Two-Wheeled Vehicle Having a Sprung Drive-Train Swing Arm

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016167731-A1
Application number	US-201615047718-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 19, 2016
Priority date	Aug 23, 2013
Publication date	Jun 16, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A frame assembly is provided for a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular for a bicycle, including: a main frame, which has a head tube for connecting to a front wheel mount and a saddle connection for connecting to a saddle; and a drive-train swing arm pivotably connected to the main frame. The drive-train swing arm includes a wheel suspension for a rear wheel to be driven and a pedal-crank drive having a pedal crank for driving the rear wheel by muscle force of a rider. The pedal-crank drive is associated with the drive-train swing arm. The drive-train swing arm is pivotably connected to the main frame by a multijoint assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A frame assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:
a main frame comprising a head tube and a saddle connection; a drive-train swing arm comprising a wheel suspension for a rear wheel to be driven and having a pedal-crank drive assigned to the drive-train swing arm, the pedal-crank drive having a pedal crank that drives the rear wheel via a rider's muscle force; and a multi joint assembly by which the drive-train swing arm is pivotably connected to the main frame.

2 . The frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the multi joint assembly is configured such that the drive-train swing arm is pivotable relative to the main frame about a virtual pivoting axis.

3 . The frame assembly according to claim 2 , wherein:
the multi joint assembly comprises a number of pivoting axles, and the pivoting axles are arranged spaced apart from and in parallel with the virtual pivoting axis.

4 . The frame assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the multi joint assembly is configured such that the virtual pivoting axis is arranged essentially coaxially with respect to a bottom-bracket bearing axis of the pedal crank of the pedal-crank drive.

5 . The frame assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the multi joint assembly is configured such that pivoting of the drive-train swing arm about the virtual pivoting axis brings about a maximum offset Δx of a relative position of a bottom-bearing bracket axis of the pedal crank with respect to the main frame in a longitudinal direction x of the frame assembly by maximum Δx=+/−20 mm and a maximum offset Δz in a vertical direction z of the frame assembly by at maximum Δz=+/−20 mm.

6 . The frame assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the maximum Δx=+/−10 mm and the maximum Δz=+/−10 mm.

7 . The frame assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the maximum Δx=+/−5 mm and the maximum Δz=+/−4 mm.

8 . The frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the multi joint assembly comprises a four-joint assembly.

9 . The frame assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the four-joint assembly comprises:
two pivoting elements, wherein each of the two pivoting elements is connected by, in each case, a first section to the main frame so as to be pivotable about, in each case, a first pivoting axle, and by, in each case, a second section, arranged spaced apart from the respective first section, to the drive-train swing arm so as to be pivotable about, in each case, a second pivoting axle.

10 . The frame assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a spring-damper assembly for damping a pivoting movement of the drive-train swing arm relative to the main frame.

11 . The frame assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the spring-damper assembly is coupled by a first end to the drive-train swing arm and by an opposing second end is supported indirectly or directly on the main frame.

12 . The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the first end of the spring-damper assembly is coupled to the drive-train swing arm by a securing device, which securing device is adjustable to a number of defined positions, in order to vary a length of the spring-damper assembly in a defined manner.

13 . The frame assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the second end of the spring-damper assembly is connected to one of two pivoting elements of the multi-joint assembly and is supported thereby on the main frame.

14 . The frame assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the main frame comprises a fork-shaped mount for connecting the multi joint assembly to the main frame, wherein the spring-damper assembly is arranged between the multi joint assembly and the main frame, within the fork-shaped mount.

15 . The frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the drive-train swing arm comprises a housing which encloses at least the pedal-crank drive and encapsulates the drive-train swing arm.

16 . The frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the drive-train swing arm comprises an auxiliary motor for driving the rear wheel, wherein a rotor axis of the auxiliary motor is arranged coaxially with respect to a bottom-bracket bearing axis of the pedal crank of the pedal-crank drive.

17 . The frame assembly according to claim 16 , wherein at least part of a housing of the auxiliary motor is embodied in one piece with the wheel suspension.

18 . The frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the pedal-crank drive comprises a transmission for transmitting a torque from the pedal crank and/or an auxiliary motor to the rear wheel of the two-wheeled vehicle.

19 . The frame assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the transmission is a chain or a toothed belt.

20 . A two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:
a bicycle frame assembly, the bicycle frame assembly comprising a main frame comprising a head tube and a saddle connection; a drive-train swing arm comprising a wheel suspension for a rear wheel to be driven and having a pedal-crank drive assigned to the drive-train swing arm, the pedal-crank drive having a pedal crank that drives the rear wheel via a rider's muscle force; and a multi joint assembly by which the drive-train swing arm is pivotably connected to the main frame.

Assignees

• Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag

Inventors

• Bobinger Robert
• Bachmann Fabian
• Ochner Udo
• Loch Robert

Classifications

• B62K25/00

  Axle suspensions (for vehicles in general B60G) · CPC title

• B62K25/28 Primary

  with pivoted chain-stay · CPC title

• B62M6/55

  power-driven at crank shafts parts · CPC title

• B62K25/286

  the shock absorber being connected to the chain-stay via a linkage mechanism · CPC title

• B62M6/40

  Rider propelled cycles with auxiliary electric motor · CPC title