HUB AND WHEEL

Abstract

A hub and a wheel having such a hub are provided. The hub includes a hub shell and an axle to rotatably receive the hub shell. The hub shell is provided with circumferential hub flanges serving for accommodation and defined orientation of a plurality of spokes. Each of the spokes has a spoke body and a spoke head. The hub flanges include a plurality of accommodation sections receiving a spoke head each. 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. The hub flange includes two different types of accommodation sections. A first type includes a circumferentially closed spoke feed-through and a second type, a circumferentially opened spoke feed-through.

Claims

1. A hub comprising: a hub shell for rotatable arrangement relative to at least one axle that can be 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 taking up one spoke head each, 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; the hub flange comprises at least two different types of accommodation sections; and a first type comprises a circumferentially closed spoke feed-through and a second type comprises a circumferentially opened spoke feed-through.

2. 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.

3. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the different types of accommodation sections are disposed at least at one offset relative to a peripheral line of the hub flange.

4. The hub according to claim 3, wherein the offset is suitable and configured to form-fittingly block at least one spoke accommodated in the second-type accommodation section by way of at least one spoke accommodated in the first-type accommodation section against emerging from the opened spoke feed-through in the axial direction.

5. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the different types of accommodation sections are disposed alternatingly over the hub flanges.

6. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the spoke feed-throughs of at least two accommodation sections disposed adjacent to one another comprise crossed longitudinal axes so that spokes accommodated therein can cross.

7. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the hub flange comprises at least one sink at its top face.

8. The hub according to claim 6, wherein a deepest point of the sink is disposed radially beneath a crossing point of the crossed longitudinal axes of the spoke feed-throughs.

9. The hub according to claim 1, wherein between adjacent accommodation sections and in particular between adjacent accommodation sections having spoke feed-throughs with crossing longitudinal axes, each comprise at least one depression in the hub flange.

10. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the spoke feed-throughs of the different types of accommodation sections each extend over a top face of the hub flange and only over one of two axial side faces of the hub flange.

11. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the circumferentially opened spoke feed-through is configured as a slot-shaped punched hole and/or wherein the circumferentially closed spoke feed-through is configured as a slotted hole.

12. The hub according to claim 10, wherein the slot-shaped punched hole extends at least in part over the top face and over that axial side face of the hub flange where the pertaining accommodation section is disposed and/or wherein the slotted hole extends at least partially over the top face and that axial side face of the hub flange which lies opposite the axial side face with the pertaining accommodation section.

13. The hub according to claim 12, wherein the length of a section of the slotted hole on the top face is larger than the length of a section of the slotted hole on the axial side face.

14. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation sections are at least partially disposed in at least one takeup space.

15. The hub according to claim 14, wherein the takeup space is configured axially open.

16. The hub according to claim 14, wherein the takeup 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 takeup space each and/or wherein at least some of the accommodation sections are disposed in pairs in one takeup space each.

19. The hub according to claim 18, wherein the accommodation sections disposed in pairs in one takeup space comprise different types.

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

21. The hub according to claim 20, wherein the receiving pocket comprises at least two opposite placing sections where an accommodated spoke head can be non-rotatably placed by one side edge each.

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

23. The wheel according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of spokes is received on the hub and wherein at least one spoke accommodated in the first-type accommodation section crosses at least one spoke accommodated in the second-type accommodation section in at least one crossing point and wherein the spoke accommodated in the first type form-fittingly secures the spoke accommodated in the second type against leaving its accommodation section in the axial direction.

24. The wheel according to claim 22, wherein the spokes are configured as blade spokes having at least one cylindrical shaft section and at least one flattened shaft section and wherein the cylindrical shaft sections are located in the crossing point of the spokes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] 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.

[0061] The figures show in:

[0062] FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a bicycle;

[0063] FIG. 2 a schematic illustration of a hub according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0064] FIG. 3 a schematic detail of the hub in a perspective view;

[0065] FIG. 4 a schematic detail of the hub in a front view;

[0066] FIG. 5 a schematic detail of the hub in another perspective view;

[0067] FIG. 6 a schematic detail of the hub in a different perspective view;

[0068] FIG. 7 a schematic detail view of a takeup space of the hub according to the invention in a perspective illustration; and

[0069] FIG. 8 a schematic detail view of the takeup space with a spoke placed therein in a cut-away perspective illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] 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 mountainbike 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] The FIGS. 2 to 8 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] The hub flanges 2, 12 comprise a plurality of accommodation sections 3, 4 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, 4 through a spoke feed-through 5, 6 in the direction of the rim 201.

[0077] The spoke feed-throughs 5, 6 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, 4 respectively the orientation of the spoke feed-through 5, 6 are chosen such that a spoke 100 crosses another spoke 100 at least once.

[0078] The hub 1 comprises two types of accommodation sections 3, 4. The first-type accommodation section 3 comprises a circumferentially closed spoke feed-through 5. The second-type accommodation section 4 comprises a circumferentially opened spoke feed-through 6. The circumferentially closed spoke feed-through 5 is configured as a slotted hole 15. The circumferentially open spoke feed-through 6 is configured as a slot-shaped punched hole 16.

[0079] The accommodation sections 3, 4 are disposed in multiple takeup spaces 7. One of the hub flanges 2 comprises two takeup spaces 7 which comprise one single accommodation section 3, 4 each. The takeup spaces 7 are alternatingly equipped with the first or second type 3, 4.

[0080] The opposite hub flange 12 is equipped with takeup spaces 7 in each of which pairs of accommodation sections 3, 4 are disposed. Each of the takeup spaces 7 accommodates one first-type 3 and second-type accommodation section 4. Thus, one slotted hole 15 and one slot-shaped punched hole 16 is assigned to each of the takeup spaces 7 of the hub flange 12. The longitudinal axes of the spoke feed-throughs 5, 6 extend such that the spokes 100 received in a takeup space 7 emerge from the hub flange 12 in opposite directions and thus they are not crossed.

[0081] These takeup spaces 7 are configured to be open relative to an axially outwardly side face 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12.

[0082] Correspondingly the accommodation sections 3, 4 are only disposed on the axially outwardly surface 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12. Each of these takeup spaces 7 is enclosed by an axial backwall 17 and by a sidewall 27 extending transverse to the backwall 17. The backwall 17 is provided by the axially outwardly surface 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12. The sidewalls 27 enclose the respective takeup spaces 7 and they are broken by the spoke feed-throughs 5, 6 of the accommodation sections 3, 4 disposed in the takeup space 7.

[0083] The sidewalls 27 of the takeup spaces 7 provide ridges 37 which extend substantially radially and in particular radially. The sidewalls 27 of adjacent takeup spaces 7 together provide one ridge 37 each.

[0084] Depressions 62 are worked into the axially outwardly surface 22 of the hub flanges 2, 12 between the takeup spaces 7 for weight reduction. The depressions 62 are enclosed by a peripheral sidewall 27 and they also form ridges 37 together with the sidewalls 27 of the adjacent takeup spaces 7.

[0085] The arrangement of the accommodation sections 3, 4 in a plurality of takeup 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 takeup 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.

[0086] The circumferentially closed spoke feed-throughs 5 extend over part of a radial top face 52 of the hub flange 2, 12 as well as over part of an axially inwardly side face 32.

[0087] The spoke feed-throughs 6 configured as slot-shaped punched holes 16 extend over part of the top face 52 as well as over part of the axially outwardly surface 22 of the hub flange 2, 12.

[0088] This arrangement of the different types of accommodation sections 3, 4 offers a number of advantages. It is a considerable advantage that the weakening due to the spoke feed-throughs 5, 6 in the hub flange 2, 12 can be distributed to opposite side faces 22, 32. Thus, continuous or one-sided large-surface recesses which would weaken the hub flanges 2, 12 on the whole, may be advantageously dispensed with. Moreover, the quantity of slots or recesses required on one side face 22, 32 of the hub flange 2, 12 can be considerably reduced and distributed over 2 side faces 22, 32.

[0089] Therefore, compact hub flanges 2, 12 having small diameters and/or a narrow width may be realized without incurring problems during spoking or even stability problems regarding the hub flanges 2, 12. This also allows saving considerable weight.

[0090] The presently shown alternating arrangement of the different types of accommodation sections 3, 4 over the hub flanges 2, 12 is particularly advantageous because a one-sided accumulation of slots is avoided.

[0091] Another advantage of different types of accommodation sections 3, 4 is that the hub 1 provides particular ease of spoking. The circumferentially opened spoke feed-through 6 allows simple placement of the spoke 100 transverse to its longitudinal direction.

[0092] The slotted holes 15 extending over the top face 52 and the axially inwardly side face 32 likewise enable particular ease of mounting the spokes 100. As is shown in FIG. 5, the spoke 100 can be inserted from the axially inwardly surface 32. The spoke head 102 is pushed into the takeup space 7 through the spoke feed-through 5. This is a particular advantage in the case of hub flanges 2, 12 whose diameter is small. In the alternative, the spoke 100 may be pushed into the takeup space 7 and through the spoke feed-through 5 with its other end first from the axially outwardly surface 22.

[0093] The length of the slotted hole 15 on the top face 52 relative to the length of the slotted hole in the axially inwardly surface 32 is chosen such that the spoke 100 can be inserted at an angle particularly convenient for mounting from the desired axial side face 22, 32.

[0094] An arrangement of the different types of accommodation sections 3, 4 at an offset 421 relative to a peripheral line 42 of the hub flange 2, 12 is particularly advantageous. 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, 6 are provided to be aligned correspondingly. The crossing spoke 100 prevents the spoke 100 located in the accommodation section 4 from slipping out. The crossing spoke itself is received in the circumferentially closed slotted hole 15 so that it cannot unscrew either.

[0095] This mutual spoke securing device of the crossed spokes 100 offers considerable advantages both in bicycle operation and during spoking. For one, unintended unscrewing is prevented if the spokes 100 loosen unintentionally. For another, handling the already placed spokes 100 during spoking is particularly comfortable even if they are not yet fixed in the rim.

[0096] 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.

[0097] The top face 52 of the hub flange 2, 12 shows sinks 521. They are disposed partially radially beneath a crossing point 25 of the crossed spokes 100 respectively of the crossed longitudinal axes of the pertaining spoke feed-throughs 5, 6. The sinks 521 comprise two converging flanks meeting in the lowest point of the sink 521. The lowest point of the sink 521 lies in the radial direction immediately beneath the crossing point 25 of the spokes 100. This enables a particularly large angle for crossing the spokes 100 which advantageously influences the stability and induction of force into the spokes 100. The hub 1 presently shown allows a crossing point 25 which lies particularly close to or even within the circumference of the hub flanges 2, 12.

[0098] 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.

[0099] Alternating with the sinks 521 beneath the crossing points 25, further sinks 521 are provided for weight reduction. The different types of sinks 521 are alternatingly disposed over the circumference of the hub flanges 2, 12.

[0100] At least one receiving pocket 8 showing at least one undercut 18 is disposed in the takeup spaces 7. This achieves a non-rotatable accommodation of the spoke head 102. The FIGS. 7 and 8 show in more detail a takeup space 7 comprising a receiving pocket 8.

[0101] 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.

[0102] The flattened spoke head 102 comprises two opposite side edges 103. When the spoke head 102 lies in the undercut 18, then these side edges 103 bear non-rotatably against opposite placing sections 28. The placing sections 28 are provided by the backwall 17 of the takeup space 7 and by the wall of the undercut 18 lying opposite the backwall 17.

[0103] The axially farther outwardly placing section 28 is broken in 2 separate sections by the spoke feed-through 6. Moreover, the receiving pocket 8 shows a curve that matches the curve of the spoke head 102. This ensures a precise seat of the spoke head 102 in the receiving pocket 8 so as to ensure a particularly even load on the spoke head 102 clamped into the wheel 200.

[0104] The spoke feed-throughs 5, 6 and the takeup spaces 7 and the depressions 62 and the sinks 521 are preferably worked into the hub body by 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 4 accommodation section 5 spoke feed-through 6 spoke feed-through 7 takeup space 8 receiving pocket 11 hub shell 12 hub flange 15 slotted hole 16 punched hole 17 backwall 18 undercut 21 axle 22 side face 25 crossing point 27 sidewall 28 placing section 31 brake accommodation 32 side face 37 ridge 38 placing section 42 peripheral line 52 top surface 62 depression 100 spoke 101 spoke body 102 spoke head 103 side edge 104 blade spoke 114 shaft section 124 shaft section 200 wheel 201 rim 300 bicycle 301 saddle 302 frame 303 handlebar 304 fork 421 offset 521 sink