tube of the front fork, an inner side surface of the base or an outer side surface of a region of the stem tube connected to the base is constructed as an n-sided polygon, and a side surface of a corresponding other component that is rotationally fixedly connected is a cylindrical side surface, which is operatively connected to the polygonal side surface, and / or, in order to rotationally fixedly connect a bearing shell to the head tube of the frame, an outer side surface of the bearing shell or an inner side surface of a region of the head tube connected to the bearing shell is constructed as an n-sided polygon, and a side surface of a corresponding other component that is rotationally fixedly connected is a cylindrical side surface, which is operatively connected to the polygonal side surface.

[0010] According to the invention, the rotationally fixed connection between the handlebar and the stem, and / or between the handlebar and the stem tube, and / or between the part constituting the stop of the steering device and the stem tube and / or the head tube of the frame follows a common principle: in each case, one part of the rotationally fixed connection has a smooth cylindrical surface over the axial length of the rotationally fixed connection, while the surface of the other part, which is frictionally operatively connected to the smooth cylindrical surface in the installed state, arranged coaxially with the above-mentioned part, is configured as an n-sided polygon. The invention can also be applied to scooters and electric motorcycles.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the case of a component with a polygonal inner surface, the diameter of the circle to which the sides of the polygon are tangent is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter coaxially passing through the component. Based on the example of the connection between a stem and a stem tube, this means that the diameter of the circle is not greater than the outer diameter of the stem tube.

[0012] In contrast, in the case of a component with a polygonal outer surface, the diameter of the circle surrounding the corners of the polygon is equal to or greater than the component inner diameter coaxially surrounding the component. Based on the example of a connection between a bearing shell connected to the head tube in a rotationally fixed manner, this means that the diameter of the circle is not smaller than the inner diameter of the head tube.

[0013] For reasons understandable in practice, a reduction in costs during component production can generally be achieved if the larger components involved in the rotationally fixed connection are respectively provided with smooth side surfaces in the region of the rotationally fixed connection in a known manner. This means that, for example, the inner surface of the head tube of a frame and the outer surface of the stem tube of a front fork continuously retain their cylindrical shape, while, for example, the outer surface of a bearing shell of a headset bearing and / or the inner surface of a base of a stop have a polygonal surface.

[0014] The rotationally fixed connection according to the invention on the steering device of two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles only acts frictionally. The polygonal surface of one part of the rotationally fixed connection rests with a slight press fit on the respective cylindrical side surface of the other part of the rotationally fixed connection, which is directly opposite to it. Due to the multiplicity of the polygonal surface, the radial flux of force is optimized to be able to transmit torques that are much higher than the above-mentioned minimum torque of 60 Nm. Another advantage of this rotationally fixed connection is that as long as the oversize is designed so that the yield point Rp 0.2 of the material is not exceeded, the material of the corresponding other connection partner will not be plastically deformed. Since within the range of purely elastic deformation of the material, the polygonal surface does not leave any mechanical damage, such as scratches or cuts, on the side surface of the cylindrical connection partner, the strength and function of the component will not be impaired.

[0015] This is achieved in that, in the installed state, due to the multiplicity of polygonal surfaces, no continuous contact line is formed between the connection partners and the polygonal surfaces allow a very gentle introduction of an oversize in the contact area, which leads to a press fit. The greater the number of polygonal surfaces, the lower the oversize must be relative to the corresponding cylindrical diameter.

[0016] Usually, in the connection between the handlebar and the stem or the stem and the stem tube, the handlebar and the stem also have smooth cylindrical surfaces in the joining area with the corresponding other components, while the stem is constructed as an n-sided polygon in its joining area with the stem tube and / or the handlebar.

[0017] It has proven to be advantageous to select a number of polygonal surfaces of no less than 10 in order to keep the surface pressure of the components at a level feasible in terms of joining technology, the optimum value with regard to production costs and reliable transmission of torque between the components being 25 surfaces.

[0018] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the polygonal surfaces have non-flat (eg curved) surfaces between them.The polygonal surfaces may also be unevenly distributed on the outer or inner circumference of the component, for example only on a portion of the circumference.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, grooves extending in the axial direction are arranged between the polygonal surfaces. This creates free space for the material to expand, for example due to elastic deformation or due to slight yielding of the material.

[0020] In case the steering device is provided with a stopper, the main components of the steering device, i.e. the stem tube and the head tube, usually have smooth cylindrical surfaces, while the components operatively connected to the corresponding main components, i.e. the inner surface of the base and the outer surface of the bearing shell are respectively constructed as n-sided polygons in their joint areas with the stem tube and / or the head tube.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the deflection device with stops, the diameter ratio between the cylindrical part and the part formed as an n-sided polygon is designed in the same way as described above for connecting the stem to the stem tube of a front fork and / or a handlebar.

[0022] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be gathered from the following description and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the subject matter according to the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 The steering device of the bicycle is shown in an isometric exploded view;

[0025] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of the steering device;

[0026] Figure 3 Shown in exploded view Figure 1 A plan view of a lower head headset bearing with a stopper of a steering device;

[0027] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 An enlarged view of the steering lower headset bearing;

[0028] Figure 5 The outer bearing shell of the lower headset bearing is shown to be rotationally fixedly connected to the head tube; and

[0029] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 Magnified view of the steering lower headset bearing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A steering device for a bicycle is shown, which has a frame and a front fork 2 with a handlebar tube 3, wherein the frame only shows the head tube 1 and two frame tubes extending therefrom, the handlebar tube 3 being guided through the head tube 1 and mounted in the head tube 1 via upper and lower headset bearings (not shown in further detail) and connected at its upper free end to a handlebar stem 4 in a rotationally fixed manner. The handlebar stem 4 consists of a vertical clamping sleeve 5 and a horizontal clamping sleeve 6 fixed thereto, wherein the center axes of the two clamping sleeves 5, 6 extend at right angles to each other. The upper end of the handlebar tube 3 of the front fork 2 is accommodated in the vertical clamping sleeve 5 in a rotationally fixed manner, while the handlebar 7 of the steering device passes through the horizontal clamping sleeve 6 and is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner. The two clamping sleeves 5 , 6 are each designed in a known manner as a longitudinally slotted pipe section, one outer side half of which has a thickening with two through-holes arranged at right angles to the respective rotational axis of the clamping sleeves 5 , 6 for accommodating clamping means (not shown in detail here).

[0031] Figure 2 The stem 4 is shown in an enlarged view, from which the inner side of the vertical clamping sleeve 5 and the horizontal clamping sleeve 6 can be seen due to the interrupted display of the stem tube 3 and the handlebar 7. The inner side of the vertical clamping sleeve 5, which surrounds the upper end of the stem tube 3, is formed by a plurality of polygonal surfaces 8; the inner side of the horizontal clamping sleeve 6, which surrounds the handlebar 7, is formed by a plurality of polygonal surfaces 9; the stem tube 3 and the handlebar 7 have their original cylindrical or annular cross-section in this area. In practical applications, 20 to 30 polygonal surfaces have proven to be useful for transmitting the required minimum torque of 60 Nm.

[0032] Another possibility for implementing the invention on a steering device of a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle is a steering device which is provided with a stop for the handlebar, wherein the stop is arranged in the upper or lower head group bearing, as described in DE 10 2018 123 310 A1. For this purpose, Figure 3 A plan view of a lower headset bearing 10 is shown, wherein only the stem tube 3 of the front fork 2 is shown, in particular interrupted on one side, in order to identify the design according to the invention of the torque transmission components. Figure 4 The enlarged view shows Figure 3 Detail of the lower headset bearing 10 with a stop in FIG. The lower headset bearing 10 has a lower bearing shell 11, which is connected to the head tube 1 of the frame in a rotationally fixed manner, and a base 12, which is connected to the stem tube 3 in a rotationally fixed manner. A lower rolling bearing, not shown in detail here, is supported on the base 12, the outer ring of which is pressed into the lower bearing shell 11. The height of the lower bearing shell 11 corresponds at least to the sum of the heights of the base 12 and the lower rolling bearing. In the installed state, its upper edge rests on the lower end face of the head tube 1. The stem tube 3 is guided through the base 12, the inner ring of the lower rolling bearing and the inner ring of the upper rolling bearing of the upper headset bearing, which is also not shown here, and extends into the vertical clamping sleeve 6 of the stem 4, in which, as described above, the stem tube 3 is received in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a polygonal inner surface in the clamping sleeve.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the inner side of the base 12 has a plurality of polygonal surfaces 13, while the stem tube 3 is a tube with a smooth surface in a known manner. In practical applications, 20 to 30 polygonal surfaces have been proven to be useful for transmitting the required minimum torque of 60 Nm. A third of the outer side of the base 12 is provided with a coaxially extending recess 14, which is open toward the periphery, so that the angle enclosed by the sides of the recess 14 is 120°.

[0034] A recess for accommodating a stop element 15 is provided in the inner side of the lower bearing shell 11, the recess extending parallel to the rotation axis of the headset bearing and opening toward the lower rolling bearing. Figure 4As can also be seen in the figure, the stop element 15 is formed by a cuboid whose effective height corresponds to the height of the lower bearing shell 11 and whose width corresponds to the width of the opening recess. In the installed state, its thickness changes abruptly in the plane in which the base 12 and the lower rolling bearing located above it contact each other, wherein its thickness in the region abutting against the lower rolling bearing is dimensioned so that its inner side surface does not protrude beyond the inner side surface of the lower bearing shell 11. Advantageously, the inner side surface of the stop element 15 is configured as concave so that it actually continues the inner side surface of the lower bearing shell 11 and at the same time abuts against the outer side surface of the lower rolling bearing. In its region opposite the base 12, the stop element 15 has a shoulder protruding radially inwards, which, in the installed state, protrudes into the recess 14 of the base 12. Therefore, in order to install the stop in the lower head set bearing, this means that when the stop element 15 is engaged in the lower bearing shell 11 together with the lower rolling bearing, the stop element 15 must always be positioned within the angular range of the recess 14. When the handlebar 7 is actuated, the steering angle is therefore limited by the side of the recess 14 hitting the stop element 15. It is therefore also clear that the lower bearing shell 11 must withstand the torque emanating from the handlebar 7, that is to say must also be arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in the head tube 1 of the frame.

[0035] from Figure 4 Another feature of the shape of the polygonal surfaces 13 of the base 12 can be seen in FIG. An axially extending groove 16 is provided between the polygonal surfaces 13, which groove 16 is formed as a free space for accommodating deformations that may occur at the polygonal surfaces 13 during the joining of the base 12 to the stem 3 of the front fork 2. However, this type of free space can be provided on all polygonal surfaces 8, 9, 17.

[0036] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 , an embodiment of a rotationally fixed connection between the head tube 1 and the lower bearing shell 11 is shown. It also follows the principle according to the invention, i.e. the surfaces of two coaxial connection partners are designed to contact each other in the installed state, wherein in this example the outer side of the lower bearing shell 11 is advantageously formed by a plurality of polygonal surfaces 17, while the inner side surface of the head tube 1 is designed as a smooth cylindrical surface. It should be pointed out here that all four described rotationally fixed connections can also be designed in the opposite way, that is, the cylindrical side surfaces of the connection partners can also be formed by polygons.

[0037] All features mentioned here are essential for the invention both individually and in any desired combination with one another.

[0038] Reference numerals list

[0039] 1 Head pipe

[0040] 2 Front fork

[0041] 3. Stem

[0042] 4. Stem

[0043] 5 Vertical clamping sleeve

[0044] 6 Horizontal clamping sleeve

[0045] 7 Handlebars

[0046] 8Polygonal surface of horizontal clamping sleeve

[0047] 9Polygonal surface of vertical clamping sleeve

[0048] 10 Lower headset bearing

[0049] 11 Lower bearing shell

[0050] 12 Base

[0051] 13 Polygonal surface of the base

[0052] 14 Notch

[0053] 15 Stop element

[0054] 16 grooves

[0055] 17 Polygonal surface of the lower bearing

Claims

1. A steering device for a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, the vehicle having a frame with a head tube (1), a front fork (2) with a stem tube (3) and a stem (4) with a handlebar (7), the stem tube (3) being guided through the head tube (1) and mounted in the head tube (1) via an upper headset bearing and a lower headset bearing (10) and being connected to the stem (4) in a rotationally fixed manner at the upper free end of the stem tube (3) projecting out of the frame to the head tube (1), and the stem (4) having a recess, the handlebar (7) being guided through the recess and being fastened in a rotationally fixed manner, It is characterized in that - the inner side surface of the region of the stem (4) connected to the stem tube (3) or the outer side surface of the region of the stem tube (3) connected to the stem (4) is configured as an n-sided polygon, and the side surface of the corresponding other component that is rotationally fixedly connected is a cylindrical side surface, and the other component is operatively connected to the side surface of the polygon, and / or - the inner side surface of the mounting part of the stem (4) for the handlebar (7) or the outer side surface of the area of ​​the handlebar (7) connected to the stem (4) is configured as an n-sided polygon, and the outer side surface of the corresponding other component that is rotationally fixedly connected is a cylindrical side surface, and the other component is operatively connected to the side surface of the polygon.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The diameter of the circle tangent to the sides of the inner polygon is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the corresponding other part connected in a rotationally fixed manner, which is operatively connected to the inner side of the polygon.

3. The steering device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The diameter of the circle surrounding the corners of the outer polygon is equal to or greater than the inner diameter of a corresponding further component connected in a rotationally fixed manner and operatively connected to the outer side of the polygon.

4. A steering device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, It is characterized in that The number of polygonal surfaces is not less than 10.

5. A steering device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, It is characterized in that There are non-planar surfaces between the surfaces of the polygons.

6. A steering device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, It is characterized in that A groove (16) extending in the axial direction is arranged between the polygonal surfaces.

7. A steering device for a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, the vehicle having a frame with a head tube (1), a front fork (2) with a stem tube (3), a stem (4) with a handlebar (7), and a stop for the handlebar (7), the stem tube (3) being guided through the head tube (1) of the frame and mounted in the head tube (1) by means of an upper headset bearing and a lower headset bearing, the upper headset bearing and the lower headset bearing each having a rolling bearing, and the stem tube (3) being connected to the stem (4) at its upper end in a rotationally fixed manner, the upper end protruding out of the head tube (1) of the frame, and the stop being arranged in one of the two headset bearings, The stopper is composed of a base (12) and a stopper element (15); the base (12) is rotationally fixedly connected to the front fork (2) of the two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle; an arc-shaped groove (14) is provided on the outer side surface of the base, and the groove (14) opens toward the inner side surface of the bearing shell of the rolling bearing; the stopper element (15) is fixedly arranged in the bearing shell and radially extends into the groove (14); the bearing shell coaxially accommodates the base (12) and the rolling bearing, and is rotationally fixedly connected to the head tube (1); It is characterized in that - in order to connect the base (12) to the stem tube (3) of the front fork (2) in a rotationally fixed manner, the inner side surface of the base (12) or the outer side surface of the region of the stem tube (3) connected to the base (12) is configured as an n-sided polygon, and the side surface of the corresponding other component connected in a rotationally fixed manner is a cylindrical side surface, and the other component is operatively connected to the side surface of the polygon, and / or In order to connect the bearing shell to the head tube (1) of the frame in a rotationally fixed manner, the outer side surface of the bearing shell or the inner side surface of the region of the head tube connected to the bearing shell is configured as an n-sided polygon, and the side surface of the corresponding other component connected in a rotationally fixed manner is a cylindrical side surface, and the other component is operatively connected to the polygonal side surface.

8. The steering device according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The diameter of the circle tangent to the sides of the inner polygon is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the corresponding other part connected in a rotationally fixed manner, which is operatively connected to the inner side of the polygon.

9. The steering device according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The diameter of the circle surrounding the corners of the outer polygon is equal to or greater than the inner diameter of a corresponding further component connected in a rotationally fixed manner and operatively connected to the outer side of the polygon.

10. A steering device according to claim 7, 8 or 9, It is characterized in that The number of polygonal surfaces is not less than 10.

11. A steering device according to claim 7, 8 or 9, It is characterized in that There are non-planar surfaces between the surfaces of the polygons.

12. A steering device according to claim 7, 8 or 9, It is characterized in that A groove (16) extending in the axial direction is arranged between the polygonal surfaces.

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