ELECTRIC ASSISTANCE BICYCLE WITH SUSPENSION

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrically assisted bicycle comprising a frame with front and rear suspension, and a motor fixed to the frame and arranged on the bottom bracket axle. The frame comprises a front triangle (2) articulated to a fork (1) carrying the front wheel (10), and a rear arm (3) carrying the rear wheel (30). The bicycle is characterized in that the rear arm (3) is mounted in a single-pivot configuration on an anterior portion of the front triangle (2), and the rear suspension (32) is arranged between the rear arm (3) and a rear portion of the front triangle (2). The motor (4) is arranged in a cavity (40) of the rear arm (3), such that the distance (d) between the axle of the rear wheel and the axle of the bottom bracket is constant. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED BICYCLE EQUIPPED WITH SUSPENSION technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrically assisted bicycle equipped with suspension. PRIORITY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The market for electrically assisted bicycles is developing widely by allowing their users to travel longer distances and / or on routes with significant inclines,

[0003] To increase user comfort, particularly when riding on paths or roads in poor condition or cobblestones, suspensions may be provided at the front and rear of the frame.

[0004] On existing bicycles, the integration of a suspension at the rear of the frame implies a complex structure, including connecting rods to link the different parts of the frame.

[0005] Furthermore, it is necessary to integrate a system for adjusting the tension of the transmission element between the crankset and the rear wheel.

[0006] This structure is complex to maintain. Summary of the invention

[0007] One object of the invention is to design an electrically assisted bicycle in which the integration of a suspension is achieved by means of a simpler structure.

[0008] To this end, the invention proposes an electrically assisted bicycle comprising a frame provided with a front suspension and a rear suspension, and a motor fixed to the frame, arranged on the bottom bracket axle, the frame comprising a front triangle articulated on a fork carrying the front wheel, and a rear arm carrying the rear wheel, characterized in that the rear arm is mounted in a single-pivot type pivot on an anterior part of the front triangle and the rear suspension is arranged between the rear arm and a posterior part of the front triangle, and in that the motor is arranged in a cavity of the rear arm, so that the distance between the axle of the rear wheel and the axle of the bottom bracket is constant.

[0009] Thanks to this design, it is possible to eliminate a tensioning system for the transmission element, which simplifies bicycle maintenance.

[0010] According to other advantageous but optional features, considered alone or in combination:

[0011] - the bicycle includes at least one rear wheel support mounted on the arm rear, said support being adjustable between a mounting position of a transmission element between the crankset and the rear wheel and a tensioning position of said transmission element, located at the rear of the front arm relative to the mounting position;

[0012] - the rear arm includes a guiding means, such as an oblong hole, and each The rear wheel support is mounted on the rear arm via a screw that engages with said guide means.

[0013] - the bicycle is therefore devoid of a mechanical tensioning system the transmission element;

[0014] - the transmission element between the crankset and the rear wheel is a belt;

[0015] - the rear arm is made by molding;

[0016] - the cavity of the rear arm is provided with at least one engine ventilation opening;

[0017] - the bicycle further includes a luggage rack fixed exclusively to the triangle before, so that the said luggage rack is suspended;

[0018] - the front triangle is made by molding;

[0019] - the front triangle comprises a hollow oblique tube receiving a battery engine power supply. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description that follows, with reference to the attached drawings, on which:

[0021] - [Fig.1] is a right-side view of a bicycle according to one embodiment;

[0022] - [Fig.2] is a left view of the bicycle in [Fig.1];

[0023] - [Fig.3] is a right-side view of a bicycle according to an alternative embodiment;

[0024] - [Fig.4] is an exploded view of the connection between the front triangle and the rear arm;

[0025] - [Fig.5] is an exploded view of the connection between the rear suspension and the frame;

[0026] - [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of the connection between the rear suspension and the frame;

[0027] - [Fig.7] is an exploded view of the motor housing in the rear arm;

[0028] - [Fig. 8] is a right-side view of the connection between the front triangle and the rear arm in assembled position;

[0029] - [Fig. 9] is a left-hand view of the connection between the front triangle and the rear arm in assembled position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0030] In this text, the terms "front" and "rear", "anterior" and "posterior" refer to the direction of travel of the bicycle. The terms "right", "left", "horizontal", "upper", and "lower" refer to the position of the bicycle when traveling on a horizontal surface.

[0031] Figures 1 to 3 are overview views of an electrically assisted bicycle equipped with suspension.

[0032] The bicycle includes a fork 1 supporting a front wheel 10 and a handlebar IL. The fork includes a front suspension which is of a known type and will not be described in detail in this text.

[0033] The fork is articulated on a frame comprising a front triangle 2 and a rear arm 3.

[0034] The front triangle comprises a down tube 20, a seat tube 21, and a substantially horizontal base 22 connecting the down tube and the seat tube in the lower part of the triangle. Advantageously, the frame is open, meaning that the front triangle lacks a top tube connecting the down tube and the seat tube. This allows the rider to mount the saddle more easily.

[0035] The front triangle includes a steering head 12 articulated to the fork.

[0036] The front triangle is hollow, which allows the battery to be housed there and the cables to pass through. brake cables and cables connecting the battery to the engine.

[0037] More specifically, the oblique tube 20 includes an internal housing for the battery (not shown). For this purpose, the oblique tube may have an opening at the top allowing the battery to be inserted or removed. This opening is closed by a cover to protect the battery and prevent the introduction of water or solid particles into the oblique tube.

[0038] Advantageously, the front triangle is made in one piece by molding, in particular by casting or by injection.

[0039] The rear arm 3 includes a housing 40 for the motor 4 and the pedal assembly, the motor being in line with the pedal assembly. The rear arm can be a single unit (single arm), formed of two half-arms in one piece extending on either side of the rear wheel, or, as in the figures, made up of two half-arms 3a, 3b assembled on either side of the rear wheel.

[0040] The front triangle 2 is mounted to pivot on the rear arm 3 about a horizontal axis 31. Said pivot axis is located in the lower part of the front triangle, typically at the junction between the oblique tube 21 and the base 22. This type of articulation is called "mono-pivot".

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the front triangle includes in its lower part a mounting tab comprising a central opening 201 and a through hole 200 extending on either side of the opening 201. The rear arm includes in its front part a mounting tab 313 adapted to engage in the opening 201 and provided with a through hole 314. The holes 200 and 314 are coaxial when the rear arm is assembled onto the front triangle and receive a shaft 310 mounted on bearings 311. The assembly is held in place by screws 312.

[0042] A shock absorber 32 is arranged between the front triangle 2 and the rear arm 3, behind the seat tube, to form the rear suspension of the bicycle. This shock absorber may be pneumatic, hydraulic, or hydro-pneumatic. Preferably, the shock absorber is adjustable to allow for suspension adjustment.

[0043] The shock absorber 32 is arranged in a substantially vertical direction, substantially in line with the seat tube.

[0044] As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the shock absorber comprises an upper end 320 fixed to the seat tube 21 and a lower end 321 fixed to each rear half-arm 3a, 3b. Said lower end is therefore arranged substantially at the end of the base 22 of the front triangle opposite the pivot axis 31. As can be seen more clearly in [Fig. 6], each end 320, 321 of the shock absorber may include a through hole arranged opposite a respective through hole in the seat tube and the arms allowing the passage of a respective screw 322, 323 for fixing the ends of the shock absorber by means of bushings 324.

[0045] Advantageously, the front arm (or the two half-arms) is produced by molding, in particular by casting or injection. This manufacturing process makes it possible to form a precisely dimensioned housing to receive the engine, which allows the engine to be encapsulated inside the frame.

[0046] Since the rear arm is hollow, heat generated by the motor can be dissipated through ventilation holes provided in the rear arm.

[0047] The motor 4 is fixed by screws in the housing 40 provided in the rear arm 3.

[0048] The rear arm also supports, in its rear part, a support 300 of the rear wheel. The said support 300 is in the form of a tab adapted to receive the hub of the rear wheel, and one or more threaded holes to receive a fixing screw 302.

[0049] Advantageously, each fixing screw 302 passes through a respective oblong hole 301 in the rear arm. When the screw is not tightened, the bracket 300 can then be slid along the oblong hole between a forward position allowing the mounting of a transmission element (chain or belt) between the crankset and the rear wheel, and a rear position allowing adjustment of the mechanical tension in the transmission element. Once the required tension is reached, the screws 302 can be tightened to hold the bracket 300 in the bicycle's operating position. This eliminates the need for a tensioner or any other additional system for adjusting the mechanical tension in the transmission element.

[0050] Naturally, any other guiding means than an oblong hole may be used, said guiding means enabling each screw 302 to be guided between the position of mounting and tension adjustment position, along a straight, curved or any other suitable trajectory.

[0051] This bicycle design therefore makes it possible in particular to use a belt without the use of a belt tensioner in the form of a spring-mounted tensioner or eccentric or any other system of this type which is a more reliable, quieter and maintenance-free transmission element, and this without the need for the addition of a tensioner.

[0052] The bicycle may include a luggage rack, preferably removable according to the user's needs. Particularly advantageously, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], said luggage rack is fixed exclusively to the front triangle, more precisely to the seat tube. Thus, the luggage rack benefits from the suspension of the front triangle.

Claims

Demands

1. An electrically assisted bicycle comprising a frame with front and rear suspension, and a motor integral with the frame, arranged on the bottom bracket axle, the frame comprising a front triangle (2) articulated to a fork (1) carrying the front wheel (10), and a rear arm (3) carrying the rear wheel (30), the front triangle (2) comprising a down tube (20), a seat tube (21) and a base (22) connecting the down tube (20) and the seat tube (21) in the lower part of the front triangle (2) so that the frame is open, characterized in that the rear arm (3) is mounted in a single-pivot type on a front part of the base (22) and the rear suspension (32) is arranged vertically between the rear arm (3) and the seat tube (21), and in that the motor (4) is arranged in a cavity (40) of the rear arm (3), so that the distance (d) between the rear wheel axle and the bottom bracket axle is constant.

2. Bicycle according to claim 1, comprising at least one rear wheel support (300) mounted on the rear arm (3), said support (300) being adjustable between a mounting position of a transmission element (33) between the crankset and the rear wheel and a tension position of said transmission element (33), located at the rear of the front arm relative to the mounting position.

3. Bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the rear arm (3) includes a guide means, such as an oblong hole (301), and each support (300) of the rear wheel is mounted on the rear arm by means of a screw (302) engaging in said guide means.

4. Bicycle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, lacking a mechanical tensioning system for the transmission element.

5. Bicycle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the transmission element (33) between the crankset and the rear wheel is a belt.

6. Bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rear arm (3) is made by molding.

7. Bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cavity (40) of the rear arm (3) is provided with at least one motor ventilation opening.

8.

9.

10. Bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a luggage rack (5) fixed exclusively on the front triangle (2), so that said luggage rack is suspended. Bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the front triangle (2) is made by molding. Bicycle according to claim 9, wherein the hollow oblique tube (20) includes a battery.

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