Hub for a Bicycle Wheel, Bicycle Drive System, and Bicycle

Abstract

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.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. A hub for a bicycle running wheel, the hub comprising: 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.

19. The hub according to claim 18, wherein the hub body and the receiving area are milled together from the single part.

20. The hub according to claim 18, wherein no freewheel is arranged or realized between the hub body and the receiving area.

21. The hub according to claim 18, wherein the receiving area is a receiving area configured to receive a cassette, a belt pulley or a pinion.

22. The hub according to claim 18, wherein the receiving area has a receiving profile and/or an external thread configured to receive and/or fix the force transmission means.

23. A bicycle drive system comprising: the hub according to claim 18 arranged in the bicycle running wheel; the force transmission means arranged on the receiving area of the hub; a drive means; and a drive arranged in a bottom bracket region, wherein the force transmission means is drivable via the drive means by the drive, and wherein a freewheel is arranged in the bottom bracket region between the drive means and the drive.

24. The bicycle drive system according to claim 23, wherein the force transmission means comprises a cassette or a belt pulley.

25. The bicycle drive system according to claim 23, wherein the drive comprises a pedal crank including a chainring or a belt pulley.

26. The bicycle drive system according to claim 25, wherein the freewheel is arranged between the pedal crank and the chainring.

27. The bicycle drive system according to claim 25, wherein the freewheel is arranged between the pedal crank and the belt pulley.

28. The bicycle drive system according to claim 25, wherein the drive further comprises an electric motor.

29. The bicycle drive system according to claim 28, wherein the bicycle drive system is arranged such that the electric motor is drivable by the drive means driven by the rotating hub and such that the electric motor acts as a generator during recuperation thereby recharging an accumulator assigned to the electric motor.

30. The bicycle drive system according to claim 29, wherein a presence and/or a strength of the recuperation is selectable or adjustable by a user.

31. The bicycle drive system according to claim 28, wherein the electric motor is configured to act as a generator when the electric motor is driven by the rotating hub via the drive means during recuperation.

32. The bicycle drive system according to claim 28, wherein the freewheel is arranged in the electric motor of the drive.

33. The bicycle drive system according to claim 23, wherein the drive means comprises a chain or a belt.

34. The bicycle drive system according to claim 23, wherein the freewheel is arranged in a transmission of the drive.

35. A bicycle comprising: the bicycle drive system according to claim 23.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Supplementary or additional to the advantageous embodiments and further developments of the teachings already discussed, examples embodiments of devices according to the invention shown in the drawing in the scope of FIGS. 1 to 4 are explained in more detail. However, the examples discussed by making reference to the drawing do not limit the invention to the examples shown. In discussing the examples embodiments by making reference to the drawing, preferred embodiments and further developments of the technical teachings will also be shown in general.

[0054] Further developments of the above-described advantageous embodiments having the features of the following examples embodiments expressly constitute further advantageous embodiments of the invention, just as further developments of the below-described examples embodiments having the features of the above-described embodiments expressly constitute further advantageous embodiments of the invention, thus form part of the present disclosure.

[0055] With respect to the following illustration of the figures, it should be pointed out in general that reference numbers already shown in previous figures and already explained in this respect above, have not fully been adopted in the subsequent figures for reasons of clarity and/or are not explained again in some cases based on the subsequent figures. For illustrating such reference numbers and the associated technical features, reference is made to the respective description of the respective preceding figures in its entirety to avoid repetition, wherein:

[0056] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a preferred example embodiment of the hub for a bicycle running wheel according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the hub of FIG. 1, as seen from above along the sectional plane H-H of FIG. 1;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hub of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0059] FIG. 4 is a partially schematic lateral representation of a preferred example embodiment of a bicycle according to the invention, which simultaneously comprises a preferred example embodiment of a bicycle drive system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a preferred example embodiment of the hub 2 according to the invention for a bicycle running wheel in a lateral view. The example shown is a rear wheel hub. The hub 2 is viewed from behind in the direction of travel of the bicycle.

[0061] The hub 2 comprises a left and a right spoke flange 4. The region to the left of the right spoke flange 4 may be designated as the hub body 6. The region to the right of this may be designated as receiving area 8 for a power transmission means (not shown herein), in this case a pinion package (cassette).

[0062] While departing from the known state of the art, the hub body 6 and the receiving area 8 are made of one part. Alternatively, these regions could be rigidly connected together, e.g. by welding or screwing.

[0063] Thus, no freewheel is arranged or realized between the hub body 6 and the receiving area 8. Nevertheless, the hub 2 has a receiving area 8 for a power transmission means, in particular a cassette or a belt pulley.

[0064] The receiving area 8 comprises on the left a receiving profile 10 for the torque transmission from the force transmission means, and on the right thereof an external thread 12 for fixing the force transmission means.

[0065] The force transmission means, in this case a cassette (not shown herein), has an inner sleeve extending to the outside of the smallest pinion, which is screwed onto the external thread 12 of the receiving area 8 from the smallest pinion using a suitable nut. In the process, the matching inner profile of the cassette travels across the receiving profile 10 of the receiving area 8, creating a form fit between the cassette and the receiving area 8 in the circumferential direction and allowing force to be transmitted. Such a system for fixing a cassette and for transmitting torque from a cassette to a hub 2 is known from the company SRAM® under the designation XD®.

[0066] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the hub 2 of FIG. 1 seen from above along the sectional plane H-H of FIG. 1. It becomes clear that the hub body 6 and the receiving area 8 here consist of or are manufactured from one part. For example, the composite or the object consisting of hub body 6 and receiving area 8 can be milled of one solid part, preferably of aluminum or titanium.

[0067] In this illustration, the spoke flanges 2 and the disc brake mount 14 are also shown.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the hub 2 from FIGS. 1 and 2 and illustrates that the assembly of hub body 6 and receiving area 8 is hollow on the inside. Due to the one-part design of the composite and the omission of the freewheel, the hub 2 can be made with the smallest possible wall thickness, and thus the lowest possible weight while at the same time providing considerable rigidity.

[0069] Furthermore, the external thread 12, the mounting profile 10, the spoke flanges 2 and the disc brake mount 14 are shown in more detail in this illustration.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows a partially schematic lateral view of a preferred example embodiment of a bicycle 200 according to the invention, which simultaneously comprises a preferred example embodiment of a bicycle drive system 20 according to the invention.

[0071] What is shown is a bicycle 200 as a pedelec/e-bike in an embodiment as a mountain bike. The drive system 20 initially comprises a drive 21 in the bottom bracket region 202 of the bicycle 200. The drive 21 initially comprises an electric motor 22 integrated in the bottom bracket region 202, which is fed by an accumulator 206 integrated in the down tube 204. Furthermore, in addition to the electric motor 22, the drive 21 comprises a pedal crank 24 with a chainring 25. Depending on the operating state, the pedal crank 24, together with the electric motor 22, drives the force transmission means 30 (herein cassette 32) arranged on the hub 2, namely on the rear wheel hub, and thus the rear running wheel 208 of the bicycle 200, via a drive means 26 (chain 28). The cassette 32 can be shifted via the derailleur system 34 of a chain derailleur.

[0072] The bicycle drive system 20 according to the invention comprises a hub 2 according to the invention (as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) arranged in the drivable running wheel 208 (here the rear wheel) of the bicycle 200 without freewheel. The force transmission means 30 (cassette 32) is arranged on the receiving area 8 (not to be seen in FIG. 3) of the hub 2, which can be driven via the drive means 26 (chain 28) by the drive 21 formed in the bottom bracket region 202 of the bicycle.

[0073] A freewheel 36 is realized between drive means 26 and drive 21 in the bottom bracket area 202 of the bicycle 200. The freewheel 36 can be realized in particular between the pedal crank 24 and the chainring 25 of the drive 21, in the electric motor 22 of the drive 21, or in a transmission of the drive 21.

[0074] Since the hub 2 (rear wheel hub) does not have a freewheel, the chain 28 is always moved further even during free rolling (pushing mode). The freewheel 36 realized in the bottom bracket area 202 prevents a forced co-movement of the cranks 24. The derailleur system 34 can thus also be operated without any pedaling movement—and thus may be operated completely load-free—as long as the bicycle 200 is rolling. As a result, maloperation, in particular shifting under too much load, can be avoided.

[0075] Furthermore, the drive system 21 can be arranged such that, in the pushing mode, the electric motor 22 can be driven by the drive means 26 driven by the hub 2 which continues to rotate as a result of the pedaling motion. In this case, the electric motor 21 can act as a generator during recuperation and can recharge the accumulator 206.

[0076] Here, the freewheel 36 may preferably be realized between the pedal crank 24 and the chainring 25.

[0077] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of the preferred embodiment examples, the present invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived by the skilled person without exceeding the scope of protection of the invention.

EMBODIMENTS

[0078] In addition to the advantageous embodiments, further embodiments and examples embodiments already discussed, the invention will be described below while making reference to other preferred specific embodiments which, however, do not limit the invention to the embodiments described. These embodiments are expressly part of the present description.

[0079] Further embodiments of the above-described advantageous embodiments and examples embodiments having the features of the following embodiments expressly form further advantageous embodiments of the invention, just as further embodiments of the below-described embodiments having the features of the above-described embodiments and examples embodiments, and are thus within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0080] Embodiment 1: A hub for a bicycle running wheel, comprising a hub body and a receiving area for a force transmission means, wherein the hub body and the receiving area are made of one part.

[0081] Embodiment 2: The hub according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the hub body and the receiving area are milled together of one part.

[0082] Embodiment 3: A hub for a bicycle running wheel, comprising a hub body and a receiving area for a force transmission means, wherein the hub body and the receiving area are rigidly connected together.

[0083] Embodiment 4: The hub for a bicycle running wheel, optionally according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a hub body as well as a receiving area for a force transmission means, wherein no freewheel is arranged or realized between the hub body and the receiving area.

[0084] Embodiment 5: The hub according to at least one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the force transmission means comprises a cassette (pinion package), a belt pulley or a pinion.

[0085] Embodiment 6: The hub according to at least one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the receiving area comprises a receiving profile and/or an external thread for receiving and/or fixing the force transmission means.

[0086] Embodiment 7: A bicycle drive system, comprising a hub arranged in a drivable running wheel of a bicycle according to at least one of the preceding embodiments, having a force transmission means arranged on the receiving area of the hub, which force transmission means can be driven via a drive means by a drive formed in the region of the bottom bracket of the bicycle, wherein a freewheel is realized in the bottom bracket region of the bicycle between the drive means and the drive.

[0087] Embodiment 8: The bicycle drive system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the drive comprises a pedal crank including chainring or belt pulley, and optionally an electric motor.

[0088] Embodiment 9: The bicycle drive system according to at least one of the preceding embodiments 7 or 8, wherein the drive means comprises a chain or a belt.

[0089] Embodiment 10: The bicycle drive system according to at least one of the preceding embodiments 7 to 9, wherein the freewheel is realized between the pedal crank and the chainring or between the pedal crank and the belt pulley of the drive.

[0090] Embodiment 11: The bicycle drive system according to at least one of the preceding embodiments 7 to 9, wherein the freewheel is realized in the electric motor of the drive.

[0091] Embodiment 12: The bicycle drive system according to at least one of the preceding embodiments 7 to 9, wherein the freewheel is realized in a transmission of the drive.

[0092] Embodiment 13: The bicycle comprising a bicycle drive system according to at least one of the preceding embodiments 7 to 12.

[0093] Embodiment 14: Assembly or article comprising a hub body and a receiving area for a force transmission means, namely for a hub according to at least one of the preceding embodiments 1 to 6.