DE10054273A1 - Recumbent tricycle consists of two chassis parts connected via two bearing points, with one point displaceable for allow for adaptation to useres of different body height - Google Patents

Abstract

The tricycle has a first chassis part (2) with two rear wheels (7,8) and a second chassis part (3) with a front wheel (13). The parts are connected at two separate bearing points (4,5) via bearing elements (20,29). One of the bearing points is displaceable in a direction, which is different from the pivot axis (6) between the chassis parts, which extends in direction of travel (F). The displacement causes the inclination of the pivot axis and of the first chassis part to be adjusted in direction of travel.

Description

The invention relates to a recumbent bicycle according to the preamble of claim 1.

Recumbent tricycles are in a wide variety of designs known. Some may depend on the body size of the Be adjusted to the driver.

In the patent DE 195 11 629 C2 is a recumbent tricycle disclosed. This has a rear wheels first chassis part and a second chassis part, the is connected to the first and a front wheel with Pedal drive includes. The second chassis part is in his Telescopically adjustable length and still has the Possibility to turn one on the second chassis horizontal axis attached fork for holding the Front wheel at its angle to the second chassis part adjust. The first and second chassis parts are connected to each other via flexible rubber bodies so that the Chassis parts around a running through the rubber body Axis of rotation are rotatable against each other. Desired, neutral Driving characteristics of the recumbent tricycle arise when the Axis of rotation through the point of contact of the front wheel on the Roadway runs. This also applies to length adjustment  of the second chassis part, the The angle that the fork makes to the second chassis part be adjusted so that the point of contact of the front wheel remains unchanged. With regard to for the Adjustment mechanism required to adjust the length explained construction can be further simplified.

Furthermore, from US 5,240,267 is a three-wheel bicycle known that has two wheels in the back and one wheel in the front. The Distance between the two rear wheels is due to a change in Angle that the wheel suspensions to a longitudinal axis of the take three-wheeled bike, adjustable. Disadvantageous this known adjustment is that is structurally very complex because there are two joints per wheel required are. Besides that increased by the joints The weight of the three-wheel bike is the setting the track width is complex and therefore disadvantageous because one Adjusting the track width always also the alignment of the Wheels must be reset.

The invention has for its object a compact Recumbent tricycle to provide that with simple technical Averaging an adjustment of the driving characteristics at a Adjustment of the frame geometry for different sizes Driver allowed.

This object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 10 solved.

The recumbent tricycle according to the invention provides a storage location, the on the chassis parts in one of the axis of rotation deviating direction is displaceable. This is it possible the alignment, especially inclination, of the axis of rotation to change. So that the axis of rotation at a Length adjustment of the recumbent tricycle to the point of contact of the Front wheel to be tracked on the road. So one can  neutral driving behavior, which changes with the course of the Axis of rotation through the point of contact of the front wheel, for every adjustment of the recumbent tricycle can be achieved. A such adjustment device can be mechanically special can be easily realized, if only for this Sliding guides are used.

By moving one of the storage positions is next to the Inclination of the axis of rotation also inclines the first Chassis part adjustable in the direction of travel. This can an adjustment of the inclination can be compensated for a displacement of the front wheel occurs when the frame is adapted to the size of a driver. So it is possible, the inclination of the first chassis part even after Maintain changes in frame geometry. This allows those attached to the first chassis part Trailing edges to improve the Provide driving characteristics of the recumbent tricycle. Because at no adjustment occurs when the tricycle is adjusted in length of the rear chassis part around the axis of the rear wheels on, with which there is no negative influence on the Driving characteristics, such as B. Erase the rear wheels Straight ahead comes.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that first chassis part by shifting the front Bearing in the direction of travel clockwise by about pivot point in the area of the rear bearing point rotate. It is also provided by a shift the front bearing against the direction of travel of the first chassis part by approximately in the area of rear pivot point to effect. Consequently can tilt the rear frame part in two opposite directions are adjusted, which one Compensation of all "misalignments" of the frame allows.  

According to a further embodiment of the Subject of the invention it is provided one of the Bearing elements on both chassis parts by means of Sliding bearing units to be arranged displaceably, the Shift lines of the sliding bearing an intersection exhibit. This ensures that a shift the bearing element with otherwise unchanged frame parts Change the position of the two frame parts to each other causes.

In a moreover favorable embodiment, it is provided to design the bearing element as a rubber bearing, whose rubber body is arranged between two plates, the through a flexible connecting means, in particular a Wire rope, are connected. This creates a Damping agent that is capable of various Record movements, especially transverse shifts and dampen. At the same time are high with this bearing body Security requirements realized because the panels at a malfunction of the rubber body over the Lanyards are connected to each other without that Lanyard the effect of the rubber body in the Normal operation affects.

It is particularly advantageous if the axis of rotation is one Has course in which it is the body of a driver a point that cuts from the length setting of the Recumbent tricycle depends. This allows Bearing elements with the same properties for small, light and large, heavy riders similar driving characteristics reach, although the drivers with different levers cause rotation about the axis of rotation. Because with large, heavy riders can get the axis of rotation closer to the Body center of gravity than small, light drivers. So the influence of weight and Driver's size neutralized to a certain extent.  

It is also advantageous if the rear wheels Have suspensions that have a transverse displacement Allow driving direction. This allows the Driving characteristics by adjusting the track width especially the weight and size of the driver, but also with regard to the preferred "driving style" be adjusted. In addition, such a simple Adjustment also the space-saving storage of the Liege tricycle.

By pushing in and pushing out the rear suspension into a tube belonging to the first chassis part, especially square tube or a fixation in it, is a structurally particularly easy to implement Solution before.

By suspending the rear wheel over two forks that are guided in two tubes of the rear chassis part, is a structurally simple, particularly stable bike frame Combination realized.

An embodiment is proposed below, at which can be arranged on the recumbent tricycle, the on a swivel castor at one end pointing away from the recumbent tricycle has, which is freely rotatable about a longitudinal axis. hereby is a large part of the weight of the trailer from Recumbent tricycle added and the trailer allows one Reversing, in which the self-steering behavior of the trailer does not have to be observed by the driver because the swivel castor of their Steering axle always runs and the trailer is therefore the predetermined movement by the recumbent trike follows.

A particularly advantageous training of Subject of the invention is when the trailer between holding elements arranged on the rear wheel suspensions, such as z. B. bolt is rotatably clamped. With such a  The trailer can be arranged by a simple arrangement Track width adjustment can be coupled and uncoupled, the optimal track width for trailer operation by the Trailer is specified, so no misadjustments can be made.

It is also advantageous if the trailer between on first chassis part arranged holding elements is clamped, at least one holding element for Uncoupling of the trailer is longitudinally movable. So is a simple and quick coupling of the trailer guaranteed.

Further details of the invention are shown in the drawing based on schematically illustrated embodiments described. Here shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a sun tricycle

Fig. 2 is a schematic rear view of the single in Fig. 1 illustrated sun tricycle omitting parts,

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the deck tricycle shown in Fig. 1 in a length adjustment for medium-sized driver,

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of a partially illustrated in a length adjustment for small drivers, and partly in a length adjustment for medium-sized driver sun tricycle

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the deck tricycle shown in Fig. 1 in a position for small drivers,

Fig. 6 is a representation of the lying tricycle shown in Fig. 1 in a position for tall drivers,

Fig. 7 shows a bearing element,

Fig. 8 is a section through that shown in Fig. 7 bearing element along the line VIII-VIII,

Fig. 9 shows a rear portion of a recumbent tricycle with a coupled trailer.

In Fig. 1 a recumbent tricycle 1 is shown. The recumbent tricycle 1 essentially consists of a first chassis part 2 and a second chassis part 3 , which are mounted on bearings 4 , 5 so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 6 . Rear wheels 7 , 8 are suspended on the first chassis part 2 . Furthermore, handlebar stubs 9 , 10 are connected to the first chassis part 2 . On the second chassis part 3 , a fork 11 is slidably and fixably mounted with a fork tube 12 . The fork 11 carries a front wheel 13 and a partially illustrated drive device 14 , of which pedals 15 , crank arms 16 and a bottom bracket 17 are shown. To maintain the clarity of the figure, a representation of a chain drive acting on the front wheel 13 has been omitted. A seat cushion 18 and a back cushion 19 are also arranged on the second chassis part 3 . The front bearing point 4 is realized by a bearing element 20 which is connected to the chassis parts 2 , 3 via a first flange plate 21 with a first sliding guide 22 and via a second flange plate 23 with a second sliding guide 24 . The first sliding guide 22 is designed as a pipe guide 25 which can be locked in place using screws 26 . The first sliding guide 22 allows a displacement in the direction of arrow a or a '. The second sliding guide 24 is designed as a clamping device 27 , which is displaceable on the second chassis part 3 and can be clamped by means of clamping screws 28 . The second sliding guide 24 allows a displacement in the direction of the arrow b or b '. The rear bearing 5 is designed as a bearing element 29 which is fastened to the first chassis part 2 or to the second chassis part 3 via flange plates 30 , 31 . The axis of rotation 6 , about which the chassis parts 2 , 3 can be rotated relative to one another, is defined by the bearing points 4 , 5 and runs through a support point 32 of the front wheel 13 on a base 33 in order to achieve neutral driving properties of the tricycle 1 . The fork tube 12 of the fork 11 is mounted in the second chassis part 3 in a pipe guide 34 , which can be detached and locked by clamping screws 35 . By pulling the fork tube 12 out of the second chassis part 3 , an extension of a wheelbase B between an axis 36 of the front wheel 13 and an axis 37 of the rear wheels 7 , 8 is achieved. Pulling out the fork tube 12 in the direction of arrow b causes the chassis parts 2 , 3 to rotate in the direction of the arrow x about the axis 37 . Conversely, pushing the fork tube 12 into the second chassis part 3 in the arrow direction b ′ causes the chassis parts 2 , 3 to rotate in the arrow direction y about the axis 37 .

Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the recumbent tricycle 1 shown in Fig. 1 , wherein essential parts of the recumbent tricycle 1 such. B. the second chassis part are not shown. In FIG. 2 is substantially the first chassis section 2 seen from the frame parts 38 and connecting these suspensions, 39 40, is the 41st The wheel suspensions 40 , 41 for the rear wheels 7 , 8 each consist of two interconnected forks 42 to 45 , which can be moved and locked with fork tubes 46 to 49 in the frame parts 38 , 39 (see also FIG. 1). The rear wheels can be shifted in opposite directions m, m '. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the rear wheels 7 , 8 have a camber by a camber angle γ. According to an embodiment variant, not shown, it is provided that the frame parts designed as square tubes are screwed to the square fork tubes so that the screw or thread axis, viewed in cross section, runs along a diagonal through the square profile. To reinforce the construction, the screws are also guided in threaded sleeves welded onto the square tubes.

Fig. 3, the trike 1 shown in Fig. 1, with some of the components of the reclining tricycle 1 in the illustration for the preservation of clarity, shown in Fig. 1 have been omitted. In the setting shown in FIG. 3, the recumbent tricycle 1 is set for medium-sized drivers (wheelbase B). The fork tube 12 of the fork 11 can be inserted into the second chassis part 3 both in the direction of arrow b 'and also pulled out in the direction of arrow b. When viewed from the side, the forks 42 , 44 are approximately at an angle α = 90 ° to the base 33 . In the setting for medium-sized drivers, the sliding guides 22 , 24 also allow both a displacement in the direction of arrow a or b and in the direction of arrow a 'or b'. This results in displacement options for the bearing element 20 along displacement lines v _a , v _b which intersect at an intersection point S. Together with the axis of rotation 6 , the displacement lines v _a , v _b form a triangle D in each setting of the recumbent tricycle 1 , which has different edge lengths and different surface areas depending on the setting of the recumbent tricycle 1 . If the recumbent tricycle 1 is now to be moved from the setting shown in FIG. 3 for medium-sized drivers to a setting for small drivers, the fork tube 12 is first inserted in the direction of the arrow b ′ into the second chassis part 3 by the wheelbase B to a wheelbase C. to shorten (see Fig. 4). The point P ₂ on the second chassis part 3 is raised to the level of the point P ₁ on the fork tube 12 , which results in the rotation of the chassis parts 2 , 3 already described in FIG. 1 about the axis 37 in the direction of the arrow y (see FIG. 4). As can be seen from FIG. 4, the rotation in the direction of the arrow y about the axis 37 also causes the angle α to the base 33 to decrease compared to the angle α shown in FIG. 3. The change in the position of the forks 42 , 44 , in conjunction with the camber angle γ which the rear wheels 7 , 8 have, causes the formation of a negative toe-in angle of the rear wheels, which leads to increased friction of the rear wheels 7 , 8 on the ground 33 and is undesirable , In addition to the incorrect position of the rear wheels 7 , 8 or the first chassis part 2 , the insertion of the fork tube 12 into the second chassis part 3, as a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4 shows, also led to an incorrect position of the axis of rotation 6 , which, as shown in FIG FIG. 4, the substrate 33 does not intersect more in the supporting point 32 of the front wheel 13, but hits in the direction of travel F far before the point of support 32 to the substrate 33. To correct the incorrect positions, the front bearing element 20 is now moved from the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the aid of the sliding guides 22 , 24 on the chassis parts 2 , 3 in the directions a 'and b' to the direction shown in FIG. 5 Move position. As a result, the axis of rotation 6 is lowered so that it again runs through the point of contact 32 of the front wheel 13 on the ground 33 , as in the setting for medium-sized drivers (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the displacement of the bearing element 20 also causes a change in the position of the chassis parts 2 , 3 relative to one another, so that the forks 42 , 44 are again at an angle α = 90 ° to the base 33 . More specifically, the displacement of the front bearing element 20 essentially causes the first chassis part 2 to rotate about a pivot point 50 located in the rear bearing point 5 to the second chassis part 3 . The movement of the chassis parts 2 , 3 relative to one another is also evident from an increasing distance between points P ₃ , P ₄ entered in FIGS. 4 and 5. When the front bearing element 20 is displaced from the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, only a vertical component b ' _{v of} the displacement b' acts on the first chassis part 2 , since the horizontal component b ' _{h of} the displacement b' is approximately compensated by the sliding guide 22 or the sliding movement a '. It is thus with the example shown in Fig. 5 trike 1 now a trike 1 for small drivers before, the desired as well as the reclining in the position for medium-sized driver, has neutral driving characteristics and the rear wheels 7, 8 in spite of the adjustment of the inclination of the second chassis member 3 result in constant driving characteristics.

Fig. 6 shows the recumbent tricycle 1 shown in the previous figures in a setting for tall drivers (wheelbase A) in which the fork tube 12 is extended as far as permitted from the second chassis part 3 . Before the front bearing element 20 has been displaced, pulling out the fork tube 12 first, as already described in FIG. 1, causes the chassis parts 2 , 3 to rotate in the direction of the arrow x about the axis 37 . In analogy to the shift from the position for medium-sized drivers to the position for small drivers, this shift in turn results in two incorrect positions. First, the axis of rotation 6 intersects the base 33 in the direction of travel F behind the support point 32 of the front wheel 13 and secondly the forks 42 , 44 are inclined in the direction of travel and form an angle α <90 ° with the base 33 . A displacement of the bearing element 20 in the arrow directions a, b causes the axis of rotation 6 to lie flat, so that it cuts the ground 33 again at the point of contact 32 of the front wheel 13 (as shown in FIG. 6). Furthermore, the displacement of the front bearing element 20 in turn causes the first chassis part 2 to rotate about the pivot point 50 arranged approximately in the rear bearing point 5 in the direction of the arrow y ', so that the points P ₃ , P ₄ approach or the forks 42 , 44 again stand perpendicular to the substrate 33 at an angle α = 90 °.

In all positions which lie between the positions shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 extreme positions, an optimal adjustment of the reclining tricycle 1 is possible in view of the handling and the position of the rear wheels. In Figs. 3, 5, 6 will illustrate how the distance between a point P ₅ and the rotary shaft 6 varies with the context setting. For distances m _I , m _II , m _III between point P ₅ and axis of rotation 6, the following applies: m _I <m _II <m _III . This means that the center of gravity of a driver, not shown, is far above the axis of rotation 6 for the setting for small drivers and the driver therefore has a large lever in order to cause rotations about the axis of rotation 6 . As shown in FIG. 6, this lever becomes smaller in the setting for tall drivers, ie the axis of rotation is closer to the center of gravity. This means that drivers of different sizes will find good driving characteristics when using the same bearing elements, since increasing driver size and with this increasing driver weight are compensated for by a shorter lever length.

Fig. 7 shows a bearing member 60. The bearing element 60 essentially consists of an upper plate 61 , a lower plate 62 , a rubber body 63 and a flexible element 64 connecting the plates 61 , 62 . The bearing element 60 permits a wide variety of movements of the plates 61 , 62 relative to one another, with a buckling about an imaginary axis 65 due to the shape of the rubber body 63 and the longitudinal orientation of the bearing element 60 (see FIG. 7) being the preferred direction of movement. The bearing element 60 or the rubber body 63 shows a progressive spring behavior.

Fig. 8 shows a section through the bearing element shown in Fig. 7 along the section line VIII-VIII. Threads 66 are provided in the plates 61 , 62 for fastening the chassis parts. The flexible element (not shown in FIG. 8) connecting the plates 61 , 62 is guided through a bore 67 and is clamped in the plates 61 , 62 in each case by screws, not shown, which are screwed into the thread 68 . Furthermore, welding, not shown, of the flexible element to the plates 61 , 62 is provided if this is designed, for example, as a steel cable.

Fig. 9 shows a rear part of a tricycle deck 80, which is connected to a trailer 81st The trailer 81 is rotatably mounted on the recumbent tricycle 80 about an axis of rotation 82 . At a rear end 83 in the direction of travel, the trailer 81 is supported by a roller 84 which is freely rotatable about a steering axis 85 and has an axis of rotation 86 which does not intersect with the steering axis 85 . Thus, the roller 84 always runs behind the steering axis 85 . The axis of rotation 82 , on which the trailer 81 is suspended, is arranged in front of an axis of rotation 87 of the rear wheel of the recumbent tricycle 80 , so that the trailer 81 or a load located on the trailer 81 with its weight also applies to the front wheel, not shown, of the recumbent tricycle 80 works and thus improves the traction of the driven front wheel in trailer operation.

Is independent of the embodiments just described it is also conceivable that an adjustment of the axis of rotation and the Position of the first chassis part by a shift of the rear bearing element.  

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

trike

2

first chassis part

3

second chassis part

4

front bearing

5

rear bearing

6

axis of rotation

7

rear wheel

8th

rear wheel

9

handlebars

10

handlebars

11

fork

12

fork tube

13

front

14

driving device

15

pedal

16

crank

17

bottom bracket

18

seat cushion

19

back pad

20

front bearing element

21

flange

22

first sliding guide

23

flange

24

second sliding guide

25

pipe guide

26

screw

27

clamping device

28

clamping screw

29

rear bearing element

30

flange

31

flange

32

support point

33

underground

34

pipe guide

35

clamping screw

36

Axle (front)

37

Axle (rear)

38

frame part

39

frame part

40

Arm

41

Arm

42

fork

43

fork

44

fork

45

fork

46

fork tube

47

fork tube

48

fork tube

49

fork tube

50

pivot point

60

bearing element

61

top plate

62

lower plate

63

rubber body

64

flexible element

65

axis

66

thread

67

drilling

68

thread

80

trike

81

pendant

82

axis of rotation

83

The End

84

role

85

steering axle

86

axis of rotation

87

axis of rotation

Claims (17)

1. Recumbent tricycle, which has a rear wheel ( 7 , 8 ) carrying first chassis part ( 2 ) and a second wheel part ( 3 ) connected to a front wheel ( 13 ), which is adjustable in length, the chassis parts ( 2 , 3 ) at two separate bearings ( 4 , 5 ) are connected by means of bearing elements ( 20 , 29 ) and the chassis parts ( 2 , 3 ) can be pivoted relative to one another about an axis of rotation ( 6 ) which points in the direction of travel (F) and is inclined to this, characterized in that one of the bearing points ( 4 , 5 ) is arranged to be displaceable in a direction deviating from the axis of rotation ( 6 ). 2. Recumbent tricycle according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclination of the axis of rotation ( 6 ) and the inclination of the first chassis part ( 2 ) in the direction of travel (F) is adjustable by the displacement of one of the bearing points ( 4 , 5 ). 3. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a displacement of the front bearing point ( 4 ) in the direction of travel (F) a rotation of the first chassis part ( 2 ) clockwise about an approximately in the area of the rear bearing point ( 5 ) pivot point ( 50 ) causes. 4. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a displacement of the front bearing point ( 4 ) against the direction of travel (F) a rotation of the first chassis part ( 2 ) counterclockwise around the approximately in the area of the rear bearing point ( 5 ) Pivot ( 50 ) causes. 5. recumbent tricycle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the bearing elements ( 20 , 29 ) on the first and on the second chassis part ( 2 , 3 ) is arranged displaceably, the displacement lines (v _a , v _b ) of the sliding bearing units ( 22 , 24 ) intersect at an intersection (S). 6. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement lines (v _a , v _b ) of the bearing units ( 22 , 24 ) of the front bearing element ( 20 ) with the axis of rotation ( 6 ) define a triangle (D). 7. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing element ( 20 , 29 ) is designed as a rubber bearing which is formed from a rubber body ( 63 ) which is connected between two plates ( 61 ) connected to one another via a flexible connecting means ( 64 ) , 62 ). 8. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible connecting means ( 64 ) is designed as a wire rope which is connected to the plates ( 61 , 62 ) via welded connections and / or clamped connections. 9. recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis of rotation ( 6 ) passes through the body of a driver. 10. Recumbent tricycle in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first chassis part ( 2 ) has wheel suspensions ( 40 , 41 ) which are arranged transversely to the direction of travel (F) and can be fixed on frame parts ( 38 , 39 ). 11. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear wheel suspension ( 40 , 41 ) in a tube ( 38 , 39 ) belonging to the first chassis part ( 2 ) can be pushed in and out and fixed thereon. 12. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear wheel ( 7 ; 8 ) is guided over two forks ( 42 , 43 ; 44 , 45 ) in two tubes ( 38 , 39 ) of the first chassis part ( 2 ). 13. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the first chassis part ( 2 ) a trailer ( 81 ) can be fastened, which has a swivel castor ( 84 ) at one end ( 83 ) pointing away from the recumbent tricycle ( 80 ). 14. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trailer ( 81 ) is rotatably clamped between holding elements arranged on the rear wheel suspensions ( 40 , 41 ) or on the first chassis part ( 2 ). 15. recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding elements as bolts are trained. 16. Recumbent tricycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding elements are arranged between an axis of rotation ( 87 ) of a rear wheel and an axis of rotation of a front wheel of the recumbent tricycle ( 80 ). 17. Trailer for a recumbent tricycle according to one of the previous claims with a holding device for the Attachment to a recumbent tricycle and a swivel castor attached to it the end pointing away from the holding device and is freely rotatable about a steering axis and this runs after.