Bicycle and methods for operating a bicycle

Abstract

Bicycle (20;30) with a saddle (5) and with a drive unit (11) comprising pedals (8,9) attached to crank arms (6,7) rotatable about a pedal axle (10) arranged below the saddle (5) at a height, wherein the bicycle (20;30) comprises an actuating device (21; 22; 23; 31) actuatingly connected to an adjusting device (40) with which a position of the pedal axle (10) is adjustable in height, characterized in that the adjusting device (40) comprises a height-adjustable receptacle (41) for the drive unit (11) and the height-adjustable receptacle (41) for the drive unit (11) comprises a rotatably mounted eccentric housing (46).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bicycle with a saddle and a drive unit comprising pedals attached to crank arms rotatable about a pedal axle located below the saddle at a certain height. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a bicycle.

[0002] DE 10 2010 039 034 A1 discloses a drive unit for a bicycle which is movable relative to a frame via elongated holes in order to tension a drive chain.

[0003] GB 464 561 A discloses a bicycle whose bottom bracket can be moved via a slotted hole in a seat tube so that a distance between a saddle and a bottom bracket axle changes without adjusting the saddle.

[0004] US 2019 / 0 291 809 A1 reveals a bottom bracket that can be screwed into a frame in two different positions, allowing the distance between a bottom bracket axle and a saddle to be adjusted.

[0005] US 9 168 969 B2 discloses a bottom bracket mounted in an eccentric cylinder, with a threaded rod allowing the cylinder to be twisted to adjust chain tension.

[0006] US 807 633 A discloses a bottom bracket mount that can accommodate a bottom bracket eccentrically, whereby chain tension can be adjusted by rotating the mount.

[0007] NL 1 027 308 C2 discloses an eccentrically mounted bottom bracket which is fixed by compressing a receptacle to adjust chain tension.

[0008] DE 695 06 140 T2 discloses a bicycle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] WO 2004 / 007 270 A1 and DE 38 37 018 A1 reveal further state of the art.

[0010] The purpose of the invention is to improve the riding comfort when operating a bicycle.

[0011] The problem is solved in a bicycle with a saddle and a drive unit comprising pedals attached to crank arms that are rotatable about a pedal axle located below the saddle at a specific height. The bicycle is equipped with an actuating device connected to an adjusting device that allows the pedal axle to be adjusted vertically. The drive unit includes a conventional bottom bracket. The bicycle can be propelled via the drive unit only by the rider's movement. Alternatively or additionally, the bicycle can be propelled by a drive motor integrated into or combined with the drive unit. The drive motor is preferably an electric machine that can be electrically operated to propel the bicycle as an alternative or additional means of propulsion.The drive motor's axis of rotation can be arranged coaxially with the pedal axle. However, the drive motor's axis of rotation can also be arranged, for example, parallel to the pedal axle at a distance. The vertical direction is defined by the line of action of gravity. This vertical direction runs, for example, vertically or perpendicular to the ground on which the bicycle is positioned. By adjusting the pedal axle's position vertically, the ground clearance between a pedal in its lowest position and the ground can be changed. This simplifies the bicycle's operation off-road or when cornering on level ground, as the rider can vary the ground clearance as needed using the operating mechanism. Adjusting the pedal axle's height is particularly advantageous when riding the bicycle.It is also possible to adjust the height of the bottom bracket axle on a stationary bicycle using the adjusting mechanism and the actuating device. The actuating device is preferably operated manually. This offers the advantage that no tools are required to adjust the height of the bottom bracket axle. The actuating device includes, for example, an operating lever or a button, which is used to adjust the height of the bottom bracket axle. Depending on the design of the adjusting mechanism and / or the actuating device, the height of the bottom bracket axle can be adjusted in increments or continuously. The position of the bottom bracket axle can preferably be adjusted by more than ten millimeters, and in particular by fifteen to twenty millimeters, using the adjusting mechanism and the actuating device.

[0012] The adjustment mechanism of the bicycle according to the invention comprises a height-adjustable mount for the drive unit. The drive unit can be a conventional drive unit. The height-adjustable mount for the drive unit makes it possible to adjust the position of the pedal axle vertically within a desired range.

[0013] The height-adjustable mount for the drive unit of the bicycle according to the invention comprises a rotatably mounted eccentric housing. The eccentric housing is rotatably mounted, for example, by means of a suitable rolling bearing, in particular with rolling bearing sections designed as roller bearings. The rotatable mounting is preferably designed only for a defined adjustment range of, for example, 120 to 150 degrees. The same applies to the previously described interlocking gears, which preferably also need to be designed only for the defined adjustment range of, for example, 120 to 150 degrees. This simplifies the manufacture of the bicycle with the height-adjustable mount.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the bicycle is characterized in that the drive unit comprises a drive motor. The drive motor advantageously comprises an electric motor that can also be operated as a generator. The bicycle with the drive motor is preferably a so-called e-bike. The bicycle itself can be of various designs. It can be a racing bike, a mountain bike, or a touring bike.

[0015] Another preferred embodiment of the bicycle is characterized in that the height-adjustable mount for the drive unit is coupled to a height-adjustable mount for the bicycle saddle. The coupling between the two height-adjustable mounts can be mechanical. However, the coupling between the two height-adjustable mounts can also be electronic, for example, via a common control unit for the height-adjustable mounts. The two height-adjustable mounts for the drive unit and the saddle are preferably coupled to each other in such a way that the saddle is adjusted vertically in the same direction and by the same distance as the pedal axle. This allows the ground clearance to be changed easily and with maximum convenience, without altering the vertical distance between the pedal axle and the saddle.

[0016] Another preferred embodiment of the bicycle is characterized in that the adjusting device comprises interlocking gears. An actuating force can be applied manually or with motor assistance from the actuating device to the height-adjustable mount for the drive unit via the interlocking gears. The interlocking gears comprise, for example, arc-shaped toothed sections. However, the interlocking gears can also comprise a rack section that engages with a gear equipped with complementary teeth or similar. If required, a transmission can be implemented using the interlocking gears. A desired actuating force can be advantageously metered onto the height-adjustable mount for the drive unit via the interlocking gears.

[0017] Another preferred embodiment of the bicycle is characterized in that the adjusting device comprises an actuator motor which is connected to the height-adjustable mount for the drive unit. The actuator motor is preferably an electric motor, for example a stepper motor, with which the height-adjustable mount for the drive unit can be adjusted very conveniently by manually operating the actuating device. The actuator motor is advantageously controlled by a control unit which is connected to the actuating device.

[0018] Another preferred embodiment of the bicycle is characterized in that the adjusting device comprises a manually operated pull device with at least one pull, which is operatively connected to the height-adjustable mount for the drive unit. The manually operated pull device is, for example, pre-tensioned in one direction by a spring. The manually operated pull device is advantageously combined with a locking device with which the height-adjustable mount can be fixed in a desired height position after manual actuation. The manually operated pull device offers, among other advantages, that the previously described actuator motor can be omitted.

[0019] Another preferred embodiment of the bicycle is characterized in that the actuating device comprises at least one manually operated actuating element with which the height of the pedal axle can be adjusted. The manually operated actuating element is, for example, at least one actuating lever and / or at least one actuating button. The manually operated actuating element is advantageously mounted on the handlebars of the bicycle. However, the manually operated actuating element can also be mounted on a seat tube below the saddle or at a suitable location on the frame of the bicycle. The height of the pedal axle can advantageously be adjusted via the actuating element both while riding and when the bicycle is stationary.

[0020] The problem described above can also be solved by a method for operating a previously described bicycle, wherein the vertical position of the pedal axle is adjusted before or during a ride using the operating device. Advantageously, the operating device is manually operated by the bicycle rider.

[0021] The invention may also relate to an adjusting device and / or an actuating device, in particular a component of the adjusting device and / or the actuating device, for a bicycle as described above. The devices and components are separately marketable.

[0022] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1. A schematic representation of an adjusting device with which the position of a bicycle pedal axle can be adjusted vertically in a section perpendicular to the pedal axle; and the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 each a bicycle in a side view with a positioning device as shown in Fig. 1 is shown, and with an actuating device with which the adjusting device on the bicycle can be manually actuated, in a side view.

[0023] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows two exemplary embodiments of a bicycle 20; 30, each shown in a side view. In the case of bicycle 20 in Fig. Number 2 is a mountain bike. The bicycle is 30 in Fig. 3. Is it a touring bike or a city bike?

[0024] To denote identical or similar parts, the following are used in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The same reference symbols are used. First, the similarities between bicycles 20 and 30 are described. Then, their differences are discussed.

[0025] The bicycle 20; 30 comprises a front wheel 1 and a rear wheel 2. The two wheels 1, 2 are rotatably mounted on a frame 3. A handlebar 4 and a saddle 5 are attached to the frame 3 in a known manner.

[0026] The bicycle 20; 30 comprises a drive unit 11 with two pedal cranks 6, 7, which are rotatably mounted about a common pedal axle 10. The pedal axle 10 extends into the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. A pedal 8, 9 is mounted at each of the free ends of the crank arm 6, 7.

[0027] The bicycle 20 in Fig. 2 is actively propelled by a rider solely via the pedals 8, 9. The bicycle 30 in Fig. 3 can also be driven solely by the rider. The drive unit 11 of the bicycle 30 includes an additional drive motor 33; 34. The drive motor 33 is assigned to the rear wheel 2 of the bicycle 30. The drive motor 34 is integrated into the drive unit 11.

[0028] The drive motor 33; 34 is an electric motor that can also be operated as a generator. An energy storage device 35 for storing electrical energy is mounted on the frame 3 of the bicycle 30.

[0029] The bicycle 20; 30 is equipped with an adjusting device 40, which allows the height of the pedal axle 10 on the bicycle 20; 30 to be adjusted. The adjusting device 40 can be manually operated via an actuating device 21; 22; 23; 31.

[0030] The actuating device 21; 22; 23; 31 comprises at least one actuating element 24; 32. The actuating element 24; 32 is, for example, designed as a lever. The height of the pedal axle 10 on the bicycle 20; 30 can be manually adjusted via the actuating element 24; 32 before or during a ride.

[0031] At the in Fig. In the bicycle 20 shown in Figure 2, the saddle 5 is additionally equipped with a height-adjustable mount 26. The height-adjustable mount 26 for the saddle 5 is advantageously combined with the adjusting device 40 for adjusting the height of the bottom bracket axle 10. This allows the height of the saddle 5 to be adjusted together with the height of the bottom bracket axle 10.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 2 further shows that the actuating device 21; 22; 23 for the adjusting device 40 and advantageously also for the height adjustment of the saddle 5 with the height-adjustable mount 26 can be attached at different locations on the bicycle 20. The actuating device 21 is attached to the handlebar 4 of the bicycle 20. The actuating device 22 is attached to the frame 3 of the bicycle 20. The actuating device 23 is attached to a seat tube below the saddle 5 on the bicycle 20. Fig. 2 attached.

[0033] At the in Fig. On the bicycle 20 shown in section 2, the height of the bottom bracket axle 10 and, advantageously, also the height of the saddle 5 are adjusted purely manually. In the case of the bicycle 20 shown in section 2, the adjustment of the height of the bottom bracket axle 10 and, advantageously, also the height of the saddle 5 is carried out purely manually. Fig. In the bicycle 30 shown in section 3, the adjustment of the pedal axle 10 and, if necessary, also the saddle 5 is carried out via a mechanism in Fig. 3 Actuator motor designated 55. The actuator motor 55 is controlled via the actuating device 31, which is attached to the handlebar 4 of the bicycle 30.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the adjusting device 40 with a height-adjustable mount 41 for the drive unit 11. The drive unit 11 comprises a bottom bracket with the pedal axle 10. Furthermore, the drive unit 11 can include a drive motor for propelling the bicycle. A rotational axis of the drive motor can be arranged parallel or coaxial to the pedal axle 10.

[0035] The height-adjustable mount 41 is angularly connected to the one in the via a positional connection 42. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 actuating device shown. The actuating connection 42 comprises two interlocking gears 43, 44. In Fig. In addition, it is indicated that the positional connection 42 can also include a train 45 of a train device that is connected to the actuating device.

[0036] The height-adjustable mount 41 for the drive unit 11 comprises an eccentric housing 46 with an eccentric axis 54. The eccentric axis 54 is in Fig. 1 arranged at a distance to the right of the pedal axle 10.

[0037] The eccentric housing 46 is arranged in the frame 3 by means of two rolling bearing areas 47, 48, which is in Fig. 1 is indicated by the two-hatched areas 49, 50. The rolling bearing areas 47, 48 are equipped with rollers in the manner of a roller bearing.

[0038] The toothing 43 comprises a circular arc-shaped section with external teeth formed on the eccentric housing 46. The toothing 44, formed on the actuator 55, engages with the toothing 43. A double arrow 56 indicates that the actuator 55 can be rotated in opposite directions with the toothing 44 in order to pivot the eccentric housing 46 to adjust the height of the pedal axle 10.

[0039] An upper end stop 51 and a lower end stop 52 serve to forcibly switch off the actuator 55 if it travels too far during operation. The frame 3 provides a support structure 53 for the actuator 40 with the drive unit 11. The support structure 53 also advantageously serves to accommodate and support the actuator 55.

Claims

[1] Bicycle (20;30) with a saddle (5) and with a drive unit (11) comprising pedals (8,9) attached to crank arms (6,7) rotatable about a pedal axle (10) located below the saddle (5) at a height, the bicycle (20;30) comprising an actuating device (21; 22; 23; 31) actuatingly connected to an adjusting device (40) with which a position of the pedal axle (10) can be adjusted in height, characterized by , that the adjusting device (40) comprises a height-adjustable receptacle (41) for the drive unit (11) and the height-adjustable receptacle (41) for the drive unit (11) comprises a rotatably mounted eccentric housing (46). [2] Bicycle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the drive unit (11) comprises a drive motor (33;34). [3] Bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the height-adjustable mount (41) for the drive unit (11) is coupled with a height-adjustable mount (26) for the saddle (5) of the bicycle (20;30). [4] Bicycle according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by , that the adjusting device (40) comprises interlocking gears (43,44). [5] Bicycle according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the actuating device (40) includes an actuating motor (55) which is actuatingly connected to the height-adjustable receptacle (41) for the drive unit (11). [6] Bicycle according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the actuating device (40) comprises a manually operated pull device with at least one pull (45) which is actuarially connected to the height-adjustable receptacle (41) for the drive unit (11). [7] Bicycle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the actuating device (21;22;23;31) includes at least one manually operable actuating element (24;32) with which the position of the pedal axle (10) can be adjusted in height. [8] Method for operating a bicycle (20;30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the position of the pedal axle (10) is adjusted in height before or during a ride on the bicycle (20;30) using the actuating device (21;22;23;31).

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