Bicycle Drive Mounting Assembly with Elastomer Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bicycles equipped with electric motors experience vibrations that are transferred to the frame, leading to uncomfortable noise, especially when the vibrations align with the frame's resonance frequency, making it difficult to coordinate the bicycle drive with the frame to reduce noise effectively.

Innovation Solution

A fastening arrangement that includes a damping element between the bicycle drive and the frame, which can be designed as an elastic element, such as an elastomer or rubber, to absorb vibrations and reduce noise transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the bicycle drive system is rigidly mounted to the frame, then the structural stability and power transmission are improved, but the vibration transmission and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive system mounting flange and the frame. This damping element serves as a mediator that allows the drive system to be securely mounted while simultaneously reducing the transmission of vibrations and noise to the frame, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting arrangement uses a composite structure combining a rigid mounting flange for structural stability with a damping element made of vibration-damping material. This composite approach allows the rigid and damping properties to coexist, maintaining structural integrity while reducing vibration transmission to the frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If the bicycle drive system is rigidly mounted to the frame, then the power transmission efficiency is improved, but the structure-borne noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidstructure-borne noise
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element acts as an intermediary that does not interfere with power transmission but selectively attenuates vibration frequencies that cause structure-borne noise. This allows efficient power transmission from the drive system to the drivetrain while reducing noise propagation to the frame and rider.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element changes the vibrational parameters by altering the frequency and amplitude of vibrations transmitted to the frame. It modifies the vibration characteristics to reduce noise while maintaining the necessary power transmission path, thus resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If the bicycle frame is designed with hollow structure for weight reduction, then the weight is reduced, but the frame acts as a sound amplifier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe weightVSAvoidsound amplification
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element serves as a mediator between the drive system and the hollow frame structure. It prevents the frame from acting as a sound amplifier by blocking the transmission path of vibrations before they can be amplified by the hollow frame geometry, thus maintaining the lightweight design while preventing noise amplification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the damping element is added between the drive system and frame, then the vibration transmission is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidmounting arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is merged with the mounting flange assembly, where the damping element is positioned between the mounting flange and the frame. This integration combines the mounting function and vibration damping function into a single compact assembly, reducing the overall complexity despite adding damping capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting flange assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural mounting for the drive system, transmits power, and simultaneously acts as a vibration damping interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate damping components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The damping element effectively reduces the transmission of vibrations from the bicycle drive to the frame, thereby minimizing noise and enhancing the riding experience by decoupling the bicycle drive acoustically from the frame.

Implementation Method 1

The damping element can be designed to dampen the transmission of vibrations from the bicycle drive to the bicycle frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The damping element is, for example, designed as an elastic element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4541704A1Mounting assembly for a bicycle drive
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP4541704A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4541704A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4541704A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement for attaching a bicycle drive (22) to a bicycle frame (10). The fastening arrangement comprises a fastening element (40) and a damping element (42). The damping element (42) is arranged between the fastening element (40) and a retaining element. The retaining element is configured as a bicycle frame (10) or bicycle drive (22). The invention also relates to a bicycle.