Hub for bicycle wheel

Abstract

A component kit for a bicycle wheel hub (1) comprising a plurality of hub bodies (2), a plurality of spoke interface flanges (3) for insertion on a first side of the hub body (2), a plurality of spoke interface flanges (4) and brake disc attachment (4) for insertion on a second side of the hub body (2) and a plurality of wheel axles (5). FIGURE 1

Description

Title of the invention: Hub for a bicycle wheel Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component kit for a bicycle wheel hub, for constituting assemblies comprising a hub body, two spoke interface flanges and a wheel axle. Prior art

[0002] Over the last few decades, with the constant development of the so-called "leisure" society, cycling has taken off considerably both for sports users and for simple walkers or hikers.

[0003] More recently, in a world of users increasingly aware of the need to make a rapid ecological transition, particularly in modes of transport, the use of bicycles for utilitarian purposes for daily travel between home and school or the workplace has undergone spectacular growth. As a result, both bicycle assemblers and component manufacturers are subject to strong constraints in terms of productivity, logistics, and efficiency.

[0004] However, consumer bicycles and bicycle parts, whose design dates back several decades, have in fact evolved relatively little compared to the initial concept. In particular, spoked wheels with a rim and a central hub are still based on metal elements presenting strong manufacturing constraints.

[0005] Document FR2222230 shows, for example, a wheel with a single-piece metal central hub. The hub comprises a light alloy body with spoke attachment discs on each side.

[0006] Document FR2257439 describes a bicycle wheel with a metal hub comprising a tubular spacer completed by two flanges for fixing the spokes. The rigid assembly between the tubular part and the flanges is obtained thanks to the traction effect of the spokes on the flanges. The tubular part is here supported by its terminal ends on the internal parts of the flanges and must be chosen to be of adequate length to ensure appropriate tightening of the rings of the angular contact bearings and to provide the necessary operating clearance. The choice of components and the assembly steps are thus relatively restrictive and not very suitable for large-scale production at affordable costs.

[0007] There is therefore a need for a bicycle, and bicycle wheels which are simpler, easier and quicker to assemble, and well suited to large-scale production.

[0008] To overcome these various drawbacks, the invention provides various means techniques. Summary of the invention

[0009] First of all, a first objective of the invention consists of simplifying and optimizing the manufacture of very large series of bicycle wheels.

[0010] Another objective of the invention is to provide a high-performance hub, i.e. one with low mass and high mechanical strength.

[0011] To do this, the invention provides a kit of components for a bicycle wheel hub comprising:

[0012] i) a plurality of hub bodies, cylindrical in shape, comprising a central axial opening for housing a wheel axle;

[0013] ii) a plurality of spoke interface flanges for insertion on a first side of the hub body and comprising a perforated crown for fixing the spokes of the wheel;

[0014] iii) a plurality of interface flanges for spokes and brake disc attachment for insertion on a second side of the hub body and comprising a perforated crown for attachment of the wheel spokes and a bearing and attachment face for the brake disc;

[0015] iv) a plurality of wheel axles, mounted freely rotatable in the central opening of the hub body by means of bearings;

[0016] v) a plurality of cups, fitable at each end of the wheel axle, mounted freely to rotate on this axle, and ensuring axial positioning of the bearings and the axle opposite the hub body.

[0017] The concept makes it possible to provide bicycle wheel manufacturers with a complete range of elements for assembling the required components to measure depending on the type of bicycle wheel, in particular wheels with or without disc brakes, or the number of spokes, which can be taken into account by using a corresponding flange, on the basis of a single optimized standard component, namely the hub body. All components of a disc or pad hub are identical except for a flange, which allows for high modularity of the product and increases the production volume of all parts.

[0018] The same concept is also applicable for the front or rear wheel of a bicycle. Not only is assembly simplified, but the manufacturing of the hub parts is better suited to very large series production. The hub body manufactured by casting allows an incomparable level of productivity compared to previous metal hubs involving long and expensive shaping and machining processes per part.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the hub bodies are made of polyamide material, preferably nylon, reinforced with fibers, preferably glass fibers, at a minimum rate of 20%, and more preferably at least 40% of fibers by volume.

[0020] Advantageously, the flanges are made of stamped aluminum. The brake disc support and fixing face is advantageously produced by machining.

[0021] Unlike known constructions in which the hub is metallic, the present architecture provides a key part, namely the hub body, subject to intense mechanical stresses, made of composite material. Contrary to all expectations, mechanical resistance and fatigue tests have demonstrated that this type of material, with fiber reinforcements, can withstand the extreme and varied forces concentrated in this area of ​​the wheel.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the hub body comprises a series of ribs arranged around the periphery of each of its ends and the flanges comprise a corresponding number of notches of corresponding shapes and dimensions for insertion of the ribs.

[0023] This architecture allows the hub parts to be coupled together well while ensuring the transmission of both radial and angular forces. The acceleration forces obtained by pedaling and the braking forces in the case of disc brakes pass through the rib-notch arrangement, which is particularly effective for this type of force.

[0024] Depending on the case, the kit is designed to make front bicycle wheels or rear bicycle wheels. In the latter case, the axle is a rear wheel axle, the length of which is greater than that of the hub body plus that of the freewheel body. The freewheel body allows the cassette to remain fixed while the hub body can rotate.

[0025] The invention also provides a bicycle wheel hub obtained using a kit as described above.

[0026] The invention finally provides a front or rear bicycle wheel comprising a hub as previously described, a rim, a plurality of spokes connected on the one hand to the rim and on the other hand to an interface flange for spokes or an interface flange for spokes and brake disc attachment.

[0027] According to another advantageous embodiment, the hub body is obtained by injection molding in a mold comprising two longitudinal blocks for molding the external periphery of the middle zone of the body with radial demolding, and two end blocks for molding the external periphery of the ends and the ribs of the body with axial demolding.

[0028] The architecture of the mold and the partly radial and partly axial demolding method make it possible to produce a high-performance part, in very large quantities at particularly competitive costs. This architecture greatly facilitates the molding of the end ribs. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] All the details of the embodiment are given in the following description, supplemented by figures 1 to 8 presented solely for the purposes of non-limiting examples, and in which: Fig.l

[0030] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is an exploded view of an example of a hub for a bicycle front wheel with a hub body made of composite material and separate flanges made of metallic material; Fig.2

[0031] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows the example of [Fig.l] with the central axis being assembly; Fig. 3

[0032] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of the hub of [Fig.l]; Fig.4

[0033] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an example of an interface flange for rays; Fig.5

[0034] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an example of an interface flange for spokes and brake disc mounting; Fig.6

[0035] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a phase of demolding of the hub body of [Fig.l]; Fig.7

[0036] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a side view of an example of a hub for a rear wheel of bike; Fig.8

[0037] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a sectional view of the hub of [Fig.7]. Description of the embodiments

[0038] Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a front wheel hub 1 from a kit of components for a bicycle wheel hub. To constitute this hub, a hub body 2 is assembled with two interface flanges 3 or 4. The hub body 2 is cylindrical in shape and comprises a central axial opening 12 for housing a wheel axle 5. The hub body 2 is made of polyamide material, preferably nylon, reinforced with fibers, preferably glass fibers, at a minimum rate of 20%, and more preferably at least 40% of fibers by volume. 3. The flanges 3 or 4 are made of stamped aluminum (for example in 7075 alloy).

[0039] In the example illustrated and as visible in Figures 1 and 2, the hub body 2 comprises a series of ribs 8 arranged around the periphery of each of its ends. Furthermore, the flanges 3 or 4 comprise, for their part, a corresponding number of notches 9 whose shapes, positions and dimensions correspond for insertion of the ribs 8. The mounting of the flanges with insertion of the ribs 8 in the notches 9 ensures that the flanges are held opposite the hub body 2 in the direction of rotation.

[0040] As best seen in the section of the hub in [Fig. 3], the wheel axle 5 is mounted to rotate freely by means of bearings 7 arranged on either side of the axle. The axial positioning and holding of the bearings 7 of the axle in the body 2 is ensured by cups 6 which can be fitted at each end of the axle 5.

[0041] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the two types of flanges in the kit. Depending on the type of wheel brake, the hub is equipped with either two identical flanges or two different flanges. First of all, for a wheel intended for braking with rim brakes, the two flanges are identical and are used to fix the base of the wheel spokes to the hub. Two spoke interface flanges 3 (shown in [Fig.4]) are then used. This flange has a crown 10 with holes for fixing the wheel spokes.

[0042] In the second case, for a wheel intended for disc braking, the two flanges are different. On the non-braking side, an interface flange 3 for spokes is placed. On the braking side, an interface flange 4 (shown in [Fig.5]) is provided for spokes and brake disc attachment. This flange 4 comprises a perforated crown 10 for attachment of the wheel spokes and a face 11 for support and attachment of a brake disc. The brake disc support and attachment face is preferably produced by machining. It allows a brake disc to be fixed to the hub in a simple manner, with good alignment, so that the brake disc is parallel with the circumferential plane of the wheel.

[0043] To enable the bicycle wheel manufacturer to optimize its production, the hub component kit is customized according to the number of wheels of each type to be assembled. The kit allows the standardization of the main part, namely the hub body 2. The flanges with or without a bearing face 11 are provided according to the number of wheels with disc brakes. The kit is also optimized according to the number of spokes of the wheels to be produced. For this purpose, both types of flanges (with or without a brake disc) have crowns 10 perforated with the number of fixing holes corresponding to the number of spokes of the wheel.

[0044] The kit is designed to make front and rear bicycle wheels. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example of a hub for a front wheel with disc brakes. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an example of a hub for a rear wheel with disc brakes. The rear wheel hub is similar to the front wheel hub, but additionally includes a freewheel body 13. The freewheel body 13 allows the cassette to remain fixed while the hub body can rotate. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, axle 5 is a rear wheel axle. Its length is greater than that of the hub body 2 plus that of the freewheel body 13.

[0045] [Fig. 6] illustrates a preferred method of manufacturing by injection molding. As illustrated, the mold comprises two longitudinal blocks 14 for molding the external periphery of the middle zone of the hub body 2 with radial demolding, and two end blocks 15 for molding the external periphery of the ends and the ribs 8 of the body with axial demolding.

[0046] The architecture of the mold and the partly radial and partly axial demolding method make it possible to produce a high-performance part, in very large quantities at particularly competitive costs, without a subsequent machining step. List of reference signs

[0047] 1. Hub 2. Hub body 3. Interface flange for spokes 4. Interface flange for spokes and brake disc mounting 5. Axis 6. Bowl 7. Rolling 8. Force transmission ribs 9. Force receiving notches 10. Crown with hole for fixing spokes 11. Support face and fixing for brake disc 12. Central axial opening 13. Freewheel body 14. Longitudinal casting block 15. End casting block

Claims

Claims

1. Component kit for a bicycle wheel hub (1) comprising: i) a plurality of cylindrical hub bodies (2) comprising a central axial opening (12) for housing a wheel axle (5); ii) a plurality of spoke interface flanges (3) for insertion on a first side of the hub body (2) and comprising a perforated crown (10) for fixing the wheel spokes; iii) a plurality of spoke and brake disc attachment interface flanges (4) for insertion on a second side of the hub body (2) and comprising a perforated crown (10) for fixing the wheel spokes and a support and brake disc attachment face (11); iv) a plurality of wheel axles (5), mounted freely rotatable in the central opening (12) of the hub body (2) by means of bearings (7);v) a plurality of cups (6), fitable at each end of the wheel axle (5), mounted freely rotatable on this axle (5), and ensuring axial positioning of the bearings (7) and of the axle (5) opposite the hub body (2).;

2. A component kit for a bicycle wheel hub (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hub bodies (2) are made of polyamide material, preferably nylon, reinforced with fibers, preferably glass fibers, at a minimum rate of 20%, and more preferably at least 40% of fibers by volume.

3. A component kit for a bicycle wheel hub (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the flanges (3, 4) are made of stamped aluminum.

4. A component kit for a bicycle wheel hub (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hub body (2) comprises a series of ribs (8) arranged around the periphery of each of its ends and the flanges (3, 4) comprise a corresponding number of notches (9) of corresponding shapes and dimensions for insertion of the ribs.

5. A bicycle wheel hub (1) component kit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the kit is designed to make bicycle front wheels.

6. Component kit for a bicycle wheel hub (1) according to one of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the kit is designed to produce rear bicycle wheels, the axle (5) being a rear wheel axle, the length of which is greater than that of the hub body (2) plus that of the freewheel body (13).

7. Bicycle wheel hub (1) obtained using a kit according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Bicycle wheel comprising a hub according to claim 7, a rim, a plurality of spokes connected on the one hand to the rim and on the other hand to a spoke interface flange (3) or a spoke interface flange (4) and brake disc attachment.

9. Bicycle wheel hub (1) according to claim 7, wherein the hub body (2) is obtained by injection molding in a mold comprising two longitudinal blocks (14) for molding the external periphery of the middle zone of the body (2) with radial demolding, and two end blocks (15) for molding the external periphery of the ends and the ribs (8) of the body with axial demolding.

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