Front fork steering tube and bicycle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a front fork steering pipe and bicycle relates to pipe body wiring technical field, wherein, front fork steering pipe includes steering pipe and at least one with support pipe of steering pipe connection, the steering pipe has the opening of the support pipe and can be used for wire material to pass, the outer wall of steering pipe is provided with the strip -shaped via hole of the inner chamber of intercommunication steering pipe and can be used for wire material to pass, the strip -shaped via hole sets up along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of steering pipe and extends. In the utility model technical scheme, the front brake line is worn out through the opening of steering pipe, and speed wire, rear brake line or electric wire etc. can all be worn out through the strip -shaped via hole, and the steering pipe is arranged in the head tube of bicycle, and the speed wire, rear brake line or electric wire of strip -shaped via hole all can pass through the head tube of bicycle and wear into the frame pipe, realize the inner wiring of wire material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tubing technology, and in particular to a front fork steering tube and a bicycle. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing popularity of cycling and the growing demand for convenient transportation, bicycles (including folding bicycles, mountain bikes, and road bikes) are playing an increasingly important role in daily life. Bicycles are not only an environmentally friendly mode of transportation but also a tool for leisure and exercise. To meet the needs of different users, the functional and electronic components of bicycles are constantly evolving, such as braking systems and derailleur systems. The proper functioning of these components depends on the rational arrangement of cables, including the front brake cable, rear brake cable, front derailleur cable, and rear derailleur cable, as well as various electrical wires and signal lines used to enable electronic functionality.

[0003] In bicycle design, implementing internal cable routing typically requires significant modifications to the head tube profile of the frame. For example, the head tube profile consists of concentric inner and outer tubes connected by multiple connecting ribs. These ribs divide the annular cavity between the inner and outer tubes into multiple cable routing chambers, with cable exit holes on the side wall of the outer tube. Various bicycle cables can pass through these cable routing chambers and exit through the cable exit holes in the head tube profile. These exit holes connect to the frame tubes, allowing the cables to pass through the head tube profile without being exposed. While this design achieves internal cable routing, it requires substantial modifications to the head tube profile and the frame itself, resulting in higher manufacturing costs and more complex maintenance and replacement processes. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this utility model is to propose a front fork steering tube and a bicycle, aiming to provide a front fork steering tube that can achieve internal cable routing and has strong versatility.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a front fork steering tube, which includes a steering tube and at least one support tube connected to the steering tube. The steering tube has an opening exposed in the support tube and allowing cables to pass through. The outer wall of the steering tube has a strip-shaped through hole that communicates with the inner cavity of the steering tube and allows cables to pass through. The strip-shaped through hole extends along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the steering tube.

[0006] In one embodiment, the strip-shaped through-hole is an elliptical hole.

[0007] In one embodiment, the ratio of the length of the strip-shaped through hole to the perimeter of the cross-section of the steering tube is A:B, where 1:12 ≤ A:B ≤ 2:9.

[0008] In one embodiment, the roughness of the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole is less than the roughness of the outer peripheral wall of the steering tube.

[0009] In one embodiment, the fork steering tube includes a conduit with a cable passage for the cable to pass through. The outer peripheral wall of the conduit is connected to the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole, and the conduit and the inner peripheral wall of the steering tube form a cable passage space.

[0010] In one embodiment, the conduit is bent, and the openings at both ends of the conduit are shaped to correspond to the shape of the strip-shaped through hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the conduit is welded to the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole.

[0012] In one embodiment, the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole is provided with a plurality of positioning grooves spaced apart.

[0013] In one embodiment, an arc transition section is formed between any two adjacent positioning slots.

[0014] This utility model also proposes a bicycle, including the front fork steering tube and frame as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the frame has a head tube and the steering tube is inserted into the head tube.

[0015] In this invention, the front brake cable exits through an opening in the steering tube. Shift cables, rear derailleur cables, or other electrical wires can all exit through a strip-shaped through-hole. The steering tube is located inside the bicycle's head tube. Shift cables, rear brake cables, or other electrical wires exiting through the strip-shaped through-hole can pass through the head tube and into the frame tube, achieving internal cable routing. Because the length direction of the strip-shaped through-hole is perpendicular to the extension direction of the steering tube, the cable can move laterally within the through-hole when the bicycle is turning without being pulled. Therefore, the cable is not pulled or worn while the bicycle is turning. The front fork steering tube proposed in this invention is adaptable to different frame models, offering greater versatility without requiring frame modifications or additional manufacturing costs. It also facilitates maintenance and replacement. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the front fork steering tube provided by this utility model; Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the front fork steering tube is provided for this utility model; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the front fork steering tube provided by this utility model.

[0018] Explanation of icon numbers: 100. Front fork steering tube; 1. Steering tube; 11. Opening; 12. Strip-shaped through hole; 2. Support tube; 3. Guide tube; 31. Cable passage; 32. Cable passage space.

[0019] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0021] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0022] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0023] This utility model proposes a front fork steering tube 100.

[0024] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present invention, the front fork steering tube 100 includes a steering tube 1 and at least one support tube 2 connected to the steering tube 1. The steering tube 1 has an opening 11 exposed in the support tube 2 and through which a cable can pass. The outer wall of the steering tube 1 has a strip-shaped through hole 12 that communicates with the inner cavity of the steering tube 1 and through which a cable can pass. The strip-shaped through hole 12 extends along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the steering tube 1.

[0025] In this utility model's technical solution, the front brake cable exits through the opening 11 of the steering tube 1. The gear cable, rear brake cable, or other electrical wires can all exit through the strip-shaped through-hole 12. The steering tube 1 is located inside the bicycle's head tube. The gear cable, rear brake cable, or other electrical wires exiting through the strip-shaped through-hole 12 can pass through the bicycle's head tube and into the frame tube, achieving internal cable routing. Since the length direction of the strip-shaped through-hole 12 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the steering tube 1, the cable can move laterally within the strip-shaped through-hole 12 when the steering tube 1 is used for steering, and the cable will not be pulled. Therefore, the cable will not be pulled or worn while the bicycle is steering. The front fork steering tube 100 proposed in this solution is adaptable to different models of frames, offering greater versatility without requiring frame modifications or additional manufacturing costs. It also facilitates maintenance and replacement. The shape of the strip-shaped through-hole 12 can be a racetrack-shaped through-hole, a fan-shaped through-hole, or an elliptical hole; there are no limitations on this. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 and Figure 4 There can be one or two support tubes 4, and there is no restriction on this.

[0026] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment, the strip-shaped through-hole 12 is an elliptical hole. The strip-shaped through-hole 12 adopts an elliptical hole design, extending circumferentially along the outer peripheral wall of the steering tube 1. This design accommodates cable passage while providing smoother movement space for the cable during steering. The arc-shaped contour of the elliptical hole better matches the lateral movement trajectory of the cable, reducing contact friction between the cable and the edge of the strip-shaped through-hole 12, further reducing the risk of wear. The elliptical hole design retains the original deformation buffering function of the strip-shaped through-hole 12 while improving reliability through the smooth hole wall structure, preventing the cable from being scratched by the sharp edges of the through-hole during movement. Overall, this design enhances the practicality of the fork steering tube 100, ensuring cable stability during steering and extending cable lifespan, adapting to the needs of various riding scenarios.

[0027] To prevent cable pulling when the fork steering tube 100 rotates, in one embodiment, the ratio of the length of the strip-shaped through hole 12 to the perimeter of the cross-section of the steering tube 1 is A:B, where 1:12 ≤ A:B ≤ 2:9. The horizontal cross-section of the steering tube 1 is circular, and the ratio of the length of the strip-shaped through hole 12 to the perimeter of the cross-section of the steering tube 1 is between 1:12 and 2:9. That is, the length of the strip-shaped through hole 12 can provide a steering angle for the cable within the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees. This provides ample length for the cable to move laterally when the steering tube 1 turns left or right, while avoiding excessively long openings that would expose the cable and cause a sudden drop in tube strength. This achieves a triple balance of no knotting, no cable pulling, and no reduction in strength at large angles.

[0028] To reduce wear on the wire, in one embodiment, the roughness of the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped via 12 is less than the roughness of the outer peripheral wall of the steering tube 1. The roughness of the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped via 12 is designed to be less than the roughness of the outer peripheral wall of the steering tube 1, meaning that the inner surface of the strip-shaped via 12 is smoother. The smooth surface of the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped via 12 can significantly reduce friction and wear on the wire when it passes through the strip-shaped via 12. When the wire slides on the smooth inner surface, the friction is smaller, thereby reducing wear on the wire surface and extending the service life of the wire. The smooth inner surface can also reduce stress concentration on the wire within the strip-shaped via 12, avoiding wire breakage or damage caused by localized friction.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3In one embodiment, the front fork steering tube 100 includes a conduit 3 with a cable passage 31 for the cable to pass through. The outer peripheral wall of the conduit 3 is connected to the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole 12, and the conduit 3 and the inner peripheral wall of the steering tube 1 form a cable passage space 32. The front fork steering tube 100 is further equipped with the conduit 3, and the cable passage 31 inside the conduit 3 allows the corresponding cable to pass through. Its outer peripheral wall is connected to the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole 12, and simultaneously forms a cable passage space 32 with the inner peripheral wall of the steering tube 1. This cable passage space 32 is specifically for the front brake cable to pass through and ultimately exit from the opening 11 of the steering tube 1. The conduit 3 provides independent restraint for the cable passing through the cable passage 31, preventing different cables from tangling or rubbing against each other during movement. This design makes the cable routing of various cables (front brake cable, rear brake cable, rear derailleur cable) clearer and more organized, further reducing the risk of wear. Simultaneously, the cooperation between the conduit 3, the steering tube 1, and the strip-shaped through-hole 12 improves the ease of cable installation without affecting cable movement during steering, and also makes cable identification and replacement more efficient during subsequent maintenance. Furthermore, with the addition of the conduit 3, the steering tube 1 is no longer a single-layer thin-walled round tube, but rather forms a double-layer sleeve structure in the locally weak area of ​​the strip-shaped through-hole 12. The outer layer is the original tube wall, and the inner layer is the conduit wall. Therefore, the conduit 3 not only facilitates cable management but also acts as an internal reinforcing sleeve, allowing the steering tube 1 to maintain a clean internal cable routing while simultaneously improving strength and durability. This eliminates the need for additional wall thickening or external reinforcement, achieving both lightweight and high strength. Overall, this structure, while retaining the advantages of the original internal cable routing, optimizes the rationality of the cable layout and the stability of use, further enhancing the practicality of the front fork steering tube 100.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3In one embodiment, the conduit 3 is bent, and the shapes of the openings at both ends of the conduit 3 correspond to the shape of the strip-shaped through-hole 12. The conduit 3 employs a bent design, and the shapes of its openings at both ends are adapted to the shape of the strip-shaped through-hole 12. This bent structure precisely guides the routing path of the corresponding wire, while simultaneously achieving a tight fit by conforming to the contour of the strip-shaped through-hole 12. The bent design allows the conduit 3 to conform to the internal space layout of the steering tube 1, avoiding excessive occupation of the cable passage space 32 and ensuring smooth passage of the front brake cable within the cable passage space 32. The correspondence between the openings at both ends and the shape of the strip-shaped through-hole 12 reduces frictional resistance when the wire enters and exits the conduit 3, preventing the wire from being scratched by the edges. This design not only enhances the guiding and limiting effect of the cable, preventing interference between different cables, but also further improves the smoothness of cable transmission and extends the service life of the cable. At the same time, the matching design of the bent conduit 3 and the strip through hole 12 does not affect the cable's movement margin when turning, nor does it increase the assembly difficulty. While retaining the original advantages of internal cable routing, it makes the overall structure layout more reasonable and the use more reliable, adapting to the stable operation requirements of various riding scenarios.

[0031] In one embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the conduit 3 is welded to the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole 12. Welding integrates the conduit 3 with the steering tube 1, completely eliminating relative displacement. During riding vibrations or extreme steering, the conduit 3 will not axially move with the cable, preventing wear between the conduit 3 and the cable. Simultaneously, the weld fills the circumferential gap, preventing rainwater and dust from entering the steering tube through the strip-shaped through hole 12, improving corrosion resistance and reliability. The openings at both ends of the bent conduit 3 perfectly correspond to the shape of the strip-shaped through hole 12, allowing for full welding in one go without additional positioning fixtures, simplifying the process. After welding, the edge of the strip-shaped through hole 12 is thickened by the conduit wall, resulting in a local strength higher than that of the steering tube 1, thus increasing the fatigue life of the steering tube 1. This fixing method does not occupy additional space inside the tube; the cable still slides freely within the reserved cable passage space 32, ensuring the necessary movement allowance for steering. Furthermore, the appearance is smooth, maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing internal wiring layout. While enhancing guidance, protection, and durability, it does not increase assembly time, making it suitable for mass automated welding production.

[0032] To reduce wire swaying, in one embodiment, the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through-hole 12 is provided with multiple positioning grooves at intervals. These positioning grooves are spaced apart along the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through-hole 12, forming multiple fixed positions. When the turning tube 1 turns, the wire can be accommodated in any of these positioning grooves, making the wire less prone to swaying. The positioning grooves can fix the position of the wire, preventing it from swaying when the turning tube 1 rotates, thereby reducing friction between the wire and the inner wall of the strip-shaped through-hole 12. The positioning grooves can also disperse the stress generated by the wire during the turning process, reducing local stress concentration and lowering the risk of the wire being pulled and worn. By fixing the position of the wire, the positioning grooves can improve the reliability of the wire during the turning process, ensuring that the wire will not loosen or be damaged due to swaying.

[0033] Furthermore, in one embodiment, an arc transition section is formed between any two adjacent positioning slots. The arc transition section can smoothly connect the two positioning slots, forming a continuous surface without sharp angles. The arc transition section can reduce the friction between the wire and the inner wall of the via during movement, reducing wire wear. The arc transition section can ensure a smooth transition of the wire when moving from one positioning slot to another, reducing jamming and stress concentration during the turning process. By reducing wire wear and jamming, the arc transition section can improve the reliability of the wire during the turning process, ensuring that the wire will not break or loosen due to excessive wear.

[0034] This utility model also proposes a bicycle, which includes a front fork steering tube 100 and a frame. The specific structure of the front fork steering tube 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since this bicycle adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here. The frame has a head tube, and the steering tube 100 is inserted into the head tube. The front fork steering tube 100 is one of the key components of the bicycle, used to support and guide the bicycle's steering operation; the frame is the main frame of the bicycle, used to support and connect various components. An important part of the frame is the head tube, and the steering tube 1 is inserted into the head tube to realize the steering function. The front brake cable passes through the opening 11 of the steering tube 1, and the front derailleur cable passes through the strip-shaped through hole 12. The steering tube 1 is set inside the head tube of the bicycle, and the head tube also has a strip-shaped through hole 12 corresponding to the strip-shaped through hole 12 of the steering tube 1. The front derailleur cable passing through the strip-shaped through hole 12 of the steering tube 1 can pass through the strip-shaped through hole 12 of the head tube of the bicycle and then pass into the frame tube to realize the internal routing of the cable. The bicycle can be a folding bicycle or a non-folding bicycle, and this solution does not restrict it.

[0035] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A fork steering tube, the fork steering tube comprising a steering tube and at least one support tube connected to the steering tube, the steering tube having an opening exposed in the support tube for cable passage, characterized in that, The outer wall of the steering tube has a strip-shaped through hole that connects to the inner cavity of the steering tube and allows wires to pass through. The strip-shaped through hole extends along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the steering tube.

2. The front fork steering tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The strip-shaped through-hole is an elliptical hole.

3. The front fork steering tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of the length of the strip-shaped through hole to the perimeter of the cross-section of the steering tube is A:B, where 1:12≤A:B≤2:

9.

4. The front fork steering tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The roughness of the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole is less than the roughness of the outer peripheral wall of the steering tube.

5. The front fork steering tube as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The front fork steering tube includes a conduit with a cable passage for the cable to pass through. The outer peripheral wall of the conduit is connected to the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole, and the conduit and the inner peripheral wall of the steering tube form a cable passage space.

6. The front fork steering tube as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The conduit is bent, and the shape of the openings at both ends of the conduit corresponds to the shape of the strip-shaped through hole.

7. The fork steering tube as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The outer peripheral wall of the conduit is welded to the inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole.

8. The fork steering tube as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The inner peripheral wall of the strip-shaped through hole is provided with multiple positioning grooves spaced apart.

9. The fork steering tube as described in claim 8, characterized in that, An arc transition section is formed between any two adjacent positioning slots.

10. A bicycle, characterized in that, include: Front fork steering tube as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; and A frame having a head tube, the steering tube being inserted into the head tube.

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