A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube

Abstract

This utility model discloses a device for controlling the lifting and lowering of a seat post, comprising an inner fixing layer, a housing, a slider, a lead screw, a reducer, and a motor. The inner fixing layer has a valve switch hole and a slider movable cavity. The top of the housing has an upper cavity, which contains a motor fixing hole and a lead screw hole. The inner fixing layer covers the top of the housing. The slider is located within the slider movable cavity in the upper cavity. A push valve on one side of the slider corresponds to the valve switch hole. One end of the lead screw is threaded to the slider, and the other end is inserted into the lead screw hole via the reducer. A motor is installed in the motor fixing hole on one side of the lead screw hole, and the motor shaft is connected to the reducer. This invention places the motor on one side of the lead screw, reducing the axial space of the device. Through the cooperation of the motor and the reducer, the lead screw is driven to rotate, thereby causing the slider to slide up and down along the slider movable cavity. This allows the push valve on one side of the slider to contact the valve switch of the seat post extending from the valve switch hole, thus controlling the opening and closing of the valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of lifting seat tube technology, and in particular to a device for controlling the lifting of the seat tube. Background Technology

[0002] For bicycles, the seatpost is the mechanism connecting the saddle and the frame. Adjusting the seatpost height allows for saddle height adjustment to suit different riding needs. Traditional seatposts use a snap-on fastener system, locking the seatpost to the desired height. However, this method requires the rider to stop and manually adjust, which is inconvenient. Therefore, manual cable-operated and screw-driven seatposts were developed, allowing for height adjustment while riding. Manual cable-operated seatposts require the rider to pull a cable to activate levers and wedges within the seatpost, triggering the air valve to adjust the seatpost height by inflating or deflating it. The first type of lifting mechanism uses abrupt changes for adjustment, and its internal components repeatedly withstand instantaneous impacts. This places higher demands on materials and connection structures to maintain a certain service life, and also requires a larger radial space. The second type uses a screw-driven fixing mechanism, where a slider, screw, reducer, and motor are arranged from top to bottom inside the lifting device. The motor drives the screw to rotate, and under the action of the reducer, the slider moves vertically up and down along the guide post via the screw, which is threadedly connected to it. This makes the lifting process more stable and reduces the radial space. However, the screw-driven fixing mechanism requires a large axial space, generally at least 65mm, due to installation and other reasons. Therefore, a better space management solution is needed to achieve the goal of saving space. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies and reduce the axial space occupied by screw-driven lifting devices, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: A device for controlling the lifting of a seat post, adapted to a pneumatic valve switch installed inside the seat post, includes a housing, which is a cylindrical cavity that mates with the seat post. The cavity contains a guide mechanism, a drive mechanism, a lead screw, and a slider. The slider has an internally threaded through-hole, and the lead screw with external threads passes through the slider and is threadedly engaged with the internally threaded through-hole. The drive mechanism drives the lead screw to rotate, and with the assistance of the guide mechanism, the slider moves axially along the lead screw, pressing the pneumatic valve switch through the edge of the slider. Compared to a design where the slider is fitted onto the top of the lead screw, this design moves the slider's position from the top of the lead screw to the middle of the lead screw, eliminating the need for a liftable space at the top of the slider and thus saving axial space for the device.

[0004] Furthermore, the top of the housing is provided with an inner fixing layer, which is provided with a valve switch hole and a slider moving cavity. The valve switch hole is configured to cooperate with the valve switch, and the slider moving cavity serves as the guide mechanism to guide the circumferential movement of the slider and guide the axial movement of the slider.

[0005] Furthermore, the slider has a push valve part corresponding to the air valve switch on its side, and a clearance groove is provided on the slider edge on the push valve part side to prevent parts other than the push valve part from touching the air valve switch. Since the air valve switch includes a retractable switch body and a collar surrounding the outer periphery of the switch body, the clearance groove is used to allow the collar to be placed in place, so as to prevent the slider from touching the collar before the push valve part touches the switch body, and then the collar drives the switch body to extend or retract, resulting in accidental contact.

[0006] Furthermore, the drive mechanism includes a reducer and a motor, and the housing includes an upper cavity and a lower cavity. A motor fixing hole and a lead screw hole are provided between the upper cavity and the lower cavity. The motor is fixed in the motor fixing hole, and the motor shaft is connected to the reducer in the upper cavity through the motor fixing hole. The lead screw passes through the lead screw hole and the slider in the upper cavity and is connected to the reducer.

[0007] Furthermore, the lower cavity contains an axially arranged circuit board, with a radially mounted connecting plate on the lower side of the circuit board. The connecting plate has a Hall sensor that works in conjunction with the magnet at the bottom of the lead screw. The connecting plate is connected to the motor. The axially arranged circuit board saves space. The magnetic force of the magnet is horizontal, so when it rotates, the Hall sensor can detect the direction of the magnetic field lines and obtain the height of the slider on the lead screw. This allows the system to determine whether the slider has touched the air valve switch. The external circuit starts or stops the motor based on the opening and closing signals of the air valve switch. The lower cavity can accommodate part of the motor, and the space inside the lower cavity can also provide some heat dissipation.

[0008] Furthermore, the reducer includes a set of gears, wherein the gears fitted onto the lead screw and the gears on the motor shaft are arranged horizontally, saving axial space compared to planetary gears.

[0009] Furthermore, a gear cover is provided for the reducer, and the upper surface of the gear cover is provided with a slider movable cavity to guide the axial movement of the slider.

[0010] Furthermore, a bottom cover is sealed at the bottom of the housing to prevent water and dust from entering from the bottom of the housing and affecting the electronic components inside the housing. The bottom cover has a circuit port, and a glue groove is provided around the circuit port. The circuit board is connected to the external circuit through the circuit port by connecting wires. The glue groove is used for applying glue to further ensure the sealing effect.

[0011] Furthermore, an upper housing is axially connected to the top of the housing, the upper housing is provided with an upper housing lead screw hole, the housing includes an upper cavity and a lower cavity, a lead screw hole is provided between the upper cavity and the lower cavity, and a bearing is provided in the upper housing lead screw hole and the lead screw hole.

[0012] Furthermore, an upper housing is axially connected to the top of the housing, and a guide groove is provided at the bottom of the upper housing, which cooperates with the guide edge provided on one side of the slider. Through the cooperation of the motor and the reducer, the lead screw is driven to rotate. The guide groove limits the circumferential rotation of the slider through the guide wire edge and guides the slider to move along the axial direction of the lead screw, so that the push valve part on one side of the slider can contact the air valve switch of the seat tube that extends from the air valve switch hole, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the air valve.

[0013] Furthermore, the bottom of the housing is sealed with a bottom cover to prevent water and dust from entering from the bottom of the housing and affecting the electronic components inside the housing. The bottom cover has circuit holes, and the circuit board is connected to the external circuit through the circuit holes via connecting wires. The circuit holes are surrounded by countersunk holes. The outer periphery of the bottom cover is provided with a sealing mechanism that seals with the housing, thereby preventing water from entering the inside of the bottom cover from below.

[0014] The advantages and beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model proposes a device for controlling the lifting and lowering of the seat tube. By placing the motor on one side of the lead screw, the axial space of the device can be reduced, and the longitudinal installation space can be shortened to within 50mm. Through the cooperation of the motor and the reducer, the lead screw is driven to rotate, which in turn drives the slider to slide up and down along the slider movable cavity, so that the push valve part on one side of the slider can contact the air valve switch, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the air valve. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the device along the working surface of the slider in one embodiment of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the shell and the inner fixing layer in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3a This is a schematic diagram of the top structure of the inner fixing layer in one embodiment of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 3b This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the inner fixing layer in one embodiment of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the shell in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the slider in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit board structure in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device, the base tube, and the external circuit in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the device along the working surface of the slider in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the upper shell structure in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the slider structure in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the gear cover structure in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Seat tube, 2. Lead screw, 3. Slider movable cavity, 4. Slider, 5. Housing, 6. Magnet, 7. Hall sensor, 8. Connecting plate, 9. Bottom cover of the housing, 10. Glue groove, 11. Motor, 12. Reducer, 13. Inner fixing layer, 14. Air valve switch, 15. Air valve switch hole, 16. Circuit board, 17. Motor shaft, 18. Motor fixing hole, 19. Lead screw hole, 20. Internal thread through hole, 21. Relief groove, 22. Push valve part, 23. Control button, 24. Controller, 25. Gear cover, 26. Countersunk hole, 27. Lower bearing, 28. Upper housing, 29. Upper bearing, 30. Lead screw hole of upper housing, 31. Guide groove, 32. Guide edge. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. However, this does not limit the present invention to the scope of the described embodiments.

[0029] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed" to another element, it can be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation. The term "external" as used in this invention generally refers to a position away from the drive shaft axis, and "internal" generally refers to a position close to the drive shaft axis. "Axial" refers to the direction in which the drive shaft axis extends. Example

[0030] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3aAs shown, a device for controlling the lifting and lowering of the seatpost includes a housing 5 axially connected to the bottom of the seatpost. An inner fixing layer 13 is connected to the upper side of the housing 5. The inner fixing layer 13 has external threads that engage with the internal threads at the bottom of the seatpost for threaded connection. The inner fixing layer 13 can also be attached to the bottom of the seatpost by adhesion or other methods. The user inserts the seatpost 1 into the bicycle's bottom tube. The seatpost lifting device is connected to the bicycle's battery and controller 24 via an external power cord. The user controls the seatpost lifting device using a control button 23 connected to the controller 24 to trigger the air valve switch 14 at the bottom of the seatpost, thereby controlling the lifting and lowering of the seatpost 1. In this embodiment, the electric bicycle seatpost is fitted with the frame bottom tube, and both the seatpost 1 and the bottom tube have a standard diameter of 31.6 mm.

[0031] The air valve switch 14 at the bottom of the seat tube protrudes downward through the air valve switch hole 15 in the inner fixing layer 13, as shown below. Figure 3b As shown, the inner fixed layer 13 has a slider movable cavity 3 on one side of the air valve switch hole 15, which guides the slider 4 to move up and down and limits the side of the slider to prevent the slider 4 from moving circumferentially with the lead screw 2.

[0032] The housing 5 is divided into an upper cavity and a lower cavity, which are connected by a lead screw hole 19. The upper cavity is connected to the inner fixing layer 13. Figure 4 As shown, a circuit board 16 is axially arranged on one side of the lead screw hole 19 at the top of the lower cavity, and a motor fixing hole 18 is arranged on the other side.

[0033] Inside the upper cavity, the upper section of the lead screw is threaded through the slider 4 with a four-threaded connection and engages with the internal threaded through hole 20 of the slider 4. The rotation of the lead screw 2 drives the slider 4 to move up and down within the slider's movable cavity 3. Figure 5 As shown, one side of the slider 4 is a push valve part 22, and the push valve part 22 is provided with a relief groove 21. Since the air valve switch 14 includes a collar and a retractable switch body set in the collar, the relief groove 21 is used to make way for the collar to avoid accidental contact; the gear of the reducer 12 is sleeved in the middle of the lead screw 2, and the bottom of the lead screw 2 is inserted into the lead screw hole 19.

[0034] In the inferior cavity, such as Figure 6 As shown, a connecting plate 8 is horizontally arranged in the lower cavity at the bottom of the circuit board 16. The Hall sensor 7 on the connecting plate 8 is configured to cooperate with the cylindrical magnet 6 that is locked at the bottom of the lead screw. The magnetic force of the magnet 6 is in the horizontal direction, so that when it rotates, the Hall sensor 7 can identify the direction of the magnetic field lines and thereby obtain the height of the slider 4 on the lead screw 2, and then determine whether the slider 4 touches the air valve switch 14.

[0035] The motor mounting hole 18 is used to fix the motor 11, and the motor shaft 17 passes through the motor mounting hole 18. The gear of the motor shaft 17 meshes with the gear of the reducer 12 in the upper cavity, such as... Figure 2As shown. The reducer 12 includes multiple two-stage gears, which reduce the motor speed output through the transmission ratio between the gears. The gear that meshes with the motor shaft 17 and the gear sleeved on the lead screw 2 are on the same horizontal plane, saving axial space compared to planetary gears. The reducer 12 is a standard configuration in the industry, except... Figure 2 The installation layout shown is such that the two opposing secondary gears engage with the motor output gear and the lead screw gear respectively. Other similar arrangements can also be used as speed reducers as long as the transmission ratio can be adjusted.

[0036] like Figure 7 As shown, a bottom cover 9 is provided at the bottom of the housing. A glue groove 10 and a circuit hole are provided at the center of the inner surface of the bottom cover 9. The external circuit is connected to the motor 11 and the circuit board 16 through the circuit hole. The height of the slider is obtained based on the Hall sensor 7, and the motor 11 drives the lead screw 2 to move the slider 4 up and down, opening and closing the air valve switch 14. Example

[0037] like Figure 8 As shown, based on Embodiment 1, an upper housing 28 with an axial connection is added to the housing 5 to replace the inner fixing layer 13 connected to the bottom of the seat tube, as follows. Figure 9 As shown, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that, in addition to the air valve switch hole 15, the upper housing 28 has an upper housing lead screw hole 30 and a guide groove 31 at its bottom. The slider 4 has a guide edge 32 that mates with the guide groove 31. Inside the housing 5, a gear cover 25 is added for the reducer 12. An upper bearing 29 and a lower bearing 27 are respectively installed in the lead screw holes 19 of the upper housing 28 and the housing 5. The lead screw 2 is movably connected to the upper housing 28 and the housing 5 respectively through the upper bearing 29 and the lower bearing 27. Figure 10 As shown, the circumferential rotation of the slider 4 is limited and the axial movement of the slider 4 is guided by the cooperation of the guide groove 31 and the guide edge 32 instead of the cooperation of the slider movable cavity 3 and the slider 4. Figure 11 As shown, the gear cover 25 is used to encapsulate the reducer 12 in the housing 5, and the top of the gear cover 25 has a shallow sliding block cavity, which can also limit the up and down movement of the slider 4 (or provide a guide groove that cooperates with the guide edge). The magnet 6 at the bottom of the lead screw is fixed by threads. In the lower cavity, the axially arranged circuit board 16 is integrated onto the radially arranged connecting plate 8. The bottom cover 9 has a countersunk hole 26 based on the circuit hole. In some embodiments, the outer periphery of the bottom cover 9 is provided with a sealing mechanism, such as a sealing ring, to seal with the housing 5, thereby preventing water from entering the inside of the bottom cover 9 from below.

[0038] This utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Any changes made to its shape or structure fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of this utility model, but all such changes and modifications fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube, for adapting a gas valve switch (14) arranged in a seat tube (1), comprising a housing (5), characterized in that, The housing (5) is a cylindrical cavity that mates with the seat tube (1). The cavity is equipped with a guide mechanism, a drive mechanism, a lead screw (2) and a slider (4). The slider (4) is provided with a through internal threaded hole (20). The screw (2) with external thread passes through the slider (4) and is threadedly engaged with the through internal threaded hole (20) of the slider (4). The driving mechanism drives the screw (2) to rotate. With the cooperation of the guiding mechanism, the slider (4) moves along the axial direction of the screw (2) and presses the air valve switch (14) through the edge of the slider (4).

2. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The top of the housing (5) is provided with an inner fixing layer (13), the inner fixing layer (13) is provided with a valve switch hole (15) and a slider moving cavity (3), the valve switch hole (15) is configured to cooperate with the valve switch (14), and the slider moving cavity (3) serves as the guide mechanism to limit the circumferential movement of the slider (4) and guide the slider (4) to move axially.

3. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The slider (4) has a push valve part (22) corresponding to the air valve switch (14) on its side, and a clearance groove (21) is provided on the slider edge on the side of the push valve part (22) to prevent parts other than the push valve part (22) from touching the air valve switch (14).

4. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The drive mechanism includes a reducer (12) and a motor (11). The housing (5) includes an upper cavity and a lower cavity. A motor fixing hole (18) and a lead screw hole (19) are provided between the upper cavity and the lower cavity. The motor (11) is fixed in the motor fixing hole (18). The motor shaft (17) is connected to the reducer (12) in the upper cavity through the motor fixing hole (18). The lead screw (2) passes through the lead screw hole (19) and the slider (4) in the upper cavity and is connected to the reducer (12).

5. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that The lower cavity is provided with an axially arranged circuit board (16), and a radially installed connecting plate (8) is provided on the lower side of the circuit board (16). A Hall sensor (7) is provided above the connecting plate (8) and is configured to cooperate with the magnet (6) at the bottom of the lead screw. The connecting plate (8) is connected to the motor (11).

6. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that The reducer (12) includes a set of gears, wherein the gears fitted on the lead screw (2) and the gears on the motor shaft (17) are arranged horizontally.

7. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that A gear cover (25) is provided for the reducer (12), and the upper surface of the gear cover (25) is provided with a slider movable cavity to guide the axial movement of the slider (4).

8. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The top of the housing (5) is axially connected to an upper housing (28), the upper housing (28) is provided with an upper housing screw hole (30), the housing (5) includes an upper cavity and a lower cavity, a screw hole (19) is provided between the upper cavity and the lower cavity, and bearings are provided in the upper housing screw hole (30) and the screw hole (19).

9. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The top of the housing (5) is axially connected to the upper housing (28), and the bottom of the upper housing (28) is provided with a guide groove (31), which is matched with the guide edge (32) provided on one side of the slider (4).

10. A device for controlling the lifting of a seat tube as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The bottom of the housing (5) is sealed with a bottom cover (9), and the bottom cover (9) is provided with a circuit hole, and a countersunk hole (26) is dug around the circuit hole; the outer periphery of the bottom cover (9) is provided with a sealing mechanism that seals with the housing (5).

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