Patent classifications
B60B27/02
HUB FOR HUMAN-POWERED VEHICLE
A hub for a human-powered vehicle is provided that comprises a hub axle, a hub body, an electric power generator, and a communication device. The hub body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle about a rotational axis. The electric power generator is provided between the hub axle and the hub body. The electric power generator is configured to generate electric power by relative rotation between hub axle and the hub body. The communication device is located at least partly outside of the hub body. The communication device includes a wireless communicator configured to wirelessly communicate with an additional wireless communicator.
HYBRID METAL AND COMPOSITE POLYMER WHEELS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
Presented are hybrid metal and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite wheels for vehicle wheel assemblies, methods for making/using such wheels, and motor vehicles equipped with such wheels. A wheel for a motor vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel face with multiple spokes that are circumferentially spaced about and project radially outward from a central hub. The central hub rotatably attaches to the vehicle's body, e.g., via a corner module. The wheel face is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from an FRP material. A wheel barrel, which circumscribes the wheel face, includes an annular rim that mounts thereon an inflatable tire. The wheel barrel is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from a metallic material. Multiple overmold through holes and/or inset tabs are circumferentially spaced about the annular rim. The FRP material extends through and/or surrounds the overmold through holes/inset tabs and thereby mounts the wheel face to the wheel barrel.
HYBRID METAL AND COMPOSITE POLYMER WHEELS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
Presented are hybrid metal and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite wheels for vehicle wheel assemblies, methods for making/using such wheels, and motor vehicles equipped with such wheels. A wheel for a motor vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel face with multiple spokes that are circumferentially spaced about and project radially outward from a central hub. The central hub rotatably attaches to the vehicle's body, e.g., via a corner module. The wheel face is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from an FRP material. A wheel barrel, which circumscribes the wheel face, includes an annular rim that mounts thereon an inflatable tire. The wheel barrel is fabricated, e.g., as a one-piece structure, from a metallic material. Multiple overmold through holes and/or inset tabs are circumferentially spaced about the annular rim. The FRP material extends through and/or surrounds the overmold through holes/inset tabs and thereby mounts the wheel face to the wheel barrel.
ARRANGEMENT OF A DRIVE UNIT TO A WHEEL
Apparatus is for connecting a drive unit to a wheel to enable the drive unit to drive rotation of the wheel about a central axis of the wheel. The apparatus comprises: a drive member (10), a mounting member (12), a drive element (16) and preventing means (15, 36, 38). The drive member (10) is for mounting to the wheel such that rotation of the drive member (10) about the central axis drives rotation of the hub about the central axis. The mounting member (12) is mounted on the drive member and rotatably independent of the drive member with respect to the central axis. The drive element (16) has a drive element axis that is fixedly disposed in relation to the mounting member, and is for coupling to the drive unit such that the drive unit can drive rotation of the drive element about the drive element axis. The preventing means is for preventing rotation of the mounting member (12) about the central axis. The drive member (10) includes coupling means (10d) for coupling with the drive element, so that the rotation of the drive element (16) drives rotation of the drive member (12). The drive member (10) has a first surface for facing away from the wheel when the drive member (10) is mounted on the wheel. The coupling means (10d) and the drive element (16) are at least partially located in a recessed region in the first surface.
Lightweight suspension upright assembly for a vehicle
A suspension upright assembly for a vehicle provides a wheel hub bearing and a suspension upright including a fiber-reinforced composite bushing arranged around the wheel hub bearing, attachment members for attaching the suspension upright to a suspension assembly and to a brake caliper of the vehicle, and a fiber-reinforced composite truss-structure that connects at least one of the attachment members to the bushing and/or to a further one of the attachment members.
Lightweight suspension upright assembly for a vehicle
A suspension upright assembly for a vehicle provides a wheel hub bearing and a suspension upright including a fiber-reinforced composite bushing arranged around the wheel hub bearing, attachment members for attaching the suspension upright to a suspension assembly and to a brake caliper of the vehicle, and a fiber-reinforced composite truss-structure that connects at least one of the attachment members to the bushing and/or to a further one of the attachment members.
Hub-bearing assembly for vehicles
A hub-bearing assembly for rotatably mounting a motor vehicle wheel on a suspension strut having a wheel hub to support the wheel of the vehicle and having an axial shoulder, a bearing unit providing a radially outer stationary ring constrained to the strut; a first radially inner rotating ring mounted on the hub, and a second radially inner rotating ring defined by the hub, two rows of rolling bodies interposed between the radially outer stationary ring and the two radially inner rotating rings inside a first raceway and a second raceway formed, respectively, the first inner ring providing a substantially non-deformable Hertzian portion, on which is formed the second raceway, and an accumulation portion integral with the Hertzian portion and interposed between the Hertzian portion and the axial shoulder for accumulating elastic energy during cold deformation to obtain the rolled edge.
Hub-bearing assembly for vehicles
A hub-bearing assembly for rotatably mounting a motor vehicle wheel on a suspension strut having a wheel hub to support the wheel of the vehicle and having an axial shoulder, a bearing unit providing a radially outer stationary ring constrained to the strut; a first radially inner rotating ring mounted on the hub, and a second radially inner rotating ring defined by the hub, two rows of rolling bodies interposed between the radially outer stationary ring and the two radially inner rotating rings inside a first raceway and a second raceway formed, respectively, the first inner ring providing a substantially non-deformable Hertzian portion, on which is formed the second raceway, and an accumulation portion integral with the Hertzian portion and interposed between the Hertzian portion and the axial shoulder for accumulating elastic energy during cold deformation to obtain the rolled edge.
Bicycle hub assembly
A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub body, a sprocket support body, and a freewheel structure. The sprocket support body includes at least ten external spline teeth configured to engage with a bicycle rear sprocket assembly. Each of the at least ten external spline teeth has an external-spline driving surface and an external-spline non-driving surface. The freewheel structure includes a first ratchet member and a second ratchet member. The first ratchet member includes at least one first ratchet tooth. The second ratchet member includes at least one second ratchet tooth configured to engage with the at least one first ratchet tooth in a torque transmitting manner.
CONICAL BICYCLE CASSETTE SPROCKET STRUCTURE
A conical shaped bicycle cassette has a unitary sprocket assembly. Each annular portion of an individual sprocket is mechanically supported either from a back of the sprocket, in an axial direction toward a bicycle hub or from an inner radial direction toward a centerline axis of the bicycle cassette and hub. The axial support zones and radial support zones are alternated around a circumference of the sprocket so that an entirety of the sprocket is supported in either the axial direction or the radial direction. In this way, the chain driving loads on the cassette are spread throughout the entire cassette and the areas of highly localized stress from the cassette are removed.