HUB AND WHEEL

Abstract

A hub and a wheel having such a hub. The hub includes a hub shell and an axle to rotatably receive the hub shell. The hub shell is provided with circumferential hub flanges for accommodation and defined orientation of a plurality of spokes. Each of the spokes includes a spoke body and a spoke head. The hub flanges include a plurality of accommodation sections to receive one spoke head each. The accommodation sections are axially disposed on the hub flanges. Each of the accommodation sections has one spoke feed-through assigned to it, through which an accommodated spoke can be guided out of the accommodation section. Two spoke feed-throughs each are provided with one joint and circumferentially closed outlet opening in the hub flanges. The hub flanges enclose the outlet opening integrally.

Claims

1. A hub comprising: a hub shell for rotatable arrangement relative to at least one axle received in the hub shell; wherein the hub shell is provided with at least one circumferential hub flange that serves for accommodation and defined orientation of a plurality of spokes, each of which comprises a spoke body and a spoke head, and wherein the hub flange comprises a plurality of accommodation sections for receiving one spoke head each; wherein the accommodation sections are at least partially axially disposed on the hub flange; and wherein one spoke feed-through is assigned to each of the accommodation sections, through which an accommodated spoke can be guided out of the accommodation section; and two spoke feed-throughs each are provided with one joint and circumferentially closed outlet opening in the hub flange and that the hub flange integrally encloses the outlet opening.

2. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the outlet opening comprises an opening cross-section that is suitable and configured to accommodate two spokes axially offset to one another so that the spokes may cross each other.

3. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the outlet opening comprises an opening cross-section which is configured such that at least one spoke to be accommodated can be inserted from an axially outwardly surface of the hub flange.

4. The hub according to the claim 3, wherein the outlet opening comprises an opening cross-section which is configured such that another spoke to be accommodated can be inserted from an axially outwardly surface of the hub flange if one spoke is already disposed in the outlet opening.

5. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the outlet opening comprises an opening cross-section which provides an elongated hole for each of the two spokes to be accommodated.

6. The hub according to claim 5, wherein at least one elongated hole is formed by a through bore of the spoke feed-through and a dip worked into the hub flange.

7. The hub according to claim 5, wherein the elongated holes comprise intersecting longitudinal axes so as to result in a V-shaped arrangement of the elongated holes relative to one another.

8. The hub according to claim 5, wherein the elongated holes at least partially intersect.

9. The hub according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the spoke feed-throughs comprise an axially open insertion section each through which a spoke to be accommodated can be inserted inclined from an axially outwardly surface of the hub flange into the accommodation section.

10. The hub according to claim 9, wherein the axially open insertion section makes a circumferentially open transition to the accommodation section.

11. The hub according to claim 9, wherein the insertion section shows a longitudinal axis which extends in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pertaining spoke feed-through.

12. The hub according to claim 1 wherein the accommodation sections are only disposed on one axial side face of the hub flange and in particular on an axially outwardly surface of the hub flange.

13. The hub according to claim 1, wherein at least one depression each is configured in the hub flanges between adjacent accommodation sections and in particular, between adjacent accommodation sections comprising spoke feed-throughs with crossed longitudinal axes.

14. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation sections are at least partially disposed in at least one take-up space and wherein the take-up space is configured axially open.

15. The hub according to claim 14, wherein the take-up space can be closed by at least one cover.

16. The hub according to claim 14, wherein the take-up space is enclosed by at least one axial backwall and by at least one at least partially circumferential sidewall.

17. The hub according to claim 16, wherein the sidewall provides a radially and/or tangentially extending ridge at least in sections.

18. The hub according to claim 14, wherein at least some of the accommodation sections are disposed singly in one take-up space each and/or wherein at least some of the accommodation sections are disposed in pairs in one take-up space each.

19. The hub according to claim 14, wherein at least one receiving pocket showing at least one undercut is disposed in the take-up space which is suitable and configured to non-rotatably retain the spoke head.

20. The hub according to claim 19, wherein the receiving pocket intersects in sections with the axially open insertion section so that the receiving pocket is configured axially open in sections.

21. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the spoke feed-throughs extend radially and/or tangentially in the hub flanges.

22. A wheel with a hub according to claim 1.

23. The wheel according to claim 22, wherein the outlet opening comprises an opening cross-section in which two spokes can be received axially offset to one another so that the spokes are crossed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Further advantages and features of the present invention can be taken from the description of the exemplary embodiments which will be discussed below with reference to the enclosed figures.

[0070] The figures show in:

[0071] FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a bicycle;

[0072] FIG. 2 a schematic illustration of a hub according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0073] FIG. 3 a schematic detail of the hub in a front view;

[0074] FIG. 4 a schematic illustration of the hub in a side view;

[0075] FIG. 5 an enlarged detail of the illustration in FIG. 4;

[0076] FIG. 6 a schematic detail of the hub in a perspective view;

[0077] FIG. 7 a schematic detail of the hub in another perspective view;

[0078] FIG. 8 a schematic illustration of a hub in a perspective view;

[0079] FIG. 9 a schematic illustration of another hub in a perspective view; and

[0080] FIG. 10 schematic illustrations of the hub flange during insertion of spokes in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] FIG. 1 shows a simplistic illustration of a bicycle 300 which in this case is a racing bicycle or a roadster. The bicycle 300 may be configured as a mountain bike and/or a partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicle and for example an e-bike. The bicycle 300 comprises two wheels 200 which are equipped with a hub 1 according to the invention.

[0082] Furthermore, the bicycle 300 comprises a saddle 301, a frame 302, a handlebar 303 and a fork 304, and further bicycle components. This bicycle 300 comprises a chain-shifting device or derailleur as part of a drive. For a derailleur, the hub 1 may for example comprise a rotor which can accommodate individual sprockets or a cassette respectively. The bicycle 300 further comprises a brake device. To this end, the hubs 1 of the two wheels 200 may be provided with a brake accommodation 31 each for non-rotatably mounting a brake disk. The wheels 200 configured as a front wheel and a rear wheel are each attached to dropouts of the fork 304 respectively the frame 302.

[0083] The wheels 200 each comprise a rim 201 and a plurality of spokes 100. The spokes 100 are fixed to the hub 1 with one of their ends and with the other end, to the rim 201. The spokes 100 shown are configured as straight or non-cranked spokes 100. Blade spokes 104 are preferably provided. The spokes 100 each comprise a spoke body 101 having a flattened spoke head 102, which is received, presently not visible, in the hub 1.

[0084] The FIGS. 2 to 7 illustrate various views of a hub 1 according to the invention in detail. The hub 1 may be part of a wheel 200. For better clarity, not all of the spokes 100 provided are illustrated.

[0085] The hub 1 comprises two hub flanges 2, 12, received on a hub shell 11. The hub shell 11 is supported rotatably relative to an axle 21 of the hub 1. A brake accommodation 31 is attached to the hub shell 11 for fastening brake disks.

[0086] The hub flanges 2, 12 comprise a plurality of accommodation sections 3 for receiving one spoke head 102 each. The hub flanges 2, 12 are configured for receiving non-cranked or straight spokes 100. The spokes 100 emerge from the accommodation sections 3 through a spoke feed-through 5 in the direction of the rim 201.

[0087] The spoke feed-throughs 5 have a longitudinal axis that is oriented so as to show a tangential orientation of the spokes 100 in the wheel 200. Alternately, radial spoke insertion may be provided. Moreover, the arrangement of the accommodation sections 3 respectively the orientation of the spoke feed-through 5 are chosen such that a spoke 100 crosses another spoke 100 at least once.

[0088] This hub 1 comprises accommodation sections 3 having one circumferentially closed spoke feed-through 5 each. The spoke feed-throughs 5 each comprise a through bore 35.

[0089] The hub flanges 2, 12 are equipped with take-up spaces 7 in which pairs of accommodation sections 3 are disposed. Moreover, two spoke feed-throughs 5 are assigned to each take-up space 7 so that each accommodation section 3 is provided with one spoke feed-through 5.

[0090] The hub flanges 2, 12 may also have take-up spaces 7 comprising only one single accommodation section 3 each. The longitudinal axes of the spoke feed-throughs 5 of a take-up space 7 extend such that the spokes 100 received in a take-up space 7 emerge from the hub flanges 2, 12 in opposite directions and thus they are not crossed.

[0091] These take-up spaces 7 are configured to be open relative to an axially outwardly side face 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12. Correspondingly, the accommodation sections 3 are only disposed on the axially outwardly surface 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12. Each of these take-up spaces 7 is enclosed by an axial backwall 17 and by a sidewall 27 extending transverse to the backwall 17. The axial backwall 17 forms a “bottom” of the take-up spaces 7. The sidewall 27 may also be referred to as peripheral wall. The backwall 17 is provided by the axially outwardly surface 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12. The sidewalls 27 enclose the respective take-up spaces 7 and they are broken by the spoke feed-throughs 5 of the accommodation sections 3 disposed in the take-up space 7.

[0092] The sidewalls 27 of the take-up spaces 7 provide ridges 37 respectively enclosures. The ridges extend substantially tangentially and in particular tangentially. The sidewalls 27 of adjacent take-up spaces 7 together provide one ridge 37 each.

[0093] Depressions 62 are worked into the axially outwardly surface 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12 between the take-up spaces 7 for weight reduction. The depressions 62 are enclosed by a peripheral sidewall 27 (peripheral wall) and they also form ridges 37 together with the sidewalls 27 of the adjacent take-up spaces 7.

[0094] The arrangement of the accommodation sections 3 in a plurality of take-up spaces 7 results in a very stable and sturdy structural architecture of the hub flanges 2, 12. This allows omission of continuous recesses for receiving the spokes 100 which would weaken the overall stability of the hub flanges 2, 12. The enclosing sidewalls 27 and the ridges 37 disposed between the take-up spaces 7 allow good absorption and dissipation of the occurring tractive forces. Since, the depressions 62 for weight reduction are likewise enclosed by sidewalls 27 respectively bordered by ridges 37, they also advantageously contribute to stability.

[0095] The hub flanges 2, 12 comprise circumferentially closed outlet openings 9. Spokes 100 received in the accommodation sections 3 can be guided through these out of the hub flanges 2, 12 toward a rim 201 in the tangential direction. The outlet openings 9 are disposed on the radial top face 52 of the hub flanges 2, 12. The axial side faces 22, 32 are not provided with outlet openings 9.

[0096] Two spoke feed-throughs 5 each are provided with one joint outlet opening 9 so that two spokes 100 can emerge from the hub flanges 2, 12 through one outlet opening 9. The hub flanges 2, 12 enclose the outlet opening 9, presently integrally. This achieves particularly high stability of the hub flange 2.

[0097] Each of the outlet openings 9 has two spoke feed-throughs 5 assigned to it which originate from different take-up spaces 7. The accommodation sections 3 and spoke feed-throughs 5 disposed in one take-up space 7 are each provided with different, separate outlet openings 9. In the hub 1 presently shown the spoke feed-throughs 5 of adjacent take-up spaces 7 are assigned to one outlet opening 9 each. Thus, continuous or large-surface recesses which would weaken the hub flanges 2, 12 on the whole, may be advantageously dispensed with. Moreover, the quantity of required bores or recesses may be considerably reduced.

[0098] The opening cross-section 19 of the outlet openings 9 is matched to the cross-section of the spokes 100. This allows axially offset arrangement of spokes 100. To this end, an arrangement of the accommodation sections 3 showing an offset 421 relative to a peripheral line 42 of the hub flanges 2, 12 is provided. The offset 421 is particularly clearly shown in FIG. 3. In this way, it is possible for the accommodated spokes 100 to be crossed. Moreover, the longitudinal axes of the spoke feed-throughs 5 are provided to be aligned correspondingly.

[0099] It is another advantage of the offset 421 that the crossed spokes 100 can be disposed closely adjacent to one another so as to enable a narrow and thus lightweight hub flange 2, 12 so as to also improve the sturdiness of the wheel 200.

[0100] The hub 1 presently shown allows a crossing point 25 which lies particularly close to the outlet opening 9 or preferably even within the outlet opening 9. To this end, the outlet openings 9 are provided with a correspondingly adapted opening cross-section 19 so as to provide sufficient space for the crossing point 25. This enables a particularly compact and optically appealing and aerodynamic architecture.

[0101] The spokes 100 shown are preferably configured as blade spokes 104. The blade spokes 104 comprise a central, flattened shaft section 124 that is enclosed by two cylindrical shaft sections 114. The above described arrangement of the crossing point 25 achieves that the crossing point 25 lies in the region of the cylindrical shaft section 114 of the crossed spokes 100. This shows an advantageous effect on the durability of the wheel 20.

[0102] The opening cross-sections 19 of the outlet opening 9 are shown enlarged in the FIGS. 6 and 7. The opening cross-section 19 provides an elongated hole 29, 39 for each of the two spokes 100 emerging through the outlet opening 9. The opening cross-section 19 of the outlet opening 9 is thus composed of a pair of elongated holes 29, 39 which intersect in sections. The elongated holes 29, 39 shown are oval in configuration.

[0103] Each of the elongated holes 29, 39 provides a through bore 35 for the spoke feed-through. Moreover, each elongated hole 29, 39 has assigned to it a dip 49 worked into the hub flange 2, 12. The dip 49 forms a free space into which the spoke 100 can be temporarily pushed during inserting in assembling. Due to this dip 49, the spoke 100 can be inserted inclined in assembling without hitting against the hub flanges 2, 12. Moreover, the spoke 100 may back into the region of the dip 49 as the second spoke 100 is inserted.

[0104] When the wheel 200 is mounted, the spoke 100 then extends outside of the dip 49 through the outlet opening 9.

[0105] The two elongated holes 29, 39 show intersecting longitudinal axes. For better clarity, the longitudinal axes are shown in broken/dotted lines. This arrangement of the longitudinal axes results in a V-shaped orientation of the elongated holes 29, 39 relative to one another. The angle of the intersecting longitudinal axes of the elongated holes 29, 39 is preferably matched to the tangential angle of emergence of the spokes 100.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows in a broken line the circumference of the elongated hole 29 provided for the axially inwardly spoke 100. FIG. 7 shows in a broken line the circumference of the elongated hole 39 provided for the axially outwardly spoke 100. The elongated holes 29, 39 are partially intersecting. This allows keeping the opening cross-section 19 particularly small, while still offering sufficient space for receiving the spokes 100.

[0107] The take-up spaces 7 are preferably configured the most compact possible to not weaken the stability of the hub flanges 2, 12 by large-surface recesses. Insertion sections 59 are provided to allow inserting the spokes 100 from the axially outwardly surface 22 at an incline into the accommodation sections 3 respectively spoke feed-throughs 5 despite the compact take-up spaces 7.

[0108] The insertion sections 59 can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 5. For better clarity, two insertion sections 59 of two adjacent take-up spaces 7 are shown within broken lines.

[0109] The insertion sections 59 are configured axially open respectively as openings at the axially outwardly surfaces 22 of the hub flanges 2,12. The insertion sections 59 are worked into the axially outwardly surfaces 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12 as elongated through-cuts. The insertion sections 59 make a circumferentially open transition into the take-up spaces 7 respectively into the embedded accommodation sections 3. This allows to push the spoke 100 firstly through the insertion section 59 into the spoke feed-through 5. When the spoke 100 has been pushed in far enough, the spoke head 102 can readily be inserted into the accommodation section 3 of the take-up space 7.

[0110] The spoke feed-through 5 and its insertion section 59 are aligned in parallel along their longitudinal axes. For better clarity, the longitudinal axes are shown as broken/dotted lines. This alignment of the insertion section 59 and the spoke feed-through 5 enhances ease of inserting the spokes 100.

[0111] At least one receiving pocket 8 showing at least one undercut 18 is disposed in the take-up spaces 7. This achieves a non-rotatable accommodation of the spoke head 102. The undercut 18 prohibits or largely inhibits an axial movement of the spoke head 102 accommodated therein. Moreover, the spoke 100 can no longer rotate or twist. This is particularly advantageous for blade spokes 104 whose aerodynamic advantages already deteriorate in the case of very minor twisting about their longitudinal axis.

[0112] FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a hub 1 where the take-up spaces 7 are closed by a cover 47. The cover 47 is configured as an annular disk and it is placed after mounting the spokes 100. This cover 47 offers in particular aerodynamic advantages since the hub flanges 2, 12 are provided with a plane outside surface 22.

[0113] FIG. 9 shows a hub 1 where no depressions 62 are configured in the hub flanges 2, 12 for weight reduction. It is possible for depressions 62 to be configured in the opposite hub flange 2. This hub flange 2 may, for example be configured as it is shown in FIG. 2. A hub 1 having two differently configured hub flanges 2, 12 is particularly advantageous if a hub flange 12 is provided with a brake accommodation 31 and/or a rotor accommodation.

[0114] FIG. 10 shows a simplistic overview of mounting the spokes 100, 110 in the inventive hub 1, e.g. for manufacturing a wheel 200. A total of five different mounting steps are shown. Each mounting step is illustrated by two side-by-side illustrations of a hub flange 2.

[0115] The topmost mounting step shows a first spoke 100 being inserted into the hub flange 2. The end opposite the spoke head 102 is pushed into the spoke feed-through 5.

[0116] In the next mounting step, the spoke 100 is already pushed in further and exits from the hub flange 2 through the outlet opening 9 in the direction of a rim 201, which is not shown.

[0117] In a third mounting step, the second spoke 110 is inserted. Then, the first spoke 100 is tilted to provide sufficient space for the second spoke 110. The first spoke 100 is positioned such that its spoke head 102 end emerges axially outwardly 22 through the insertion section 59. Moreover, the spoke 100 is inclined so that it lies in the dip 59 of the elongated hole 29. In this position, there is sufficient space in the outlet opening 9 for the second spoke 110. Now it can be pushed in.

[0118] In the subsequent mounting step both the spokes 100, 110 are pushed in nearly completely. Since their spoke heads 102 are not yet disposed entirely in the take-up space 7 respectively in the receiving pocket 8 provided therein, the spokes 100, 110 are inclined accordingly. In this position both the spokes 100, 110 load their insertion section 59 and lie in the region of the dips 49 of their respective elongated holes 29, 39.

[0119] In the bottom pictures the mounting is concluded. The spokes 100, 110 are completely inserted and their spoke heads 102 lie non-rotatably in the undercuts 18 of the receiving pockets 8. Now, the spokes 100, 110 are no longer located in the insertion sections 59 and they extend with their longitudinal axis in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spoke feed-through 5.

[0120] The outlet openings with the dips 49, the spoke feed-throughs 5 and the take-up spaces 7 and the depressions 62 are preferably worked into the hub body by way of boring or milling out. The receiving pocket 8 is preferably worked into the hub flanges 2, 12 by form milling.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals: 1 hub 2 hub flange 3 accommodation section 5 spoke feed-through 7 take-up space 8 receiving pocket 9 outlet opening 11 hub shell 12 hub flange 17 backwall 18 undercut 19 opening cross-section 21 axle 22 side face 25 crossing point 27 sidewall 29 elongated hole 31 brake accommodation 32 side face 35 through bore 37 ridge 39 elongated hole 42 peripheral line 47 cover 49 dip 52 top face 59 insertion section 62 depression 100 spoke 101 spoke body 102 spoke head 104 blade spoke 110 spoke 114 shaft section 124 shaft section 200 wheel 201 rim 300 bicycle 301 saddle 302 frame 303 handlebar 304 fork 421 offset