Drive unit for electric bicycles for mounting by pivoting into a fixed position

Abstract

The present invention particularly relates to a drive unit (1) for an electric bicycle, comprising a drive unit housing (G), which, when mounted on a bicycle frame (FR), can be optionally attached to the bicycle frame (FR) in a first pre-mounting position via a first fastening portion (110) or in a second pre-mounting position via a second fastening portion (130), and can be mounted so as to be rotatable about pivot axes (D1, D2). The drive unit housing (G) is designed with the first and second fastening portions (110, 130) and an outer peripheral shape (UK) of at least one housing protrusion (1A, 1B) so as to be rotatable on the bicycle frame (FR) from both the first pre-mounting position and the second pre-mounting position to a fixed position, and the drive unit housing (G) is fixed by the first and second fastening portions (110, 130).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The proposed solution particularly relates to drive units for electric bicycles. [Background technology]

[0002] Drive units for electric bicycles are widely known. They include a drive housing that houses at least one electric motor for generating (additional) driving force for the electric bicycle through external force activation. A pedal shaft is rotatably supported in the drive housing. A user of the electric bicycle can generate driving force through muscle activation via the pedal shaft. The driving force generated by the at least one electric motor is then applied to help the user propel the electric bicycle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The drive housing of such a drive unit is fixed to a frame fastening section of the bicycle frame provided for this purpose. The procedure for assembling the drive unit to each electric bicycle and the options for various fastening means vary depending on the vendor of the electric bicycle and the vendor of the drive unit. Fastening positions for fastening via several screws or bolts are usually defined on the bicycle frame. When attaching the drive unit to the bicycle frame, the drive housing can usually be installed and fastened to the frame fastening section in exactly one orientation. For example, the drive housing must be inserted into the frame fastening section from below or from the side. If necessary, the drive housing can also be moved to its final fastening position on the frame fastening section using a pivoting movement.

[0004] In practice, the drive housing of a drive unit for an electric bicycle is usually designed so that it can be attached to the bicycle frame in exactly one direction and only according to a strictly defined assembly procedure. However, this limits the design freedom of the fastening parts of the bicycle side frame. Furthermore, the manufacturer of the electric bicycle is only allowed to a limited extent to improve the assembly procedure for assembling the drive unit to the bicycle frame.

[0005] The proposed solution is therefore based on the task of resolving this situation.

[0006] This problem is solved in particular by a drive unit according to claim 1.

[0007] The proposed drive unit includes a drive housing that houses at least one drive motor and rotatably supports a pedal shaft. The drive housing has at least one first fastening portion and one second fastening portion on its outer surface, and the drive housing is fixed to the frame of the electric bicycle using the fastening portions. In the proposed drive unit, the first and second fastening portions are arranged to define two different pre-assembly positions that can be assumed on the bicycle frame. Thus, when the drive unit is assembled to the bicycle frame, the drive housing can be selectively installed on the bicycle frame by the first fastening portion when in the first pre-assembly position or by the second fastening portion when in a second pre-assembly position (different from the first pre-assembly position), and is supported to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The drive housing also has a housing protrusion that protrudes parallel to the pivot axis and has a visible surface that is visible when the drive unit is assembled to the bicycle frame. At least one (lateral) housing projection has a circumferential contour defined by an edge of the housing projection, the edge being provided at least in part for positioning with a coupling edge of a frame fastening portion of the bicycle frame provided for the drive housing. Furthermore, the drive housing having the circumferential contour of the first and second fastening portions and the at least one housing projection is configured to pivot from both a first pre-assembly position and a second pre-assembly position to a fixed position on the bicycle frame, and the fixation of (at least) the drive housing is effected by the first and second fastening portions.

[0008] Thus, in the proposed drive unit, the drive housing can be arranged in two different pre-assembly positions on the bicycle frame and can be pivoted about a first or a second pivot axis (depending on whether the first or second fastening part is used for pivot mounting on the bicycle frame) to a fixed position in which the drive housing is finally fixed to the bicycle frame. In the envisaged pre-assembly positions, for example, further cables may be connected to the drive unit and the electronic components of the e-bicycle. The option of fixing the drive housing to the bicycle frame in one or the other pre-assembly position allows flexibility in its assembly. In addition, the proposed drive unit embodiments can be more easily used for different bicycle models.

[0009] Despite this flexibility, at least one lateral housing projection with a visible surface is provided to keep at least a portion of the drive housing visible from the outside in the fully assembled state. This allows for easier air cooling of the drive unit and / or maintains access to the drive unit in the assembled state, for example for maintenance or repair work. To achieve a pleasing appearance, for example to obtain a flush surface connected to the bicycle frame by the housing projection, at least a portion of the circumferential contour of the housing projection extends along a frame-side joining edge in the assembled state of the drive unit. Thus, a frame part of the bicycle frame or a frame-side cover can follow this joining edge, thereby creating a flush, continuous appearance between the visible surface of the drive unit and the surface of the bicycle frame. As a result, in the area of ​​the joining edge, only a very small gap exists between the bicycle frame and the housing projection, and, if applicable, between a cover provided on the bicycle frame and the housing projection.

[0010] In the proposed drive unit, in each of two different possible pre-assembly positions, the drive housing is not prevented from pivoting to its final fixed position by at least one housing projection. To this end, the first and second fastening portions, which define the two different pre-assembly positions, and the circumferential contour of the at least one housing projection are coordinated with each other. The first and second fastening portions and the circumferential contour of the at least one housing projection are coordinated with each other to enable different assembly sequences by pivoting the drive housing from the pre-assembly position to the fixed position on the bicycle frame. Of course, this does not exclude the possibility of mounting the drive unit to the bicycle frame in other ways, i.e., in particular without pivoting it from the pre-assembly position to the fixed position. However, selective mounting in the first or second pre-assembly position is also possible with the proposed drive unit and the correspondingly designed housing projection.

[0011] In one embodiment, the circumferential contour of the at least one housing projection is aligned with the positions of the first and second fastening portions, allowing the drive housing to pivot from both the first pre-assembly position and the second pre-assembly position to the locked position. Therefore, the circumferential contour of the at least one housing projection is designed not to impede pivotal movement to the locked position. Essentially, the drive housing may hang from the bicycle frame due to gravity in the pre-assembly position and be pivoted or folded upward along the pivot direction to the locked position, with final fixation to the bicycle frame being achieved using the first and second fastening portions on the drive housing and, if necessary, at least one further fastening portion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the circumferential contour of the at least one housing protrusion extends between a front longitudinal end and a rear longitudinal end in a longitudinal direction from the front wheel to the rear wheel of the electric bicycle when the drive housing is properly assembled to the bicycle frame. The front longitudinal end is assigned to a first fastening portion (i.e., the front fastening portion), while the rear longitudinal end is assigned to a second fastening portion (i.e., the rear fastening portion). A first pivot axis can be defined by the first fastening portion for pivoting the drive housing, which is pivotably supported at the front in the first pre-assembly position, towards a fixed position at the rear of the drive housing. Similarly, a second pivot axis can be defined by the second fastening portion for pivoting the drive housing, which is pivotably supported at the rear in the second pre-assembly position, towards a fixed position at the front of the drive housing.

[0013] To prevent a portion of the at least one housing projection from colliding with a portion of the bicycle frame when the drive housing is pivoted from the pre-assembly position to the fixed position, it is advantageous that the first fastening portion defines a first pivot axis for pivoting the drive housing from the first pre-assembly position to the fixed position, the first pivot axis being located above the front longitudinal end when viewed with respect to the fixed position of the drive housing on the bicycle frame and the vertical axis (facing upward). Alternatively or additionally, the second fastening portion defines a second pivot axis for pivoting the drive housing from the second pre-assembly position to the fixed position, the second pivot axis being located above the rear longitudinal end. Thus, the furthest longitudinal end of the at least one housing projection is always located below the corresponding pivot axis when viewed with respect to the fixed position of the drive housing finally mounted on the bicycle frame and the vertical direction. In this way, the drive housing can always be pivoted during assembly without being hindered by the housing projection.

[0014] In one embodiment, the circumferential contour has a turning point at its longitudinal front end and / or longitudinal rear end. For example, a housing curvature may be provided at the turning point. Alternatively or additionally, two edges of the housing projection may be connected to each other via the first or second longitudinal end to a certain extent at the respective turning points, and two tangents to these edges may intersect at an angle of 135° or less, in particular 115°, 100°, or 90° or less. In particular, as described above, with respect to positioning the longitudinal front end and longitudinal rear end of the circumferential contour of at least one housing projection below a possible pivot axis for assembling the drive housing to the bicycle frame, such a geometric design of the circumferential contour may be advantageous for a general design that prevents the housing projection from colliding with parts of the bicycle frame, regardless of the assembly procedure.

[0015] Basically, it can also be advantageous for the peripheral contour to be straight and convex or only convex in the part of the edge intended for positioning against the joining edge of the bicycle frame. The peripheral contour therefore has one or more outwardly directed ridges in the area of ​​the joining edge to prevent any undercuts, and in the other areas is straight or only outwardly curved. In this embodiment, the peripheral contour therefore has no recesses or inwardly concave portions.

[0016] In one embodiment, the peripheral contour has two ridges on an edge extending between a front longitudinal end and a rear longitudinal end of the peripheral contour, the edge being for positioning against a joining edge of the bicycle frame. In other words, the two ridges are formed on a peripheral contour having an edge extending between a front longitudinal end and a rear longitudinal end, the edge being for positioning against a joining edge of the bicycle frame. The first ridge, for example, is located close to the rotation axis of at least one electric motor inside the drive housing and extends along a portion of an annular line surrounding the rotation axis. Similarly, the second ridge is located close to the rotation axis of the pedal shaft and extends at least partially along a portion of an annular line surrounding the rotation axis of the pedal shaft.

[0017] In one embodiment, the drive housing is provided to be covered with a lower cover for lower part protection when in the fixed position. Therefore, when the drive unit is mounted on the bicycle frame, at least a portion of the drive housing is covered with the lower cover. In this case, when mounted on the bicycle frame, the lower cover defines at least one boundary line between the lower cover and a frame portion of the bicycle frame or (in the area of ​​a connecting edge) an upper cover provided on the bicycle frame. The peripheral contour of the at least one housing protrusion is aligned with this boundary line. Therefore, the design of the at least one housing protrusion, particularly its peripheral contour, directly takes into account the boundary line between a) the frame portion of the bicycle frame or the upper cover and b) the lower cover functioning as lower part protection. Such a boundary line can be, for example, linear. In this case, the visible surface of the housing protrusion remains visible and accessible from the cover provided on the bicycle frame.

[0018] For example, the peripheral contour may be designed so that its leading or trailing longitudinal end is adjacent to the boundary line when the drive housing is in the locked position. This includes, for example, aligning the leading or trailing longitudinal end with the boundary line so that two tangents to the edges connected to each other at the respective first or second longitudinal ends are oriented toward the boundary line and, as necessary, intersect at an intersection point on the boundary line or an intersection point on an imaginary line along the boundary line. In one embodiment, the corresponding intersection point may also be spaced apart from one end of the boundary line by up to 2 cm and / or offset laterally from the end of the boundary line by up to 2 cm. Even in such cases, each longitudinal end of the peripheral contour is adjacent to the boundary line. By aligning one or both longitudinal ends of the peripheral contour of the housing protrusion with one or more boundary lines, the visible surface of the housing side can be aesthetically embedded within the cover of the frame side. Moreover, such a design of the circumferential contour makes it possible to easily avoid undesirable undercuts in combination with the lower cover when the lower cover is assembled to the bicycle frame with the drive housing already in a fixed position on the bicycle frame.

[0019] In one embodiment, when the cover lower part is assembled to the bicycle frame, the cover lower part defines a front boundary line and a rear boundary line between the frame part or the cover upper part and the frame part or the cover upper part in a longitudinal direction from the front wheel to the rear wheel. The peripheral contour of the at least one housing protrusion may be configured such that a front longitudinal end is adjacent to the front boundary line and a rear longitudinal end is adjacent to the rear boundary line when the drive housing is in the locked position.

[0020] Basically, cooling ribs and / or air guiding elements, in particular protruding air guiding ribs or air guiding webs, may be provided on the visible surface of at least one housing protrusion in order to guide air along the housing protrusion.

[0021] Basically, the drive housing has two housing protrusions, each with a circumferential contour for positioning relative to two connecting edges of the bicycle frame, and the housing protrusions may be provided on two opposite longitudinal sides of the drive housing. Thus, for example, the drive housing has a housing protrusion that protrudes to the right and a housing protrusion that protrudes to the left in the correctly assembled state. The circumferential contours of both lateral housing protrusions of the drive housing match the first and second fastening parts, so that neither of the housing protrusions prevents the drive housing from pivoting towards its fixed position, and the visible surfaces of the housing protrusions remain visible in the assembled state.

[0022] The proposed solution also relates to a bicycle, in particular an electric bicycle, with an embodiment of the proposed drive unit.

[0023] Additionally, a method of assembling an embodiment of the proposed drive unit to a bicycle frame is proposed, which includes mounting and pivotally supporting a drive housing on the bicycle frame in a first pre-assembly position by a first fastening portion and in a second pre-assembly position by a second fastening portion, where the drive housing is pivoted to a fixed position on the bicycle frame and fixed to the bicycle frame at the first and second fastening portions.

[0024] Even in embodiments of the proposed mounting method, it is not necessary that the drive housing be mountable in both the first pre-mounting position and the second pre-mounting position on exactly one type of bicycle. For example, only one pre-mounting position may be available for one type of bicycle. However, the proposed drive unit allows the same drive unit to be mounted on another type of bicycle in another pre-mounting position and moved toward the fixed position. Alternatively, the frame fastening of a drive unit for one or more types of bicycle may be designed so that the drive unit can be freely mounted in either the first pre-mounting position or the second pre-mounting position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] The attached figures show exemplarily possible implementations of the proposed solution. In these figures: [Figure 1A] 1 shows an excerpt of a bicycle frame with a drive unit mounted in a first pre-mounted position, the drive unit being pivotable at the rear of the drive housing towards a fixed position on the bicycle frame. [Figure 1B] 1B shows the embodiment of FIG. 1A in a side view rotated 180 degrees. [Figure 2A] 1A and 1B, showing the drive unit of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a second pre-assembly position on the bicycle frame, from which the front of the drive housing can be pivoted towards a locked position. [Figure 2B] 1A and 1B, showing the drive unit of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a second, pre-assembly position on the bicycle frame, from which the front of the drive housing can be pivoted towards a locked position. [Figure 3] 1 shows the drive unit properly assembled on the bicycle frame, with the drive housing covered by a two-part cover having a lateral opening to a portion of the drive housing in a side view. [Figure 4] 3 shows an embodiment of a drive unit assembled to a bicycle frame, and the two-part cover of FIG. 3 is shown in a side view, showing the geometric relationship in the design between the peripheral contour of the lateral housing projection of the drive housing and the connecting edge provided on the bicycle frame for positioning the drive housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] 1A and 1B show an excerpt of a bicycle frame FR having a down tube R1 and a seat tube R2, which are connected to each other at a part of a frame fixing part RB. An electric motor drive unit 1 is fixed to the frame fixing part RB of the bicycle frame FR.

[0027] The drive unit 1 has a drive housing G, which includes at least one electric motor for providing motor driving force to drive an electric bicycle having a bicycle frame FR. The motor driving force is provided as an auxiliary force to be combined with a driving force applied at a pedal shaft T by a user's muscular action. The driving force provided by muscular action can be introduced via a pedal mechanism P (see FIG. 3 ), which is disposed at the axial ends of the pedal shaft T that protrude from each of the longitudinal sides of the drive housing G. An output element can be assembled coaxially with the pedal shaft T in the drive housing G. When the drive unit 1 is properly assembled to the bicycle frame FR, the driving force can be transmitted via the output element to a power transmission member, such as a belt or chain, connected to the rear wheel.

[0028] The drive housing G of the drive unit 1 has three fastening portions in the form of fastening tabs 110, 120, and 130 on its outer surface shape AK. Each fastening tab 110, 120, and 130 defines a so-called screw eye. The fastening tabs 110, 120, and 130 are assigned to three pairs of fastening positions B1A / B1B, B2A / B2B, and B3A / B3B provided on the frame fastening portion RB, which have threaded openings (optionally with internal threads) on each side along their longitudinal direction. The fastening tabs 110, 120, and 130 of the drive housing G can be secured to the fastening positions B1A / B1B, B2A / B2B, and B3A / B3B.

[0029] The frame fastening portion RB of the bicycle frame FR defines a U- or C-shaped recess for mounting the drive unit 1. A pair of first fastening positions B1A, B1B on the front side are provided on the frame fastening portion RB. The frame fastening portion RB is provided at the front end of the recess below the seat tube R1 in the longitudinal direction L from the front wheel of the electric bicycle to the rear wheel of the electric bicycle. A pair of second fastening positions B3A, B3B on the rear side are provided at the rear end. The third mounting positions B2A and B2B are provided in a central region of the frame fastening portion RB, below the seat tube R2 in this example. The third mounting positions B2A and B2B are provided for fixing the drive housing G of the drive unit 1.

[0030] The drive housing G of the drive unit A is designed to be pivotally supported about a pair of front first fastening tabs 110 at a pair of first fastening locations B1A, B1B when the drive housing G is initially in a first pre-assembly position corresponding to Figures 1A and 1B. On the other hand, the drive housing G can also be pivotally supported about a pair of rear second fastening tabs 130 at a pair of second fastening locations B3A, B3B when the drive housing G is in a different second pre-assembly position corresponding to Figures 2A and 2B.

[0031] 1A and 1B, the drive housing G of the drive unit 1 is already assembled to the frame fastening part RB via fastening elements, here shown in the form of screws S. The drive housing G is then further pivotally held about a (first) pivot axis D1, which is physically defined by the screws S. In this way, the drive housing G or the drive unit 1 in the first pre-assembly position can be wired to the electronics, with the drive housing G already held on the bicycle frame FR. In a further stage of assembly, the drive housing G then pivots upward about the pivot axis D1, whereby further assembly tabs 120 and 130 can be moved to and fixed at the fastening positions B2A / B2B and B3A / B3B.

[0032] After pivoting, the drive housing G is mounted on the frame fastening part RB in a fixed position. In this fixed position, the housing projections 1A and 1B, which protrude laterally from the drive housing G, are received in the U-shaped or C-shaped recesses of the frame fastening part RB. As a result, the outer edges 10A, 11A, and 12A of the left housing projection 1A and the outer edges 10B, 13B, and 14B of the right housing projection 1B extend along the connecting edge IK, which is defined by the inner shape of the recesses of the frame fastening part RB, on each longitudinal side of the frame fastening part RB. Thus, in the fixed position of the drive housing G, each housing projection 1A and 1B is at least partially surrounded by the frame fastening part RB without being completely received in a cavity in the bicycle frame FR. Rather, each housing protrusion 1A and 1B defines a visible side 3A, 3B with cooling ribs and / or air-guiding ribs, which side remains visible from the outside even when the drive unit 1 is correctly assembled to the bicycle frame FR.

[0033] To ensure that the laterally protruding housing projections 1A and 1B do not impair the pivoting of the drive unit 1 from the pre-assembly position to the final fixed position, each housing projection 1A, 1B of the illustrated drive housing G has a circumferential contour UK that matches the position of the fastening tabs 110, 120, and 130. The circumferential contour UK of one (left) housing projection 1A as seen in FIG. 1A is defined, for example, by edges 10A-17A (see also FIG. 3), of which edges 10A, 11A, and 12A extend along the coupling edge IK in the fixed position. These edges 10A-12A define the upper edge of the circumferential contour UK. The other edges 13A-17A define the lower edge of the circumferential contour UK.

[0034] As shown diagrammatically in particular in FIG. 4, the circumferential contour UK extends in the longitudinal direction L between the front longitudinal end with the housing bend 101A and the rear longitudinal end with the housing bend 102A. The upper and lower edges of the circumferential contour UK are connected to each other at the housing bends 101A and 102A. In a certain area of ​​the front longitudinal end with the housing bend 101A, the two edges 10A and 17A are angled with respect to each other, so that the two tangents to these edges 10A, 17A intersect at an angle of up to 115° in FIG. 4. Similarly, the tangents to the edges 12A and 13A, which are connected to each other at the rear longitudinal end with the housing bend 102A, intersect at a similar angle. A similar design is applied to the circumferential contour UK of the housing projection 1B on the other side, with the edges 10B and 11B at the longitudinal front end being provided with a housing bend 101B and the edges 12B and 13B at the longitudinal rear end being provided with a housing bend 102B. Starting from the housing bend 101A, 101B at the longitudinal front end or the housing bend 102A, 102B at the longitudinal rear end of the housing projection 1A or 1B, the adjacent edges 10A / 17A, 10B / 11B or 12A / 13A, 12B / 13B always point inwards, i.e., they are inclined towards the other longitudinal end.

[0035] The circumferential contour UK of each housing projection 1A, 1B also has only straight or convex portions at both its upper and lower edges. As a result, no undercuts occur at the fixing positions, particularly at each connecting edge IK. In addition, the longitudinal front ends of the housings, including the housing curved portions 101A and 101B, are located lower than the front first pivot axis D1 with respect to the vertical axis. In this way, the rear of the drive housing G can pivot about the first pivot axis D1 to the fixing position on the bicycle frame FR without the housing projection 1A or 1B colliding with the bicycle frame FR.

[0036] This is achieved by the design of the circumferential contours UK of the two housing protrusions 1A and 1B, even when the drive housing G is pivotally supported by the second fastening tabs 130 at the pair of rear fastening tabs B3A and B3B. In this case, the drive housing G can be pivoted at its front to the fixed position without any collision between each housing protrusion 1A, 1B and the frame fastening part RB. This is achieved in particular by the fact that the longitudinal rear end having the housing curved part 102A or 102B, respectively, is located below the second pivot axis D2 defined by the second fastening tab 130, about which the drive housing G can be pivoted from the wide pre-assembly position shown in Figures 2A and 2B to the fixed position.

[0037] Once the drive unit 1 with the drive housing G has been pivoted to its fixed position and secured to the bicycle frame FR at the three fastening tabs 110, 120, and 130, a two-part cover can be attached to the bicycle frame FR. The upper cover portion A1 of this cover is adjacent to and extends along the connecting edge IK on each longitudinal side, as shown in FIG. 3 . The upper edge of the housing projection 1A or 1B extends along the lower edge of the cover upper portion A1, defining a trend gap between the upper cover portion A1 and the respective housing projection 1A or 1B. This is exemplarily shown for the housing projection 1A in the side view of FIG. 3 . The second part of the cover is formed by the lower cover portion A2, which provides lower protection for the drive unit 1 mounted on the bicycle frame FR.

[0038] Due to the two-part structure of the cover, a boundary line 2.1 is formed between the upper cover A1 and the lower cover A2 in the area in front of the frame fastening part RB, and a boundary line 2.2 is formed in the area behind the frame fastening part RB. In addition, the upper cover A1 and the lower cover A2 together define a cover opening O on each longitudinal side, through which the visible surface 3A or 3B of the housing protrusion 1A or 1B, respectively, is exposed. Thus, the upper cover A1 and the lower cover A2 surround the corresponding housing protrusion 1A or 1B along each longitudinal side along the respective circumferential contour UK.

[0039] To ensure a strong and stable fixation of the lower cover A2 to the bicycle frame FR, the front boundary line 2.1 between the upper cover A1 and the lower cover A2 is located below the front fastening tab 110. Similarly, the rear boundary line 2.2 between the upper cover A1 and the lower cover A2 is located below the rear fastening tab 130. In addition, the front or rear longitudinal end of the lower cover A2, which includes the housing curved portion 101A / 101B or 1082A / 102B, is directly adjacent to the boundary line 2.1 or 2.2 located in that area, and includes the turning point of the circumferential contour UK of the housing protrusion 1A or 1B. This not only facilitates the assembly of the lower cover A2 to the bicycle frame FR with the drive housing G already assembled, but also results in a harmonious and attractive design on both longitudinal sides, which have exposed, compact, visible surfaces 3A or 3B on which cooling and / or air-guiding ribs can be provided.

[0040] The side view of Figure 4 shows not only the pivot axes D1 and D2 defined by the fastening tabs 110, 120, and 130 described above, but also the geometric relationship between the circumferential contour UK and the fastening tabs 110, 120, and 130. Figure 4 shows a longitudinal side view of the drive housing G, for example, having the housing projection 1A.

[0041] 4 shows in particular the design of the circumferential contour UK, which in this example is adjacent to the rotation axis of the electric motor and pedal shaft T and avoids undercuts in both the upper and lower cover parts A1 and A2 as well as the connecting edge IK. The drive housing G can therefore be swiveled from two different pre-assembly positions to the final fixed position after cable assembly. This does not affect the possibility of inserting the drive housing G into the bicycle frame FR, for example, from below. Different assembly procedures can therefore be flexibly realized.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the tangents to the upper edge leading edge 10A and the upper edge trailing edge 12A intersect at center point Z1 located above the drive housing G. The edges 10A-17A of the illustrated circumferential contour UK (and the circumferential contour of the other housing projection 1B) are aligned to achieve this intersection. Similarly, the tangents to the lower edge leading edge 17A and the lower edge trailing edge 13A intersect at center point Z3 located below the drive housing G. Furthermore, the tangents to the linear central edges 11A and 14A of the upper and lower edges intersect at center point Z2 located at the rear of the drive housing G. Other parts of the drive housing G, such as cooling or air-guide ribs on the visible faces 3A and 3B, can be designed to correspond to these center points Z1, Z2, and Z3, thereby achieving an overall aesthetically pleasing design using relatively simple and conventional means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Drive unit 101A, 102A, 101B, 102B Housing curved part / end along the longitudinal direction 10A~17A, 10B~14B Edge 110, 120, 130 Fastening tabs (fastening parts) 1A, 1B Housing protrusion 2.1, 2.2 Boundary 3A, 3B visible surface A1 Top of cover A2 Lower cover AK external shape B1A, B2A, B3A, B1B, B2B, B3B fastening position D1, D2 Rotating axis FR bicycle frame G Drive housing IK Join Edge L Longitudinal direction O Cover opening P pedal mechanism R1 Down Tube R2 seat tube RB frame fastening part S Screw (fastening element) T Pedal shaft UK Circumference Z1, Z2, Z3 center point

Claims

1. A drive unit for an electric bicycle, The vehicle has a drive housing (G) in which at least one drive motor is housed and a pedal shaft (T) is rotatably supported, the drive housing (G) has at least one first fastening portion (110) and one second fastening portion (130) on its outer surface shape (AK), and the drive housing (G) is fixed to the bicycle frame (FR) of the electric bicycle via the first fastening portion (110) and the second fastening portion (130); When the drive unit (1) is assembled to the bicycle frame (FR), the drive housing (G) can be selectively installed on the bicycle frame (FR) in a first pre-assembly position by the first fastening portion (110) or in a second pre-assembly position by the second fastening portion (130), and is supported to be pivotable about pivot axes (D1, D2); the drive housing (G) has visible surfaces (3A, 3B) that remain visible when the drive unit (1) is mounted on the bicycle frame (FR), and at least one housing projection (1A, 1B) extending parallel to the pivot axis (D1, D2), the at least one housing projection (1A, 1B) having a circumferential contour (UK) defined by edges (10A-17A; 10B-14B) of the housing projection (1A, 1B), the edges (10A-17A; 10B-14B) being at least partially provided for positioning the drive housing (G) at a connecting edge (IK) of the bicycle frame (FR); The drive housing (G) having the first and second fastening portions (110, 130) and the circumferential contour (UK) of the at least one housing protrusion (1A, 1B) is configured to pivot from both the first pre-assembly position and the second pre-assembly position on the bicycle frame (FR) to a fixed position, and the drive housing (G) is fixed by the first and second fastening portions (110, 130). A drive unit characterized by:

2. The circumferential contour (UK) of the at least one housing protrusion (1A, 1B) is aligned with the positions of the first and second fastening portions (110, 130), thereby allowing the circumferential contour (UK) to pivot from both the first pre-assembly position and the second pre-assembly position to the fixed position.

2. The drive unit of claim 1.

3. the circumferential contour (UK) of the at least one housing protrusion (1A, 1B) extends between a longitudinal front end (101A, 101B) and a longitudinal rear end (102A, 102B) in a longitudinal direction (L) from the front wheel to the rear wheel when the drive housing (G) is correctly mounted on the bicycle frame (FR); The front ends (101A, 101B) in the longitudinal direction correspond to the first fastening portion (110), and the rear ends (102A, 102B) in the longitudinal direction correspond to the second fastening portion (130).

3. A drive unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the fixed position of the drive housing (G) to the bicycle frame (FR) is based on a vertical axis that is vertical, a first pivot axis (D1) for pivoting the drive housing (G) from the first pre-assembly position to the fixed position is defined by the first fastening portion (110), and the first fastening portion (110) is located above the longitudinal front ends (101A, 101B).

4. The drive unit according to claim 3.

5. A second pivot axis (D2) located above the longitudinal rear end (101B) for pivoting the drive housing (G) from the second pre-assembly position to the fixed position, based on the fixed position of the drive housing (G) to the bicycle frame (FR) and a vertical axis, is defined by the second fastening portion (130), and the second fastening portion (130) is located above the longitudinal rear ends (102A, 102B).

5. A drive unit according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The circumferential contour (UK) has a turning point at the longitudinal front end (101A, 101B) and / or the circumferential contour (UK) has a turning point at the longitudinal rear end (102A, 102B). Drive unit according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. the two edges (10A, 17A; 12A, 13A; 10B, 11B; 12B, 13B) of the housing protrusions (1A, 1B) are connected to each other via the first or second longitudinal ends (101A, 101B; 102A, 102B); Two tangents to said edges (10A, 17A; 12A, 13A; 10B, 11B; 12B, 13B) intersect at an angle of at most 135°, in particular at most 115°, 100° or 90°.

7. The drive unit according to claim 6.

8. 8. A drive unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the circumferential contour (UK) at the longitudinal front end (101A, 101B) and / or the circumferential contour (UK) at the longitudinal rear end (102A, 102B) have a housing curvature.

9. The circumferential contour (UK) of the edges (10A-12A; 10B, 13B, 14B) provided for positioning by the connecting edges (IK) of the bicycle frame (FR) is partly linear and convex or only convex. Drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The circumferential contour (UK) of the edge (10A-12A; 10B, 13B, 14B) which is provided for positioning by the joining edge (IK) of the bicycle frame (FR) and extends between the longitudinal front end (101A, 101B) and the longitudinal rear end (102A, 102B) has two convex ridges. Drive unit according to any one of claims 3 to 8 and claim 9.

11. In the fixed position, the drive housing (G) is at least partially covered with a cover lower part (A2) for protecting the lower part of the drive housing (G). Drive unit according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the cover lower part (A2), when assembled to the bicycle frame (FR), defines at least one boundary line (2.1, 2.2) between the cover lower part (A2) and a frame part (R1) of the bicycle frame (FR) or at least one boundary line (2.1, 2.2) between the cover lower part (A2) and an upper cover part (A1) provided on the bicycle frame (FR); The circumferential contour (UK) of said at least one housing protrusion (1A, 1B) is aligned with said boundary line (2.1, 2.2).

12. The drive unit of claim 11.

13. The circumferential contour (UK) is configured such that, in the fixed position of the drive housing (G), the longitudinal front end (101A, 101B) or the longitudinal rear end (102A, 102B) is adjacent to the boundary line (2.1, 2.2). Drive unit according to any one of claims 3 to 8 and 10 and claim 12.

14. When the cover lower part (A2) is attached to the bicycle frame (FR), it defines a front boundary line (2.1) and a rear boundary line (2.2) in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the frame part (R1) or the cover upper part (A1); 14. The drive unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the circumferential contour (UK) is configured such that, in a fixed position of the drive housing (G), the longitudinal front ends (101A, 101B) are adjacent to the front boundary line (2.1) and the longitudinal rear ends (102A, 102B) are adjacent to the rear boundary line (2.2).

15. 15. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that cooling ribs and / or air-guiding elements are provided on the visible face (3A, 3B).

16. 16. A drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the drive housing (G) has two housing projections (1A, 1B), each of which has a circumferential contour (UK) for positioning on one of two connecting edges (IK) of the bicycle frame (FR), the housing projections (1A, 1B) being provided on two opposite longitudinal sides of the drive housing (G).

17. A bicycle having a drive unit according to one of claims 1 to 16.

18. 17. A method for assembling a drive unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16 on a bicycle frame (FR), comprising: the drive housing (G) is installed in the first pre-assembly position by the first fastening portion (110) and in the second pre-assembly position by the second fastening portion (130) relative to the bicycle frame (FR); the drive housing (G) is supported so as to be pivotable and secured to the fixed position on the bicycle frame (FR) with the first and second fastening portions (110, 130) before the drive housing (G) is pivoted to the fixed position on the bicycle frame (FR).

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