Bicycle with a suspension for the rear wheel of the bicycle

Abstract

In a bicycle with a suspension for the rear wheel of the bicycle, comprising at least one spring-damper element for this suspension, it is provided that the spring-damper element is arranged behind the seat tube in the direction of travel of the bicycle and that the spring-damper element, in the installed position on the bicycle, is supported with one end on the frame of the bicycle and with the other end on a lever kinematics, wherein the lever kinematics is hinged on the frame of the bicycle and on a chainstay. This bike ensures a compact installation of the necessary spring-damper element for the suspension.

Description

The invention relates to a bicycle with a suspension for the rear wheel of the bicycle, comprising at least one spring damper element for this suspension. Bicycles are nowadays used by large parts of the population in daily life. If it was initially more sporting bicycle models, in particular mountain bikes, which have a suspension for the rear wheel of the bicycle, such suspensions have also become accepted today for city bicycles or touring bicycles. Suspension of the rear wheel allows more comfortable travel than can be provided by a sprung seat post.Bicycles with a bicycle frame without a top tube are called depth riserers. They are commonly referred to as women's bicycles, they allow a comfortable ascent onto the wheel, even when carrying a skirt. If the rear wheel of a women's bicycle is to be equipped with a suspension, the spring damper element is to be accommodated on the bicycle. In known bicycles, an arrangement was made in front of the seat tube of the bicycle frame in the direction of travel. The spring-damper element is thus arranged just in the free space which is actually intended to be available for unimpeded ascent to the bicycle.The object of the invention is to provide a bicycle of the type mentioned at the beginning which has a compact accommodation of the necessary spring damper element for the suspension.This object is achieved according to the invention in that the spring damper element is arranged behind the seat tube in the direction of travel of the bicycle and in that the spring damper element, in the installed position on the bicycle, is fallen with one end on the frame of the bicycle and with the other end on a lever kinematics, wherein the lever kinematics is respectively articulated on the frame of the bicycle and on a chain strut.In the bicycle according to the invention, the spring damper element is not arranged in front of the seat tube but behind the seat tube. As a result, the space in front of the seat tube and thus the space for climbing up onto the wheel and for riding on the bicycle is not restricted even by a skirt. The spring damper element is articulated on the bicycle frame, with the other end it stands on a lever kinematics. This lever linkage is likewise articulated on the frame of the bicycle, but at the same time also on a chain strut. The rear wheel is accommodated in the chain braces; this should be equipped with a suspension relative to the bicycle frame. The lever kinematics can be supported with respect to the frame; the spring damper element serves for this support.In the bicycle according to the invention, the spring damper element is thus accommodated in a compact space for the desired suspension. In addition, the lever kinematics cause the forces to deflect, resulting in progressive compression of the spring damper element. This means that the transmission ratio of spring travel to damper travel is not constant, but rather decreases with increasing compression. This ensures that a soft or large compression is provided at the beginning of the spring travel and that at the end the spring system solidifies and thus penetration is prevented.According to a first development of the invention, it is provided that the lever kinematics has at least two link levers, wherein both link levers are connected to one another and a first link lever is articulated on the frame of the bicycle. The lever kinematics therefore consists only of two linkage levers, so that a simple and compact construction results. The two linkage levers are preferably connected to one another via joints, the first linkage lever being articulated within the scope of the bicycle. The second linkage lever is articulated on the chain stay, so that the connection between chain stays and bicycle frame is provided via the lever kinematics.According to a next development of the invention, it is provided that the chain strut is a component of a rocker arm for the rear wheel, wherein the rocker arm is articulated on the frame of the bicycle via a joint. The rear wheel is accommodated in a rocker which is articulated via a joint. The rear wheel can be moved via a circular path with respect to this joint. In order that the rear wheel does not roll along this circular path, the spring damper element is provided.The spring damper element is preferably supported on the first linkage lever. The second linkage lever is articulated on the chain stay or on the rocker arm for the rear wheel, so that the forces of the rear wheel can be introduced directly into the spring damper element.For a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the second linkage lever is designed as a fork component and is linked with its fork ends to a chain strut or rocker arm, respectively. These articulation points are located to the right and left next to the rear wheel tire. This results in a compact design, since the rear wheel can move between the fork articulation points. The rear wheel does not travel too far rearward, so that the driveability of the bicycle is not adversely affected.The first linkage lever can also be designed as a fork component, with its fork ends it can then be articulated on the frame of the bicycle in each case. Separate protection is claimed for a bicycle frame suitable for a bicycle having the features described above.An embodiment of a bicycle according to the invention is shown in the drawing: FIG. 1 is a side view of a bicycle, FIG. 2 : a partially enlarged side view to scale of the bicycle according to FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 : shows a perspective partial view, enlarged to scale, of the bicycle according to FIG. 1.The bicycle shown in FIG. 1 is not equipped with all components. There is a frame 1, a link and a saddle. The front wheel 2 is accommodated in a fork, the rear wheel 3 in a rocker 4, and the rocker 4 is arranged on the frame 1 via a joint 5 in the region of a drive housing 6. The saddle is accommodated in a seat tube 7 of the frame 1.The rear wheel 3 accommodated in the rocker 4 can be moved on a circular path around the joint 5. This movement is limited and absorbed by a spring damper element 8, which spring damper element 8 is arranged behind the seat tube 7 in the direction of travel.FIG. 2 shows the spring damper element 8 in its arrangement region between the housing 6 of the drive and the rear wheel 3; the spring damper element 8 is articulated at one end to the seat tube 7 and thus to the frame 1, and at the other end the spring damper element 8 stands on a lever kinematic system 9. The lifting kinematics 9 is formed from two linkage levers 10, 11. The first linkage lever 10 is hinged to the housing 6 of the drive and thus to the frame 1. This first link lever 10 also receives the spring damper element 8. The second link lever 11 connected to the first link lever 10 is linked to the swing arm 4 for the rear wheel 3. Both linkage levers 10, 11 are connected to one another in articulated fashion.FIG. 3 shows that the linkage levers 10, 11 are each designed as fork components. The linkage lever 11 is articulated with its fork ends on the rocker 4 on both sides of the rear wheel 3; the rear wheel 3 can project into the space between the two fork ends. In the linkage lever 10, the fork structure forms a link to the housing 6 on both sides thereof.

Claims

A bicycle with a suspension for the rear wheel of the bicycle, comprising at least one spring damper element for this suspension, characterized in that the spring damper element (8) is arranged behind the seat tube (7) in the direction of travel of the bicycle, and in that the spring damper element (8) is supported with one end on the frame (1) of the bicycle and with the other end on a lever kinematics (9) in the installed position on the bicycle, wherein the lever kinematics (9) is respectively articulated on the frame (1) of the bicycle and on a chain strut.Bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever kinematics (9) comprises at least two link levers (10, 11), wherein both link levers (10, 11) are connected to one another and a first link lever (10) is articulated on the frame (1) of the bicycle.Bicycle according to claim 2, characterized in that the linkage levers (10, 11) are connected to each other via joints.Bicycle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a second link lever (11) is hinged to the chain stay.Bicycle according to claim 4, characterised in that the chain strut is a component of a rocker (4) for the rear wheel (3), wherein the rocker (4) is articulated on the frame (1) of the bicycle via a joint (5).Bicycle according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the spring damper element (8) is supported on the first link lever (10).Bicycle according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the second link lever (11) is designed as a fork component and is linked with its fork ends to a chain strut.Bicycle according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the first linkage lever (10) is designed as a fork component and is articulated with its fork ends in each case on the frame (1) of the bicycle.Bicycle frame, characterized in that it is usable for a bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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