Device and method for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle according to the situation

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle, in particular an electric bicycle, according to the situation, comprising: an actuator for changing the center of gravity of the bicycle, The invention comprises at least one sensor monitoring the bicycle's riding condition, a control unit that receives and processes sensor data, determines a situation-adapted center of gravity of the bicycle, and outputs corresponding control signals to the actuator to execute the change in the center of gravity. According to the invention, the adjustment speed of the center of gravity change is adaptable to the riding condition of the bicycle, wherein the sensor is designed as a proximity switch configured to scan the contour of a brake disc of the bicycle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle in a situation-adapted manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle, in particular an electric bicycle, according to the situation, comprising an actuator for changing the center of gravity, at least one sensor monitoring the bicycle's driving state, and a control unit which receives and processes data from the sensor, determines a situation-adapted center of gravity of the bicycle, and outputs corresponding control signals to the actuator to execute the change in the center of gravity.

[0002] Increasing demands in road traffic are leading to a growing need for safety measures, especially for cyclists. Due to the high center of gravity of a bicycle, which is further exacerbated by the rider, critical driving situations, for example during braking, can occur. With e-bikes, the problem is further amplified by their significantly higher speeds.

[0003] Devices and methods for adjusting the center of gravity of an electric bicycle to suit specific situations are known in the prior art. However, there is a need to further improve these known devices and methods.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device and a method for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle depending on the situation, which further increases the safety and comfort for the cyclist.

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a device for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle, in particular an electric bicycle, in a situation-adapted manner, comprising an actuator for changing the center of gravity, at least one sensor monitoring the bicycle's driving state, and a control unit which receives and processes data from the sensor, determines a situation-adapted center of gravity of the bicycle, and outputs corresponding control signals to the actuator to execute the change in the center of gravity.

[0006] According to the invention, the adjustment speed of the center of gravity change can be adapted to the riding condition of the bicycle. Particularly in critical riding situations, it is advantageous for the bicycle's center of gravity to change as quickly as possible in order to increase the rider's safety. For example, it is advantageous to lower the center of gravity quickly if, for instance, a safety-critical braking maneuver is detected by an ABS sensor or a critical tilt of the bicycle is identified.

[0007] The sensor is designed as a proximity switch, which is configured to scan the contour of a bicycle brake disc. The proximity switch allows for fine signal resolution without additional sensor elements. At the same time, the proximity switch and brake disc together offer a robust and cost-effective system.

[0008] It should be noted here that, within the scope of the invention, "driving situation" refers not only to operation while the bicycle is in motion, but also to operation while stationary. Furthermore, the general term "bicycle" encompasses single-track, muscle-powered bicycles, electric bicycles or pedelecs, as well as multi-track cargo bikes or transport bikes (muscle-powered or with electric drive). Preferably, the change in the center of gravity is achieved by adjusting the height of a seat post of the bicycle using the actuator.

[0009] Lowering the seatpost also allows the rider to stand with both feet firmly on the ground. In less demanding riding situations, a more ergonomically sound saddle position can be achieved. These positions can be automatically adjusted according to a suitable preset.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuator can have at least one drive unit and a gear unit driven by the drive unit. The drive unit can, for example, be operated in a simple manner by means of a battery.

[0011] Different adjustment speeds of the seat post can be easily achieved if the gear unit has a switchable gearbox with at least two different gear ratios, whereby the gear ratios of the gear unit can be selected depending on the riding condition of the bicycle, such that the adjustment speed of the seat post in lowering and raising is adapted to the riding condition of the bicycle.

[0012] An advantageous design can be achieved if the gear unit incorporates a direction-dependent freewheel to adapt the gear ratio to the bicycle's riding conditions. Using the freewheel, for example, a gear stage can be locked in one direction of rotation and unlocked in the opposite direction, so that a full gear ratio is available when raising the bicycle, while only a partial ratio is available when lowering. This significantly increases the adjustment speed when lowering.

[0013] For example, an electric motor could be used as the drive unit and a single- or multi-stage planetary gearbox as the transmission.

[0014] An alternative advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the adjustment speed of the seat post is adapted to the riding condition of the bicycle by means of a suitable design of the gear unit and / or the motor characteristic curve in lowering and raising operations.

[0015] Preferably, the brake disc has cams for positive locking with a carrier, and these cams are designed to be detectable by a proximity switch. The brake disc, made of steel for example, can be arranged coaxially on a carrier made of aluminum, for example. This results in a lightweight overall design for the brake disc. The cams, preferably facing inwards, can be detected by the proximity switch without any additional components to generate a signal for the bicycle's speed.

[0016] Furthermore, the proposed design allows for the acquisition of a significantly better, i.e., more finely resolved, signal compared to known speedometers, which typically tap a signal at the rim.

[0017] There is no restriction to bicycles with ABS sensor and signal, because the proximity switch or proximity sensor can be implemented both robustly and cost-effectively with the brake disc already available on the market.

[0018] To increase comfort for the cyclist, the seatpost can incorporate saddle suspension. This suspension can be, for example, a mechanical parallelogram suspension seatpost with articulated side and support components and a spring element.

[0019] For further comfort, a gas-assisted adjustment of the saddle suspension can be provided. This gas assistance operates in parallel with the mechanical saddle suspension, allowing for adjustment of the overall spring force. This makes it possible to design the mechanical saddle suspension itself with a minimal spring force and to provide the remaining spring force required by the assisting gas mechanism.

[0020] Preferably, an axially adjustable seat tube of the seatpost has a pressure chamber for gas-assisted suspension, which can be variably filled with gas via a valve. The mechanical seatpost suspension can be adjusted as needed by the gas force present in the pressure chamber. The suspension can be easily adjusted at any time via the valve without removing the seatpost.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuator can be designed as an electric spindle drive and comprise a drive arrangement arranged in a housing with the drive unit and the gear unit driven by the drive unit, a spindle which can be rotated about an axis of rotation by the drive unit and which engages in threaded engagement with a spindle nut such that the spindle nut is rotatably displaceable in the axial direction within a housing, and a seat tube for adjusting the height of the seat post which can be displaced relative to the drive arrangement along a displacement axis by means of the drive unit.

[0022] Here, the spindle nut can be positively connected to the seat tube in such a way that the connection can absorb forces in the compressive direction. This positive connection can be easily achieved using a clip connection, allowing the spindle nut to be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0023] Furthermore, the problem is solved by a bicycle with the device according to the invention mentioned above.

[0024] Further aspects of the invention relate to a method for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle, in particular an electric bicycle, in a situation-adapted manner, comprising the following steps: • Capturing sensor data depicting the bicycle's riding condition, • Evaluation of sensor data and determination of a situation-adapted center of gravity for the bicycle, • Generating a control signal to change the center of gravity of the bicycle, • Outputting the control signal to an actuator to execute the change in the center of gravity, • Adjustment of the speed of the center of gravity change to the riding condition of the bicycle.

[0025] Preferably, the change in the center of gravity is achieved by adjusting the height of the bicycle's seat post using the actuator. Advantageously, the seat post height adjustment occurs faster in the downward direction than in the upward direction, thus mitigating critical riding situations.

[0026] A proximity switch can be used as a sensor to scan the contour of a bicycle brake disc. Preferably, the proximity switch scans cams provided for a positive connection with a carrier.

[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. It illustrates: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an actuator for a device according to the invention for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle according to the situation; Fig. 2 a cross-section of the actuator according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a side view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention without a gear unit of the actuator with extended saddle suspension; Fig. 4 a side view of the device according to Fig. 3 without a gearbox unit of the actuator with sprung saddle suspension; Fig. 5 a cross-section of the device according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 an enlarged section Q of the cross-section according to Fig. 5.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows an actuator 2 of a device 1 for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle according to the situation. Within the scope of the invention, a bicycle can be a single-track, muscle-powered bicycle, an electric bicycle or pedelec, or a multi-track cargo bike (muscle-powered or with electric drive).

[0029] To increase the safety of a bicycle, the device 1 according to the invention for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle in a situation-adapted manner comprises the actuator 2 for changing the center of gravity, at least one sensor monitoring the driving state of the bicycle, and a control unit which receives and processes data from the sensor, determines a situation-adapted center of gravity of the bicycle and outputs corresponding control signals to the actuator in order to execute the change of the center of gravity.

[0030] A speed signal could, for example, be generated by scanning the contour of a brake disc.

[0031] The brake disc, made of steel for example, can be arranged coaxially on a carrier made of, for example, aluminum. The brake disc has inwardly directed cams, preferably 18, for a positive connection with the carrier. These cams can be detected by a suitable sensor, such as a proximity switch, to generate a signal for the bicycle's speed. This eliminates the need for additional sensor elements.

[0032] The adjustment speed of the center of gravity change is adapted to the bicycle's riding condition, so that the bicycle's center of gravity can be changed as quickly as possible, especially in critical riding situations. For example, it is advantageous to lower the center of gravity quickly if a safety-critical braking maneuver is detected by an ABS sensor or if a safety-critical tilt of the bicycle is detected by suitable sensors.

[0033] In the described embodiment, the change in the center of gravity is achieved by adjusting the height of a seat post 12 of the bicycle, but this is not the only possible method. The height adjustment can be automatic depending on the bicycle's riding situation. It is also conceivable that the height adjustment could be additionally controlled by the cyclist.

[0034] Lowering the seatpost 12 allows the rider to stand with both feet firmly on the ground. In less demanding riding situations, a more ergonomically sound saddle position can be achieved. These positions can be automatically adjusted according to a suitable preset.

[0035] The actuator 2 comprises at least one drive unit 3 and a gear unit 4 driven by the drive unit 3, wherein, for example, an electric motor is used as the drive unit and a single- or multi-stage planetary gear unit is used as the gear unit. In the case of an electric bicycle, the drive unit 3 can be operated by means of the electric drive's battery.

[0036] According to the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 2 can be designed as an electric spindle drive.

[0037] As especially from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, which shows a cross-section, the actuator 2 comprises a drive assembly arranged in a housing 5 with the drive unit 3 and the gear unit 4 driven by the drive unit 3, a spindle 6 which can be rotated about an axis of rotation by the drive unit 3 and which engages in threaded engagement with a spindle nut 7. The spindle nut 7 is designed to be rotationally fixed and axially displaceable within the housing 5 or a profile tube 8. Furthermore, the actuator 2 has a seat tube 9 for adjusting the height of the seat post, which can be displaced relative to the drive assembly along a displacement axis by means of the drive unit 3.

[0038] The profile tube 8 can preferably be made of plastic and provide internal torque support for the axially displaceable spindle nut 8, which is connected to the seat tube 9 in such a way that the connection can absorb forces in the compressive direction. A simple clip connection is conceivable. For this purpose, the spindle nut 8 can have elastic spring arms that can be clipped into recesses in the profile tube 8. The spindle nut 8 can also be directly connected to the seat tube 9 via a suitable connection.

[0039] On its outer surface, the profile tube 8 has one or more nose-shaped projections 10 which engage in complementary recesses 11 of the housing 5 to prevent rotation and / or to transmit torque. An additional torque-transmitting connection can be achieved by partially deforming the housing 5, whereby the material of the housing 5 is pressed into the material of the profile tube 8. This connection also allows for a seal between the profile tube 8 and the housing 5.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the housing 5 forms the fixed part of the seat post 12, which can be attached to the frame of a bicycle. The seat tube 9, on the other hand, forms the height-adjustable part of the seat post 12, to which a bicycle saddle can be attached. When a situation is detected in which a change in the bicycle's center of gravity is advantageous, the drive unit 3 is activated by the control unit, and the seat tube 9 is moved accordingly in the axial direction along the displacement axis, so that the change in the center of gravity can be achieved by adjusting the height of the bicycle's seat post.

[0041] The height adjustment of the seat post 12 is faster in the lowering direction than in the raising direction, which can significantly mitigate critical driving situations.

[0042] The different adjustment speeds of the seat post can be adapted to the riding condition of the bicycle, for example, by a suitable design of the gearbox unit and / or the motor characteristic curve in lowering and raising.

[0043] An alternative design provides for the gearbox unit to be designed as a switchable gearbox with at least two different gear ratios, whereby the gear ratios of the gearbox unit can be selected depending on the driving condition of the bicycle, such that the adjustment speed of the seat post in lowering and raising is adapted to the driving condition of the bicycle.

[0044] To adapt the gear ratio to the bicycle's riding conditions, the transmission unit can, for example, feature a direction-dependent freewheel. Using the freewheel, a gear stage can be locked in one direction of rotation and unlocked in the opposite direction, so that a full gear ratio is available when lifting, and only a partial ratio is available when lowering. This allows the adjustment speed in the lowering direction to be significantly increased.

[0045] The described device can be combined as part of a system for situation-adapted change of the center of gravity of a bicycle with an electrically activated main stand and / or a semi- or fully automated handbrake.

[0046] The device 1 can further contain an in Fig. Figure 3 comprises the mechanical saddle suspension 13, wherein the seat tube 9 is connected to the saddle suspension 13. The mechanical saddle suspension 13 can be designed as a parallelogram suspension seatpost with pivotally connected side and support components 14, 15, 16, 17 and a spring element 18. The seat tube 9 is connected to a first support component 16, and a bicycle saddle 19 is connected to an opposing, second support component 17, with the side components 14, 15 each pivotally connected to the support components 16, 17 to form a parallelogram. The spring element 19, designed, for example, as a mechanical helical compression spring, is known to be arranged between two of the parallelogram components 14 to 17 to provide suspension. The saddle suspension 13 is connected to the seat tube 9 by means of the first support component 16 or by means of a connecting component 20 attached to the first support component 16.

[0047] Fig. Figure 3 shows the saddle suspension 4 in an extended state, in which the two support components 16, 17 have their maximum distance from each other. In a compressed state, which occurs, for example, in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the spring element 19 is compressed, so that the distance between the support components 16, 17 is reduced.

[0048] The mechanical saddle suspension 13 can be designed with a minimal spring force because the device 1 provides gas force assistance as described below. The gas force assistance is provided in parallel with the saddle suspension, thus allowing for adjustment of the overall spring force.

[0049] Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the device 1 according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. As can be seen, the actuator is designed as an electric spindle drive, the spindle 6 of which is arranged in the seat tube 9.

[0050] For gas-assisted suspension, a pressure chamber 22 is provided in the seat tube 9, which can be variably filled with gas or air via a valve 23. The mechanical seat suspension can be adjusted as needed by means of the gas force present in the pressure chamber 22. The suspension can be easily adjusted at any time via the valve 23 using an air pump, without removing the seat post.

[0051] On one side facing the saddle suspension 13, the pressure chamber 22 is limited by a piston 24 arranged axially displaceably in the saddle tube 9.

[0052] The piston 24 is guided in a sealed manner in the seat tube 9 and has a plunger 25 which also extends in a sealed manner through a recess in the connecting component 20. How Fig. As can be seen from Figure 5, the plunger 25 protrudes with its free end from the connecting part 20 and is in operative connection with the mechanical saddle suspension 13 via a cam 26, such that an axial displacement of the piston 24 causes a change in the saddle suspension by adjusting the parallelogram components 14 to 17.

[0053] On the actuator side, the pressure chamber 22 is limited by a sealing separating piston 27 that is axially displaceable in the saddle tube 9 by means of the spindle 6. The seal is achieved, for example, by an O-ring 28 positioned in an annular groove of the separating piston 27. In this embodiment, a spindle end 29 facing away from the actuator is rotatably in contact with the separating piston 27, or with a projection 30 of the separating piston 27, in order to minimize frictional forces. As shown in the figure below... Fig.As can be seen from Figure 6, the projection 30 is arranged at the bottom of a recess 31 in the separating piston 27, thus also allowing for guidance of the spindle end 29. Here too, the pressure chamber 22 is limited on the side facing the saddle spring 13 by the piston 24, which is axially displaceable within the saddle tube 9 and whose entire piston surface is effective. This allows a relatively high adjusting force to be generated at the plunger 25.

[0054] The gas present in the pressure chamber 22 keeps the separating piston 27 in contact with the spindle 6 and displaces it within the saddle tube 9 depending on the adjustment movement. The gas pressure can thus act on the entire separating piston surface, thereby supporting an extension force of the actuator in addition to the spring force of the saddle suspension 13.

[0055] In this embodiment, the size of the pressure chamber 22 is dependent on the stroke, so that the gas power assistance can be adjusted depending on the stroke.

Claims

[1] Device for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle, in particular an electric bicycle, according to the situation: an actuator for changing the center of gravity of the bicycle, at least one sensor monitoring the bicycle's driving condition, a control unit that receives and processes data from the sensor, a situation-appropriate center of gravity of the bicycle is determined and outputs corresponding control signals to the actuator in order to execute the change in the center of gravity. characterized by , that the adjustment speed of the change in the center of gravity can be adapted to a driving condition of the bicycle, wherein the sensor is designed as a proximity switch which is designed to scan a contour of a brake disc of the bicycle. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the change in the center of gravity is achieved by adjusting the height of the bicycle's seat post using the actuator. [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by that the actuator has at least one drive unit and one gear unit driven by the drive unit. [4] Device according to claim 3, characterized by that the transmission unit has a switchable transmission with at least two different gear ratios, wherein the gear ratios of the transmission unit are selectable depending on the driving condition of the bicycle, such that the adjustment speed of the seat post in lowering and raising is adapted to the driving condition of the bicycle. [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the gearbox unit has a freewheel that is dependent on the direction of rotation in order to adapt the gear ratio to the driving condition of the bicycle. [6] Device according to claim 3, characterized by, that the adjustment speed of the seat post is provided to be adapted to the riding condition of the bicycle by means of a suitable design of the gearbox unit and / or the motor characteristic curve in lowering and raising. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized by that the brake disc has cams for positive locking connection with a carrier and that the cams are designed to be detectable by means of the proximity switch. [8] Device according to claim 7, characterized by that the seatpost has a saddle suspension. [9] Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized by that gas-assisted suspension is provided for adjusting the saddle springs. [10] Device according to claim 9, characterized by , that an axially adjustable seat tube of the seat post for gas power assistance has a pressure chamber which is variably filled with gas by means of a valve. [11] Device according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 10, characterized by , that the actuator is designed as an electric spindle drive, including: a drive assembly arranged in a housing comprising the drive unit and the gearbox unit driven by the drive unit, a spindle which can be driven by the drive unit about a rotational axis and which engages with a spindle nut in a threaded connection, such that the spindle nut is rotatably displaceable in the axial direction within a housing, A seat tube for adjusting the height of the seat post, which can be moved relative to the drive assembly along a displacement axis by means of the drive unit. [12] Device according to claim 11, characterized by that the spindle nut is connected to the seat tube in such a form-fitting manner that the connection can absorb forces in the direction of pressure. [13] Bicycle with a device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12. [14] Method for changing the center of gravity of a bicycle, especially an electric bicycle, according to the situation, comprising the following steps: • Capturing sensor data depicting the bicycle's riding condition, • Evaluation of sensor data and determination of a situation-adapted center of gravity for the bicycle, • Generating a control signal to change the center of gravity of the bicycle, • Outputting the control signal to an actuator to execute the change in the center of gravity, • Adjustment of the speed of the center of gravity change to the riding condition of the bicycle. [15] Method according to claim 14, characterized by that the change in the center of gravity is achieved by adjusting the height of the bicycle's seat post using the actuator. [16] Method according to claim 15, characterized bythat the height adjustment of the seat post is faster in the downward direction than in the upward direction. [17] Method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized by , that a proximity switch is used as a sensor to scan the contour of a bicycle brake disc. [18] Method according to claim 15, characterized by , that the proximity switch scans cams provided for positive locking connection with a carrier.

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