CRANK DEVICE AND DRIVING ASSEMBLY FOR BICYCLE

Abstract

In order to solve low strength and labor-saving of transmission mechanism of conventional crank assembly for a bicycle, this invention provides a crank device. The crank device of this invention includes: a housing (3) to be connected to a frame of the bicycle; a transmission member (4) accommodated in the housing (3) in a loose-fit manner; a supporting shaft (5) partially accommodated in the transmission member (4) in a loose-fit manner; and two driving assemblies (8, 9). Each of the driving assemblies (8, 9) includes: a driving member (82, 92) secured to transmission member (4) and to be connected to a sprocket of the bicycle, wherein one end of the supporting shaft (5) passes through the transmission member (4) and the driving member (82, 92) in a loose-fit manner; and a force arm (81, 91) including an ear (811) secured to the driving member (82, 92) and a bump (812) pivoted to the one end of the supporting shaft (5). This invention allows the crank device to transmit a large force and enhance labor-saving effect.

Claims

1. A crank device (2) for a bicycle, the crank device (2) comprising: a housing (3) to be connected to a frame of the bicycle; a transmission member (4) accommodated in the housing (3) in a loose-fit manner; a supporting shaft (5) partially accommodated in the transmission member (4) in a loose-fit manner; and two driving assemblies (8, 9), each of driving assemblies (8, 9) including: a driving member (82, 92) secured to the transmission member (4) and to be connected to a sprocket of the bicycle, wherein one end of the supporting shaft (5) passes through the transmission member (4) and the driving member (82, 92) in a loose-fit manner; and a force arm (81, 91) including an ear (811) secured to the driving member (82, 92) and a bump (812) pivoted to the one end of the supporting shaft (5); whereby when a force is applied to the force arm (81, 91) of any one of the driving assemblies (8, 9), the force arm (81, 91) will be rotated about the supporting shaft (5) and transmit the force to another driving member of another one of the driving assemblies via the ear (811), the driving member (82, 92) and the transmission member (4).

2. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 1, wherein one end face of the transmission member (4) contacts and is secured to a side surface of the driving member (82, 92).

3. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 2, wherein the supporting shaft (5) is situated at a center of at least one of the transmission member (4), the driving member (82, 92) and the sprocket.

4. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 3, wherein the driving member (82) is integrated with the sprocket to become a single part.

5. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 4, wherein the crank device (2) further comprises a fastener (52) which partially snaps into the supporting shaft (5) so as to prevent a movement of the supporting shaft along a longitudinal axis of the supporting shaft.

6. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 5, wherein the crank device (2) further comprises a bearing (6) and a cap (7), the bearing (6) is arranged between the housing (3) and the transmission member (4), and the cap (7) is arranged between the bearing (6) and the driving member (82, 92) so as to prevent a movement of the bearing (6) along a longitudinal axis of the transmission member (4).

7. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 6, wherein the housing (3) includes a first shoulder (33) which abuts against an outer race of the bearing (6) and wherein the transmission member (4) includes a second shoulder (43) which abuts against an inner race of the bearing (6).

8. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 1, wherein the bump (812) extends from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the supporting shaft (5) which is pivoted at the bump (812) is situated outside the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91).

9. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 2, wherein the bump (812) extends from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the supporting shaft (5) which is pivoted at the bump (812) is situated outside the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91).

10. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 3, wherein the bump (812) extends from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the supporting shaft (5) which is pivoted at the bump (812) is situated outside the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91).

11. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 4, wherein the bump (812) extends from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the supporting shaft (5) which is pivoted at the bump (812) is situated outside the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91).

12. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 8, wherein the ear (811) extends from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the ear (811) and the bump (812) are respectively situated at two sides divided by the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91).

13. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 9, wherein the ear (811) extends from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the ear (811) and the bump (812) are respectively situated at two sides divided by the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91).

14. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 10, wherein the ear (811) extends from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the ear (811) and the bump (812) are respectively situated at two sides divided by the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91).

15. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 12, wherein the ear (811) extends from an end of the force arm (81, 91) and the bump (812) extends from a position between two ends of the force arm (81, 91).

16. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 13, wherein the ear (811) extends from an end of the force arm (81, 91) and the bump (812) extends from a position between two ends of the force arm (81, 91).

17. The crank device (2) for a bicycle according to the claim 14, wherein the ear (811) extends from an end of the force arm (81, 91) and the bump (812) extends from a position between two ends of the force arm (81, 91).

18. A driving assembly (8, 9) for a bicycle, the driving assembly (8, 9) comprising: a driving member (82, 92) to be connected to a sprocket of a bicycle; and a force arm (81, 91) which includes: an ear (811) secured to the driving member (82, 92); and a bump (812) extending from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the bump (812) is situated outside the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91) to be pivoted at a supporting shaft (5) of the bicycle.

19. The driving assembly (8, 9) for a bicycle according to the claim 18, wherein a point, which is to be pivoted to the supporting shaft (5), of the bump (812) is situated at a center of the driving member (82, 92) and the ear (811) is situated at an end of the force arm (81, 91).

20. The driving assembly (8, 9) for a bicycle according to the claim 19, wherein the ear (811) extends from the force arm (81, 91) to a predetermined distance along a direction intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the force arm such that the ear (811) and the bump (812) are respectively situated at two sides divided by the longitudinal axis of the force arm (81, 91).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a portion of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0030] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view illustrating a conventional crank assembly;

[0031] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view illustrating a crank device according to this invention which is mounted to a bicycle;

[0032] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a crank device according to this invention which excludes a driving assembly;

[0033] FIG. 4 a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a crank device according to this invention;

[0034] FIG. 5 an assembled front view illustrating a crank device according to this invention; and

[0035] FIG. 6 is an assembled cross-sectional view taken from line A-A in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a crank device 2 for a bicycle of the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises: a housing 3 for being fixed to a frame of the bicycle, a transmission member 4 mounted within the housing 3, a supporting shaft 5 received in a central hole of the transmission member 4, two bearings 6 respectively mounted at outer peripheries of two ends of the transmission member 4, two caps 7 respectively secured on two end faces of the transmission member 4, a first driving assembly 8 secured to one of the caps 7, and a second driving assembly 9 secured to another one of the caps 7.

[0037] The housing 3 may be, for example, in a form of a hollow cylinder. The inner portion of the housing 3 includes a first bore 31 having a smaller inner diameter and situated at an intermediate position, two second bores 32 having a larger inner diameter and respectively situated at two ends of housing 3, and a first shoulder 33 situated between the first bores 31 and the second bore 32.

[0038] The transmission member 4 may be, for example, in a form of a roller. The transmission member 4 includes a first section 41 having a larger outer diameter and situated at an intermediate position, two second sections 42 having a smaller outer diameter and respectively situated at two ends of the transmission member 4, two second shoulders 43 respectively situated between the first section 41 and the second sections 42, a central hole longitudinally passing through the center of the transmission member 4, and a plurality of first threaded holes 44 respectively formed on two end faces of the transmission member 4.

[0039] The supporting shaft 5 may include two grooves 51 respectively formed near two ends of the supporting shaft 5 and surrounding outer peripheral surface of the supporting shaft 5.

[0040] The cap 7 is, for example, in a form of a disk. The cap 7 may includes a central hole and a plurality of apertures 71 arranged around outer periphery of the central hole.

[0041] The first driving assembly 8 may includes a first force arm 81 in a form of a rod, a disk-shaped first driving member 82 connected to a first end of the first force arm 81 and configured to be fixed to a sprocket of the bicycle, and a first pedal 83 pivoted to a second end of the first force arm 81.

[0042] The first force arm 81 includes a first ear 811 extending a predetermined distance from the first end of the first force arm 81 in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the first force arm 81 or a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first force arm 81, a first bump 812 extending a predetermined distance from a position between the first end and the second end in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the first force arm 81 or a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first force arm 81, a first orifice 813 formed in the first ear 811, and a first perforation 814 formed in the first bump 812. The first ear 811 and the first bump 812 are respectively located at two opposite sides divided by the longitudinal axis of the first force arm 81.

[0043] The first driving member 82 may includes a central hole formed at the center of the first driving member 82, a plurality of first eyelets 821 formed around outer periphery of the central hole, and a second threaded hole 822 arranged near outer edge of the first driving member 82.

[0044] Mechanism of the second driving assembly 9 is similar to that of the first driving assembly 8. Difference may exist between the first driving assembly 8 and the second driving assembly 9 in that the driving member [such as the second driving member 92] of one of the first driving assembly 8 and the second driving assembly 9 is not secured to the sprocket. Hence, the second driving assembly 9 may include a second force arm 91 in a form of a rod, a second driving member 92 in a form of a disk and connected to the first end of the second force arm 91, and a second pedal 93 pivoted to the second end of the second force arm 91.

[0045] The second force arm 91 includes a second ear extending a predetermined distance from the first end of the second force arm 91 in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the second force arm 91 or a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second force arm 91, a second bump extending a predetermined distance from a position between the first end and the second end in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the second force arm 91 or a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second force arm 91, a second orifice formed in the second ear, and a second perforation formed in the second bump. The second ear and the second first bump are respectively located at two opposite sides divided by the longitudinal axis of the second force arm 91.

[0046] The second driving member 92 may includes a central hole formed at the center of the second driving member 92, a plurality of second eyelets formed around outer periphery of the central hole, and a third threaded hole arranged near outer edge of the second member 92.

[0047] Assembling

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, one of the bearings 6 is first mounted into the second bore 32 at one end of the housing 3. Next, the first section 41 of the transmission member 4 is mounted into the first bore 31 of the housing 3 and the second section 42 at one end of the transmission member 4 is mounted into the central hole of the bearing 6. Another bearing 6 is then mounted into a space between the second bore 32 at another end of the housing 3 and the second section 42 at another end of the transmission member 4. In this state, one side face of the outer race of each bearing 6 abuts against the first shoulder 33 of the housing 3, one side face of the inner race of each bearing 6 abuts against the second shoulder 43 of the transmission member 4, the outer peripheral surface of the outer race of each bearing 6 is a interference fit to the inner surface of the second bore 32 of the housing 3, the inner peripheral surface of the inner race of each bearing 6 is a interference fit to the outer surface of the second section 42 of the transmission member 4, and the outer surface of the first section 41 of the transmission member 4 is a loose fit to the inner surface of the first bore 31 of the housing 3.

[0049] Subsequently, the supporting shaft 5 is inserted into the central hole of the transmission member 4 in a loose-fit manner such that two grooves 51 on the supporting shaft 5 are respectively revealed outside two side faces of the transmission member 4. Two fasteners (such as c-shaped fasteners) 52 are then respectively snapped into the two grooves 51 of the supporting shaft 5. One portion of each fastener 52 is received in the groove 51 and another portion of the fastener 52 is left outside the groove 51. The portion of the fastener 52 left outside the groove 51 abuts against the end face of the transmission member 4 so as to prevent slide of the supporting shaft 5 relative to the transmission member 4 along the longitudinal axis of the transmission member 4.

[0050] Next, two caps 7 are respectively mounted at two ends of the supporting shaft 5 such that two ends of the supporting shaft 5 respectively pass through and protrude out of central holes of the two caps 7. The first driving member 82 of the first driving assembly 8 and the second driving member 92 of the second driving assembly 9 are then respectively mounted at two ends of the supporting shaft 5 such that two ends of the supporting shaft 5 respectively pass through and protrude out of central holes of the first driving member 82 and the second driving member 92. A plurality of bolts are used to respectively pass through the first eyelets 821 of the first driving member 82, the second eyelets of the second driving member 92 and the apertures 71 of the cap 7 and are finally screwed into the first threaded holes 44 on the end faces of the transmission member 4. The bolts urge the side faces of the caps 7 to abut against the ends surfaces of the transmission member 4 and the inner races of the bearings 6 so as to prevent slide of bearings 6 along the longitudinal direction of the transmission member 4.

[0051] Subsequently, the first perforation 814 of the first force arm 81 and the second perforation of the second force arm 91 respectively receive two ends of the supporting shaft 5. Two bolts are then used to respectively pass through the first orifice 813 of the first force arm 81 and the second orifice of the second force arm 91, and are finally screwed into the second threaded hole 822 of the first driving member 82 and the third threaded hole of the second driving member 92. Hence, the first force arm 81 and the second force arm 91 are respectively secured to the first driving member 82 and the second driving member 92 by the two bolts. Finally, the first pedal 83 and the second pedal 93 are respectively pivoted to the second ends of the first force arm 81 and the second force arm 91 so as to complete the assembling of the crank device 2.

Effects

[0052] The crank device 2 of this invention comprises the first driving assembly 8 and the second driving assembly 9 which are similar to each other. In order to make the description more concise, the terms first and second will be omitted and the term for a member will be directly used when the member which includes the term first or second is desired to be mentioned. For example, when the terms the first force arm 81 or the second force arm 91 is desired to be mentioned, the term first and second will be omitted and the term force arm will be directly used. In other words, when the term force arm is used, it may be referred to the first force arm 81 and/or the second force arm 91.

[0053] Because the force arms 81 and 91 of this invention are pivoted to the supporting shaft 5 by the bumps 812 and are secured to the driving members 82 and 92 by the ears 811 at the first ends of the force arms 81 and 91, the force arms 81 and 91 will be moved and rotated in a manner that the bumps 812 is rotated about and relative to the supporting shaft 5 and the driving members 82 and 92 are directly moved and rotated by the ears 811 when a rider applies forces to pedals 83 and 93 at the second ends of the force arms 81 and 91. The driving members 82 and 92 will further rotate the sprocket and chain of the bicycle without rotating or moving the supporting shaft 5 in the centers of the driving members 82 and 92 or center of the transmission member 4. In contrast, the second crank arm 14 of conventional crank assembly 1 has to move the crank shaft 13 first and the splines of the crank shaft 13 then move the sprocket 12. Hence, the crank device 2 of this invention does not have the problems that the splines are broken and worn out. The crank device 2 of this invention not only can bear larger forces but also can ensure safety for the riders.

[0054] On the other hand, side faces of the driving members 82 and 92 of this invention contact side faces of the caps 7 and side faces of the caps 7 contact end faces of the transmission member 4. A plurality of bolts pass through side faces of the driving members 82 and 92 and the caps 7 so as to firmly secure the driving members 82 and 92 and the caps 7 to the end faces of the transmission member 4. Except that frictional forces between the side faces and end faces can assist in transmission of forces applied on the pedals 83 and 93 to the transmission member 4, the large end faces of the transmission member 4 can receive a plurality of bolts with large diameters to bear forces transmitted from the driving members 82 and 89 to the caps 7 and further to the transmission member 4 because the areas of the end faces of the transmission member 4 are larger than those of outer peripheral surface of conventional crank shaft 13. Hence, the crank device 2 of this invention not only can bear larger forces but also can ensure safety for the riders.

[0055] Furthermore, because that the force arms 81 and 91 of this invention do not move the supporting shaft 5 but directly move the driving members 82 and 92, and because that the longitudinal axes of the force arms 81 and 91 do not pass through the supporting shaft 5, length of the force arms 81 and 91 will not be limited by the supporting shaft 5. In other words, the force arms 81 and 91 can extend from the position of the pedals 83 and 93, beyond the supporting shaft 5, to the ears 811 which are located near out edges of the driving members 82 and 92. Hence, the force arms 81 and 91 of this invention are much longer than conventional crank arms 11 and 14. The long force arms 81 and 91 of this invention can greatly enhance the labor-saving effect.

[0056] Next, no hole is formed on the force arms 81 and 91 of this invention in longitudinal axes thereof. Hence, no material of the force arms 81 and 91 is cut out to decrease the width thereof, and no hole in the longitudinal axes causes stress concentration. Therefore, strength of the force arms 81 and 91 is improved. Besides, as shown in FIG. 5, the bump 812 and the ear 811 are respectively located at two sides divided by longitudinal axis of the force arm 81, the ear 811 and force F1 applied on the pedal 83 are situated in the same side, and the bump 812 and the force F1 are respectively situated in the opposite sides. Hence, when the force F1 is applied on the pedals 83 and 93, thickness of material where the eras 811 receive the first reaction force F2 from the bolt and the bumps 812 receive the second reaction force F3 from the supporting shaft 5 is equal to or larger than the entire thickness of the force arms 81 and 91. Therefore, strength of the force arms 81 and 91 is greatly enhanced. Especially, material of the force arms 81 and 91 situated at outer peripheries above the bolt and under the supporting shaft 5 does not receive any force. Hence, the material situated at the outer peripheries will not be broken. Such advantage can radically solve the problem about strength of the conventional crank arms 11 and 14.

[0057] Besides, the crank device 2 of this invention comprises fewer parts and thus can save cost.

Other Embodiments

[0058] The first driving member 82 and the second driving member 92 in aforementioned embodiment are respectively arranged on two sides of the frame of the bicycle. One of the first driving member 82 and the second driving member 92 is secured to the sprocket. However, in another embodiment, the one of the first driving member 82 and the second driving member 92 which is secured to the sprocket may be integrated with the sprocket and become a single part.

[0059] Alternatively, the caps 7 may be integrated with the driving member 82 and 92 and become a single part. In other words, the caps 7 may be integrated with the driving member 82 and 92 to become flanges on side faces of the driving member 82 and 92. The flanges may abut against end faces of the transmission member 4 and inner races of the bearings 6.

[0060] The force arms 81 and 91 may be curved or non-linear.

[0061] Alternatively, the ear 811 of each force arm 81 or 91 may be formed with two orifices 813 to allow two bolts screwing into the driving members 82.

[0062] In another embodiment, each force arm 81 or 91 may be formed with a plurality of ears 811. The ears 811 may be respectively arranged at two sides divided by longitudinal axis of force arm 81 or 91 so as to enforce the driving members 82 and 92.

[0063] The disk-shaped driving members 82 and 92 may be formed with openings or in the shape of irregular or non-circular plate so as to decrease the weight of the driving members 82 and 92. In addition, ribs may be formed on side faces of the driving members 82 and 92 so as to enforce the driving members 82 and 92.

[0064] Bolts with washers may be respectively screwed into the end faces of the supporting shaft 5. The washers may prevent the force arms 81 and 91 from sliding along longitudinal axis of the supporting shaft 5.

[0065] The diameters of the housing 3 and the transmission member 4 may be increased to accommodate more bolts or bolt with larger diameter so as to bear larger force for transmission.

[0066] This invention has been disclosed in terms of specific embodiments. It will be apparent that many modifications can be made to the disclosed structures without departing from the present invention. Therefore, it is the intent of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.