Integrated Bicycle Hub Body and Cassette Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior bicycle hubs with separate freewheel bodies are heavy, expensive, complex to manufacture, require frequent maintenance, and pose shifting challenges, especially in e-bikes due to increased load and internal friction.
Innovation Solution
A hub design integrating the hub body and receiving area for force transmission as a single part, eliminating the freewheel and using fewer rolling bearings, allowing gear shifting without pedaling and reducing wear, with a freewheel implemented in the bottom bracket or drive system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate freewheel body is used between the hub body and the force transmission means, then the hub can transmit pedaling force effectively, but the hub becomes heavy and complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hub body and the force transmission means (cassette) into a single integrated unit, eliminating the separate freewheel body. The cassette is directly mounted on the hub body with the drive means passing through the hub, creating a simplified one-piece structure that maintains force transmission reliability while reducing manufacturing complexity and weight
2Strength
If a separate freewheel body with multiple roller bearings is used, then the hub can support the force transmission means, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the hub body and cassette into one piece, the patent eliminates the need for a separate freewheel body assembly and its associated roller bearings. The drive means passes directly through the integrated hub, reducing the number of components and assembly steps, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining sufficient load-bearing capacity through the unified structure
3Ease of operation
If a freewheel with sliding toothing elements is used, then the hub can enable free rolling, but wear increases and maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the traditional freewheel mechanism with sliding toothing elements from the hub assembly. Instead, it uses a freewheel mechanism integrated into the bottom bracket area, separating the freewheel function from the hub. This eliminates wear-prone sliding contacts in the hub, improving component durability and reducing maintenance requirements while preserving free rolling capability
4Ease of operation
If internal friction in the freewheel is present, then the freewheel can enable one-way rotation, but kinetic energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the traditional freewheel from the hub and relocating it to the bottom bracket area, the patent reduces the number of internal friction points in the force transmission path. The simplified hub structure with direct cassette mounting minimizes kinetic energy loss through reduced sliding friction, while the bottom bracket freewheel maintains one-way rotation control with fewer energy-dissipating contact points
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure refers to a hub for a bicycle running wheel, a bicycle drive system and a bicycle. In an embodiment a hub for a bicycle running wheel includes a hub body and a receiving area configured to receive a force transmission means, wherein the hub body and the receiving area are a single part or are firmly connected together.