Bicycle with Connector Function, Bicycle Connector and Bicycle Cassette

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bicycle with connector function and at least a number of subsystems. The bicycle includes a tube assembly including a frame with mutually fixed tube elements and movable tube elements, such as a steering pin and a handlebar, at least a first bicycle cassette, for holding at least a first of the number of subsystems, such as a bicycle control unit, of the bicycle for providing a respective function to the bicycle. The first bicycle cassette is arrangeable in at least a first tube element of the tube assembly, and includes a first cassette contact, including a number of contact poles, that is connectable with the at least first of the number of subsystems internal in the first bicycle cassette. A bicycle also includes a connector for connecting with the first cassette contact of the first bicycle cassette. The bicycle connector includes a first connector contact, including a number of contact poles, for connecting with the first cassette contact, and at least one output contact for connecting with a respective subsystem. The bicycle connector is arrangeable in the respective first tube element of the tube assembly.

Claims

1. A bicycle with connector function and at least a number of subsystems, the bicycle comprising: a tube assembly comprising a frame with mutually fixed tube elements and movable tube elements, such as a steering pin and a handlebar, at least a first bicycle cassette, for holding at least a first of the number of subsystems, such as a bicycle control unit, of the bicycle for providing a respective function to the bicycle, wherein the first bicycle cassette: is arrangeable in at least a first tube element of the tube assembly, comprises a first cassette contact, comprising a number of contact poles, that is connectable with the at least first of the number of subsystems internal in the first bicycle cassette, a bicycle connector for connecting with the first cassette contact of the first bicycle cassette, the bicycle connector comprising: a first connector contact, comprising a number of contact poles, for connecting with the first cassette contact, at least one output contact for connecting with a respective subsystem, wherein the bicycle connector is arrangeable in the respective first tube element of the tube assembly.

2. The bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising: at least a second bicycle cassette, for holding at least a second of the number of subsystems, such as an accumulator or battery, of the bicycle for providing a respective function to the bicycle, wherein the second bicycle cassette: is arrangeable in at least a second tube element of the tube assembly, a second cassette contact, comprising a number of contact poles, that intermittently in the second bicycle cassette is coupled connectable with at least a further instance of the number of subsystems, the bicycle connector for connecting with the first and the second cassette contact of the first bicycle cassette and the second bicycle cassette, comprising: a second connector contact, comprising a number of second contact poles for connecting with the second cassette contact, a number of pull connectors, such as comprising wires, for connecting at least a part of the number of first contact poles of the first cassette contact with at least a part of the number of second contact poles of the second connector contact.

3. The bicycle according to claim 2, further comprising a pole connector housing for protecting at least a number of the number of pull connectors, preferably as part of the bicycle connector.

4. The bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the bicycle connector comprises a bridge element for mutually connecting the first connector contact with the second connector contact, preferably for the purpose of providing a mutual orientation.

5. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the first connector contact and/or the second connector contact comprises contact poles for the purpose of transferring a charging current to a battery and/or a drive current to a drive motor of the bicycle.

6. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the first connector contact and/or the second connector contact comprises contact poles for the purpose of transferring an information signal or a control signal from a subsystem or to a subsystem.

7. The bicycle according to claim 5, further comprising a combination of contact poles for the purpose of a charge current and contact poles for the purpose of an information signal or a control signal.

8. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the bicycle connector comprises guiding means for guiding and/or centering of the respective connector contact during mutually connecting of the respective cassette contact and connector contact.

9. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the complex comprises pin contacts or ball contacts.

10. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the mutual sizing of the bicycle connector and at least a first tube element are such that the bicycle connector is may be passed through this tube element.

11. The bicycle according to claim 10, wherein the bicycle connector may be passed through this first tube element to a coupling or bend between this tube element and a second tube element for arrangement at this coupling or bend for the purpose of providing of a connector connection between the first tube element and the second tube element by means of the bicycle connector.

12. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the first cassette contact is functionally arrangeable in the top tube of the bicycle, and wherein the second cassette contact is functionally arrangeable in the bottom tube of the bicycle.

13. The bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising mounting means for mounting of the bicycle connector in a functional position.

14. The bicycle according to claim 13, wherein the mounting means are arranged such that these are operable from the bottom side and/or the top side of the steering tube.

15. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second cassette contact are each arranged for a respective connection function, or wherein the first and the second cassette contact are identical.

16. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein a tube element with therein arrangeable bicycle cassette have a mutual guiding shape such that the cassette is only arrangeable in the tube element in an orientation fitting with finding connection between the cassette contact at the connector contact.

17. The bicycle connector according to a bicycle according to claim 1, comprising: a first connector contact, comprising a number of contact poles, for connecting with the first cassette contact, at least one output contact for connecting with a respective subsystem, wherein the bicycle connector is arrangeable in the respective first tube element of the tube assembly.

18. The bicycle connector according to claim 17, further comprising: a second connector contact, comprising a number of second contact poles, for connecting with the second cassette contact, a number of pull connectors, such as comprising wires, for connecting of at least a first of the number of first contact poles of the first cassette contact with at least a part of the number of second contact poles of the second connector contact.

19. The bicycle connector according to claim 17, further comprising a bridge element for mutually connecting of the first connector contact with the second connector contact, preferably for the purpose of providing of a mutual orientation.

20. A bicycle cassette for holding at least a first of a number of subsystems, such as a control unit, the bicycle for providing of a respective function to the bicycle, wherein the first bicycle cassette: is arrangeable in at least a first tube element of the tube assembly, comprises a first cassette contact, comprising a number of contact poles, that is connectable with the at least first of the number of subsystems internally in the first bicycle cassette.

21. The bicycle cassette according to claim 20, wherein the bicycle cassette: is arrangeable in at least a second tube element of the tube assembly, comprises a second cassette contact, comprising a number of contact poles, that is connectable with at least a further of the number of subsystems internally in the second bicycle cassette.

22. The bicycle cassette according to claim 20, further comprising a detection assembly for detecting in ambient air present particles with a size more than 20 m, preferably smaller than 10 m, preferably smaller than 5 m, further preferably about 2.5 micrometer or smaller than 2.5 micrometer, which detection assembly is preferably arranged as an underside of the bicycle cassette, further preferably with an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening with substantially therebetween the detection assembly.

23. The bicycle cassette according to claim 22, further comprising a microphone opening and a microphone for detecting ambient sound, further preferably coupled with a control unit arranged in the bicycle cassette or a with the bicycle cassette connected further bicycle cassette.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a description of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Similar yet not necessarily identical parts of different preferred embodiments may be indicated with the same reference numerals.

[0054] FIG. 1 relates to a schematic representation of a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 2 relates to a representation in perspective view of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 3 relates to a side view of a preferred embodiment according to FIG. 2.

[0057] FIG. 4 relates to a schematic representation of a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 5 relates to a schematic representation of mounting stages of the first preferred embodiments.

[0059] FIG. 6 relates to a schematic representation of mounting stages of the second preferred embodiments.

[0060] FIG. 7 relates to 2 representation in perspective view of a further preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] A first preferred embodiment (FIG. 1) according to the present invention relates to a bicycle 1. It comprises a bicycle connector 2 for arrangement in a junction between a top tube 3 and a bottom tube for at the location of the steering pin 5. The bicycle connector 2 (FIG. 2) comprises a first connector contact 11 and a second connector contact 12. The first connector contact 11 serves the purpose of connecting with a cassettes 21 for arrangement thereof in the top tube 3. The second connector contact 12 serves the purpose of connecting with a cassette 22 for arrangement thereof in bottom tube 4.

[0062] The top tube cassettes 21 comprises a cassette contact 21 for connection with connector contact 11. The bottom tube cassettes 22 comprises a cassette contact (not shown) for corresponding connection with the connector contact 12.

[0063] The bottom tube cassette comprises a battery or accumulator for driving the bicycle by means of an electrical motor therewith. Furthermore, the bottom tube cassette comprises a battery management system for optimizing charging and discharging of the battery during use thereof and during charging thereof. The bottom tube cassette is an optional cassette according to the present invention.

[0064] The top tube cassette 21 comprises a control unit for controlling of or functioning together with several subsystems of the bicycle, such as a drive motor or a sensor therein, lock with a sensor and/or solenoid therein, bell function or horn function, bell button or horn button, and/or a rev counter. The pins of connector contact 11 and connector contact 12 have a function as follows.

[0065] Poles 40 provides power to a 3 phase motor. Poles 41 relates to the negative pole of the battery. The poles 42 relate to the positive pole of the battery. The pole 50 relates to the pole for charging of the battery, as well as the poles 51 and 52. Pole 53 relates to a TX pole for communication with the battery. Pole 54 relates to an RX pole for communication with the battery. Pole 55 relates to an earthing pole for the battery. Pole 56 relates to a 5 volt VCC for the battery. The poles 57, 58 connect with the bell button. The poles 59, 60 connected with a boost button for raising the engine power of the drive motor of the bicycle. The poles 61, 62, 63 connected with a hall sensor of the motor. The poles 64, 65 connect with a motor of a further subsystem. The pole 66 connects with a temperature sensor of the motor. The poles 67, 68, 69 are as yet left empty. The poles 70, 71, 72, 73 connect with a bicycle lock, a solenoid and a sensor switch thereof. The poles 74, 75, 76, 77 connect with a hall sensor of a rev counter of the bottom bracket. The poles 78 connect with an earth connection of the rev counter of the bottom bracket. The poles 80, 81 connect with the front light of the bicycle.

[0066] With this, examples are indicated of the connections of the poles of the connector contacts. The head end of the top tube cassettes 21 comprises the cassette contact 21 thereof. The cassette contact 21 comprises poles or pins in correspondence with poles as described with the connector contact 1 according to FIG. 2. Also the bottom tube cassette comprises poles in correspondence with the poles of the corresponding connector contact.

[0067] Connections from the cassette with further subsystems of the bicycle are also provided with via the bicycle connector. Herewith, it is advantageously possible that all or substantially a number of subsystems of the bicycle are connectable with the bicycle cassette in a simple manner. To this end, cables are guided from the bicycle connected to the respective subsystems as indicated in the above.

[0068] With this, it becomes possible according to the present invention to easily mount and/or replace a cassette by sliding it into the respective tube until the contacts are in mutual connection or are inserted therein in a correct manner. With this, it is advantageously achieved that all subsystems become connected with the cassette, the subsystems therein and/or the central control of the bicycle in the top tube cassette by means of a simple connection operation. It is just as well provided that the functions of the cassette are applied in reverse manner such that the battery is in the top tube or the control unit in the bottom tube. Furthermore, it is provided that such a bicycle connector is embodied single sidedly for the variant that merely a bottom tube cassette or a top tube cassette is applied in the bicycle. This is for example in case the bicycle is provided with a control unit, but for example not with a drive motor with the thereto belonging battery or accumulator.

[0069] The connector is provided with a guide edge 24, 24 for guiding of ribs 23, 23 of the head end of the cassette or of the cassette contact. With this, it is achieved that pushing of the cassette such that the poles may contact with each other can only be performed when the mutual orientation is sufficiently accurate. With this, also a seeking function is provided for the purpose of correctly inserting of the contacts of the cassette in the context of the bicycle connector and vice versa, depending on the orientation of the male/female connections that are considered reversible.

[0070] Furthermore, it is shown how to bicycle connector is inserted into the frame (FIG. 5). Bicycle connector is inserted from the bottom side of the bottom tube and moved upwardly until the junction between the bottom tube at the top tube where it is connected by means of screw connections 57 respectively 58. After a simple fastening operation by means of the screw connections the connector is ready for receiving the respective cassette contacts. The screw connections are advantageously realizable by means of the top opening 48 and the bottom opening 48 of the steering tube 5.

[0071] For the purpose of the mutual orientation of the connector contact, a bridge 26 is provided to which the connector contacts are mounted. Furthermore, the bridge is provided with a screw thread for the purpose of screw connections 57, 58.

[0072] For the purpose of connecting of the connector contacts with the subsystems outside the top tube cassette and the bottom tube cassette, wires are provided that extend from the respective pulse to the respective subsystems.

[0073] An alternative variant of the bicycle connector relates to the bicycle connector for a so-called X frame. In the X frame, the distance between the bottom tube and the top tube, at least the beginning of openings thereof is differently arranged then with the frame as shown in FIG. 1 at 5. To this end, a bicycle connector 62 is provided with corresponding contacts as the bicycle connector tool, but with a different orientation relative to the bridge 26. FIG. 8 shows two preferred embodiments of a cassettes 21 that is provided with a particulate matter measurement device 101 that is provided with an input opening 102 and an output opening 103 at the bottom side of the cassette 21. The cassette is furthermore provided with a microphone 100 therefore for providing of a sensor function for ambient noise. Furthermore, a loudspeaker 105 is provided, next to a charge port 106, for feedback of sound signals to the user from the control unit of the bicycle.

[0074] In addition to a head end side sealing of the cassette according to FIG. 7, a single or double sealing according to FIG. 9 is provided to the connector. This sealing functions durably because a wall part 27 of the connector of the cassette is slidable in into a slot 28 of the counter connector of the bicycle connector or vice versa. With this, a ring-shaped water countering member, such as a rubber ring 27, insertable into a slot 27 in the wall along which an insertion edge of the connector is insertable. Together with this, or separate from this, a similar ring 28 is provided in a connector slot 28 in the insertion edge of the connector for providing of the further sealing by means of this ring.

[0075] The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are expressly considered disclosed in combination with each other and in all combinations that on the basis of this document, when read by a skilled person of the area of skill, fall within the scope of the invention or are deemed to be read with the disclosure of this document. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this document. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims.