Axle assembly for a bicycle, bicycle having such an axle assembly, and method for assembling the axle assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an axle assembly (18) for a bicycle (1) for mounting a wheel (16), wherein the axle assembly (18) has at least two axle parts (22, 24). According to the invention, the axle parts (22, 24) can be positioned in at least two axial positions relative to one another and can be interlockingly locked together by means of locking portions (40, 42). The invention further relates to a bicycle having such an axle assembly and to a method for assembling the axle assembly.

Description

[0001]Axle arrangement for a bicycle and bicycle with such an axle arrangement, and method for mounting the axle arrangement. The present invention relates to an axle arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, a bicycle with such an axle arrangement according to the preamble of claim 15, and a method for mounting the axle arrangement according to the preamble of claim 16. Bicycles and e-bikes with a thru-axle axle arrangement for a rear wheel are known from the prior art. The receptacle for the rear wheel axle, the so-called dropout, has a different internal distance between the right and left dropouts, the installation width, depending on the bicycle. Therefore, different thru-axles are required depending on the installation width of the rear wheel. For example, thru-axles with lengths ranging from approximately 160 to 229 mm are used. The use of spacers or shims is known from the prior art.Spacer rings are only suitable for specific applications and minor length adjustments, making them a rather inflexible solution. Furthermore, length-adjustable thru-axles are known from the prior art according to publication EP 3802 302 A1, which have threaded sections that can be screwed into one another for length adjustment. Such solutions are cumbersome for the user and cannot be adjusted reproducibly. Page 1 of 21. Another problem is that different thru-axles with different thread types, especially different thread pitches, are required depending on the axle standard of the bicycle frame. For example, thread types such as M12 x 1.00, M12 x 1.50, and M12 x 1.75 may be used. For a rear wheel thru-axle for a bicycle trailer, such as a child trailer, it is also a disadvantage that different thru-axles are often required depending on the trailer type. In summary,A disadvantage is that different thru-axles are required depending on the rear wheel installation width, thread type, and the bicycle trailer to be mounted. The bicycle mechanic must therefore keep a large number of different thru-axles on hand. The trailer manufacturer cannot supply suitable thru-axles and / or adapters for all installation situations. Furthermore, due to the large number of variations, it is difficult for the end customer to find the thru-axle suitable for their bicycle-trailer combination. The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a novel, improved axle arrangement for a bicycle, as well as a bicycle with an improved axle arrangement and a method for mounting the axle arrangement. This objective is achieved by an axle arrangement with the combination of features of claim 1, a bicycle with such an axle arrangement according to the features of claim 15, and a method for mounting the axle arrangement according to claim 16. Page 2 of 21The axle arrangement according to the invention for a bicycle, used for mounting a wheel, comprises at least two axle parts. According to the invention, the axle parts can be positioned relative to each other in at least two axial positions and can be positively locked together by means of locking sections. This allows the assembler to adjust the axle arrangement to the desired length by engaging the axle parts with each other according to the desired axle length. Only one axle arrangement according to the invention is required for a multitude of installation situations. It has proven particularly advantageous if the axle parts can be locked together in several steps, precisely defined according to known installation widths, such that the axial length required for the respective installation situation can be adjusted. The axle arrangement, preferably designed as a plug-in axle, is, in a particularly preferred embodiment according to the invention, compatible with the existing bicycle axle.The axle is interchangeable, particularly with a rear-mounted bicycle axle. Simple assembly without special tools is achieved. A universal adapter can preferably be screwed onto the axle assembly. Subsequently, in a preferred application, a bicycle trailer coupling can be screwed onto the universal adapter. According to a preferred embodiment of the axle assembly, the axle components can be positioned axially overlapping or overlapping each other in different positions and positively locked together. The axle components preferably each have a complementary locking section. It has proven particularly advantageous if the locking sections have a rectangular tooth profile. The tooth profiles of the axle components preferably match each other. Preferably, the tooth profile has a plurality of alternating protrusions and depressions.It has proven functionally advantageous if the axle sections are formed in half in longitudinal section in the area of ​​the locking section and the locking section is provided in the central area. The axle sections preferably have a threaded section at an end region opposite the locking section. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one axle section is provided with a length scale. The length scale preferably has a marking indicating the axle length achieved in the respective assembly position. This allows the assembler to easily adjust the axle assembly to the desired length. According to a preferred embodiment of the axle assembly, a locking sleeve overlaps the axle sections at least partially. The locking sleeve is preferably designed as a hollow cylindrical sleeve. Page 4 of 21. According to the invention, the pre-assembled axle sections are preferably axially slid into the locking sleeve.The locking sleeve is preferably designed such that it locks the axle components by means of a rotational movement relative to the axle components. According to one embodiment of the axle arrangement, the locking sleeve has a bayonet locking mechanism that communicates with locking projections on the axle components. Preferably, each axle component has a short, pin-shaped locking projection. It has proven particularly advantageous if the pre-assembled axle components can be axially inserted into the locking sleeve, with the locking projections arranged along a common line and insertable into a longitudinal recess in the locking sleeve. The locking sleeve is preferably rotatable relative to the axle components such that the locking projections come to rest in radially extending locking recesses in the locking sleeve. The locking recesses are particularly preferably offset vertically to the left and right relative to a longitudinal axis.The axle assembly is arranged in such a way as to allow for a multitude of locking positions. The locking sleeve preferably has at least one length scale. This allows the installation length of the axle assembly to be precisely set and read. Page 5 of 21. In a preferred embodiment, the axle assembly is designed as a thru-axle. For example, compatibility with bicycles with a 12 mm thru-axle on the rear wheel is ensured. According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the axle assembly can be mounted in the area of ​​a rear dropout of the bicycle. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the axle assembly is designed for a fork dropout. A significant advantage is achieved with a variant in which a threaded adapter for adapting to different frame-side thread types can be screwed onto at least one axle component. The threaded adapter serves to adapt the axle to different frame-side thread types. The threaded adapter hasPreferably at least one external thread. Particularly preferably, the threaded adapter has two axially adjacent external threads of different designs and can be mounted in two mounting positions. The external threads are preferably formed to the left and right of the center with a small distance between them. The threaded adapter can preferably be screwed onto the axle from both sides. For this purpose, the threaded adapter can be mounted rotated by 180 degrees. Preferably, a universal adapter for a bicycle trailer coupling can be screwed onto the axle assembly. The universal adapter is advantageously designed (page 6 of 21) such that different commercially available bicycle trailers can be mounted. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the bicycle trailer is a children's bicycle trailer. However, bicycle trailers for children, pets, luggage, or the like can be mounted. Alternatively, the axle assembly can be used without a universal adapter with aA threaded part is provided for mounting a bicycle trailer. Preferably, all individual parts of the axle assembly are arranged along a common axis, i.e., axially or coaxially to one another, and form a thru-axle. A bicycle according to the invention has a bicycle frame and at least one axle assembly for mounting a wheel, wherein the axle assembly has at least two axle parts. According to the invention, the axle parts can be positioned in at least two axial positions relative to one another and can be positively locked to one another by means of locking sections. According to a method according to the invention for mounting an axle assembly, the axle parts are positioned relative to one another in an axial position corresponding to the installation width and positively locked to one another. Preferably, the axle assembly is inserted into the area of ​​the dropouts and screwed into the receptacle of a dropout. In the case of a rear wheel dropout, the axle assembly is preferably inserted into theFrame-side mounting of a rear dropout screwed in. Page 7 of 21 In a particularly variable and therefore preferred embodiment of the invention, a universal adapter for a bicycle trailer is screwed onto the axle assembly. Preferably, a coupling of the bicycle trailer is then mounted to the adapter. The invention can be used universally with all types of bicycles, such as city, touring, or mountain bikes, or other bicycle types such as e-bikes or cargo bikes, etc. Further preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show in detail: Figure 1 a side view of a bicycle according to the invention; Figure 2 a perspective view of the axle assembly from Figure 1; Figure 3 another perspective view of theAxle arrangement; Figure 4 a side view of the axle arrangement; Figure 5 another side view of the axle arrangement; Figure 6 a side view of a first axle part; Page 8 of 21 Figure 7 another side view of the first axle part; Figure 8 a perspective view of the first axle part; Figure 9 another perspective view of the first axle part; Figure 10 a side view of a second axle part; Figure 11 another side view of the second axle part; Figure 12 a perspective view of the second axle part; Figure 13 another perspective view of the second axle part; Figure 14 a perspective view of a locking sleeve; Figure 15 another perspective view of the locking sleeve; Figure 16 a side view of the locking sleeve; Figure 17 another perspective view of the locking sleeve; Figure 18 a side view of a threaded adapter; Figure 19 a perspective view of the threaded adapter; Page 9Figure 20 shows another perspective view of the threaded adapter; Figure 21 shows a perspective view of a universal adapter; and Figure 22 shows another perspective view of the universal adapter. Figure 1 shows a side view of a bicycle 1 designed as an e-bike or electric bicycle with bottom bracket drive, comprising a bicycle frame 2 with a top tube 4, a down tube 6, a seat tube 8, and a head tube 10, as well as a multi-link rear triangle 12. The bicycle 1 has a front wheel 14 and a rear wheel 16. The rear wheel 16 is mounted on a rear dropout 20 of the bicycle 1 by means of an axle arrangement 18 according to the invention, designed as a thru-axle. As can be seen in Figures 2 to 5, which show a perspective view of the axle arrangement 18 and side views of the axle arrangement 18 from Figure 1, respectively, the axle arrangement 18 has two axle parts 22, 24. As will be explained in more detail below, the axle parts 22, 24 are divided into severalThe axial positions can be positioned relative to each other and positively locked together by means of locking sections. A threaded adapter 26, corresponding to the thread of the dropout, is screwed onto the axle part 24 of a first end section of the axle assembly 18 to adapt to different frame-side thread types. A universal adapter 28 for a bicycle trailer coupling (page 10 of 21) is screwed onto the axle part 22 of a second end section of the axle assembly 18. The individual parts of the axle assembly 18, i.e., the axle parts 22, 24, the threaded adapter 26, and the universal adapter 28, are arranged axially or coaxially to each other along a common axis and form the axle assembly. The axle parts 22 and 24 are received in a retaining sleeve 30, which circumferentially surrounds the axle parts 22 and 24 in sections and covers the connection zone. During the assembly of the axle arrangement 18, the two axle parts 22, 24 are positioned in one of the installation widths.The corresponding axial positions are positioned relative to each other and engaged in a form-fitting manner. The threaded adapter 26 is screwed on according to the thread of the dropout 20 to adapt to different frame-side thread types. The threaded adapter 26 has two different threaded sections 32, 34 and can be screwed on either with a first end section 36 (as shown) or a second end section 38. Subsequently, the axle assembly 18 is inserted into the area of ​​the dropouts and screwed into the receptacle of a dropout. Finally, the universal adapter 28 for coupling a bicycle trailer is mounted. The universal adapter 28 is designed such that various commercially available bicycle trailers can be mounted. The bicycle trailer can, for example, be a child's bicycle trailer. According to Figures 6 to 13, which show side views and perspectives of the two axle parts 22, 24, theAs shown in the axle arrangement 18, the axle parts 22, 24 each have a complementary locking section 40, 42 with a rectangular tooth profile 44, 46. The tooth profiles 44, 46 of the axle parts 22, 24 are congruent with each other. The profile blocks of the tooth profile 44, 46 extend transversely to the longitudinal axis and correspondingly transversely to the direction of tension, so that tensile forces are absorbed. The axle parts 22, 24 can be locked together in several steps, precisely defined according to known installation widths, such that the axial length of the axle required for the respective installation situation can be adjusted. For this purpose, the two axle parts 22, 24 can be positioned axially overlapping each other section by section in different overlap positions and can be positively locked together. The locking sections 40, 42, which have an approximately semicircular cross-section, form a common [component] when assembled.cylindrical area. The two axle sections 22, 24 are formed in longitudinal section as halved in the area of ​​the respective locking section 40, 42, with the locking section 40, 42 being provided in the resulting central area. Preferably, the locking sections 40, 42 are simply placed one inside the other and the axle sections 22, 24 are held together by the locking sleeve 30 in a form-fitting manner. The tooth profiles 44, 46 each have a plurality of alternating protrusions 48, 50 and depressions 52, 54 similar to a rectangular sine curve. The two axle sections each have a threaded section 56, 58 at an end region opposite the locking section. In the case of axle section 22, the threaded section 56 is formed with a stepped diameter in a partial area compared to the toothed section 40. The axle section 22 is provided with a length scale 60. The length scale 60 is designed as a laser-engraved inscription, which corresponds to the inThe axle length achieved in millimeters is shown on page 12 of 21 for each mounting position. This allows the installer to easily connect the two axle sections 22 and 24 with the appropriate overlap, i.e., to insert the locking sections 40 and 42 into each other to set the desired length. The length scale 60 indicates the achieved axle length. With a slight overlap of the axle sections up to the first scale marking, the maximum axle length of 184 mm is achieved. The following recesses 52 are marked with decreasing lengths of 180 mm, 176 mm, 172 mm, 168 mm, 164 mm, 160 mm, 156 mm, and 152 mm, which are achieved with the appropriate overlap of the two axle sections 22 and 24. With the axle sections 22 and 24 fully interlocked in the axial direction, the smallest adjustable axle length of 152 mm results. According to Figures 14 to 17, which show individual views of the locking sleeve 30 from Figures 2 to 5, the locking sleeve 30 is designed asThe locking sleeve 30 is designed as a hollow cylinder sleeve. It is configured to lock the engaged axle parts 22, 24 by means of a rotational movement relative to the axle parts 22, 24. For this purpose, the locking sleeve 30 has a bayonet locking mechanism 62 that communicates with a radially cylindrical locking projection 61, 63 (see Figures 6 and 10) of the axle parts 22, 24. In the engaged state of the axle parts 22, 24, the cylindrical pins 61, 63 lie in a common line with respect to the longitudinal axis of the axle. The locking projections 61, 63 are arranged along a common line such that they can be inserted into a longitudinal recess 64 of the locking sleeve 30. The locking sleeve 30 is pushed on axially and then, depending on the desired length increment (page 13 of 21), rotated to the right or left and thereby locked. The locking sleeve 30 is, as indicated by the arrows 66As indicated, the axle sections 22, 24 are rotatable in two directions of rotation such that the locking projections 61, 63 come to rest in radially extending, axially offset locking recesses 68 of the locking sleeve 30, depending on the desired adjustment length of the axle. The locking recesses 68 are pocket-shaped. The locking sleeve is provided with a length scale 70 for this purpose. This allows the installation length of the axle assembly to be set and read in a defined manner. Due to the stepped and non-opposing locking recesses 68, a fine-tuned locking action is achieved with minimal installation space. According to Figures 18 to 20, which show detailed views of the threaded adapter 26, the threaded sections 32, 34 are designed as external threads. The thread adapter 26 has two axially adjacent external threads 32, 34 of different designs, and an internal hexagon socket.72 for an assembly tool and can be mounted in two mounting positions. The external threads 32, 34 have different thread pitches: M12 x 1.75 and M12 x 1.5. The external threads 32, 34 are located to the left and right of the center, close together. The thread adapter 26 can be screwed onto the axle with both ends and has an internal thread 74. The thread adapter 26 is screwed onto the axle according to the thread of the dropout 20 to adapt to different frame-side thread types. For this purpose, the thread adapter can optionally be mounted rotated by 180 degrees. Page 14 of 21. Subsequently, the axle assembly 18 is screwed into the area of ​​the dropouts. Figures 21 and 22 show individual views of the universal adapter 28 for the coupling of the bicycle trailer. The universal adapter 28 has an internal thread 76 at one end for mounting on the axle part 22 and an external thread 78 at a second end.A mounting nut for the trailer hitch is provided. In the area of ​​the external thread 78, an internal hexagon socket 80 for an assembly tool is formed. The first end section of the universal adapter 28 is provided with two diametrically opposed flats 82 for an assembly wrench. An axle assembly 18 for a bicycle 1 for mounting a wheel 16 is disclosed, wherein the axle assembly 18 has at least two axle parts 22, 24. According to the invention, the axle parts 22, 24 can be positioned in at least two axial positions relative to each other and can be positively locked to each other by means of locking sections 40, 42. A bicycle with such an axle assembly and a method for mounting the axle assembly are also disclosed. Page 15 of 21 List of reference numerals Bicycle Bicycle frame Top tube Down tube Seat tube Head tube Rear triangle Front wheel Rear wheel Axle assembly Dropout Axle part Axle part Threaded adapter Universal adapter Locking sleeve Threaded sectionThreaded section End area End area Locking section Locking section Tooth profile Tooth profile Raised Raised Decadence Decadence Threaded section Threaded section Length scale Locking projection Page 16 of 21 Bayonet lock Locking projection Longitudinal recess Labeling arrows Locking recesses Length scale Hex socket Internal thread Internal thread External thread Hex socket Flats Page 17 of 21

Claims

Claims 1. Axle arrangement (18) for a bicycle (1) for mounting a wheel (16), wherein the axle arrangement (18) comprises at least two axle parts (22, 24), characterized in that the axle parts (22, 24) can be positioned relative to each other in at least two axial positions and can be positively locked to each other by means of locking sections (40, 42).

2. Axle arrangement (18) according to claim 1, wherein the axle parts (22, 24) can be locked to each other in several steps precisely defined according to known installation widths such that the axial length required for the respective installation situation is adjustable.

3. Axle arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axle parts (22, 24) can be locked to each other axially overlapping in different overlap positions. 4.Axle arrangement (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle parts (22, 24) each have a complementary locking section (40, 42) with a toothed profile (44, 46).

5. Axle arrangement (18) according to claim 4, wherein the locking sections (40, 42) have a rectangular toothed profile (44, 46).

6. Axle arrangement (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle parts (22, 24) are attached to a [page 18 of 21].

7. Axle arrangement (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one axle part (22) has a length scale (60).

8. Axle arrangement (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle parts (22, 24) can be axially inserted into a locking sleeve (30) such that the locking sleeve (30) overlaps the axle parts (22, 24) at least partially.

9. Axle arrangement (18) according to claim 8, wherein the locking sleeve (30) is rotatable with respect to the axle parts (22, 24) such that locking projections of the axle parts (22, 24) come to rest in radially extending locking recesses (68) of the locking sleeve (30).

10. Axle arrangement (18) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the locking sleeve (30) has a length scale (70). 11.Axle arrangement (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle arrangement (18) can be mounted in the area of ​​a rear dropout (20) of the bicycle (1).

12. Axle arrangement (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a threaded adapter (26) for adapting to different frame-side thread types can be screwed onto at least one axle part (24).

13. Axle arrangement (18) according to claim 12, wherein the threaded adapter (26) has two axially adjacent threads. Page 19 of 21.

14. Axle assembly (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a universal adapter (28) for a bicycle trailer coupling can be screwed onto the axle assembly (18).

15. Bicycle (1) with a bicycle frame (2) and at least one axle assembly (18) for mounting a wheel (16), wherein the axle assembly (18) has at least two axle parts (22, 24), characterized in that the axle parts (22, 24) can be positioned relative to each other in at least two axial positions and can be positively locked to each other by means of locking sections (40, 42).

16. Method for mounting an axle assembly (18) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the axle parts (22, 24) are positioned relative to each other in an axial position corresponding to the installation width and are positively locked to each other. 17.Method for mounting an axle assembly (18) according to claim 16, wherein the axle assembly (18) is inserted into the area of ​​the dropouts and screwed into the receptacle of a dropout (20).

18. Method for mounting an axle assembly (18) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein a universal adapter (28) for a bicycle trailer coupling is screwed onto the axle assembly (18). Page 20 of 21.

Images