Bicycle spoke

Abstract

The utility model discloses a bicycle spoke which comprises a spoke body and a spoke cap used for connecting the spoke body with a hub or a hub. The spoke cap is provided with a first connecting end connected with a hub or a hub and a second connecting end connected with the spoke body. The spoke body is formed by fiber lines, a first limiting part is arranged at the end, close to the spoke cap, of the spoke body, a second limiting part is arranged at the second connecting end, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are matched in a clamped mode to be used for fixing the spoke body and the spoke cap. The bicycle spoke provided by the utility model has the advantages of high strength, light weight and excellent fatigue resistance, and can be widely applied to various types of bicycles, in particular to bicycles for high-performance competitions. In each embodiment, through innovative design of different parts and structures, the tensile property, the connection stability and the durability of the spokes are further improved, and the stability and the safety under complex road conditions are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of spokes and discloses a bicycle spoke. Background Art

[0002] Traditional bicycle spokes are mostly made of metal materials such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy. While these metal materials offer considerable strength and durability, they are gradually becoming problematic in modern high-performance bicycles. First, metal spokes are relatively heavy, a significant constraint, particularly on racing bicycles, where lightweight design is crucial. Lightweighting is crucial for increasing riding speed and reducing energy consumption, but heavier metal spokes struggle to meet these demands.

[0003] Secondly, metal spokes have limitations in terms of fatigue resistance and toughness. During long periods of intense riding, metal materials are prone to fatigue fracture. Especially on bumpy roads, uneven stress can cause metal spokes to deform or break. Furthermore, metal materials are susceptible to rust and weakening in extreme environments, such as high temperatures, cold temperatures, or corrosive conditions, shortening their service life.

[0004] In recent years, advances in materials science have led to the introduction of new high-strength fiber materials, such as carbon fiber, into spoke manufacturing, gaining popularity for their superior tensile strength and high-temperature resistance. However, while these improvements have enhanced the performance of the spokes themselves, the connection method remains fundamentally unresolved, leaving the spoke-nipple connection a weak point. This not only impacts the rider's riding experience but also makes spoke repair and replacement more difficult.

[0005] Therefore, a new bicycle spoke is urgently needed to address the deficiencies in the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the utility model provides a bicycle spoke, which can enhance the stability, durability and safety of the connection.

[0007] The technical solutions provided by this utility model are as follows:

[0008] A bicycle spoke comprises a spoke body and a spoke nipple for connecting the spoke body to a hub or a wheel hub;

[0009] The spoke nipple has a first connection end connected to the hub or the wheel hub, and a second connection end connected to the spoke body;

[0010] The spoke body is formed by a fiber line. A first limiting portion is provided at one end of the spoke body close to the spoke cap, and a second limiting portion is provided at the second connecting end. The first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are engaged with each other to fix the spoke body and the spoke cap.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fiber strands are PBO fibers.

[0012] In some embodiments, the PBO fiber wire of the spoke body is fixed into shape after being impregnated with epoxy resin.

[0013] In some embodiments, a through hole is provided in the second connecting end, the second limiting portion is an inclined surface arranged on the inner wall of the through hole, the first limiting portion includes a plurality of glass beads, and the end of the spoke body close to the spoke cap is woven with glass beads wrapped by fiber line.

[0014] In some embodiments, a through hole is opened in the second connecting end, the inner wall of the through hole is conical, the first limiting portion is a cylindrical structure formed by the spoke body, and the second limiting portion is a tightening block that makes the first limiting portion and the inner wall of the through hole interference fit.

[0015] In some embodiments, the expansion block is a wedge-shaped block, the outer side of the cylindrical structure is wrapped with a layer of carbon fiber cloth, and the wedge-shaped block is inserted into the middle of the cylindrical structure to expand the first limiting portion toward the inner wall of the through hole.

[0016] In some embodiments, the expansion block is a hollow cone, the cylindrical structure passes through the hollow cone, the inner wall of the hollow cone fits against the inner wall of the through hole, and the first limiting portion is expanded away from the inner wall of the through hole.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first connecting end is a threaded rod threadedly connected to the wheel hub.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first connecting end is a T-shaped end that is clamped to the hub.

[0019] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0020] (1) The present invention provides a bicycle spoke made of high-strength fiber material, which has significant advantages over traditional metal spokes. The bicycle spokes of the present invention use PBO fiber, which has extremely high tensile strength and excellent fatigue resistance, making it less likely to break or deform during long-term high-intensity riding, thereby improving overall safety and durability. Secondly, by designing the snap-fit ​​and limit structure of the spoke cap, the present invention effectively solves the connection problem between the fiber spoke and the hub or wheel hub.

[0021] (2) Example 2 of the present invention uses glass beads as part of the limiting part. The combination of PBO fiber wire and glass beads significantly improves durability and toughness, and can meet the use requirements under high-intensity exercise. At the same time, the contact surface is conical. The conical contact surface ensures that the glass beads wrapped around the fiber wire can fit with its inner wall, increasing the contact area, thereby significantly improving the stability and tensile strength of the connection, and can effectively reduce the risk of sliding of the spokes when subjected to force during use, ensuring that a firm connection can be maintained in various riding environments.

[0022] (3) The snap-fit ​​design of the first and second stoppers, along with the use of a tightening block structure, strengthens the connection between the spoke body and the spoke cap, preventing loosening caused by long-term vibration or high-intensity stress. Furthermore, the conical contact surface and wedge-shaped tightening block design further enhance the spoke connection strength and improve the spoke's adaptability under complex road conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of Example 2;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of Example 3;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of Example 4.

[0027] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0028] 1. Spoke body; 2. Spoke nipple;

[0029] 21. First connection end; 22. Second connection end;

[0030] 202, inclined surface; 203, glass beads;

[0031] 212. Expansion block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to deepen the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments and drawings. The embodiments are only used to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] A first embodiment of the present invention provides a bicycle spoke comprising a spoke body 1 and a spoke nipple 2. The spoke body 1 is made of a high-strength fiber wire, while the spoke nipple 2 is used to connect to the hub or wheel of the bicycle, ensuring that the spoke plays its due role in the wheel structure.

[0035] The spoke nipple 2 includes two connecting ends: a first connecting end 21 for connecting to the hub or wheel hub, and a second connecting end 22 for connecting to the spoke body 1. When the spoke nipple 2 is connected to the hub, the first connecting end 21 is a T-shaped end that is fixed to the hub by a snap-fit ​​method; when the spoke nipple 2 is connected to the wheel hub, the first connecting end 21 is a threaded rod that is threaded to ensure the stability of the connection.

[0036] The spoke body 1 has a first stopper at one end near the spoke nipple 2, and a second stopper at the second connecting end 22. These two stoppers are snap-fitted together to secure the spoke body and spoke nipple. This design effectively prevents the spokes from loosening or falling off during use, improving the stability of the bicycle's overall structure.

[0037] Compared with traditional metal spoke nipples, the spoke nipples in this embodiment adopt a specially designed clip-on structure to ensure that the connection between the spoke body and the hub or wheel is more secure and less likely to loosen during riding.

[0038] Furthermore, the spoke body 1 is made of PBO (poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole)) fiber. PBO fiber has extremely high tensile strength and heat resistance, far exceeding the strength of traditional metal materials, making it suitable for high-performance bicycle applications. PBO fiber is not only lightweight but also extremely fatigue-resistant, capable of withstanding prolonged repeated stretching and lateral impact.

[0039] To enhance the overall strength of the spokes, the spoke bodies 1 are impregnated with epoxy resin during the manufacturing process. Specifically, the braided PBO fiber strands are immersed in an epoxy resin solution, coating the strands evenly with resin. The strands are then heat-cured at high temperatures. In addition to high-temperature curing, other methods, such as two-component resin curing or UV curing, are also possible. This method not only enhances strength but also provides excellent weather resistance and aging resistance, making it suitable for a variety of extreme environmental conditions.

[0040] In addition, the thermosetting molding process of the spoke body can also ensure the close arrangement of the fiber lines, reducing the stress concentration problem that occurs in the spokes during high-intensity riding.

[0041] Example 2

[0042] Please refer to Figure 2In this embodiment, a through hole is provided in the second connecting end 22, the second limiting portion is an inclined surface 202 arranged on the inner wall of the through hole, the first limiting portion includes a plurality of glass beads 203, and the end of the spoke body 1 close to the spoke cap 2 is woven with glass beads 203 wrapped by fiber line.

[0043] Currently, some proposals use knotted PBO fibers to form stoppers. However, knotting reduces the tensile strength of the spoke body 1 made of PBO fiber. While knotted stoppers do not meet the tensile strength requirements, higher tensile strength is required for more demanding vehicle environments. Therefore, in this embodiment, the stoppers are formed by weaving a plurality of glass beads 203 around a fiber strand. A certain length of fiber strand is left at the end of the spoke body 1. After passing through the through-hole, the glass beads 203 are woven and wrapped around the fiber strands on the side of the through-hole away from the spoke body 1. The glass beads 203 are evenly wrapped within the fiber strands until they are completely encapsulated. The fiber strands expand under the action of the glass beads 203, forming a stopper. Under the tension of the spoke, the stopper is pulled taut to one side, thereby cooperating with the inclined surface 202 to connect the spoke body 1 to the nipple 2. Finally, resin is injected into the nipple 2 for localized high-temperature curing, completing the connection.

[0044] In this embodiment, glass beads 203 are used as part of the limiting portion. The glass beads 203 have low density and high strength. Under the action of spoke tension, they can maintain high strength stability and can further improve the lightweight of the spoke connection structure. The combination of PBO fiber line and glass beads 203 significantly improves durability and toughness, and can meet the usage requirements under high-intensity exercise.

[0045] Furthermore, the inner wall of the through-hole is provided with an inclined surface 202, forming a tapered contact surface. The first connecting end 21 is a T-shaped structure that mates with the T-slot on the hub. This tapered contact surface ensures that the glass beads 25 encasing the fiber thread adhere to the inner wall, increasing the contact area and significantly improving the stability and tensile strength of the connection. It also effectively reduces the risk of spoke slippage when subjected to stress during use, ensuring a secure connection in all riding conditions.

[0046] In addition, the conical contact surface can produce a certain self-locking effect under the action of external force, especially when riding fast, which can ensure a firm connection between the spoke cap and the spoke body, and avoid the problem of loose spokes caused by high-speed riding or severe bumps.

[0047] Example 3

[0048] In this embodiment, a through-hole is defined within the second connecting end 22. The first retaining element is a cylindrical structure formed by the spoke body 1, and the second retaining element is a tightening block 212. The through-hole is designed to accommodate the cylindrical structure of the spoke body, ensuring stable insertion of the spoke body into the second connecting end. The tightening block 212 is designed to create an interference fit between the first retaining element and the inner wall of the through-hole. This tightening block ensures close contact between the first retaining element and the inner wall of the through-hole, further enhancing connection stability.

[0049] Furthermore, the cylindrical structure can be wrapped with a layer of carbon fiber cloth, and then resin can be poured into the spoke nipple 2 to further secure it. Since the interlayer bonding rate of the carbon fiber is increased, the stability of the connection can be further improved. Of course, in other embodiments, resin can also be poured into the spoke nipple 2 to further secure it.

[0050] During use, the expansion block expands the spoke body through mechanical pressure and is tightly combined with the inner wall of the through hole, ensuring that the spoke body will not loosen or shift under the action of external force.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 3 In this embodiment, the expansion block 212 is a wedge-shaped block designed to be inserted into the center of the cylindrical structure, causing the first stop to expand against the inner wall of the through-hole. Of course, the expansion block 212 can also have other wedge-like structures, such as a cone or square pyramid. The wedge-shaped design provides a simple and effective fastening method. Inserting the wedge block secures the spoke body to the spoke nipple, preventing it from loosening during use. It also evenly distributes force, avoiding localized stress concentration and further extending the service life of the spoke.

[0052] Example 4

[0053] Please refer to Figure 4 Unlike Example 3, in this embodiment, the expansion block 212 is a hollow conical member. The cylindrical structure passes through the hollow conical member. The outer wall of the hollow conical member fits against the inner wall of the through-hole, and the first stop is pulled away from the inner wall of the through-hole to expand. The hollow conical member design provides a wider range of expansion force, and combined with the tapered design of the inner wall of the through-hole, it ensures closer contact between the spoke body and the spoke nipple.

[0054] The hollow cone not only provides a multi-point contact fastening method, but also can absorb the vibration generated during riding to a certain extent, enhance the shock resistance of the spokes, and ensure the stability of the bicycle under different road conditions.

[0055] It should be noted that any implementations not shown or described in the drawings or the main text of the specification are known to those skilled in the art and are not described in detail. In addition, the above definitions of the various elements and methods are not limited to the various specific structures, shapes, or methods mentioned in the embodiments.

[0056] It should also be noted that while examples of parameters including specific values ​​may be provided herein, these parameters do not need to be exactly equal to the corresponding values, but rather may approximate the corresponding values ​​within acceptable error tolerances or design constraints. Directional terms mentioned in the embodiments, such as "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," are merely references to the directions in the accompanying drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0057] The foregoing description shows and describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. As previously mentioned, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the form disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. Instead, the present invention can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and can be modified within the scope of the present invention as taught herein or through the techniques or knowledge of the relevant art. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be protected by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A bicycle spoke, characterized in that: It comprises a spoke body (1) and a spoke nipple (2) for connecting the spoke body (1) with a hub or a wheel hub; The spoke nipple (2) has a first connection end (21) connected to the hub or the wheel hub, and a second connection end (22) connected to the spoke body (1); The spoke body (1) is formed of a fiber line, and a first limiting portion is provided at one end of the spoke body (1) close to the spoke cap (2), and a second limiting portion is provided at the second connecting end (22), wherein the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are engaged and matched to fix the spoke body (1) and the spoke cap (2); A through hole is provided in the second connecting end (22); the second limiting portion is an inclined surface (202) provided on the inner wall of the through hole; the first limiting portion includes a plurality of glass beads (203); and the glass beads (203) are woven and wrapped with fiber threads at one end of the spoke body (1) close to the spoke cap (2).

2. The bicycle spoke according to claim 1, wherein: The fiber line is PBO fiber.

3. The bicycle spoke according to claim 2, wherein: The PBO fiber line of the spoke body (1) is fixed and formed after being impregnated with epoxy resin.

4. The bicycle spoke according to claim 1, wherein: A through hole is formed in the second connecting end (22), the inner wall of the through hole is tapered, the first limiting portion is replaced by a cylindrical structure formed by the spoke body (1), and the second limiting portion is replaced by a tightening block (212) that enables the first limiting portion to be interference-fitted with the inner wall of the through hole.

5. The bicycle spoke according to claim 4, wherein: The expansion block (212) is a wedge-shaped block, the outer side of the cylindrical structure is wrapped with a layer of carbon fiber cloth, and the wedge-shaped block is inserted into the middle of the cylindrical structure to expand the first limiting portion toward the inner wall of the through hole.

6. The bicycle spoke according to claim 4, wherein: The expansion block (212) is a hollow conical part, the cylindrical structure passes through the hollow conical part, the inner wall of the hollow conical part fits with the inner wall of the through hole, and the first limiting portion is expanded away from the inner wall of the through hole.

7. The bicycle spoke according to claim 1, wherein: The first connecting end (21) is a threaded rod threadedly connected to the wheel hub.

8. The bicycle spoke according to claim 1, wherein: The first connecting end (21) is a T-shaped end that is clamped to the hub.

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