Bicycle drive unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11142283-B2
Application number	US-201816157383-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 11, 2018
Priority date	Oct 13, 2017
Publication date	Oct 12, 2021
Grant date	Oct 12, 2021

Abstract

A method for mounting a bicycle drive unit to a frame of a bicycle, in which the bicycle drive unit includes a housing, a crankshaft and a propulsion assist motor. The housing has a first portion and a second portion. The crankshaft is provided to the first portion. The propulsion assist motor is provided to the second portion and includes a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends. The method includes a first step of arranging the first portion at a position for mounting the first portion on the frame, and a second step of rotating the housing about an axis parallel to a rotational axis of the crankshaft and inserting the second portion into an opening of the frame after the first step.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle drive unit mounting method for mounting a bicycle drive unit to a frame of a bicycle, in which the bicycle drive unit includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion, a crankshaft provided to the first portion, and a propulsion assist motor provided to the second portion, the propulsion assist motor including a rotational axis extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends, the method comprising:
a first step of arranging the first portion at a position for mounting the first portion on the frame; and
a second step of rotating the housing about an axis parallel to a rotational axis of the crankshaft and inserting the second portion into an opening in a lower end of a down tube of the frame after the first step.

2. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 1 , wherein
the first step further includes moving the bicycle drive unit in the direction in which the crankshaft extends.

3. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 2 , wherein
the first step further includes inserting a first end of the crankshaft into a through hole of the frame such that the first end of the crankshaft extends in an axial direction through the through hole.

4. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 1 , wherein
the first step further includes moving the bicycle drive unit parallel to a sideward direction of the bicycle frame.

5. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 1 , wherein
the first step further includes moving the bicycle drive unit in a direction intersecting a sideward direction of the bicycle frame.

6. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 1 , wherein
the inserting of the second portion into the opening of the second step further includes arranging at least part of the second portion in an accommodation compartment of the frame.

7. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 1 , further comprising
a third step of coupling a first coupling portion of the housing to a second coupling portion of the frame after the second step.

8. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 7 , wherein
the third step further includes coupling the first coupling portion to the second coupling portion with a bolt.

9. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 7 , further comprising
a fourth step of attaching a cover to at least partially cover the second portion of the housing that is exposed from the opening after the third step.

10. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 9 , wherein
the fourth step further includes attaching the cover to at least one of the frame or the drive unit.

11. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 10 , wherein
the fourth step further includes attaching the cover to at least one of the frame or the drive unit with a bolt.

12. The bicycle drive unit mounting method according to claim 10 , wherein
the fourth step further includes attaching the cover to at least one of the frame or the drive unit with a hook-and-loop fastener.

13. A bicycle frame on which a bicycle drive unit is configured to be mounted, the bicycle drive unit including a housing having a first portion and a second portion, a crankshaft provided to the first portion, and a propulsion assist motor provided to the second portion, the propulsion assist motor including a rotational axis intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends, the bicycle frame comprising:
a mounting portion into which a part of the housing is to be inserted, the mounting portion including
a first side wall including a through hole through which the crankshaft extends and extending in a direction intersecting a sideward direction of the bicycle frame, and
an opening that opens in a direction intersecting the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor, the opening including a first opening portion and a second opening portion connected to the first opening portion, the first opening portion allows for insertion of at least a part of the first portion, and the second opening portion allows for insertion of at least a part of the second portion; and

a down tube that at least partially includes the mounting portion and at least partially defines the second opening portion.

14. The bicycle frame according to claim 13 , wherein
the second opening portion extends in a longitudinal direction of the bicycle frame.

15. The bicycle frame according to claim 13 , wherein
the mounting portion further includes a second side wall, and
the second side wall extends in a direction intersecting the sideward direction of the bicycle frame and is spaced apart from the first side wall in the sideward direction of the bicycle frame.

16. The bicycle frame according to claim 15 , further comprising
a joint joining the first side wall and the second side wall, the joint including an arcuate portion.

17. The bicycle frame according to claim 16 , further comprising
a seat tube and a chainstay, the seat tube and the chainstay being joined with the joint.

18. The bicycle frame according to claim 13 , wherein
the first opening portion opens toward a lower side of the bicycle frame and at least one side in the sideward direction of the bicycle frame.

19. The bicycle frame according to claim 13 , further comprising
a cover at least partially covering the opening.

20. The bicycle frame according to claim 19 , wherein
the cover includes a frame attaching portion that is attachable to one of the frame and the bicycle drive unit.

21. The bicycle frame according to claim 13 , wherein
the through hole at least partially opens in a direction intersecting the sideward direction of the bicycle frame.

22. The bicycle frame according to claim 21 , wherein
the through hole at least partially opens toward the lower side of the bicycle frame.

23. A bicycle frame on which a bicycle drive unit is configured to be mounted, the bicycle drive unit including a housing having a first portion and a second portion, a crankshaft provided to the first portion, and a propulsion assist motor provided to the second portion, the propulsion assist motor including a rotational axis intersecting a direction in which the crankshaft extends, the bicycle frame comprising:
a mounting portion into which a part of the housing is to be inserted, the mounting portion including
a first side wall including a through hole through which the crankshaft extends and extending in a direction intersecting a sideward direction of the bicycle frame, and
an opening that opens in a direction intersecting the rotational axis of the propulsion assist motor, the opening including a first opening portion and a second opening portion connected to the first opening portion, the first opening portion allows for insertion of at least a part of the first portion, and the second opening portion allows for insertion of at least a part of the second portion,
a second side wall that extends in a direction intersecting the sideward direction of the bicycle frame and is spaced apart from the first side wall in the sideward direction of the bicycle frame; and

a joint joining the first side wall and the second side wall, the joint including an arcuate portion and an electric cable insertion hole.

Assignees

• Shimano Kk

Inventors

• Noda Shinichiro
• Iino Yoshinori
• Edamura Takuya
• Mitsuyasu Kento
• Fujiwara Takaaki

Classifications

• B62M6/50

  characterised by detectors or sensors, or arrangement thereof · CPC title

• B62K19/30 Primary

  Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories (axle suspensions B62K25/00) · CPC title

• B62K2204/00

  Adaptations for driving cycles by electric motor · CPC title

• B62M6/45

  Control or actuating devices therefor · CPC title

• B62M6/90

  Batteries · CPC title