PT96761A - DEVICE FOR PROPULSIZING A BICYCLE AND BICYCLE MUTED FROM THIS DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a rotational driving device for the front wheel of a bicycle having a rear wheel which is driven '

Bicycles, as we all know, have a rear motor wheel and a directional front wheel. The user actuates the rear wheel by means of the pedals arranged at the end of the crank arms integral with a pedal wheel which cooperates with a chain which itself carries a carriage integral with the rear wheel. The ratio of the number of teeth of the disc of the pedal wheel and the sprocket determines the gear ratio »

Given the needs, do bicycles fall into two broad categories? the so-called "road" bicycles and "all-terrain bicycles", more particularly called "T * T" (all-terrain bicycles) "

The bicycles of each of these categories have been improved by numerous sophistications, but very punctually. Thus, the links of the chain, the teeth of the carriages, namely whenever the bicycle is equipped with different gears for the change of speed, have been improved in the profile and curved to improve the yield, to reduce the time losses in the course of the changes of speed and friction. In the same way, oval discs, needle bearings, idler wheels, and special geometry guidewires contribute to a better performance. As for the materials constituting the different accessories and the frame, all solutions and combinations have been or are currently tried to reduce the weight of the bicycle '

These bicycles have at least one major drawback, which is lack of mobility. »In the case of bicycles 1

This is particularly sensitive whenever the road surface has poor adhesion (sidewalk, water or mud on the asphalt), or in the house of the climbs, whenever the user pedals standing on the pedals swinging the bicycle, since in that situation the weight moves on the front wheel which makes it "lighten" the weight on the rear wheel which has the consequence that it skids. How much to V.T.T. , the lack of motricity is flagrant, because the lands on which they are used have by definition a poor grip and there are obstacles to be overcome of all kinds (stones, mud, brooks, leaves).

Another drawback concerns braking. As a result, both-wheel braking is independent and both the progressivity and braking distribution is dependent on the user's appreciation and ability.

The purpose of the invention is to propose a propulsion device which minimizes, in particular, the lack of mobility, allowing an interdependence in the braking of the front and rear wheels, which can be adapted to bicycles which, by means of slight modifications, an additional weight compatible with that of the bicycle, a low cost price, a simplicity such that the reliability is at least equal to that of the other elements and accessories of the bicycle.

To this end, according to the invention, the propulsion device of a bicycle provided with a user-operated motor means, driving the rear wheel and the front wheel of which is mounted on a fork, is characterized in that it has drive means in rotation of the front wheel that cooperate with the drive means.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive means comprises a cardan joint, the first half-axle of which is mounted to rotate relative to the frame, and the second half-axle of which is rotatably mounted relative to the fork '

In the case of the gimbal joint the first half-axle is provided at its end with a receiving sprocket and a drive member which cooperates with the die means, and the second half-axle is provided at its end with a drive sprocket and a transmission member cooperating with a reciprocating sprocket integral with the front wheel so as to drive the rotation of this front wheel '

According to a particular embodiment, the drive means has a pedal wheel with at least one disc having at least one carriage disposed on one side of the rear wheel and integral therewith, and a drive member connecting this disc and this rear wheel also has a motor gear integral with the wheel cooperating with the transmission member associated with the receiving gear of the first half-shaft of the shaft seal,

According to a variant of the invention, the drive means comprises a pedal wheel with at least two discs, a carriage integral with the rear wheel and a transmission member connecting the first of the two discs to this carriage, and the second disc cooperates with the transmission member associated with the pick-up spool of the first half-shaft of the gimbal joint »

In the case of this variant, a gearbox is interposed between the pedal wheel and the two discs and has a secondary shaft driven by the primary shaft of the pedal wheel, a tertiary shaft connected to the secondary shaft by a drive member and a quaternary shaft which supports the two disks, driven by the tertiary shaft.

According to different variants and embodiments, the take-up gear of one of the wheels may be provided with a free-wheeling device, a clutch device may be interposed between the front-wheel-receiving gear is said front-wheel and the different gears may be combined so that the rotation speed of the rear wheel receiving reel is very slightly greater than the speed of rotation of the front wheel receiving reel such that this front wheel is driven when the wheel back skating The invention also relates to a bicycle provided with the propulsion device defined above. According to a characteristic of this bicycle, the assembly of the transmission members is arranged in a crankcase.

According to another feature, this crankcase replaces the block and directly supports all the accessories, namely the front wheel fork, the steering, the saddle, the rear wheel and the propulsion device. The present invention is described below in accordance with a particular embodiment with its variants, applied to an all-terrain bicycle but is immediately transposable to a road bicycle. This description is made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. a side elevational view of a bicycle provided with a device according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a top view of a partial cross-sectional view of the angular transmission applied to the transmission for the front wheel. Figure 3 shows a detailed cross-sectional side view of the angular transmission applied to the transmission for the front wheel. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the transmission for the front wheel, second the plane 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side elevation view with partial pull out of a bicycle variant provided with the wake-up device Figure 6 is a cross-sectional longitudinal cross-sectional view of the angular transmission applied to the front wheel drive of the variant of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through the plane containing the axis of rotation C ~ C of the direction of Figure è. Figure B shows a cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane containing the axis of rotation of the gimbal joint, along line S-B of Figure 7,

In Figure 1 there is shown a side elevational view of the propulsion device of a bicycle, according to the invention. This bicycle is provided with drive means (8) driven by the user by driving the rear wheel (12). The front wheel (4) is mounted on a fork (16). ) is the rotation of the front wheel. Bicycles according to the invention are provided, in a known manner with a frame (20), a steering column (22) surmounted by a handle (24), having different control modes (26) as a seat (28) adjustable in height. sprocket sprocket sprocket sprocket

The motor means 1 'comprises a wheel 30 with at least one disc 32, a set of receivers 34, a disengageer 33 allowing gear changes of the assembly 34 as well as a transmission 38 ) connecting the disc (32) to the assembly (34). The rear wheel 12 also comprises a drive carriage 4 cooperating with the driving wheel drive means 18. The drive means 18 essentially comprises a drive shaft 42, a transmission body (44) connecting the drive gear (40) integral with the rear wheel (12) and the gimbal (42), another transmission member (46) is arranged under the steering column (22). which is positioned between the gimbal joint 42 and a receiver gear 48 integral with the front wheel 14. A chain tensioner 45 which guides the chain 44 and compensates for the arrow by timing the movement oscillatory.

In figure 2 the cardan joint (42) was shown in detail. The first half-axis of the gimbal joint 42 rotates in a bearing 52 suspended from the support bracket 54 integral with the frame 20 and more particularly with the steering column guide tube 22 ). The end of the half-axle < 5β) is fixed by means of a screw * 56 to the receiving gear 513 which cooperates with the chain 44 and with the motor gear 40 integral with the rear wheel . The cardan joint 42 also comprises a second half-shaft 60 which rotates in a bearing 62 integral with the front fork 61 through the welds 64.

A motor carriage 66 is secured to the second half-axle 60 by a screw 68, this carriage 66 engages the transmission body 46 and the receiving carriage 48 integral with front wheel.

The bearings 52 and 62 are equipped with needle bearings in the embodiment shown. The bearing 62 on which the second half-axle rotates extends through a casing 70 which protects the carriage 66.

In figure 3 the support bracket 54 which is fixed on the steering column 22 but which is also fixed to the inclined bar 23 is shown in detail, which in a known manner ensures the rigidity of the frame other elements identical to those in Figures 1 and 2 show the same references. A

In Figure 4 a cross-section through a horizontal plane following the line 4-4 of Figure 3 was shown in detail. This view allows to deduce the shape of the box (7Θ) and confirm the central position of the centered cardan joint with the steering.

The operation of the propulsion device 9 according to the invention is described below. The user actuates the rear wheel by means of the pedal wheel 30 which rotates the disc 32 which in turn drives the transmission organ < 38) cooperating with one of the carriages of the set of carriages (34) integral with the rear wheel, said carriage being selected thanks to the deenergizer in the known manner

Simultaneously the carriage 40 is driven in rotation since it is integral with the rear wheel 12. The transmission body 44 is then driven in the direction of the arrows, which causes rotation of the carriage 58 integral with the half-shaft 50 of the gimbal joint 42. The chain tensioner (45) makes it possible to compensate for the chain arrow and its different oscillations that occur when the bicycle moves. The semi-axle (5®) rotates the semi-axle 60 which in turn rotates the carriage C66) which cooperates with the transmission body (46) to rotate the carriage (4B) integral with the front wheel (14).

Thus, the rotation of the rear wheel (12) causes rotation of the front wheel (14) '

The different gears are of such dimensions that the gear ratio is the same for the rear wheel and the front wheel, and thus the two wheels run strictly at the same speed. In this case, the bicycle is continuously, two-wheel drive.

However, freewheel systems which are generally mounted on the rear wheel are known which prevent the user from having to pedal and allowing him to take advantage of the accumulated inertia by leaving the rear wheel 1: 2 > The free wheel is arranged in the hub of the rear wheel itself, it is generally constituted by a retractable pawl interposed between a first part which rotates with respect to the fixed axis fixed to the frame and a second moving part in rotation relative to the first.

According to one. it is therefore also possible to mount a free wheel on the front wheel (14), so that the transmission members (44) and (46) are not actuated when the bicycle advances ε the user has stopped cycling. to achieve this result, it is also necessary to secure the motor carriage (4Θ) of the rear wheel and the front wheel receiver gear (48) over the corresponding free wheel part. -S-

According to a further variant, it is also possible to review a transmission which confers the. front wheel speed is less than the speed of the rear wheel. In this case, in view of the free-wheeling devices, only the rear wheel is driven, only engaging the front wheel when the rear wheel is running.

Such a propulsion device is therefore intended to be installed from the origin when manufacturing the bicycle, but also on existing bicycles by arranging some simple modifications, going up to a maximum of one. from the original fork by a completely new fork.

A variant of the inventive device according to the invention is hereinafter described in connection with Figures 5 to 8. The bicycle 110 of Figure 5 comprises a frame 120 forming the crankcase 13 in which all the (110), the rear wheel drive means (112), and the actuating means (118) of the front wheel (114). The bicycle also comprises a directional front fork which forms the crankcase ΐ i7 > for the front wheel transmission means. The frame (12 ') directly supports the handlebars (124), the control means (126) of the different transmission members and the saddle (128).

The drive means 110 comprises a pedal wheel 13 'with a set of pedals operated by the user, driving a primary axle 133 cooperating with a secondary axle 135 on which is fixed at least one sprocket 137. A transmission member 139 connects this carriage 137 to a further carriage 139 integral with a tertiary axis 141.

This tertiary axis cooperates directly with a quaternary axis 143 on which are fixed two discs 132 and 140 which cooperate respectively with the transmission members 138 engaging with a receiving reel 134 integral with the wheel (144) which strikes the gimbal joint (142). The assembly of the four shafts and the corresponding sprockets constitutes a gearbox (131). The gasket

''? (142) as well as the steering column (122) are shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7. The gimbal joint < 142) comprises two semi-axles (15 ") and (16 ") which rotate respectively in the bearings 152 and 162 which are integral with the frame < 12 > . and with the fork 116.

The transmission body or chain 144 particularly strikes the receiving carriage 158, the axis of rotation of which passes through the axis of the direction of the steering. This carriage 158 is integral with the half-axis 150 of the half- 16 ©) is also provided with a motor carriage (166) which strikes the receiving gear (148) with the front wheel by means of the transmission body (146).

In this Figure 7 I saw the shape of the frame forming a crankcase and the particular steering column of this embodiment variant.

In the upper part (145) and lower (147) of the end of the frame, there is provided an assembly for rotation comprising for each of the parts the stops (149) and (151) shaped so as to follow the profile of the frame in which the bolts (153) and (155) whose heads rest on the inner ring of the ball bearings (157, 159) integral with the fork are screwed on '

The washers < 161, 163) are interposed between the lower rings of the ball bearings and the stops.

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At the top of the steering column, there is provided, in known manner, a housing (165) in which the handlebar rod < 167) is locked by a wedge < 169).

The window (171) provided in the yoke (1) and the column (122) to allow the rotation of the yoke around the steering axle can optionally be closed by a bellows (173) . The fork is assembled asymmetrically in a single piece to limit the weight and number of parts. The fork has sufficient strength to absorb all the forces taking into account its section.

The materials used will be in particular composites whose strength-to-weight ratio is well known. Furthermore, is it possible to provide reinforcements at certain points where strength or stiffness should be increased? this is the case, in particular for the bearings of ball-bearings of the steering column, the bearings of the reels and the gimbal joint, as well as for the axles of the wheel or the axis of the pedal wheel and those of the gearbox '

With respect to the gearbox, the drive means of which are not shown, as they are known per se, this can be completed by gears juxtaposed one to another and geared on the secondary axes ε tertiary so as to vary the in a manner similar to that of a motorcycle gearbox. In this case, the drawbacks of the disengager and the current working at the time of the gear changes are eliminated.

As for the different transmission members, they are known link chains in the field of cycling, but they can be replaced by chains, and in this case the drums replace the gears. Such a change is within the reach of the professionals of this technique.

In the variant shown in figures 5 to 8, it is possible to provide lubrication by oil splashing. "Is a very small amount of oil really sufficient, and how is the frame watertight? there is no pollution with this oil. This advantage is not negligible when it is known that losses on the rotating parts, bearings, shafts, are of the order of 3% for a bicycle, it is necessary to provide forms of access to the different parts of the frame. These shapes are not represented for clarity of the drawing and because they are within the reach of the professional of this technique.

The operation of the propulsion device < ii > of the bicycle variant of Figures 5 to 8 is substantially the same as before, and it is for this reason that identical parts or having the same function are referenced by the same number in front of which is placed a 1. As for the different parts, they have odd references in the hundreds series. The user exerts a torque on the pedals which causes the primary and the secondary, tertiary and quaternary axes of the gearbox to rotate.

The transmission members < 138) and (144) in turn being driven, in turn, in the front and rear wheels. 15 -

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As for the preferred embodiment, is it possible in the case of this variant to make the two wheels simultaneously drive? the front wheel being driven only when the rear wheel skims, by interposing free wheels and clutch devices.

When both wheels are driven simultaneously, braking is simultaneous and there is an interaction between the front wheel and the rear wheel. it is also possible to have a well known small mass centrifugal clutch in the field of the mopeds for driving the front wheel.

An additional advantage of the variant is the increased ground clearance by suppression of the classic discs of the pedal wheel, which is an important advantage, in particular for the V.T.T.

Practical experience has shown increased maneuverability and motor gain, more particularly in slippery terrain when the weight of the user is moved forward »

As for the additional weight of the power-driven front-wheel drive device, it can be calculated from 5Θ a to 8 € K? g.

In the case of the variant, it is integrated into the bicycle and, taking into account the use of composite materials and weight gains, in particular when using plastic materials for the drive parts, it is considered that there is no weight supplement.

Furthermore, bearing in mind that the transmissions and bearings can be lubricated and that stresses on the transmission organs, chain or belts are exerted perfectly along the axis, the overall yield is thereby increased.

As far as the front wheel drive is concerned, only when the rear wheel skids, it is possible to vary the transmission ratio with the suppression of a tooth in the rearward transmission <4 $ 5 134) in relation to the front transmission. In this case, the rear wheel runs slightly faster than the front wheel. Only the free wheel of the rear wheel engages, the front free wheel engages only when the rear wheel skids.

Claims (2)

A bicycle device, the wheel of which is mounted on a directional yoke provided with driving means driven by the user, and moving the rear wheel characterized by having co-operating front wheel rotation means with the driving force » Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive means has a carton joint, the first half-axle of which is mounted to rotate relative to the frame, and the second half-εχκο is mounted to rotate with respect to the fork. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first half-axle is provided at its end with a take-up reel and a drive member cooperating with the drive means, and in that the half-axis is provided at its end with a drive carriage and a drive member cooperating with the reciprocating carriage integral with the front wheel so as to drive the rotation of this front wheel ' 4ã. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive means has a pedal wheel with at least one disc, have at least one carriage placed on the side of the rear wheel and integral with it, in that they have a drive member this disc and this carriage, and in that the rear wheel also has a motor sprocket integral with this wheel which cooperates with the transmission member associated with the receiving truck of the first half-axle of the gimbal joint 5a. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive means comprises a wheel a sprocket having at least two discs, a sprocket attached to the rear wheel and a transmission member connecting the first of the two disks to and of the sprocket, and in that the second disc cooperates with the transmission gear associated with the sprocket receiving the first semi- The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gearbox is interposed between the chuck wheel and the two discs. 7ã. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that the gearbox comprises a secondary shaft driven by the primary shaft of the wheel, a tertiary shaft connected to the secondary shaft by a transmission member and a quaternary shaft supporting the two discs, driven by the tertiary shaft. The device of claim 7, wherein the secondary and tertiary shafts have multiple gears so as to cause the transmission ratio to be varied. 9a. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the take up gear of one of the wheels is provided with at least one free wheel device. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that the different paths are in such a ratio that the speed of rotation of the rear wheel receiving sprocket is very slightly higher than that of the front wheel receiving sprocket, so that this wheel of the front is motive when the rear wheel skids » The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it has a clutch device interposed between the rear wheel receiving sprocket and said front wheel (12). - A bicycle characterized in that it is provided with the driving device. propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 13. A bicycle according to claim 12, characterized in that the transmission gear assembly is arranged in a casing (14). A bicycle according to claim 13, characterized in that the casing assures the frame function and directly supports all accessories, in particular the front-wheel fork, steering, saddle, rear wheel and the propulsion device 'Lisbon, 14 February 1991 Official Agent! of Industrial Property RUA VtCTOR CORDON, 10-A 3, to 1200 US80A