HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL COMPONENT AND STEM FOR A BICYCLE, AND BICYCLE

Abstract

Disclosed are a hollow cylindrical component for a bicycle, a stem having a hollow cylindrical component for a bicycle, and a bicycle having a hollow cylindrical component or a stem. To allow lines of the bicycle to be installed in a simple, secure, and protected manner, the hollow cylindrical component has at least one line receptacle in the cylinder wall thereof.

Claims

1. A hollow cylindrical component for a bicycle, having a cylinder wall that separates the inner cavity of the hollow cylindrical component from the surroundings of the hollow cylindrical component, wherein the hollow cylindrical component has at least one line receptacle that extends, at least in sections, along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical component and that is at least partially situated in the cylinder wall.

2. The hollow cylindrical component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line receptacle is spaced apart from the outer casing of the hollow cylindrical component.

3. The hollow cylindrical component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line receptacle, at least in sections, is open toward the inner cavity.

4. The hollow cylindrical component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line receptacle extends through an end-face side of the hollow cylindrical component.

5. The hollow cylindrical component according to claim 4, wherein in the area of the end-face side the at least one line receptacle curves away from the inner cavity.

6. The hollow cylindrical component according to claim 1, wherein the hollow cylindrical component has multiple line receptacles that are offset in parallel to one another, at least in sections.

7. The hollow cylindrical component according to claim 1, wherein the hollow cylindrical component has multiple line receptacles that are curved away from one another in the area of the end-face side.

8. A stem for a bicycle, having a hollow cylindrical component with a cylinder wall that separates the inner cavity of the hollow cylindrical component from the surroundings of the hollow cylindrical component, wherein the hollow cylindrical component has at least one line receptacle that extends, at least in sections, along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical component and that is at least partially situated in the cylinder wall.

9. The stem according to claim 8, wherein the stem has a tube receptacle for the clamping accommodation of a steerer tube, wherein the hollow cylindrical component forms at least one section of the tube receptacle, and the inner cavity is designed to accommodate at least one section of the steerer tube.

10. The stem according to claim 9, wherein the tube receptacle is designed to accommodate the steerer tube in a receiving direction, and the at least one line receptacle extends, at least in sections, along the receiving direction.

11. The stem according to claim 9, wherein the stem has a cavity for accommodating an electronic component, with the at least one line receptacle opening into the cavity.

12. The stem according to claim 11, wherein the stem has two handlebar connecting pieces for connection to handlebar grips for the bicycle, wherein at least one of the handlebar connecting pieces is designed with at least one line guide that is situated, at least in sections, inside the handlebar connecting piece, and wherein the line guide opens into the cavity.

13. The stem according to claim 12, wherein the cavity, at least in sections, is situated between the opening in the at least one line receptacle and the opening in the at least one line guide.

14. The stem according to claim 11, wherein an electronic component is situated in the cavity, the electronic component being a signal distribution device for distributing electrical control signals of a bicycle that is at least partially electrically operable or drivable.

15. A bicycle, comprising: a hollow cylindrical component with a cylinder wall that separates the inner cavity of the hollow cylindrical component from the surroundings of the hollow cylindrical component, wherein the hollow cylindrical component has at least one line receptacle that extends, at least in sections, along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical component and that is at least partially situated in the cylinder wall.

16. The bicycle according to claim 15, wherein the bicycle has a bicycle frame with at least one tubular section, wherein the hollow cylindrical component is at least partially situated in the tubular section or forms same.

17. The bicycle according to claim 15, comprising a stem having the hollow cylindrical component.

18. The bicycle according to claim 17, wherein the stem has a tube receptacle or the clamping accommodation of a steerer tube, wherein the hollow cylindrical component forms at least one section of the tube receptacle, and the inner cavity is designed to accommodate at least one section of the steerer tube.

19. The bicycle according to claim 17, wherein the stem has a cavity for accommodating an electronic component, with the at least one line receptacle opening into the cavity.

20. The stem according to claim 19, wherein an electronic component is situated in the cavity, the electronic component being a signal distribution device for distributing electrical control signals of the bicycle that is at least partially electrically operable or drivable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Reference is made below to the drawings for better understanding of the present invention. The drawings show exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter strictly by way of example.

[0034] Identical or functionally equivalent parts in the figures and the associated description are provided with the same or similar reference numerals.

[0035] FIG. 1 schematically shows a first possible exemplary embodiment of a hollow cylindrical component according to the invention in a cross-sectional illustration,

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of another possible exemplary embodiment of a hollow cylindrical component according to the invention,

[0037] FIG. 3 schematically shows another possible exemplary embodiment of a hollow cylindrical component according to the invention in a cross-sectional illustration,

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of yet another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component according to the invention,

[0039] FIG. 5 schematically shows a first possible exemplary embodiment of a hollow cylindrical component according to the invention in a cross-sectional illustration,

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of another possible exemplary embodiment of a hollow cylindrical component according to the invention,

[0041] FIG. 7 schematically shows yet another possible exemplary embodiment of a hollow cylindrical component according to the invention in a cross-sectional illustration,

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of yet another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component according to the invention,

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of one possible exemplary embodiment of a stem according to the invention for a bicycle,

[0044] FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5, and

[0045] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a bicycle according to the invention.

APPROACHES TO CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0046] A first possible exemplary embodiment of a hollow cylindrical component 10 according to the invention for a bicycle (see FIG. 11) is illustrated in FIG. 1. The hollow cylindrical component 10 has an inner cavity 11 that is enclosed, at least in sections, by a cylinder wall 12 transverse to a longitudinal axis L of the hollow cylindrical component 10. The cylinder wall 12 has an outer casing 13 that faces away from the longitudinal axis L. In addition, the cylinder wall 12 has an inner casing 14 that faces the longitudinal axis L.

[0047] Between the outer casing 13 and the inner casing 14, the hollow cylindrical component 10 is provided with a line receptacle 15 that is spaced apart at least from the outer casing 13, and in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, also spaced apart from the inner casing 14. The line receptacle 15 is thus situated inside the cylinder wall 12. Consequently, the line receptacle 15 is protected from mechanical impairment by the outer casing 13 and also by the inner casing 14. The line receptacle 15, at least in sections, extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component 10 according to the invention. For the sake of brevity, the following discussion addresses only the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. The line receptacle 15 of the hollow cylindrical component 10 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is once again spaced apart from the outer casing 13. However, the line receptacle 15 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2 penetrates the inner casing 14, at least in sections, so that the line receptacle 15, at least in sections, is open toward the inner cavity 11 and the longitudinal axis L. As a result, a line may be easily inserted, transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L, into the line receptacle 15, which extends along the outer casing 13 in the manner of a groove.

[0049] An edge of the line receptacle 15 that is formed by the cylinder wall 12 may have a circular or polygonal base area in the base area of the hollow cylindrical component 10. In a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis L, the edge may extend over at least 90, and for example up to 135, up to 180, or even up to 215, about a midpoint of the circular or polygonal base area of the line receptacle 15. If the edge extends over less than 180, a line may be easily inserted into the line receptacle 15. If the edge extends over more than 180, the line may be held in the line receptacle 15 in a form-fit or force-fit manner with a cross section that is essentially complementary to the cross section of the line receptacle 15.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component 10 according to the invention. For the sake of brevity, the following discussion addresses only the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2. In addition to the line receptacle 15, the hollow cylindrical component 10 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 has a further line receptacle 16. The line receptacles 15, 16 are spaced apart from one another in a radial direction R that extends about the longitudinal axis L. The inner casing 14 is thus also present between the line receptacles 15, 16, and forms a connecting web 17 between the line receptacles 15, 16. Starting from the longitudinal axis L and extending in the radial direction R, the distance A of the line receptacles 15, 16 from one another may be at least 5, up to 10, up to 45, up to 90, up to 135, or even up to 180. The line receptacles 15, 16 are in particular offset in parallel to one another along the inner casing 14.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component 10 according to the invention. For the sake of brevity, the following discussion addresses only the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, the line receptacles 15, 16 of the hollow cylindrical component 10 at least partially overlap in the radial direction R.

[0052] The edge of each of the line receptacles 15, 16 formed by the cylinder wall 12 may have a circular or polygonal base area in the base area of the hollow cylindrical component 10. In a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis L, the edge may extend over a smaller angle than the edge in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3. In particular, the edge between the line receptacles 15, 16 may end before reaching the section of the inner casing 14 at a distance from the line receptacles 15, 16. The distance of the midpoints of the line receptacles 15, 16 from one another along the radial direction R is preferably smaller than the diameter of the line receptacles 15, 16 along the radial direction R, if these would not overlap.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component 10 according to the invention. For the sake of brevity, the following discussion addresses only the differences from the preceding exemplary embodiments. The hollow cylindrical component 10 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 has a line receptacle 18 that is spaced apart from the inner casing 14. The line receptacle 18 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5 penetrates the outer casing 13, at least in sections, so that the line receptacle 18 is open, at least in sections, away from the inner cavity 11 or the longitudinal axis L. As a result, a line may be easily inserted, transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L, into the line receptacle 18, which extends along the inner casing 14 in the manner of a groove.

[0054] An edge of the line receptacle 18 formed by the cylinder wall 12 may have a circular or polygonal base area in the base area of the hollow cylindrical component 10. In a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis L, the edge may extend over at least 90, for example up to 135, up to 180, or even up to 215, about a midpoint of the circular or polygonal base area of the line receptacle 18. If the edge extends over less than 180, a line may be easily inserted into the line receptacle 18. If the edge extends over greater than 180, the line may be held in the line receptacle 18 in a form-fit or force-fit manner with a cross section that is essentially complementary to the cross section of the line receptacle 18.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component 10 according to the invention. For the sake of brevity, the following discussion addresses only the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5. In addition to the line receptacle 18, the hollow cylindrical component 10 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6 has a further line receptacle 19. The line receptacles 18, 19 are spaced apart from one another in a radial direction R that extends about the longitudinal axis L. The outer casing 13 is thus present between the line receptacles 18, 19, and forms a connecting web 17A between the line receptacles 18, 19. Starting from the longitudinal axis L and extending in the radial direction R, the distance A of the line receptacles 18, 19 from one another may be at least 5, up to 10, up to 45, up to 90, up to 135, or even up to 180. The line receptacles 18, 19 are in particular offset in parallel to one another along the inner casing 14.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component 10 according to the invention. For the sake of brevity, the following discussion addresses only the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 7, the line receptacles 18, 19 of the hollow cylindrical component 10 at least partially overlap in the radial direction R.

[0057] The edge of each of the line receptacles 18, 19 formed by the cylinder wall 12 may have a circular or polygonal base area in the base area of the hollow cylindrical component 10. In a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis L, the edge may extend over a smaller angle than the edge in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 7 [sic; 6]. In particular, the edge between the line receptacles 18, 19 may end before reaching the section of the outer casing 13 at a distance from the line receptacles 18, 19. The distance of the midpoints of the line receptacles 18, 19 from one another along the radial direction R is preferably smaller than the diameter of the line receptacles 18, 19 along the radial direction R, if these would not overlap.

[0058] FIG. 8 shows another possible exemplary embodiment of the hollow cylindrical component 10 according to the invention. For the sake of brevity, the following discussion addresses only the differences from the preceding exemplary embodiments. The hollow cylindrical component 10 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 has at least one line receptacle 15 and at least one line receptacle 18. If the hollow cylindrical component 10 has more than one line receptacle that is open toward the longitudinal axis L, these line receptacles 15, 16 may be formed as in at least one of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4. Alternatively or additionally, if the hollow cylindrical component 10 has more than one line receptacle that is open toward the longitudinal axis L, these line receptacles 18, 19 may be formed as in at least one the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0059] Optionally, the hollow cylindrical component 10 in each of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 2 through 8 may additionally have the line receptacle 15 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1.

[0060] FIG. 9 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a stem 20 according to the invention for a bicycle together with the hollow cylindrical component 10. The hollow cylindrical component 10 essentially corresponds to the hollow cylindrical component 10 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the stem 20 together with the hollow cylindrical components 10 may be formed [as in] the other exemplary embodiments.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows the stem 20 according to the invention in a schematic perspective illustration. The hollow cylindrical component 10 is shown as an integral part of the stem 20 strictly by way of example. Alternatively or additionally, other parts of the bicycle and in particular of the bicycle frame may cooperate with the hollow cylindrical component 10, include same, or be made up of same. These parts of the bicycle may be a tubular section of the bicycle frame and, for example, the head tube, the top tube, the down tube, the seat tube, the upper tube of the rear assembly, or the lower tube of the rear assembly of the bicycle frame. In particular, the hollow cylindrical component 10 may advantageously be used as a socket element or a clamping sleeve in the stem 20 for cable routing, where the hollow cylindrical component 10 encloses the head tube, or is enclosed by the head tube or accommodated therein.

[0062] One end of the hollow cylindrical component 10 is formed with an end-face side 21 that extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L. The hollow cylindrical component 10 may also include the end-face side 21 when the former is not part of the stem 20. The end-face side 21 may at least partially extend about the longitudinal axis L. The line receptacles 15, 16 extend, for example, through the end-face side 21 along the longitudinal axis L.

[0063] The line receptacles 15, 16 curve away from the inner cavity 11 in the area of the end-face side 21. In the area of the end-face side 21 may mean that the area extends along the longitudinal axis L from the end-face side 21 into the hollow cylindrical component 10 to a depth that corresponds at least to the diameter of the respective line receptacle 15, 16 transverse to the longitudinal axis L. The diameter is the diameter of a section of a respective line receptacle 15, 16 that does not curve away from the longitudinal axis L.

[0064] If the hollow cylindrical component 10 additionally or alternatively has at least one line receptacle 18, 19 that is open away from the longitudinal axis L, this line receptacle 18, 19 in the area of the end-face side 21 may curve toward the inner cavity 11 or toward the longitudinal axis L. In the area of the end-face side 21 may mean that the area extends along the longitudinal axis L from the end-face side 21 into the hollow cylindrical component 10 to a depth that corresponds at least to the diameter of the respective line receptacle 18, 19 transverse to the longitudinal axis L. The diameter is the diameter of a section of a respective line receptacle 18, 19 that does not curve away from the longitudinal axis L.

[0065] In addition, if the hollow cylindrical component 10 has only one line receptacle 15, it may have a design in the area of the end-face side 21 that curves away from the longitudinal axis L. However, if the hollow cylindrical component 10 has multiple, in particular two, line receptacles 15, 16, they may curve away from one another in the area of the end-face side 21, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9.

[0066] Even if the hollow cylindrical component 10 additionally or alternatively has only one line receptacle 18, it may be curved toward the longitudinal axis L in the area of the end-face side 21. However, if the hollow cylindrical component 10 additionally or alternatively has multiple, in particular two, line receptacles 18, 19, they may curve toward one another in the area of the end-face side 21.

[0067] If the hollow cylindrical component 10 is part of the stem 20, and the stem 20 has handlebar connecting pieces 22, 23 for connecting the stem 20 to handlebar grips for the bicycle, each of the line receptacles 15, 16 in the area of the end-face side 21 may extend toward the respective handlebar connecting piece 22, 23.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9, the hollow cylindrical component 10 has a slot 24 that extends through the cylinder wall 12 on one side of the longitudinal axis L. The slot 24 may extend in parallel to the longitudinal axis L or at an angle to the longitudinal axis L. The hollow cylindrical component 10 may thus form at least one section of a tube receptacle 25. The tube receptacle 25 is formed for the clamping accommodation of a tube, in particular a steerer tube or a seat tube, or as a further alternative, as a crankshaft or some other drive shaft. The inner cavity 11 may be formed, at least in sections, in a receptacle in the tube.

[0069] For example, the tube may be inserted into the inner cavity 11 in a receiving direction that extends along the longitudinal axis L. The slot 24 may be compressed along the radial direction R in order to hold the tube with clamping in the hollow cylindrical component 10.

[0070] Viewed from the longitudinal axis L behind the line receptacles 15, 16, the stem 20 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9 has a cavity 26. The cavity 26 may be used to accommodate an electronic component. The at least one line receptacle 15 or the two line receptacles 15, 16 illustrated in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9 open(s) into this cavity 26.

[0071] FIG. 10 shows the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 9 in a schematic sectional view, with the section plane extending essentially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis L. The stem 20 is shown together with the hollow cylindrical component 10, which is designed as a tube receptacle 25, and the two handlebar connecting pieces 22, 23 that are mounted on the tube receptacle 25. At least one of the handlebar connecting pieces 22, 23, in particular both handlebar connecting pieces 22, 23, are in each case designed with at least one line guide 27, 28 that is situated, at least in sections, inside the respective handlebar connecting piece 22, 23. The at least one line guide 27, 28 is designed for accommodating lines and guiding them toward the line receptacles 15, 16 or into the cavity 26. For example, the line guides 27, 28 open into the cavity 26. The openings in the line receptacles 15, 16 may each be curved toward at least one of the line guides 27, 28, in particular toward the openings thereof into the cavity 26.

[0072] The cavity 26 is preferably situated, at least in sections, between the opening in the at least one line receptacle 15 or the openings in the two line receptacles 15, 16, and the opening in the at least one line guide 27 or the openings in the line guide 27, 28. An electronic component 29 may be situated in the cavity 26.

[0073] The electronic component 29 may be designed for connecting lines, guided through the line guide 27 or through the line guides 27, 28 into the cavity 26, to a line accommodated in the at least one line receptacle 15 or lines accommodated in the line receptacles 15, 16, in a signal-transmitting manner. In particular, the electronic component 29 may be a signal distribution device for distributing control signals. The electronic component 29 may process the control signals before they are relayed. Alternatively, the electronic component 29 may relay control signals of multiple lines in combination to a single line or distributed on different lines.

[0074] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a bicycle 30, having a hollow cylindrical component 10 as part of the stem 20 of the bicycle 30. Alternatively or additionally, at least one component of the bicycle frame 31, such as its top tube 32, its down tube 33, its seat tube 34, the upper tube 35 of its rear assembly 36, or the lower tube 37 of its rear assembly 36, may include the hollow cylindrical component 10 or may even be completely made up of same, at least in sections. The bicycle 30 may be a bicycle that is drivable solely by electrical power, solely by muscle power, or selectively by either electrical power or muscle power. In addition, the bicycle 30 may be an electric motorcycle, or also a pedelec or E-bike.

[0075] In each of the preceding embodiments, the hollow cylindrical component 10, the stem 20, and/or the bicycle 30 may have at least one, two, three, five, or up to 10, i.e., multiple or any desired number of, line receptacles, of which at least some are at least partially situated inside the cylinder wall.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0076] 10 hollow cylindrical component [0077] 11 inner cavity [0078] 12 cylinder wall [0079] 13 outer casing [0080] 14 inner casing [0081] 15, 16 line receptacle [0082] 17 web [0083] 20 stem [0084] 21 end-face side [0085] 22, 23 handlebar connecting pieces [0086] 24 slot [0087] 25 tube receptacle [0088] 26 cavity [0089] 27, 28 line guide [0090] 29 electronic component [0091] 30 bicycle [0092] 31 bicycle frame [0093] 32 top tube [0094] 33 down tube [0095] 34 seat tube [0096] 35 upper tube [0097] 36 rear assembly [0098] 37 lower tube [0099] A distance [0100] L longitudinal axis [0101] R radial direction