Bicycle frame with adjustable frame geometry

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a bicycle frame comprising a head tube for receiving a headset. A 180° rotatable insert with an eccentrically designed receptacle for bearing cups is inserted into the top and bottom of the head tube. A 180° rotatable bearing cup receptacle is inserted into the receptacle at the top and bottom. The headset bearing can be inserted into the bearing cup receptacle in a position inclined to a central axis of the head tube.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a bicycle frame with variable frame geometry. In particular, the invention relates to a bicycle frame in which the frame geometry can be changed at the front axle. Background of the invention

[0002] Bicycle frames where the geometry of the bicycle frame can be adjusted according to the rider's preference are known.

[0003] Patent EP 2 090 504 B1 describes a bicycle frame comprising oval, form-fitting plates inserted into the head tube. The headset mount is eccentrically positioned. The wheelbase of the bicycle can be changed by rotating the plates.

[0004] However, such form-fitting plates tend to move under load, which can lead to rattling in particular.

[0005] Furthermore, only the wheelbase can be changed. Changing the trail of the bicycle, which has a significant influence on its handling characteristics, is not possible.

[0006] The oval plates also require a specially adapted, non-circular cylindrical head tube.

[0007] Documents US 2021 / 0 362 798 A1 and DE 20 2017 007 497 U1 show bicycle frames with adjustable steering head angle. Object of the invention

[0008] In contrast, the invention is based on the objective of at least reducing the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the invention is already solved by a bicycle frame according to claim 1 and by a bicycle equipped therewith.

[0010] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0011] The invention relates to a bicycle frame. For the purposes of this invention, a bicycle also includes bicycles with electric auxiliary drive, i.e., so-called e-bikes or pedelecs, as well as multi-track pedal-driven vehicles, in particular cargo bikes.

[0012] The bicycle frame includes a head tube to accommodate a headset. The headset comprises the bearings, usually designed as roller bearings, for the fork steerer tube and steering mechanism.

[0013] According to the invention, an insert rotatable by 180° with an eccentrically designed receptacle for a bearing cup receptacle is inserted into the head tube at the top and bottom.

[0014] According to the invention, two components are provided to hold the bearings of the steering mechanism.

[0015] Firstly, a 180° rotatable insert with an eccentrically designed receptacle at the top and bottom is inserted into the head tube. "Top", "bottom", "front", and "rear" as used in the invention refer to its intended use.

[0016] The wheelbase can be changed by rotating the insert with its eccentrically designed mount by 180°. The change in wheelbase corresponds to twice the distance between the center axis of the bearing cup mount and the center axis of the head tube. Preferably, the steering head angle remains unchanged.

[0017] Secondly, a bearing shell receptacle is provided, which is inserted into the eccentrically designed insert at the top and bottom.

[0018] The bearing cup mount can itself be rotated by 180°, whereby the bearing of the headset can be inserted in a position inclined to the central axis of the head tube.

[0019] The bearing cup receptacle thus provides a receptacle for a headset bearing, whereby the bearings of the headset are inserted into the bearing cup receptacle in such a way that the central axis of the headset bearings is inclined to the central axis of the head tube.

[0020] Preferably, the bearing cup receptacle is designed such that bearings with rotationally symmetrical bearing cups can be used. This allows the steering head angle to be changed by rotating the bearing cup receptacles by 180° without the need for special, non-rotationally symmetrical headset bearings.

[0021] The steering head angle corresponds to the angle of the steering axis and has a major influence on the trail of the bicycle.

[0022] It is understood that the change in the steering head angle corresponds to twice the angle of the inclination of the central axis of the bearing cup mount relative to the central axis of the steering tube.

[0023] The invention makes it easy to change the wheelbase independently of the steering head angle, as well as the steering head angle itself.

[0024] According to a further development of the invention, the insert with the eccentrically arranged receptacle for the bearing shell receptacle is pressed into the head tube.

[0025] The insert is connected to the head tube in such a way that a firm connection without any tendency to rattle can be provided.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearing shell receptacle, on the other hand, is secured against rotation in the receptacle with a clearance fit.

[0027] The bearing shell holder can thus preferably be removed from the holder without the aid of tools and rotated by 180°.

[0028] An anti-rotation device, preferably by means of complementary positive locking elements, ensures that the bearing shell receptacle can only be inserted in two positions rotated by 180°.

[0029] In contrast, according to one embodiment of the invention, no anti-rotation elements are required between the head tube and the mount. Instead, a mark on the mount is sufficient, since this must be knocked out and pressed back in anyway to change the wheelbase.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the insert with the eccentrically arranged receptacle is designed such that it has a circular outer contour.

[0031] This eliminates the need for a specially designed head tube with a non-circular cylindrical inner contour to provide a positive fit.

[0032] According to a further development of the invention, the insert with the eccentrically arranged receptacle for the bearing cup receptacle comprises a collar which sits on the end face of the head tube.

[0033] The collar acts as a stop when the recording is inserted and at the same time prevents the ingress of dirt and moisture.

[0034] The bearing shell mounts can also include a collar, which in turn rests on the mount.

[0035] The collar of the bearing cup receptacle can include an undercut. Such an undercut improves the spring action of the bearing cup receptacles.

[0036] The bearing cup receptacles, which preferably have a clearance fit in the receptacle, are tensioned when adjusting the headset and thus secured in the receptacle.

[0037] The compression of the collar of the bearing cup mount seals it against the frame, thus providing improved protection for the headset against the elements.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, a contact surface between the bearing shell receptacle and the insert with the eccentric receptacle is designed as a chamfer, in particular as a 40-50° chamfer.

[0039] This prevents the bearing shell receptacle from being pressed in during use.

[0040] By rotating the mounts for the bearing shell mounts by 180°, the wheelbase can preferably be adjusted by 3 to 60 mm, particularly preferably by 5 to 25 mm.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the steering head angle can be changed by rotating the bearing cup mounts by 0.5 to 5°, preferably from 0.6 to 1.5°.

[0042] The insert with the eccentrically arranged receptacle for the bearing shell receptacles can be provided with a small outer diameter, in particular with an outer diameter of less than 80 mm, preferably less than 85 mm, in particular from 60 to 85 mm.

[0043] In the case of a non-circular cross-section, the outer diameter is understood to be the largest diameter.

[0044] The invention further relates to a bicycle which is equipped with the bicycle frame described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0045] The subject matter of the invention will below be described with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 to Fig. 9 will be explained in more detail. Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of a bicycle frame according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the components of the head tube for inserting the headset. Fig. Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section through the head tube. Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows perspective views of the bearing shell mounting. Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows perspective views of the recording for the bearing shell recording. Fig. Figure 8 is a central longitudinal section of the bearing shell receptacle. Fig. Figure 9 is a central longitudinal section of the receptacle for the bearing shell receptacle. Detailed description of the drawings

[0046] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of a bicycle frame according to the invention.

[0047] In this embodiment, the bicycle frame 1 comprises a down tube 2 and a top tube 3, which extend from a head tube 20.

[0048] The head tube 20 serves to accommodate the headset along with the fork steerer tube and handlebars (not shown).

[0049] In this exemplary embodiment, a bicycle frame 1 with a sprung rear axle swingarm is shown. This includes a pivotally mounted subframe 4, on which the rear axle is sprung.

[0050] Fig. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the components of the head tube 20 for receiving the bearings of the headset (not shown). A receptacle 40 with an eccentrically arranged through-hole 41 is first pressed into the top and bottom of the head tube.

[0051] The 40 mounts can be installed rotated by 180°. This allows the wheelbase to be changed independently of the steering angle.

[0052] A bearing cup receptacle 30 is then inserted into each of the through holes 41 of the receptacles 40. The headset bearings can then be inserted into these bearing cup receptacles.

[0053] The bearing shell receptacles 30 are also designed to be rotatable by 180°.

[0054] This allows the steering head angle to be changed, as will be shown in detail below.

[0055] The bearing shell receptacles 30 and the receptacles 40 for the bearing shell receptacles 30 are preferably identical at the top and bottom. The following descriptions of the components therefore apply to both the upper and lower receptacles 40 as well as the upper and lower bearing shell receptacles 30.

[0056] Fig. Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section through the head tube 20.

[0057] The head tube 20 can include a conical section 21 on its end face, which improves the force transmission when pressing in the mounts 40.

[0058] The images 40 can have a circular cylindrical outer contour.

[0059] Furthermore, the receptacles 40 include a circumferential collar 42, which rests on the end face of the wall of the head tube 20.

[0060] The through hole 41 is used for inserting the bearing shell receptacles 30.

[0061] In the area of ​​the through-hole, an inclined mounting surface 43 is provided for this purpose.

[0062] The contact surface 43 is preferably formed by a frustoconical section. The straight contact surface prevents the bearing shell receptacles from being pressed into the receptacle 40.

[0063] The contact surface 43 is therefore designed as a chamfer and supports the bearing shell receptacle 30, which has a complementary chamfer.

[0064] In contrast, the side wall of the through-hole 41, which adjoins the mounting surface 43 to the outside, is preferably designed as a circular cylindrical section 44.

[0065] The bearing shell receptacles 30 run on the outside according to the contour of the through hole 41.

[0066] The bearing cup receptacles 30 provide an inner contact surface 32a, which is designed to hold the respective bearing of the headset (not shown).

[0067] The inner mounting surface 32a is preferably also frustoconical in shape.

[0068] A circular cylindrical section 33 extends outwards from the inner mounting surface 32a.

[0069] On the outside, the bearing shell receptacles 30 include a circumferential collar 31, which rests on the receptacle 40. This improves protection against the elements. According to another embodiment, not shown, the collar can also be omitted.

[0070] The bearing shell receptacles 30 are inserted into the receptacles 40 with clearance fitting and can thus be easily removed and rotated by 180°.

[0071] The bearing cup receptacles 30 are designed such that an inserted rotationally symmetrical bearing of the headset runs slightly obliquely to the central axis m of the head tube.

[0072] In this illustration, axis a, which corresponds to the central axis of the steering axle bearings, runs with a slight angular offset to the central axis m. The steering head angle is set at a steep angle in this illustration, meaning that axis a positions the front wheel at a steeper angle than the other two. Since the angular offset is only about 0.5°, the misalignment is barely noticeable.

[0073] The bearing shell receptacles 30 are, with respect to their outer contour, seated concentrically in the receptacles 40. When the receptacles are rotated by 180°, the inclination of the axis a therefore does not change.

[0074] Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows perspective views of the bearing shell images 30.

[0075] The bearing shell receptacles 30 include a circumferential collar 31 at the top.

[0076] A recess 35 borders the circumferential collar 31 on the inside.

[0077] In the area of ​​the collar 31, a directional marking 36 is provided, which allows the user to see the position of the bearing shell receptacle 30 when inserting it.

[0078] The collar 31 includes an undercut 34 on the underside.

[0079] A frustoconical section 38 forms an outer mounting surface 32b for receiving.

[0080] The frustoconical section 38 ends with the end face 39.

[0081] Two positive locking elements 37 extend over the end face 39 and over the frustoconical section.

[0082] The positive locking elements 37 are designed as opposing, inwardly projecting pins, each of which engages in the receptacle.

[0083] Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows perspective views of the images 40 for the bearing shell images.

[0084] The through-hole 41 comprises an inner lower circular cylindrical section 46, a frustoconical contact surface 43 for the bearing shell receptacles, and a further circular cylindrical upper section 44 in the area of ​​the side wall.

[0085] The through-hole 41 is arranged eccentrically in the receptacle 40, in particular with an offset of 3 to 15 mm, preferably 5 to 10 mm to the central axis of the receptacle.

[0086] Starting from the frustoconical contact surface 43, there are positive locking elements 45 on the inside, which extend through the lower inner cylindrical section 46.

[0087] On the outside, the opening 40 includes a circular cylindrical section 47 below the collar 42.

[0088] The positive locking elements 45 are designed as lateral recesses and serve to receive the Fig. 5 illustrated positive locking elements of the bearing shell receptacles (37 in Fig. 5).

[0089] Fig. Figure 8 is a central longitudinal section through a bearing shell receptacle 30.

[0090] The undercut 34 of the collar 31 provides a spring effect.

[0091] The outer mounting surface 32b runs essentially parallel to the inner mounting surface 32a.

[0092] The positive locking elements 37 include a blind hole.

[0093] To change the steering head angle, the circular cylindrical section 33 and the contact surface 32a, which provides a frustoconical section, are slightly inclined.

[0094] This results in the headset bearing being positioned slightly diagonally opposite the central axis of the head tube.

[0095] The angle is so small that the angular offset is primarily recognizable in this representation by the fact that the wall on the left in the area of ​​the cylindrical section 33 is slightly thicker due to the tilting.

[0096] Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal section of image 40.

[0097] The recess 40 with the through hole 41 includes the collar 42, which serves as a stop.

[0098] On the inner side wall, the through-hole 41 encompasses the circular cylindrical section 44.

[0099] The receptacle (30) is therefore coaxially aligned with the central axis in the receptacle 40.

[0100] In this representation, the positive locking elements 45 adjoin the frustoconical contact surface 43.

[0101] The invention made it possible to provide a simply designed system with which both the wheelbase and the steering head angle can be easily changed independently of each other. Reference symbol list 1 bicycle frame 2 Down tube 3 Top tube 4 subframes 20 Head tube 21 conical section 30 bearing shell holders 31 collars 32a inner installation area 32b outer installation area 33 circular cylindrical section 34 Undercut 35° sink 36 Directional marking 37 Positive locking element 38 frustoconical section 39 Front surface 40 Mounting for the bearing shell mounting 30 41 Through hole 42 collars 43 Plant area (chamfer) 44 circular cylindrical section 45 Positive locking element 46 circular cylindrical section 47 outer circular cylindrical section

Claims

[1] Bicycle frame (1) comprising a head tube (20) for receiving a headset, wherein a 180° rotatable insert with an eccentrically designed receptacle (40) for a bearing cup receptacle (30) is inserted into the head tube (20) at the top and bottom, and wherein a 180° rotatable bearing cup receptacle (30) is inserted into the receptacle (40) at the top and bottom, in which the bearing of the headset can be inserted in a position inclined to a central axis of the head tube (20). [2] Bicycle frame (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the insert with the eccentrically arranged receptacle (40) is pressed into the head tube (20). [3] Bicycle frame (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bearing shell receptacle (30) is secured against rotation in the receptacle (40) with clearance fit. [4] Bicycle frame (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the insert with the eccentrically arranged receptacle (40) has a circular outer contour. [5] Bicycle frame (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the insert with the eccentrically arranged receptacle (40) has a collar (31) which sits on the end face of the head tube (20). [6] Bicycle frame (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bearing shell receptacle (30) includes a collar (31) which rests on the receptacle (40). [7] Bicycle frame (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a contact surface between the bearing shell receptacle (30) and the insert with the eccentric receptacle (40) is formed as a chamfer, in particular as a 40-50° chamfer. [8] Bicycle frame (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that by rotating the mounts (40) for the bearing shell mounts (30) by 180° the wheelbase can be adjusted by 3 to 60 mm, preferably by 5 to 25 mm. [9] Bicycle frame (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the insert with the eccentrically arranged receptacle (40) has an outer diameter of less than 80 mm, preferably less than 85 mm, in particular of 60 to 85 mm. [10] Bicycle frame (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that by rotating the bearing cup mounts (30) the steering head angle can be changed by 0.5 to 5°, in particular by 0.6 to 1.5°. [11] Bicycle comprising a bicycle frame (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

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