Bicycle Frame Tube

Abstract

A bicycle frame tube which is in particular a down tube of a bicycle frame comprises a battery opening for inserting or removing a battery. Inside the bicycle frame tube a holding element for holding the battery is arranged. The holding element is at least partially elastically deformable, wherein the holding element in particular comprises two abutment elements which are elastically deformable.

Claims

1. A bicycle frame tube, comprising: a battery opening for inserting or removing a battery, and a holding element arranged inside the bicycle frame tube for holding the battery, wherein the holding element is at least partially elastically deformable.

2. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 1, wherein the holding element comprises an abutment element abutting on an outside of the battery in the inserted condition of the battery.

3. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 2, wherein the abutment element is in particular elastically deformable essentially vertically to an inner wall of the bicycle frame tube and/or essentially vertically to an outside of the battery.

4. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 2, wherein the abutment element is convex relative to an inner wall of the bicycle frame tube.

5. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 2, wherein a hollow space is defined between the abutment element and an inner wall of the bicycle frame tube for allowing for an elastic deformation.

6. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 2, wherein the holding element comprises two supporting elements each connected to the abutment element, which supporting elements are connected to the bicycle frame tube, in particular the inside of the bicycle frame tube, and/or abut on the latter.

7. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 6, wherein the abutment element is in particular arranged between the two supporting elements in a longitudinal direction.

8. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 6, wherein the holding element is fixed to the bicycle frame tube by means of one of the two supporting elements.

9. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 1, wherein a guiding element is arranged opposite the holding element, which guiding element is arranged at an opposite inner wall of the bicycle frame tube and/or an outside of the battery.

10. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 1, wherein the holding element comprises a fixing element cooperating with the battery in the inserted condition for laterally holding the battery.

11. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 10, wherein the fixing element comprises a recess provided at the holding element or the battery and in particular extending in the longitudinal direction, which recess cooperates with a boss provided at the battery or the holding element.

12. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 10, wherein the recess is funnel-shaped in the longitudinal direction and/or the boss is wedge-shaped in the longitudinal direction.

13. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 1, wherein the holding element is fixed to the bicycle frame tube via a fixing means arranged in an opening in the bicycle frame tube.

14. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 13, wherein a switch for switching the battery on and off is additionally arranged in the opening.

15. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 14, wherein the switch comprises a switching element which mechanically acts upon an on/off switch provided at the battery when the battery is inserted.

16. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 14, wherein the switch comprises an operating element for actuating the switching element on an outside of the bicycle frame tube.

17. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 16, wherein the operating element is arranged such that it is laterally offset relative to a central plane of the bicycle frame.

18. A bicycle frame comprising a motor accommodation portion for accommodating an electric motor and a plurality of frame tubes, wherein at least one of the frame tubes is configured as a bicycle frame tube according to claim 1.

19. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 7, wherein the holding element is fixed to the bicycle frame tube by means of one of the two supporting elements.

20. The bicycle frame tube according to claim 15, wherein the switch comprises an operating element for actuating the switching element on an outside of the bicycle frame tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Hereunder the disclosure will be explained in detail on the basis of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a bicycle frame,

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective top view of the holding element together with a battery,

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a bicycle frame tube in the longitudinal direction in the area of the holding element, and

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a schematic exploded view of the holding element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A bicycle frame usually comprises a top tube 10, a saddle tube 12 connected to the top tube 10, a down tube 14 as well as a head tube 16 connected to the top tube 10 and the down tube 14. Further, a bottom bracket or motor housing 18 is provided serving for accommodating an electric motor of the bottom bracket. Other frame geometries are also known. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the down tube 14 is arranged such that a bottom-bracket-side end 20 of the down tube 14 comprises a battery opening 22. The battery opening 22 is thus arranged relative to a longitudinal direction 24 of the down tube 14. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a battery can be inserted into the battery opening 22 and into the down tube 14 from below in the longitudinal direction 24.

[0026] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a mechanical switch is arranged at an upper side 26 of the down tube 14 in the area of the down tube 14 facing in the direction of the head tube 16. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the mechanical switch 28 (FIG. 2) is combined with a holding element 30 for a battery 32 or constitutes an assembly with said holding element. The switch 28 comprises an operating element, such as a button 34, which mechanically cooperates with an on/off switch provided at the battery 32. In FIG. 2, said switch is arranged below the operating element 34. The operating element 34 is held in the, in the illustrated embodiment essentially oval, opening in the frame tube via a fixing element or a switch holding element 30.

[0027] The holding element 30 is arranged inside a frame tube not illustrated in FIG. 2. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the holding element 30 comprises an abutment element 38 made up of two arcuate portions. The abutment element 38 is bent inwardly or convexly relative to the down tube 14 (FIG. 3). In particular, the two abutment elements 38 have an elastic configuration. For allowing for an elastic deformation when the battery 32 is inserted and for exerting a compressing force or biasing force on the battery 32 a hollow space 42 is defined between the abutment elements 38 and an inner wall of the bicycle frame tube 14.

[0028] The provision of a raised portion 46 facilitates the positioning of the battery in the longitudinal direction. The raised portion 46 biases the component 30 in this area.

[0029] The at least one abutment element 38 abuts on an outside 44 of the battery 32. For facilitating insertion in the longitudinal direction 24 the outside 44, in the inserted position, comprises a raised portion 46 in the area of abutment of the abutment elements 38.

[0030] For supporting on the inside of the downtube 14 the holding element comprises two supporting elements 45 each connected to the abutment element 38. The abutment element 38 is arranged between the two supporting elements 45. One of the two supporting elements 45 is further connected to a fixing means 46 or configured as a fixing means 46. The fixing means 46 is configured as a boss connected to the abutment elements 38. The boss comprises a noncircular recess 48. In said recess a threaded bore hole 50 is provided. For installation purposes, the holding element 30 is inserted into the opening in the frame tube 14. A boss 52 of the holding element 30 facing inwardly extends into the opening 48. The noncircular configuration of the opening 48 prevents the holding element 30 from turning. The holding element 30 is fixed with the aid of a screw 54 (FIG. 3). The screw 54 can then be covered with a cover 56.

[0031] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the battery 32 comprises a guiding element 58. Said guiding element can be a convexly bent boss which is arranged essentially opposite the holding element 30 when the battery 32 is inserted.

[0032] For allowing the holding element 30 to protect the battery 32 against lateral movements in the direction indicated by an arrow 60 (FIG. 2) a fixing element is provided. Said fixing element comprises a groove 62 which is formed in the holding element 30 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The groove 62 cooperates with a boss 64 which can be a guiding protrusion or the like. The boss 64 is arranged on the outside 44 of the battery 32 and extends in the longitudinal direction 24.