Bicycle frame with connection for a center stand, and bicycle stand

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bicycle frame according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] DE 20 2012 104 843 U1, which represents the closest prior art, discloses a bicycle frame with a motor mount designed to accommodate a drive motor, wherein the motor mount has connecting means designed to connect a bicycle stand to the motor mount, and wherein first connecting means are designed to accommodate fastening means by means of which the bicycle stand is attached to the motor mount, wherein the first connecting means are arranged in a rear part of the motor mount.

[0003] The bicycle frame used is designed for the manufacture of an electrically powered mid-motor bicycle, with the motor typically located in the area of ​​the bottom bracket, in contrast to electrically powered bicycles that are designed as front-motor or rear-motor bicycles and have the respective drive motor in the front wheel or rear wheel.

[0004] While bicycle frames suitable for manufacturing front- or rear-motor bicycles can, in principle, remain unchanged and conventionally designed, as is known from non-motorized bicycles, bicycle frames of this type are structurally specialized for the manufacture of a motorized bicycle. They feature a motor mount that is adapted to a specific type of electric drive motor and is also referred to as a "motor bracket" or "engine bracket." The motor mount can be designed as a closed housing, or it can be a closed ring with open sides, or it can even be reduced to a specially shaped contact surface that only rests against a portion of the motor's circumference, as is the case with the aforementioned DE 20 2012 104 843 U1.In all cases, the motor mount is adapted to the geometry of a specific type of drive motor or its motor housing, so that the drive motor occupies a defined position within the frame geometry of the bicycle frame when mounted on the motor mount.

[0005] Compared to the dimensions of a bottom bracket on a non-motorized bicycle, a mid-drive motor requires significantly more space. For various reasons, it is often desirable to keep the rear triangle of the bicycle frame, with its horizontal chainstays and upward-sloping seat stays, as short as possible. This results in a short wheelbase, which, for example, improves the bicycle's maneuverability. Consequently, the distance between the rear wheel and the bottom bracket of a non-motorized bicycle is often small. Within this space, components such as a rear fender must also be mounted.On a non-motorized bicycle, a center stand is usually attached using a horizontally oriented stand plate, which is positioned behind the bottom bracket and attached, for example, to the two chainstays.

[0006] In a bicycle frame equipped with a motor mount for the production of a mid-drive bicycle, the larger space requirement of the mid-drive motor compared to the space required for a bottom bracket generally precludes the installation of a kickstand plate. In the aforementioned DE 20 2012 104 843 U1, the motor mount is extended towards the rear wheel, creating a connection area. An adapter is provided that, in place of the kickstand plate and via another adapter, allows the attachment of a bicycle kickstand.

[0007] Alternatively, rear-mounted kickstands can be used, which are attached to the rear frame near the rear axle. Due to the greater weight of an electric-powered bicycle compared to a non-electric one, and because this additional weight results primarily from the drive motor and any electrical energy storage device that may be positioned in front of the motor, the bicycle's center of gravity shifts forward. Consequently, there is a relatively large distance between the rear kickstand and the bicycle's center of gravity, which is undesirable for ensuring the bicycle's stability.

[0008] From DE 963 398 B a swiveling stand for motorized bicycles is known, which is designed as a bent spring steel wire and is not mounted in a motor mount of the frame, but in the motor gearbox block.

[0009] From KR 10 1 782 780 B1, an electric bicycle is known in which the motor is located in the rear wheel and the pedals serve to generate the drive energy by means of a generator, so that there is no mechanical, but rather an electrical drive connection between the pedals and the motor. Accordingly, the bicycle frame does not have a motor mount; instead, the motor forms the hub of the rear wheel. Furthermore, the frame does not have chainstays running horizontally from the bottom bracket area to the rear axle, but rather it extends upwards from the bottom bracket and then curves downwards and backwards, so that this frame does not have a tightly confined space between the bottom bracket or the generator on the one hand and the rear wheel on the other.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of improving a generic bicycle frame in such a way that it enables the bicycle, supported on a bicycle stand, to stand as stably as possible by the installation of a center stand. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a suitable bicycle stand for this purpose.

[0011] This problem is solved by a bicycle frame according to claim 1 and by using a bicycle stand according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] In other words, the invention proposes equipping the motor mount with connecting means that allow the installation of a bicycle stand, so that the stand acts as a center stand, supporting the bicycle close to its center of gravity and thus ensuring its stability. No stand plate is required; rather, the bicycle stand connects directly to the motor mount, thus enabling the installation of a center stand even in confined spaces. According to the invention, the connecting means of the motor mount include first connecting means designed to receive fastening elements. The bicycle stand is attached to the motor mount by means of these fastening elements, which can be, for example, rivets, screws, or similar fasteners.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the first connecting means are oriented horizontally and are accessible from the rear of the motor mount, i.e., from the side that, on the completed bicycle, faces the rear wheel and is not covered by the motor or its housing. The horizontal orientation of the first connecting means can be implemented, in particular, in a rear portion of the motor mount, for example, in a section of the motor mount that runs vertically. Such a section is typically also found in motor mounts that are not designed as a closed housing or as a completely enclosed ring, so that implementing this design is structurally straightforward for a large number of motor mount types commonly used in practice.

[0014] Bicycles with mid-drive motors typically lack a mounting point for a standard kickstand, such as a double kickstand. Furthermore, there is very little space between the bottom bracket / motor and the rear wheel for mounting fenders. Lengthening the frame is often undesirable, as it can negatively impact handling and may also be aesthetically unappealing for those who prefer a shorter, sportier, more compact design. The motor itself already makes a mid-drive motor frame longer than a comparable frame designed for a bicycle without a motor, which would lack the necessary motor mount.

[0015] Since the first connecting elements are horizontally oriented and accessible from the rear of the engine mount, a small distance between the engine mount and the rear wheel can be achieved according to the invention, while still allowing the installation of a center stand. Surprisingly, this extremely limited space between the engine mount and the rear wheel also offers the possibility of attaching other accessories, such as the rear fender. The rear fender curves around the rear wheel. The area of ​​the engine mount that allows for the installation of a center stand is often located approximately at the height of the rear axle. Therefore, the rear fender runs almost vertically in the vicinity of this area of ​​the engine mount. Consequently, the rear fender can be attached in this area with virtually no additional space required.In one option, the mudguard can be attached to the center stand if it is specifically designed for this purpose and offers suitable mounting options, e.g., by having a threaded hole for a mudguard mounting screw, or by offering comparable mounting options such as clips, retaining clamps, or the like. Alternatively, in a second option, the mudguard can be attached to the center stand using a mounting element that also secures the rear mudguard to the engine mount.

[0016] The first connecting means can be designed as bores, e.g. in the form of through bores, so that, for example, the aforementioned fastening elements such as screws or rivets can be inserted through these bores and thus a defined position of the fastening elements on the motor mount is ensured.

[0017] In one embodiment, the holes are designed as threaded holes. This allows the bicycle stand to be mounted using screws, eliminating the need for locknuts or similar fasteners beyond the holes, thus simplifying installation. This is particularly important because bicycle stands are often not included in the initial bicycle manufacturing process but are instead retrofitted later, which can result in, for example, the motor mount surfaces facing the drive motor becoming inaccessible.In particular, if the threaded holes are designed as blind holes and therefore only allow a limited penetration depth of the screws, damage to the drive motor or its housing is reliably excluded, which would otherwise not be possible in the case of improper assembly of the bicycle stand by using screws that are too long.

[0018] In one embodiment, two first connection means can be used to attach the bicycle stand, arranged at a distance from each other on the motor mount. This ensures a rotation-proof attachment of the bicycle stand compared to using a single, central fastening option, e.g., with a single screw.

[0019] In one embodiment, the motor mount can have secondary connection points that do not serve for fastening itself, but merely for fixing the position of the bicycle stand by positively engaging the stand with the motor mount. These secondary connection points are therefore projections or recesses that interact complementarily with corresponding projections or recesses on the bicycle stand, or they are contact edges provided on the motor mount that bear against a corresponding complementary section of the bicycle stand, thus restricting its translational and / or rotational movement. This positional fixation of the bicycle stand relieves stress on the primary connection points, namely the fastening means, and ensures a secure, long-term fit of the bicycle stand to the bicycle frame.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second connecting means can prevent the bicycle stand from rotating relative to the motor mount by having a cross-section that deviates from a circle.

[0021] In one embodiment considered advantageous, two first connecting means can be provided, arranged at a distance from each other and one above the other on the motor mount. This arrangement of the first connecting means enables a particularly stable fastening of the bicycle stand, even with regard to the leverage forces that act on its fastening means when the bicycle stand's support is folded in and swung out.

[0022] The second set of connecting elements can be oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bicycle frame, lying horizontally. This achieves the desired anti-rotation feature and provides sufficient space above and below the second set of connecting elements to allow for the aforementioned spaced arrangement of the first set of connecting elements, stacked one above the other.

[0023] To enable good support against rotational forces, the second connecting means can either be designed elongated and arranged horizontally, for example as a projection or as a recess, or they can be designed in the form of two connection elements spaced apart from each other, namely as a projection or as a recess.

[0024] A play-free fit of the bicycle stand to the motor mount can be achieved in the area of ​​the second connection point by appropriately designing the complementary interacting surfaces on the bicycle stand and the motor mount. For example, both components can have inclined surfaces so that, in the sense of conicity, the two components are brought close together and guided until the bicycle stand rests against the motor mount without any play. Even if inclined surfaces are provided on only one of these two interacting components, such a play-free fit can be achieved.For example, a prismatic recess may be provided on the motor mount, and a projection of the bicycle stand that dips into this recess may be conical or frusto-conical in design, so that it can be inserted into the recess of the motor mount until it has no play, thus ensuring a play-free fit of the bicycle stand on the motor mount.

[0025] A bicycle stand designed for mounting on a bicycle frame of the proposed design comprises, on the one hand, a head that can be attached to the motor mount of the bicycle frame, and on the other hand, a support that is movable relative to the head, for example, pivotally mounted on the head. The support can be raised to a driving position, in which it is, for example, approximately horizontal and which it assumes while riding. On the other hand, the support can be lowered from this driving position into a support position, so that a so-called foot, which the bicycle stand has at the free end of the support, is lowered from the raised driving position, thus allowing the bicycle to be supported by the foot of the bicycle stand resting on the ground.

[0026] A particularly secure stand for the bicycle can be ensured by designing the stand as a two-legged support. The two legs can either always be arranged in an approximately V- or U-shape, or they can lie against each other when the bicycle stand is in the riding position and swing apart when the stand is lowered, so that the feet of the two legs rest on the ground at points spaced apart on either side of the center line of the bicycle frame.

[0027] In one embodiment, the head of the bicycle stand can be designed in multiple parts, such that it has a connecting part that attaches to the motor mount, and a hinged part to which the support of the bicycle stand pivotally connects. This multi-part design of the head allows for particularly economical manufacturing of the bicycle stand, since, for example, different connecting parts enable the connection of the bicycle stand to different motor mounts and their different connection devices, while otherwise maintaining the same design.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the purely schematic representations. These show Fig. 1 is a perspective view obliquely from behind of a bicycle, in particular of the connection area of ​​the motor mount of the bicycle frame; Fig. 2 is a similar view. Fig. 1 , however, in the form of a close-up and with the rear wheel fender removed, Fig. 3 a similar view Fig. 2 on the connection surface of the motor mount, after removal of the bicycle stand, Fig. 4 a similar view Fig. 3 , with mounting elements, Fig. 5 a similar view Fig. 2 , however, with all the fastening elements of the Fig. 4 , Fig. 6 a view similar Fig. 5 , however with mudguard mounted, Fig. 7 a perspective view of the rear area of ​​a bicycle frame with a two-legged bicycle stand in its support position, Fig. 8 a side view of the arrangement of Fig. 7 , Fig. 9 a view similar Fig. 7 , however without bicycle rack, Fig. 10 a similar view Fig. 9 , however without mudguard, Figs. 11 and 12 show different variants of the second connecting means that effect a positive fit.

[0029] In Fig. 1 The figure shows a section of a bicycle in the area of ​​its bottom bracket. A bicycle frame 1 has a motor mount 2, which serves to attach an electric drive motor 3 and extends approximately in a strip shape over the upper and rear area of ​​the motor housing. Behind the motor mount 2, a rear wheel 4 and a mudguard 5 are shown. A bicycle stand 6 is arranged between the motor mount 2 and the mudguard 5, from which Fig. 1 A head 7 is visible. The head 7 of the bicycle stand 6 connects to the rear area of ​​the motor mount 2.

[0030] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows that the head 7 of the bicycle stand 6 is attached to the motor mount 2 by means of two screws 8. Second connecting elements 9 of the motor mount 2 are visible, which serve to fix the position of the head 7 on the motor mount 2. A mudguard bore 10 is also visible in the head 7.

[0031] Fig. 3 The figure shows, after removal of the bicycle stand 6 and its head 7, that the second connecting means 9 are designed as a transverse, elongated recess in the motor mount 2, and that a mudguard threaded bore 11 extends in this recess, aligned with the mudguard bore 10 of the head 7. Above and below the second connecting means 9, threaded bores are arranged in the motor mount 2 as first connecting means 12, which serve to receive the screws 8.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows the fastening elements which cooperate with the motor mount 2 to fasten the bicycle stand 6, namely in the form of the screws 8, and to fasten the mudguard 5, namely in the form of a mudguard screw 14.

[0033] Fig. 5 shows similar to the Fig. 2 the attachment of the bicycle stand 6 in the area of ​​the head 7 to the motor mount 2, whereby the mudguard screw 14 is also shown.

[0034] Fig. 6 shows the situation of Fig. 5 after mounting the mudguard 5, which covers the screws 8.

[0035] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows the rear section of the bicycle frame 1, with chainstays 15 extending from the motor mount 2 to near the rear axle, and seat stays 16 extending diagonally upwards from the rear axle area. The bicycle stand 6 has a support 17 pivotally connected to the head 7 at a joint 18 and two legs 19, each with a foot 20 at its free end furthest from the joint 18. The bicycle stand 6 is located in Fig. 7 In its supported position, the support 17 is pivoted downwards around the joint 18 and the two feet 20 are on the ground. They support the bicycle on both sides with respect to its central axis, since the two contact points are located on either side of the longitudinal centerline of the bicycle frame 1.

[0036] Out of Fig. 8 It is evident that, compared to a rear-mounted stand, the bicycle stand 6, as a center stand with the contact points of its two feet 20, provides support for the bicycle that is closer to the center of gravity of the bicycle.

[0037] Fig. 9 Figure 1 shows the attachment of the mudguard 5 to the motor mount 2 when the bicycle in question is not equipped with a kickstand 6. The mudguard is held in the same position as if the kickstand 6 were mounted. For this purpose, a suitably long spacer sleeve 21 is mounted in the area of ​​the second connecting means 9, through which the mudguard screw 14 extends.

[0038] Fig. 10 allows - compared to Fig. 9 After removing the mudguard 5, the spacer sleeve 21 can be clearly seen, through which the mudguard screw 14 extends.

[0039] Fig. 11 The figure schematically illustrates the interaction of the head 7 with the motor mount 2 with regard to the second connecting means 9, which are designed on the motor mount 2 in the form of a recess into which a complementary projection 22 of the head 7 dips.

[0040] Fig. 12 This shows, purely as an example, a reversal of the situation regarding the second connecting means 9, which in Fig. 12 are designed not as a depression, but as a projection and interact with a corresponding depression in the head 7 of the bicycle stand 6.

[0041] While in the illustrated embodiment the second connecting means 9 in the motor mount 2 are designed to be elongated and rectangular, according to the Fig. 11 and 12 The second connecting means 9 can, in contrast to the illustrated embodiment, be realized by two or more separate elements, either as a recess or as a projection, for example as cylindrical or conical or frusto-conical recesses or projections. Reference symbol:

[0042] 1 Bicycle frame 2 Motor mount 3 Drive motor 4 Rear wheel 5 Mudguard 6 Bicycle stand 7 Head 8 Screws 9 Secondary fastener 10 Mudguard hole 11 Mudguard threaded hole 12 First fastener 14 Mudguard screw 15 Chain stay 16 Seat stay 17 Support 18 Joint 19 Leg 20 Foot 21 Spacer sleeve 22 Projection

Claims

1. Bicycle frame (1), having a motor receptacle (2) intended to receive a traction drive motor (3), wherein the motor receptacle (2) has connectors (9, 12) intended to connect a bicycle stand (6) to the motor receptacle (2), and wherein first connectors (12) are intended to receive fasteners, which are used to fasten the bicycle stand (6) to the motor receptacle (2), characterized in that the first connectors (12) are oriented horizontally, are arranged in a rear part of the motor receptacle (2), and can be accessed from the rear side of the motor receptacle (2) facing rearwards on the bicycle frame (1).

2. Bicycle frame according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first connectors (12) are designed as bores.

3. Bicycle frame according to Claim 2, characterized in that the first connectors (12) are designed as threaded bores.

4. Bicycle frame according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor receptacle (2) has two first connectors (12), which are arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another.

5. Bicycle frame according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connectors (9) are intended to receive the bicycle stand (6) in a form-fitting manner on the motor receptacle (2).

6. Bicycle frame according to Claim 5, characterized in that the second connectors (9) have a cross section that is non-circular in such a manner that they cause the bicycle stand (6) to bear against the motor receptacle (2) in a rotationally fixed manner.

7. Bicycle frame according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that two first connectors (12) are arranged one above the other so as to be spaced apart from one another.

8. Bicycle frame according to any of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the second connectors (9) are oriented horizontally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bicycle frame (1).

9. Bicycle frame according to any of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the second connectors (9) are designed as an elongate projection or as an elongate recess.

10. Bicycle frame according to any of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the second connectors (9) have two spaced-apart connecting elements designed as a projection or recess.

11. Use of a bicycle stand (6) as a centre stand on a bicycle frame (1) designed according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bicycle stand (6) has a head (7) intended to be fastened to the motor receptacle (2) of the bicycle frame (1), and wherein the bicycle stand (6) has a support (17), which can be moved relative to the head (7) between a raised riding position and a lowered support position, in which a foot (20) of the support (17) is intended to rest on the ground.

12. Use according to Claim 11, characterized in that the support (17) is designed as a double-leg support, wherein the two legs (19) of the support (17) are spaced apart from one another in such a manner that, at least in the support position, the two feet (20) are arranged on both sides of the centre line of the bicycle frame (1).

13. Use according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the head (7) has a multi-part design, having a connecting part intended to be fastened to the motor receptacle (2) of the bicycle frame (1), and having an articulated part to which the support (17) is connected in an articulated manner.