DEVICE FOR TRANSFORMING A RECTILINEAR ALTERNATING MOVEMENT INTO A ROTARY MOVEMENT

Abstract

Device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into rotary movement, comprising two left (5G) and right (5D) support points, a support mechanism for these support points (5) comprising two racks (1) secured to each other and each supported by a moving part (11) sliding linearly in a direction XX' along a slide (3) and each carrying a support point (5), which slides (3) are arranged and fixed on a frame (14) carrying all the axes of the device, a drive chain (6) capable of rotating at least one pinion (15) secured to a motor axis (A) and at least one circular toothed transmission plate (14) around which the said chain (6) passes and itself set in rotation by a drive system, associated with the support mechanism for the support points (5), comprising two motor toothed plate elements (2), each cooperating with a rack (1) and each driving by the same freewheel (13),whose axis of rotation is also fixed on the supporting frame (14), the at least one transmission plate (14). Abstract figure: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR TRANSFORMING A RECTILINEAR ALTERNATING MOVEMENT INTO MOVEMENT ROTARY Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement.

[0002] The technical sector of the invention is that of the manufacture of devices transforming the energy of a linear rectilinear alternating movement into continuous rotational movement energy distributed on a drive shaft of any mechanical assembly, as a crankshaft allows in most piston engines to ensure, for example, the drive of the shaft of a generator set or that of the wheels of a vehicle from the combustion energy of the fuel which pushes and moves pistons in cylinders.

[0003] The main application of the invention is the production of linear rectilinear cranksets for cycles with at least two wheels capable of replacing the conventional circular cranksets known to date and an example of an embodiment of the invention mounted precisely on a bicycle or cycle will be described below. Technical background of the invention

[0004] In the field of the main application of the invention, which is the production of linear rectilinear pedals for cycles with at least two wheels, such devices are already known, such as that described in patent application CN203780727 by Mr.Yang Yu of 2014 which teaches a bicycle drive mechanism comprising a left pedal arm, a right pedal arm, a drive chain capable of rotating a sprocket of a set of sprockets secured to the rear wheel drive shaft, a toothed transmission plate around which said drive chain passes and rotated by a drive system associated with two mechanisms supporting the two pedal arms each comprising a transmission chain and a structure of linear guide rails and up-down inversion of the pedal arms: a cyclist can then exert a vertical linear force alternately with each of his two feet to continuously move a bicycle forward, so that the action efficiency is high and the arrangement of the drive mechanism on the bicycle is in accordance with the structure and usage habits of the conventional bicycle.

[0005] We could also cite patent US5236211 by Mr. Oeguerditchian Ohannes from 1993 which teaches a drive system comprising a chassis on which are pedal mounts moved along straight paths and connected by a cable link: this cable link is wound several times around double-wound coils which rotate when the pedals are moved linearly and a one-way clutch mechanism rotates an axle unidirectionally as these coils rotate and this axle may be connected to a sprocket and drive chain assembly to provide propulsion force, for example, to a bicycle wheel.

[0006] Numerous other patent applications have been published to protect various embodiments of devices in which rectilinear drive energy is converted into rotational energy, but in the field of the main application of the invention, which is the production of linear rectilinear pedals for cycles with at least two wheels, all the known devices, most of which are quite complex, do not, however, allow all the available power provided by the rectilinear thrust of each cyclist's foot on such linear motion pedals to be transmitted to the rear wheel.

[0007] It will certainly be noted, and the prior art underlines this, that this power is in any case greater than that transmitted by a conventional circular pedal set with which the thrust is only maximum when the pedal arms are horizontal and this thrust then decreases with their rotation, whereas in a linear pedal set, the thrust is maximum over the entire linear travel of each pedal. Summary of the invention

[0008] Also the objective of the present invention is not only to obtain the greatest possible available power transmitted to the drive shaft for the same linear support force but also to go even further than the known devices to simplify the mechanisms ensuring this transmission.

[0009] The invention proposes for this purpose, taking as the closest prior art the Chinese patent application CN203780727 cited above, a device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement comprising two support points, one called left and the other called right such as the pedals of a bicycle, a support mechanism for these support points guiding them linearly in the same direction, a drive chain capable of rotating a pinion of a set of pinions secured to a motor axle, such as that of the rear wheel of a bicycle, and at least one circular toothed transmission plate around which said chain passes and itself set in rotation by a drive system associated with the support mechanism of the support points or pedals.

[0010] And according to the invention - the support mechanism of the support points comprises two so- linear and each supported by a moving part sliding in the said same direction along a slide and each carrying a support point, which slides being arranged and fixed on a frame carrying all the axes of the device, - the drive system associated with this support mechanism for the support points comprises two toothed motor plate elements, integral with the same axis and each cooperating with a rack and each driving, by the same free wheel whose rotation axis is also fixed to the supporting frame, the at least one transmission plate.

[0011] According to other characteristics of the invention, the toothed motor plate elements are plate sectors whose developed length of the periphery is at least equal to the length of the racks, which makes it possible to lighten the device, and according to an optional embodiment, the drive chain drives an intermediate toothed pinion, the axis of which is fixed on an offset part of the supporting frame, and secured to another toothed pinion fixed on the same axis, of larger diameter and around which passes a second drive chain of the set of pinions secured to the motor axis, which makes it possible to obtain a higher rotation speed of this axis than in an embodiment with a single drive chain without intermediate pinion.

[0012] The device according to the invention is thus capable of driving any mechanical assembly using the source energy of a linear alternating movement and requiring rotation from a power take-off axis which is the driving motor axis of this mechanical assembly, the support points being the linear thrust supports of the source alternating movement, and according to the main application of the invention the device according to the invention is mounted on a cycle with at least two wheels of which the rear wheel axis is the motor axis of propulsion of the cycle, the pedals, each equipped with a system capable of fixing a foot of a cyclist thereto, are the support points and the frame of the cycle is the frame carrying all the axes, such as those of the rear wheel, called the motor axis, and of the freewheel, and of the slides.

[0013] Thus the device according to the invention achieves the first objective thereof which is to obtain the most guiding power possible transmitted to the motor shaft or axis for the same continuous linear support force, because this, being directly transmitted tangentially and continuously to the motor plates, provides them with a constant maximum torque whose power obtained, also a function of the speed of the linear movement of the support points, is then fully transmitted, apart from friction losses, to the motor shaft; and in the main application of the invention, the cyclist, who uses a bicycle or cycle equipped with a device according to the invention, can propel his bicycle or cycle with less effort than if, for the same speed of deceleration placement of his bike or bicycle, this was equipped with a classic circular crankset, since the rectilinear linear thrust is then always done on the most productive part of the engine plate, i.e. tangentially to it, that is to say always perpendicular to a radius, thus always having a maximum lever arm.

[0014] In addition, the distance traveled by the cyclist's feet in rectilinear linear thrust is much less than that traveled with a classic circular pedal set, which allows a saving of time in the movement of the feet and thus greater speed.

[0015] Another advantage is that, since the pedals can be used independently of each other, such as in the same direction and at the same time both, or alternately, or one without the other, the cyclist can, when taking a bend, position the inside pedal at this bend more or less high and no longer use it, while the outside pedal can independently continue its linear movement of motor.

[0016] The device according to the invention is also composed of elements of simple structure, easy to produce and practical to assemble, so that the present device meets the second objective of the invention with significant efficiency, knowing moreover that its arrangement on a bicycle is in accordance with the structure and habits of use of a conventional bicycle.

[0017] Indeed, according to the invention, if the cranks of a conventional circular crankset of a bicycle are removed like the crankset itself, all the other elements which make up the entire transmission system, such as chainrings, rear sprocket cassette and derailleurs are retained and will not be described below.

[0018] According to the invention, it is possible to estimate and hope for, with the same pressure force on each pedal, a gain in power on the drive shaft of the rear wheel of the bicycle (or of any other mechanical assembly using the source energy of a linear alternating movement and requiring rotation of a power take-off shaft which is the drive shaft or motor shaft of this mechanical assembly) of at least twice as high as that obtained with a bicycle with a conventional circular crankset.

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached figures which show an example of embodiment of a device according to the invention in the main application thereof with an implementation on a bicycle or a bike, but other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. Brief description of the Figures

[0020] [Fig.l] - [Fig.l] is a schematic side view of the right side of a cycle or bicycle according to the invention (without its front part which has been cut off because of any known type) equipped of a device according to the invention.

[0021] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a partial sectional view (without the rear wheel assembly) following II IF of the bicycle of [Fig. 1]. Detailed Description of Figures

[0022] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, without reference to Earth's gravity and as a non-limiting example, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations will be adopted according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures whose longitudinal L and transverse T axes extend in a horizontal plane: the vertical axis V thus defines so-called high and low references, the longitudinal axis L the front and rear references (relative to the direction of advancement of the cycle), and the transverse axis the left and right references (relative to this same direction of advancement of the cycle).

[0023] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0024] It is recalled that the present description describes an exemplary embodiment of the device of the invention mounted on a bicycle or bike, but that this device could be adapted and mounted on any mechanical assembly using the source energy of a linear alternating movement and requiring rotation of a power take-off axis or shaft which is the drive motor axis or shaft of this mechanical assembly, the support points then being the linear thrust supports of the source alternating movement.

[0025] In a known manner such as by the previously cited Chinese patent application CN203780727, the device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into rotary movement, comprises two support points (here two pedals in the application to the crankset of a bicycle 18) one called left 5G and the other called right 5D, a support mechanism for these support points or pedals 5 guiding them linearly in the same direction XX', a drive chain 6 capable of rotating at least one pinion 15 secured to a motor axle A, which is here the axle of the rear wheel of the bicycle 18 and at least one circular toothed transmission chainring 4 around which said chain 6 passes and itself set in rotation by a drive system associated with the support mechanism of the support points or pedals 5.

[0026] According to the invention, the support mechanism for the support points or pedals 5 comprises two racks 1 which are integral and each supported by a moving part 11 sliding in said direction XX' along a slide 3 and each carrying a support point or pedal 5, which slides 3 are arranged and fixed on a supporting frame 14 (which is here the frame of the bicycle 18) of all the axes of the device; these slides are preferably of hollow cylindrical shape in which the moving parts 11 can slide and for this reason they are also of cylindrical shape in the form of pipe whose external diameter is compatible with guidance inside the slides 3; the cylinders of these each comprise a longitudinal slot capable of allowing the racks 1 to pass on which the pedals 5 can be fixed.

[0027] And the drive system associated with this support mechanism for the support points or pedals 5 comprises two toothed motor plate elements 2, each cooperating with a rack 1 and each driving, by the same freewheel 13 whose axis of rotation is also fixed on the supporting frame 14, the at least one transmission plate 4: thus, due to this mounting of motor plates 2 and transmission 4 on the same freewheel 13, when one and / or the other motor plate element 2G and 2D is driven in rotation in a given motor direction by the corresponding rack, respectively 1G and 1D, (i.e. in the embodiment shown in [Fig.l] in a clockwise direction when each rack 1G and 1D descends vertically under the downward thrust of the cyclist's feet on each pedal 5), the said motor plate element 2G or 2D drives in turn the at least one transmission plate 4 in the same direction of rotation.Then when the rack 1G or 1D is moved linearly in the opposite direction it drives the corresponding motor plate element 2 or 2d (i.e. in the embodiment shown in [Fig.l] in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock when each rack 1G and 1D rises vertically under the upward traction of the cyclist's feet on each pedal respectively 5g or 5d) and this, due to its mounting on the freewheel 13, no longer drives the at least one transmission plate 4. .

[0028] And if the two support points or pedals 5 are then actuated alternately, either linearly in an opposite direction to each other (that is to say in the embodiment shown in [Fig.l], when one pedal descends by pushing the corresponding rack downwards, the other pedal rises by driving the corresponding rack upwards, and vice versa during the following cycle), the at least one transmission plate 4 is always driven by one or the other of the motor plates 2 or 2d.

[0029] To obtain the greatest possible engine torque for a given force pressing on the support points or pedals 5, the radius R2 of the motor toothed plates 2 must be as large as possible in order to have the greatest lever arm effect, for example a radius R2 of 24 cm or more, and when it is double the largest of the transmission plates 4a can have this same radius.

[0030] To be able to change the rotation speed of the motor shaft A with the same force and the same linear support speed, either, in the case of descent for example, to increase this rotation speed and thus go faster, or on the contrary, in the case of ascent, to reduce this rotation speed and therefore not have to increase the effort to be provided on the pedals (in addition to the possibility of moving the chain drive 6 from one sprocket 15 to another of a different diameter from a set of several sprockets driving the rear wheel shaft A as exists on current conventional bicycles using a derailleur not shown), the transmission chainring 4 can be at least double with a chainring 4b of smaller diameter than the other chainring 4a, as shown in [Fig.2], and integral with each other to be driven together by the motor chainring sectors 2 on the same freewheel axle 13.

[0031] In the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 therefore representing a cycle 18 with at least two wheels (here two wheels but it could be a cycle with three or even four wheels), this cycle 18 thus comprises a device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into rotary movement according to the invention as described above: the rear wheel axle 17 of the cycle 18 is the motor axle A for propulsion of the cycle 18, the pedals are the support points 5 and the frame 14 of the cycle 18 is the frame carrying all the axles, such as the motor axle A of the rear wheel 17 and that of the free wheel 13, and the slides 3.

[0032] Preferably, to lighten the device, the 2-toothed motor plate elements are 2D and 2G plate sectors of the same diameter and whose developed length of their toothed periphery is at least equal to the length LD and LG of the racks 1D and 1G respectively.

[0033] The cylindrical and hollow slides 3 guide, each independently of the other, the moving parts 11, which thus slide inside these hollow slides in the manner of the pistons of an internal combustion engine: thus these moving parts 11, with their rack 1 and their support point or pedal 5, can be driven independently of one another, such as in particular by the feet of a cyclist using the bicycle 18, alternately one in one direction along the direction XX' and the other in the opposite direction.

[0034] In the example shown in the figures, the slides 3 are arranged vertically along the direction XX', which is here vertical V, and the pedals 5 thus have an alternating linear movement upwards and downwards, driven by the cyclist's feet.

[0035] In another embodiment not shown, the slides can be arranged in a quasi-horizontal direction XX', i.e. in the plane LT, and the pedals 5 then have an alternating linear movement forwards L and backwards relative to the direction of advancement of the cycle 18 propelled by said device.

[0036] To allow the cyclist's feet to return the pedals in the opposite direction to that in which each foot produced its thrust, each pedal is equipped with any known system capable of fixing a foot of the latter thereto, such as a toe clip or a fastening system called "automatic pedal", and to give flexibility to the cyclist's ankles, each pedal 5 can pivot, or otherwise they are fixed, up to 30° on their axis (either vertically in the example of figures 1 and 2 or horizontally when the slides are arranged in a quasi-horizontal direction XX', or in the LT plane, and the cyclist is then almost lying on his back).

[0037] As shown in [Fig. 2], the slides 3, as well as the pedals 5, the racks 1 and the associated moving parts 11, are arranged and fixed by any fixing system 19G, 19D (such as tabs integral with the slides 3 screwed or bolted through orifices) each on either side of a central part 12 of the frame 14 carrying the cycle 18, which can advantageously be thinned in this area to reduce the total width (in the transverse direction T) of the cycle 18, and the connection between the fixing systems 19G, 19D and the central part 12 of the frame 14 can include windows 20 for lightening and cooling.

[0038] Similarly, the two elements or sectors of toothed motor plates 2 are arranged on either side of this central part 12 of the supporting frame 14, and rear of the slides 3.

[0039] To limit the amplitude of the alternating movement of the support points or pedals 5 and the racks 1, each slide 3 comprises, at each of their two ends, a stop 7, 8 capable of stopping the linear movement, in one direction and in the other, of the moving parts 11 supporting the racks 1 and the support points or pedals 5 and preferably these stops 7, 8 are made of elastic material capable of damping the end of travel of the moving parts 11.

[0040] According to a particular embodiment, if it is desired to obtain a higher rotation speed of the motor shaft A, and therefore a greater forward speed of the bicycle, than in the embodiment with a single drive chain 6 without an intermediate sprocket, this drive chain 6 i is doubled with a second chain 16, as shown in dotted lines in [Fig.l]: the first chain 6i then passes over an intermediate toothed sprocket 10i which it drives and whose axis is fixed on an offset part of the supporting frame 14; this intermediate sprocket 10i is integral with another toothed sprocket 102 fixed on the same axis, of larger diameter and around which passes the second drive chain 16 of the at least sprocket 15 integral with the axis or motor shaft A.

[0041] To give an order of magnitude of the size of the different chainrings and sprockets, in the embodiment shown in the figures, a double chainring 4 can be used, the largest 4a of which has 118 teeth and the smallest 106 teeth, while the smallest rear sprocket 15 can have 9 teeth, and, in the case of a second drive chain 16, the offset sprocket 10i can have 30 teeth.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement, comprising two left (5G) and right (5d) support points, a support mechanism for these support points (5) guiding them linearly in the same direction XX', a drive chain (6) capable of rotating at least one pinion (15) secured to a motor shaft (A) and at least one circular toothed transmission plate (14) around which said chain (6) passes and itself rotated by a drive system associated with the support mechanism for the support points (5), characterized in that: - the support mechanism for the support points (5) comprises two racks (1) secured and each supported by a moving part (11) sliding in said direction XX' along a slide (3) and each carrying a support point (5), which slides (3) are arranged and fixed on a frame (14) carrying all the axes of the device,- the drive system associated with this support mechanism for the support points (5) comprises two toothed plate elements (2) motors, each cooperating with a rack (1) and each driving by the same free wheel (13), the axis of rotation of which is also fixed on the supporting frame (14), the at least one transmission plate (14).,

2. Device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement according to claim 1 characterized in that the toothed motor plate elements (2) are plate sectors whose developed length of the periphery is at least equal to the length of the racks (1).

3. Device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each slide (3) comprises at each of their ends a stop (7, 8) capable of stopping the linear movement, in one direction and in the other, of the moving parts (11) supporting the racks (1) and the support points (5)

4. Device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement according to claim 3 characterized in that the stops (7,8) are elastic and capable of cushioning the end of travel of the moving parts (11).

5. Device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the drive chain (6) drives an intermediate toothed pinion (10i), the axis of which is fixed on an offset part of the supporting frame (14), and integral with another toothed pinion (102) fixed on the same axis, of larger diameter and around which passes a second drive chain (16) of the at least pinion (15) integral with the motor axis (A).

6. Device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it drives any mechanical assembly using the source energy of a linear alternating movement and requiring rotation from a power take-off axis which is the motor axis (A) for driving this mechanical assembly, the support points (5) being the linear thrust supports of the source alternating movement.

7. Cycle (18) with at least two wheels characterized in that it comprises a device for transforming a rectilinear alternating movement into a rotary movement according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the rear wheel axle (17) of the cycle (18) is the motor axle (A) for propelling the cycle (18), the pedals, each equipped with a system capable of fixing the foot of a cyclist there, are the support points (5) and the frame (14) of the cycle (18) is the frame carrying all the axles, such as the motor axle (A) and the freewheel axle (13), and the slides (3).

8. Cycle (18) with at least two wheels according to claim 7 characterized in that the slides (3), as well as the pedals (5), the racks (1) and the associated moving parts (11), are arranged and fixed each on either side of a central part (12) of the frame (14) carrying the cycle (18) and the two motor toothed plate elements (2) are also arranged on either side of this central part (12) of the carrying frame (14).

9. Cycle (18) with at least two wheels according to any one of claims 7 and 8 characterized in that the slides (3) are arranged vertically in a vertical direction XX' and the pedals (5) have an alternating linear movement upwards and downwards.

10. Cycle (18) with at least two wheels according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the slides (3) are arranged following a quasi-horizontal direction XX' and the pedals (5) have an alternating linear movement forwards and backwards relative to the direction of advancement of the cycle (18) propelled by said device.

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