Seat post for electrically assisted bicycle and bicycle

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat post (1) for an electrically assisted bicycle (2), the seat post (1) comprising: - a cylindrical hollow rod (3) comprising a cylindrical outer wall (24) and extending along a longitudinal axis (X) over a height (H); - an electric battery (4) comprising a plurality of battery cells (5); - a discharge connector (6); - a discharge cable (7); - a first cavity (15) formed in the hollow rod (3), housing the plurality of battery cells (5); and - a second cavity (16) formed in the hollow rod (3), housing a portion (17) of the discharge cable (7) and extending along the longitudinal axis (X) of the hollow rod (3), the hollow rod (3) comprising a longitudinal slot (18) made in the outer wall (24) so as to open the second cavity (16) to the outside, the slot (18) being configured so as to allow the discharge cable (7) to pass through the slot (18), so that the second end (9) of the discharge cable (7) and the discharge connector (6) are arranged outside the hollow rod (3).

Description

Description Title: Seatpost for electric bike and bicycle Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrically assisted bicycles, in particular electrically assisted folding bicycles. It relates in particular to a seat post internally housing a battery and a bicycle comprising such a seat post. Prior art

[0002] Using an electric folding bike with a seatpost that integrates the battery involves many steps that must be repeated every day of use. In particular, it is necessary, every day, to connect and disconnect the battery from the frame, recharge the battery, secure the battery for a quick ride, adjust the height of the saddle, not to mention folding and unfolding the bike.

[0003] There is therefore a challenge in facilitating each step for pleasant, everyday use.

[0004] However, current solutions have drawbacks.

[0005] In particular, it is known to combine a battery locking system with the saddle height adjustment, so that if the release key is not available, for example because it has been lost or forgotten, and the locking system is in the locked position, the saddle height cannot be adjusted.

[0006] Furthermore, the battery connection to the frame is usually located under the frame, making it an uncomfortable position to connect or disconnect the battery.

[0007] On the other hand, the connectors and discharge cable are exposed to dirt, making any handling operation of them during the various connections / disconnections messy.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a seat post and a bicycle incorporating such a seat post which makes their daily use easier. Summary

[0009] The present disclosure improves the situation. A seat post for a bicycle, in particular a folding bicycle, with electrical assistance, is proposed, the seat post comprising: a hollow cylindrical rod, in particular made of a metallic material such as aluminum or steel, comprising a cylindrical outer wall and extending along a longitudinal axis over a height, an electric battery comprising a plurality of battery cells, a discharge connector, a discharge cable comprising a first end connected to the battery and a second end connected to the discharge connector, a first cavity formed in said hollow rod, housing the plurality of battery cells and preferably extending along the longitudinal axis of the hollow rod over at least part of the height thereof, and a second cavity formed in said hollow rod, in particular adjacent to the first cavity, the second cavity housing a part of the discharge cable and extending along the longitudinal axis of the hollow rod over at least part of the height thereof, the hollow rod comprising a longitudinal slot made in said outer wall and opening the second cavity onto the outside of the hollow rod, said slot extending over at least part of the height of the hollow rod and being configured so as to allow the passage of the discharge cable through the slot, such that said second end of the discharge cable and the discharge connector are arranged outside the hollow rod.

[0010] Thanks to the seat post thus equipped, it is possible to house a part, in particular a large part of the discharge cable inside the hollow post. This allows it to be protected from the external environment, therefore from dirt, wear and even tearing. The part of the cable which is housed in the second cavity is advantageously twisted and / or able to deploy or fold inside the second cavity.

[0011] The features set out in the following paragraphs may, optionally, be implemented, independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0012] The hollow rod may have a circular cross-section, the diameter of the cross-section of the hollow rod being in particular between 55 mm and 70 mm, preferably between 55 mm and 56 mm, in particular equal to 55 mm.

[0013] The hollow rod advantageously comprises an inner wall separating the first cavity and the second cavity. Said inner wall may extend along the longitudinal axis of the hollow rod and may form an arc of a circle in cross section.

[0014] The electric battery may comprise at least one cell support housed in the first cavity and configured to allow, within a cross-section of the hollow rod, to support the cells in the first cavity while leaving space for the second cavity.

[0015] According to another aspect, in combination with all or part of the above, there is provided a bicycle, in particular a folding bicycle, with electrical assistance comprising a seat post as defined above and a frame comprising a seat tube configured to allow the introduction of the seat post at an upper end of the seat tube, inside the seat tube, and to allow sliding of the seat post relative to the seat tube.

[0016] Thus, we have a bicycle whose discharge cable is partly, in particular largely, housed in the second cavity without however hindering the movement of the seat post relative to the frame of the bicycle. Indeed, the longitudinal slot allows the second end of the discharge cable to be moved, which comes into abutment against the upper end of the seat tube at the same time as the seat post relative to the seat tube. Thus, we can say that the connection The electric cable between the battery and the bike is movable. It should be noted that the first end of the discharge cable always remains in the same position in the hollow rod.

[0017] The portion of the discharge cable that is housed in the second cavity is preferably extendable from a retracted position where the seat post is outside the seat tube or inserted into the seat tube to a height of less than 165 mm to a stretched position where the seat post has slid into the seat tube to a maximum height. In particular, the portion of the discharge cable that is housed in the second cavity may be helical, or twisted, in particular to allow its deployment in the second cavity or its folding within the second cavity depending on the position of the second end of the discharge cable, itself conditioned by the relative position of the seat post with respect to the bicycle frame. This makes it possible to accompany the movement of the seat post with respect to the bicycle frame.

[0018] The bicycle advantageously has a saddle attached to an upper end of the seat post.

[0019] The bicycle may include a seat post locking system attached to the frame, the locking system including a locking latch configured to deploy into the slot of the second cavity, in particular when inserting and / or sliding and / or rotating the seat post in the seat tube, in a relative position of the seat post and the seat tube allowing the locking latch to coincide with the slot. The locking latch, when deployed into the slot, makes it possible to index the position of the saddle. The latter is therefore correctly positioned as soon as the locking latch is deployed into the slot. The deployment of the locking latch may be automatic as soon as it is at the level of the slot, the remainder of the outer wall of the hollow post being able to be smooth and without hollow relief.

[0020] The seat post may have a transverse stop at a lower end of the slot, the transverse stop being provided at a lower end of the hollow post. The locking latch is preferably configured to remain deployed when the seat post is slid upwardly into the seat tube and the locking latch contacts the transverse stop. Thus, the height of the saddle can be adjusted without being able to remove the seat post from the seat tube.

[0021] The locking system is configured in particular in such a way that only the activation of an unlocking key in the locking system allows the locking latch to be folded back. Using the unlocking key thus allows the seat post to be removed from the seat tube.

[0022] The bicycle may have a seat clamp positioned at the upper end of the seat tube. The seat clamp may be configured so that the seat clamp and the locking system are independent of each other.

[0023] The bicycle has an electric motor, which may be housed in the hub of the rear wheel or the bottom bracket, for example. The frame, in particular a part of the frame attached to the seat tube near an upper end of the seat tube, may have a connector additional discharge which is complementary to the seat post discharge connector and can be connected to the latter to allow the motor to be supplied with electricity.

[0024] The additional discharge connector can be positioned near the upper end of the seat tube, and in particular near the slot. Thus, the connection between the two discharge connectors is accessible and therefore facilitated for the user. In particular, the additional discharge connector can be housed in an extension part of the frame attached to the seat tube, in particular at the rear of the latter in a space located between the seat tube and the rear wheel of the bicycle.

[0025] The discharge connector, the second end of the discharge cable, and the upper end of the seat tube are preferably configured such that, when the seat post slides into the seat tube, the discharge connector and the second end of the discharge cable remain proximate the upper end of the seat tube, outside the seat post.

[0026] The seat post comprises, for example, a guide piece secured to the discharge cable near the second end of the discharge cable and configured to slide in the slot. The guide piece and the upper end of the seat tube may be configured such that the guide piece abuts above and against the upper end of the seat tube. Such a guide piece may hold the discharge cable such that the portion of the cable forming the second end and located outside the hollow post is of constant length regardless of the movements of the seat post relative to the seat tube.

[0027] According to another aspect, independently or in combination with all or part of the above, there is provided a bicycle, in particular a folding bicycle, with electrical assistance comprising a seat post and a frame comprising a seat tube configured to allow the introduction of the seat post at an upper end of the seat tube, inside the seat tube, and to allow sliding of the seat post relative to the seat tube, the seat post comprising: a hollow cylindrical rod, in particular made of a metallic material such as aluminum or steel, comprising a cylindrical outer wall and extending along a longitudinal axis over a height, an electric battery comprising a plurality of battery cells, housed in the hollow rod, the hollow rod comprising a longitudinal slot made in said outer wall,said slot extending over at least part of the height of the hollow rod between a lower end and an upper end of the slot, the hollow rod comprising a transverse stop at the lower end of the slot, the bicycle comprising a seat post locking system fixed to the frame, the locking system comprising a locking latch configured to deploy in the slot, in particular during insertion and / or sliding and / or rotation of the seat post in the seat tube, in a relative position of the seat post and seat tube allowing the locking latch to coincide with the slot.

[0028] By "fixed to the frame" we can understand "fixed directly to the frame" or, alternatively, "fixed indirectly to the frame". By "fixed indirectly to the frame" we mean fixed to an intermediate element itself fixed to the frame, for example a clamp.

[0029] The locking latch is preferably configured to remain extended when the seat post is slid upward into the seat tube and the locking latch contacts the cross stop. Thus, the saddle height can be adjusted without being able to remove the seat post from the seat tube.

[0030] The locking latch, when deployed in the slot, also allows the position of the saddle to be indexed. The latter is therefore correctly positioned as soon as the locking latch is deployed in the slot. The deployment of the locking latch can be automatic as soon as it is at the level of the slot, the rest of the outer wall of the hollow rod can be smooth and without hollow relief.

[0031] The locking system is configured in particular in such a way that only the activation of an unlocking key in the locking system allows the locking latch to be folded back. Using the unlocking key thus allows the seat post to be removed from the seat tube.

[0032] So, if you don't have the release key, you can't remove the seat post from the seat tube but you can adjust the height of the saddle.

[0033] To maintain the desired saddle height, the bicycle may have a clamp positioned at the upper end of the seat tube. Such a clamp may be configured so that the clamp and the locking system are independent of each other. Brief description of the drawings

[0034] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

[0035] [Fig. 1] shows, schematically and in perspective, a seat post according to example.

[0036] [Fig. 2] shows, schematically and in perspective, a bicycle according to an example.

[0037] [Fig. 3] is a schematic side view of a lower portion of a seat post according to an example, showing transparently different elements of the seat post.

[0038] [Fig. 4] is a schematic cross-sectional view, along IV, of the seat post of Figure 3.

[0039] [Fig. 5] is a schematic cross-sectional and perspective view illustrating in isolation a section of hollow stem of the seat post of Fig. 4.

[0040] [Fig. 6] shows in isolation, schematically and in perspective, a cell support of a seat post according to an example.

[0041] [Fig. 7] shows a schematic top view of the cell holder of Figure 6.

[0042] [Fig. 8] is a schematic side view, isolated and in perspective, of the battery of a seat post according to an example.

[0043] [Fig. 9] shows schematically detail IX of figure 1.

[0044] [Fig. 10] shows partially, schematically and in perspective, a bicycle according to an example, seen at the junction between the seat post and the seat tube on a first side of the bicycle.

[0045] [Fig. 1 1 ] shows partially, schematically and in perspective, a bicycle according to an example, seen at the junction between the seat post and the seat tube on a second side of the bicycle, opposite the first side.

[0046] [Fig. 12] is a schematic and partial side view of a lower portion of a seat post inserted into a seat tube, according to an example, showing transparently different elements of the seat post and the seat tube.

[0047] [Fig. 13] is a schematic and partial rear view of a lower portion of a seat post inserted into a seat tube, according to an example, showing transparently different elements of the seat post and the seat tube. Description of the embodiments

[0048] The drawings and description below contain, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They may therefore not only serve to better understand this disclosure, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0049] In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements. For the sake of brevity, only the elements which are useful for understanding the embodiment described are shown in the figures and are described in detail below.

[0050] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or of a bicycle in its normal position of use, ready for use.

[0051] Figure 1 shows a seat post 1 for a bicycle 2, in this example folding, with electrical assistance, the bicycle 2 being shown in Figure 2.

[0052] The seat post 1 comprises a hollow rod 3 that is cylindrical and made of a metallic material, for example aluminum or steel. The hollow rod 3 comprises an outer wall 24 of cylindrical shape. The hollow rod 3 extends along a longitudinal axis X over a height H between an upper end 11 and a lower end 13. In the example illustrated, the hollow rod 3 has a circular cross-section, the diameter D of the cross-section of the hollow rod 3, visible in Figure 5 in particular, being in this example equal to 55 mm. We do not go out of the scope of the present disclosure if the cross-section of the hollow rod 3 is not circular but elliptical or oval or any other shape, even if the circular cross-section is preferred.

[0053] The seat post 1 also comprises an electric battery 4, visible in isolation in FIG. 8, comprising a plurality of battery cells 5.

[0054] The seat post 1 also comprises a discharge connector 6 and a discharge cable 7, more visible in Figure 3. The discharge cable 7 comprises a first end 8 connected to the battery 4, and a second end 9 connected to the discharge connector 6.

[0055] At the upper end 11 of the hollow rod 3 is fixed a saddle 12 of the bicycle 2.

[0056] At the lower end 13 of the hollow rod 3 is fixed a shock absorber 14 of the seat post 1, advantageously made of elastically deformable material, such as rubber, making it possible to prevent the seat post 1 from slipping when charging the battery 4 and to absorb shocks in the event of the lower end of the seat post 1 hitting the ground.

[0057] The seat post 1 also comprises a first cavity 15 formed in the hollow rod 3, housing the plurality of battery cells 5. The first cavity 15 extends along the longitudinal axis X of the hollow rod 3 over at least part of the height thereof, in this example over the height H of the hollow rod 3. The first cavity 15 also houses a battery management system called BMS 10 (for “Battery Management System” in English) as well as the first end 8 of the discharge cable 7 connected to the BMS 10, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3.

[0058] The seat post 1 also comprises a second cavity 16 formed in the hollow rod 3 adjacent to the first cavity 15. The second cavity 16 extends along the longitudinal axis X of the hollow rod 3 over at least part of the height thereof, in this example over the height H of the hollow rod 3. The second cavity 16 houses a part 17 of the discharge cable 7. This part 17 of the discharge cable 7 includes a part of the cable located between the first and second ends 8 and 9.

[0059] The hollow rod 3 comprises a slot 18 advantageously longitudinal made in its outer wall 24 so as to open the second cavity 16 onto the outside of the hollow rod 3. This means that the second cavity 16 communicates with the outside of the hollow rod 3 via the slot 18. The slot 18 extends in a rectilinear manner parallel to the longitudinal axis X over at least part of the height of the hollow rod 3. The slot 18 is configured so as to allow the discharge cable 7 to pass through the slot 18. Thus, the second end 9, which is an end portion of the discharge cable 7, and the discharge connector 6 are arranged outside the second cavity 16 and therefore outside the hollow rod 3 as visible in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 for example while the rest of the discharge cable 7 is arranged inside the hollow rod 3.

[0060] Preferably, the slot 18 has a constant width L. The width of the slot 18 is sufficient to allow at least the passage of the discharge cable 7 through the slot 18. The width of the slot 18 is preferably dimensioned so as to prevent a lateral exit of the part 17 of the discharge cable 7 through the slot 18. In other words, the slot 18 is preferably sized to prevent the portion 17 of the discharge cable 7 from coming out of the second cavity 16 during normal use of the seat post 1.

[0061] The seat post 1 comprises an inner wall 19 formed in the hollow rod 3 and separating the first cavity 15 and the second cavity 16. The inner wall 19 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the hollow rod 3 over at least part of its height. The inner wall 19 forms in this example an arc of a circle in cross section, as seen in Figures 4 and 5.

[0062] The portion 17 of the discharge cable 7 which is housed in the second cavity 16 is helical in this example so as to be extensible within the second cavity 16 parallel to the longitudinal axis X from a compressed position to a stretched position and vice versa.

[0063] In the illustrated example visible in figure 8, the electric battery 4 comprises twenty cells 5, of 21700 format in this example, in particular 5A and 3.6V, connected in two loops of ten cells 5 in parallel and distributed in three columns 22 within which the cells 5 are superimposed, two columns 22 of which are visible in figure 12. The choice of the format of cells 5 can have an impact on the optimal minimum diameter of the hollow rod 3.

[0064] The electric battery 4 also includes the battery management system called BMS 10. The BMS 10, located at a lower end of the battery 4, forms the intelligent part of the battery 4 and makes it possible to balance the discharge of the cells 5 between them and to detect and resolve any malfunction, in particular. It is to this BMS 10 of the battery 4 that the first end 8 of the discharge cable 7 is connected.

[0065] Battery 4 includes inter-cell connections 23 visible in figure 8 in order to constitute the current loops.

[0066] The electric battery 4 comprises at least one, in this example several, cell supports 20, illustrated in isolation in Figures 6 and 7, made in this example of polymer material, housed in the first cavity 15 as visible in Figure 4 and configured to allow, within a cross-section of the hollow rod 3, to support the cells 5 in the first cavity 15 while leaving space for the second cavity 16. The cell supports 20 have the role of structuring the cells 5 between them within the battery 4. There are fourteen of them in the example illustrated in Figure 8, arranged at regular intervals at the lower and upper ends of the battery 4 and in the spaces between the superimposed cells 4. Between two levels of cells 5, there may be two cell supports 20, namely one to structure the cells 5 located below and one to structure the cells 5 located above.

[0067] A cell support 20 is shown in isolation in Figures 6 and 7. Such a cell support 20, also called a “cell holder” in English, comprises three portions 21 each configured to partially cover, on a periphery, the upper or lower end of a cell 5, the three portions 21 of the same cell support 20 thus covering three adjacent cells 5 belonging to each of the columns 22. Each portion 21 has a substantially cylindrical shape of circular section, open at the bottom and partially closed, as seen in figures 6 and 7. Their dimensions are chosen so as to match the shape of the cells 5 at their upper or lower end.

[0068] As seen in Figure 4 and Figures 6 and 7, the three portions 21 of a cell support 20 are connected to each other and arranged in such a way that their respective centers I, J and K, in a plane of the cross-section, together form an isosceles triangle UK shown in dotted lines in Figure 7, thus leaving space, as can be seen in Figure 4, for the second cavity 16 within the hollow rod 3 of circular section. The isosceles shape, which can be compared to a structure forming an equilateral triangle, has the advantage, over the latter, of freeing up space for the second cavity 16 between the two cells 5 located in the columns 22 which form the base JK of the isosceles triangle, while minimizing the increase in the diameter of the hollow rod 3.

[0069] It is noted that a straight line A, illustrated in figure 4, coincident on a segment with a diameter of the hollow rod 3 passing through the center I of the isosceles triangle UK, passes through the center, in cross section, of the tent 18.

[0070] Figure 2 shows the electrically assisted bicycle 2, in this example folding, comprising a seat post 1 as described above and a frame 30 comprising a seat tube 31 configured to allow the introduction of the seat post 1 at an upper end 32 of the seat tube 31, inside the seat tube 31, and to allow sliding of the seat post 1 relative to the seat tube 31. The bicycle 2 comprises an electric motor, housed in the example illustrated on the hub of the rear wheel. The motor could alternatively be housed in the crankset.

[0071] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate in particular the interaction between the seat post 1 and the seat tube 31. The diameter D of the hollow post 3 and the diameter of the seat tube 31, also of circular section in this example, are provided to allow the hollow post 3 to slide inside the seat tube 31 in the manner of two telescopic tubes.

[0072] The frame 30 comprises an extension part 34 attached to the seat tube 31, in this example at the rear of the latter in the space between the seat tube 31 and the rear wheel of the bicycle 2, close to the upper end 32 of the seat tube 31. This extension part 34 fits longitudinally around the seat tube 31 over a portion thereof, as can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 in particular, and has an upper end 35, forming a flat extending in this example obliquely downwards relative to a cross-section of the hollow rod 3, i.e. taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0073] The frame 30, in particular the extension part 34, comprises a complementary discharge connector 36, complementary to the discharge connector 6 of the seat post 1 and capable of being connected to the latter to enable the motor to be supplied with electricity. The connection between the discharge connector 6 and the complementary discharge connector 36 is shown in Figures 10 and 11. It should be noted that the complementary discharge connector 36 is positioned at the upper end 35 of the extension part 34, close to the end upper end 32 of the seat tube 31, and in particular near the slot 18. Thus, the connection between the two connectors 6 and 36 is facilitated and the second end 9 of the discharge cable 7, which forms a portion of cable, can be of short length, as visible in the figures.

[0074] The discharge connector 6, the second end 9 of the discharge cable 7 and the upper end 32 of the seat tube 31 are advantageously configured such that, when the seat post 1 slides in the seat tube 31, the discharge connector 6 and the second end 9 of the discharge cable 7 remain close to the upper end 32 of the seat tube 31, outside the seat post 1. This makes it easier for a user to connect and disconnect the discharge connector 6 and the complementary discharge connector 36, this connection being very accessible and intuitive for him. In addition, the connection can remain clean.

[0075] In this example, the bicycle 2 has a clamp 37 positioned at the upper end 32 of the seat tube 31. The clamp 37 is used to fix the seat post 1 relative to the seat tube 31 at the desired height of the saddle 12.

[0076] The bicycle 2 comprises a locking system 33 for the seat post 1, fixed to the frame 30, in this example within the extension part 34, on one side of the bicycle 2 so as to be accessible. The clamp 37 and the locking system 33 are configured such that they are independent of each other, that is to say that the locking of the seat post 1 on the frame 30 is independent of the adjustment of the seat post and therefore of the height of the saddle.

[0077] The locking system 33 comprises, as visible in Figure 12, a locking latch 38 visible in Figure 12 configured to deploy in the slot 18, in particular during insertion and / or sliding and / or rotation of the seat post 1 in the seat tube 31, in a relative position of the seat post 1 and the seat tube 31 allowing the locking latch 38 to coincide with the slot 18. It is noted that the deployment of the locking latch 38 in the slot 18 makes it possible to index the position of the saddle, that is to say to ensure the positioning of the saddle 12 in the desired position, in particular with the front point of the saddle located on the axis connecting the two wheels of the unfolded bicycle.

[0078] The seat post 1 comprises a transverse stop 40 at a lower end 41 of the slot 18, at the same level in this example as the lower end 13 of the hollow rod 3. The transverse stop 40 is thus produced at the lower end of the hollow rod 3 in this example. The locking latch 38 is configured to remain deployed when the seat post 1 is slid upwards in the seat tube 31 and in particular when the locking latch 38 comes into contact with the transverse stop 40. This makes it possible to adjust the height of the saddle without being able to remove the seat post 1 from the seat tube 31. Thus, the height of the saddle 12 can be adjusted while keeping the seat post 1 secured to the frame 30 by the locking latch 38.

[0079] The locking system 33 is configured in this example such that only the actuation of an unlocking key 42 in the locking system 33 allows the locking latch 38 to be folded back. Only in this case can the seat post 1 be removed from the seat tube. saddle 31. Thanks to the locking latch 38, the transverse stop 40 and the locking system 33, the height of the seat post 1 can be adjusted even if the unlocking key 42 is not available.

[0080] The locking system 33 comprises, in the example illustrated and as visible in particular in figures 12 and 13, a high security type barrel 46 integrated in the frame 30, in particular in the extension part 34. The barrel 46 extends perpendicular to the axis X, from the side of the bicycle 2. The barrel 46 is fitted in a cylinder 47 and held in position therein via a pressure screw 48 accessible through the hole in the complementary discharge connector 36 from above. Thus, without an unlocking key 42, it is not possible to remove the barrel 46 which is over-stressed in the slot 18 and in the cylinder 47.

[0081] The portion 17 of the discharge cable 7 which is housed in the second cavity 16 is extendable from a retracted position where the seat post 1 is out of the seat tube 31 or inserted into the seat tube 31 to a minimum height to a stretched position where the seat post 1 has slid into the seat tube 31 to a maximum height. Thanks to the present disclosure, the discharge cable 7 is protected and hidden inside the seat post 1, without however preventing the upward or downward movement of the seat post 1 relative to the seat tube 31. The discharge cable 7, in particular the portion 17 thereof, is thus protected against tearing and wear due to the external environment.

[0082] It should be noted that the seat tube 31 advantageously has an open lower end such that the seat post 1 can extend partially below the lower end of the seat tube 31, for example until it touches the ground, for example with the shock absorber 14. Such a position of the seat post 1 can be used when the bicycle 2 is folded.

[0083] As illustrated in particular in Figure 9, the seat post 1 may comprise a guide piece 45 secured to the discharge cable 7 near the second end 9 of the discharge cable and configured to slide in the slot 18. The guide piece 45 may hold the discharge cable 7 so that the second end 9 which is outside the hollow rod 3 is always of the same length. The guide piece 45 may comprise, as visible in Figure 4, an outer part located outside the hollow rod 3 and of a width greater than that of the slot 18 and an inner part capable of locally and partially matching the inner contour of the second cavity 16 defined in part by the inner wall 19. The guide piece 45 also makes it possible to prevent the exit of the part 17 of the discharge cable from exiting the second cavity 16.

[0084] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the guide piece 45 and the upper end 32 of the seat tube 31 may be configured such that the guide piece 45 abuts above and against the upper end 32 of the seat tube 31.

[0085] Thus, the guide piece 45 makes it possible, by accompanying the movement of the discharge cable 7, to facilitate the sliding of the seat post 1 in the seat tube 31, whether upwards or downwards. The guide piece 45 can also make it possible to prevent the discharge connector 6 from getting stuck when removing the seat post 1 from the seat tube 31.

[0086] The guide piece 45 can form an extruded cylinder overmolded on the cable which takes the shape of the second cavity 16 to take up the forces of the radial tightening of the clamp 37. The overmolded extruded cylinder which comes out of the slot 18 can have the same shape as the slot 18 to ensure guidance and always have the discharge connector 6 correctly oriented.

[0087] The guide piece 45 can also form a stop when the saddle 12 is in the lowest position so that the discharge cable 7 does not cut between the clamp 37 and the top of the slot 18 of the seat post 1.

[0088] Disclosure is not limited to the examples just described.

[0089] In particular, the bike may not be folding.

Claims

Claims

1. Seat post (1) for a bicycle (2), in particular a folding bicycle, with electrical assistance, the seat post (1) comprising: a hollow cylindrical rod (3) comprising a cylindrical outer wall (24) and extending along a longitudinal axis (X) over a height (H), an electric battery (4) comprising a plurality of battery cells (5), a discharge connector (6), a discharge cable (7) comprising a first end (8) connected to the battery (4) and a second end (9) connected to the discharge connector, a first cavity (15) formed in said hollow rod (3), housing the plurality of battery cells (5), and a second cavity (16) formed in said hollow rod (3), the second cavity (16) housing a portion (17) of the discharge cable (7) and extending along the longitudinal axis (X) of the hollow rod (3) over at least a portion of the height (H) thereof,the hollow rod (3) comprising a longitudinal slot (18) made in said outer wall (24) so as to open the second cavity (16) onto the outside of the hollow rod (3), said slot (18) extending over at least part of the height of the hollow rod (3) and being configured so as to allow the passage of the discharge cable (7) through the slot (18), such that said second end (9) of the discharge cable (7) and the discharge connector (6) are arranged outside the hollow rod (3).,

2. Seat post (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hollow rod (3) has a circular cross-section, the diameter (D) of the cross-section of the hollow rod (3) being in particular between 55 mm and 70 mm, preferably between 55 mm and 56 mm.

3. Seat post (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first cavity (15) extends along the longitudinal axis of the hollow rod (3) over at least part of the height (H) thereof, wherein the second cavity (16) is adjacent to the first cavity (15) and wherein the hollow rod (3) comprises an inner wall (19) separating the first cavity (15) and the second cavity (16), extending along the longitudinal axis (X) of the hollow rod (3) and forming an arc of a circle in cross section.

4. Seat post (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the electric battery (4) comprises at least one cell support (20) housed in the first cavity (15) and configured to allow, within a cross-section of the hollow rod (3), to support the cells (5) in the first cavity (15) while leaving space for the second cavity (16).

5. Bicycle (2), in particular folding, with electrical assistance comprising a seat post (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a frame (30) comprising a seat tube (31) configured to allow the introduction of the seat post (1) at one end. upper part (32) of the seat tube (31), inside the seat tube (31), and to allow sliding of the seat post (1) relative to the seat tube (31).

6. Bicycle (2) according to the preceding claim, comprising a locking system (33) for the seat post (1) fixed to the frame (30), the locking system (33) comprising a locking latch (38) configured to deploy in the slot (18) of the second cavity (16) in a relative position of the seat post (1) and the seat tube (31) allowing the locking latch (38) to coincide with the slot (18).

7. Bicycle (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the seat post (1) comprises a transverse stop (40) at a lower end of said slot (18), the locking latch (38) being configured to remain deployed when the seat post (1) is slid upwards in the seat tube (31) and the locking latch (38) comes into contact with the transverse stop (40).

8. Bicycle (2) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the locking system (33) is configured such that only the actuation of an unlocking key (42) in the locking system (33) allows the locking latch (38) to be folded.

9. Bicycle (2) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, in which the frame (30) comprises a complementary discharge connector (36) which is complementary to the discharge connector (6) of the seat post (1) and can be connected to the latter to allow the supply of electricity to a motor of the bicycle.

10. Bicycle (2) according to claim 6 and optionally any one of claims 5 and 7 to 9, comprising a clamp (37) positioned at the upper end (32) of the seat tube (31), and configured such that the clamp (37) and the locking system (33) are independent of each other.

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