DE102008056839A1 - Front wheel receiving device i.e. telescopic fork, for e.g. bicycle, has spring axle defining connecting line between ends of strut, where device is formed such that steering axle is bent opposite to spring axle at specific angle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a front wheel receiving device (10), in particular for bicycles, with a shaft tube (11) for receiving in a head tube of a frame defining a steering axle (1) and at least one strut, at the lower end of which an axle receptacle (15). is arranged, and whose upper end is connected via at least one fork bridge with the shaft tube (11), wherein the connecting line between the lower end (22) and the upper end (21) of a strut (20) defines a spring axis, characterized in that the front wheel receiving device is designed such that the steering axis (1) relative to the spring axis (2) at an angle (alpha) is inclined at least 6 °.

Description

The The present invention relates to a front wheel receiving device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a bicycle with such a front wheel receiving device.

such Front wheel receivers are particularly used on bicycles for downhill (DH), crosscountry (CC), all-mountain, Marathon and Freeride (FR) use. There because of high speeds, heavy bumps, big jumps and the need to overcome obstacles, especially strong deflections of the front wheel receiving devices.

such Front wheel receivers are also used, for example, as telescopic forks designated.

The Shaft tube of the front wheel receiving device is usually taken in a head tube of a frame. The angle of the head tube based on the roadway is in the cross / country area for example, about 66 ° to 72 °.

At the shaft tube are usually at least one fork bridge Suspension struts arranged, which generally have a spring axis, the in the context of the present disclosure through the connecting line between the upper end of the strut and the lower end of the strut Strut is defined. For straight struts, the spring axis corresponds the axis along which the telescopic movement passes or the axis of the dip tube and / or the standpipe of the strut.

at Single-track vehicles and especially bicycles, it is common to provide a caster which gives the vehicle the tendency to to go straight ahead. Caster is called single-track vehicles the distance between the point of contact of the front wheel and the point in which the imaginary extension of the steering axle the ground meets.

at the known Vorderradaufnahmevorrichtungen runs the Spring axis parallel to the steering axle. This arrangement has the disadvantage that shortens during the compression of the struts of the wake. The shortening of the caster has the consequence that the steering behavior gets more nervous, which hinders especially when going downhill or dangerous. Especially with hard bumps is a stable steering behavior desirable.

From the company German A (see www.german-a.de ) Front wheel receiving devices are offered under the name GA-force kilo, which have a parallelogram-shaped articulated connection with an outer damping element as a suspension mechanism. These front wheel receivers have the advantage, in contrast to the known telescopic forks, that the shortening of the caster during compression is compensated by an arcuate jounce path. However, these known Vorderradaufnahmevorrichtungen are structurally complex and have a telescopic forks completely different structure, resulting in certain advantages of the telescopic forks. There is thus a need for telescopic forks in which the caster during compression does not shorten significantly or not at all.

It Therefore, the object of the present invention is a front wheel receiving device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a Specify telescopic fork, which is designed such that the caster when compressed shorter or substantially reduced remains constant or increases.

These The object of the invention is provided with a front wheel receiving device solved according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the dependent Claims specified.

According to one Embodiment of the invention is a front wheel receiving device, especially for bicycles, with a shaft tube for inclusion in a head tube of a frame which is a steering axle defined, and at least one strut, at the lower ends an axle is arranged, and the upper end over at least one fork bridge connected to the shaft tube is given, with the connecting line between the lower End and the upper end of a strut defines a spring axis, and wherein the front wheel receiving device is designed such that the steering axis with respect to the spring axis at an angle α of inclined at least 6 °.

By the angled training between shaft tube and struts There is the advantage that the shortening of the caster reduced or balanced during compression or even vice versa can be achieved, whereby a better driving behavior can be achieved can.

According to the invention the front wheel receiving device two thus formed struts have, for example, a fork bridge are connected to the shaft tube.

Alternatively, the Vorderradaufnahmevorrichtung also have only one strut, on the sen lower end of the axis of the impeller can be attached. In this case, for example, two yokes may be provided for attachment of the strut to the shaft tube.

The Inclination is carried out according to the invention in such a way that, for example, if you consider the lower end of the strut (dropout) holds, the upper end of the strut relative to the direction of travel the vehicle when driving forward compared to a conventional Front wheel suspension device with parallel arrangement of the steering axle is arranged to the spring axis further back. Correspondingly could also the lower end of the strut be located further forward, if, for example, you hold the upper end of the strut. It can also be said that alone by the inclination of the spring axis relative to the steering axle increase the Gabelvorbiegung would. Because a change in the fork bend in the unsprung state is undesirable, the by the angled arrangement of the struts connected enlargement the Gabelvorbiegung be compensated for example, that the fork bridge is modified so that the upper Ends of the struts are placed further back and / or that the provided at the lower ends of the struts axle further back (for example on the other side of the strut, d. H. in the direction of travel behind the strut) are arranged. For example, one of the two measures at a Angle α between steering axis and spring axis of 10 °, while both measures at an angle α between Steering axis and spring axis of 20 ° can be done.

The have embodiments of the invention the advantage that due to the angular arrangement or inclination of the Steering axle with respect to the spring axis of the caster during compression not so much as in the prior art is shortened. For example, at a bend or inclination of the spring axis by 20 ° with respect to the steering axle at an angle the steering axis with respect to the horizontal of 70 °, a caster of 75 mm and a Gabelvorbiegung of 42 mm as well A bicycle without rear suspension can be achieved that the caster even with strong deflection remains almost constant. For example is at a total spring travel of 100 mm and a deflection of 75 mm of caster shortened only by 0.3% while the caster at a 25 mm deflection increases by only 0.1%.

It can also be beneficial for strong shocks and strong deflections an extension of the caster to effect. This can be achieved by adjusting the angle of inclination larger between the spring axis and the steering axis is selected.

The Invention is not limited to bicycles without rear suspension (Hardtail bike) limited. For example, the invention also for bicycles with a front and rear Suspension / damping sensible (full-suspension bicycle). at Such full suspension bicycles is a stronger one Tilt between the spring axis and the steering axle makes sense, because during heavy braking, the front wheel suspension device springs in, while the rear suspension springs. This will be a greater shortening of the caster, so that a greater compensation is desirable.

According to the invention the angle between the spring axis and the steering axle at least 8 °, preferably at least 10 °, more preferably at least 12 °, more preferably at least 14 °, on preferably at least 16 °, more preferably at least 18 °, more preferably at least 19 ° and preferably about 20 °.

According to the invention the angle between the spring axis and the steering axis at most 35 °, preferably at most 30 °, further preferably at most 28 °, more preferably at most 26 °, more preferably at most 24 °, more preferably at most 22 °, more preferably at most 21 ° and preferably maximum 20 °.

According to the invention the Gabelvorbiegung at least 10 mm, preferably at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 35 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm and preferably about 42 mm.

According to the invention the Gabelvorbiegung at most 60 mm, preferably at most 55 mm, more preferably at most 50 mm, more preferably at most 45 mm and preferably about 42 mm.

According to the invention the struts each have a dip tube and a standpipe. The dip tubes can each be at the top of the strut and the stanchions each at the lower end of the Shock absorber be arranged. Alternatively, the dip tubes each at the lower end of the strut and the stanchions each be arranged at the upper end of the strut.

According to the invention the front wheel receiving device has a front stabilizer and / or have rear stabilizer.

According to the invention the upper end of the strut opposite the lower end the shaft tube can be arranged offset to the rear.

These Training has the advantage that the Gabelvorbiegung, by the angular arrangement of the spring axis increases would be reduced to the desired level can be.

According to the invention the axle against the lower end of the strut be arranged offset to the rear.

These Execution has the advantage that the Gabelvorbiegung, the increased by the angular arrangement of the spring axis would be shortened to the desired level can be.

Usually the Gabelvorbiegung is between 30 and 50 mm, usually Fork bends of 35 and 42 mm are provided.

According to the invention the upper end of the strut also relative to the vehicle direction the lower end of the shaft tube or at the same height be arranged. Accordingly, according to the invention also the axle mount referred to the vehicle direction when driving forward in front of the lower end of the strut or at the same height be arranged.

According to the invention the struts are straight. According to one alternative embodiment of the invention, the Struts also be formed curved.

The The invention also relates to a bicycle with an inventive Front Cradle. Preferably, the bicycle is with the Front wheel receiving device according to the invention thereby designed such that the caster during compression the front wheel suspension device by not more than ± 20%, preferably at most ± 15%, preferably at not more than ± 10%, preferably not more than ± 5% and preferably changed by at most ± 2%.

According to the invention the caster at least 40 mm, preferably at least 60 mm, on preferably at least 70 mm, and preferably about 75 mm unsprung or by the weight of the driver be compressed state.

According to the invention the caster is at most 120 mm, preferably at most 100 mm, more preferably at most 90 mm, more preferably at most 80 mm and preferably about 75 mm.

According to the invention the inclination of the steering axle at least 60 °, preferably at least 65 °, more preferably at least 68 ° and preferably about 70 °.

According to the invention the inclination of the steering axle at most 75 °, preferably at most 72 ° and preferably about 70 °.

The Invention will be described below with reference to the figures shown in FIGS Embodiments described in more detail:

1 shows a side view of a front wheel receiving device according to the invention.

2 shows a front view of the front wheel receiving device of 1 ,

3 shows a perspective view of the front wheel receiving device of 1 from diagonally up front.

4 shows a schematic representation of the change in the caster during compression of hardtail bicycles with inventive front wheel receiving devices (see d) to f) or g) to i)) compared to a hardtail bicycle with a known front wheel receiving device (see a) to c) ).

In The description of the embodiments will be as follows Reference number used:

1

steering axle

2

spring axis (corresponds to bicycle forks with struts, the dip tubes and Standpipes, the direction of the strut)

3

axis of rotation

4

fork offset (or offset)

5

trailing

10

Front Cradle (Front fork)

11

steerer

12

crown

13

standpipe

14

dip tube

15

axle mount

16

front stabilizer

17

rear stabilizer

18

attachment for disc brake

20

strut

21

upper End of the strut

22

lower End of the strut

α

angle between steering axle and spring axle

1 shows a front wheel receiving device according to the invention 10 of the page. The pros derradaufnahmevorrichtung 10 has a shaft tube 11 on, at the lower end of a fork bridge 12 is attached. On the sides of the fork bridge 12 are each struts 20 arranged, each a standpipe 13 and a dip tube 14 include. At the lower end of the dip tube 14 is an axle mount 15 intended. The two dip tubes are equipped with a front stabilizer 16 and a rear stabilizer 17 connected in a known manner. At the bottom of the dip tube 14 is a fixture 18 intended for a disc brake.

The spring axis is defined by the connecting line between the upper end 21 and the lower end 22 Defined the strut. The steering axle is through the center axis of the shaft tube 11 Are defined. The spring axis 2 is opposite the steering axle 1 inclined at an angle α of 10 °, so that the Gabelvorbiegung would be larger without other measures. In order to keep the Gabelvorbiegung to a level comparable to the prior art, the axle mounts 15 (Dropouts) on the back of the strut 20 arranged.

The Forkbending is the distance from the axis of rotation of the cable receiving device to be included Impeller to the steering axle.

Of the Caster is as the distance between the solder of the axis of rotation and the point at which the imaginary extension of the Steering axle hits the ground.

2 shows a view of the front wheel receiving device 10 from 1 from the front and 3 shows a perspective view of the front wheel receiving device 10 from 1 from diagonally up front.

4 shows a schematic representation of the effect of compression in Hardtailfahrradädern with a front wheel receiving device according to the invention in comparison with the prior art.

In the top line (Figures a), d) and g)) is the non-deflected State shown schematically.

The second line (Figures b), e) and h)) shows one each 25 mm spring-loaded condition.

The the third line (Figures c), f) and i)) shows one each 75 mm compressed state.

The Pictures show all the deflection on the basis of bicycles, which have only one front wheel spring device and one rigid Rear triangle have. The steering axle is tilted by 70 °, so that at a fork bend of about 42 mm gives a caster of 75.41 mm.

The Illustrations of the first column (a), b) and c)) show a bicycle with a known Vorderradaufnahmevorrichtung, wherein the steering axle runs parallel to the spring axis. One recognizes that the Caster during compression decreases sharply. According to model calculations the caster during compression decreases by 25 mm to 67.75 mm (89.8%) while bouncing from 75mm to 52.39 (69.5%) decreases.

These strong decrease in caster has the disadvantage that the steering behavior nervous or very restless, resulting in extreme cornering and the driving safety decreases sharply in the area. This is especially when braking when cornering disadvantageous.

The second column shows an embodiment of the invention with a Angle α between the steering axis and the spring axis of 10 °. It can be seen that the decrease in caster during compression not so strong anymore. While not braked bike a lag of 75.41 mm is present, is at a deflection while a lag of 72.91 (96.7%) still exists by 25 mm while with a deflection of 75 mm, a wake 67.49 mm (89.5%) available is. This caster is significantly larger than in the State of the art and ensures safe driving, especially during heavy braking and cornering.

The third column shows schematic representations of a bicycle with a front wheel receiving device according to the invention, the one angle α between the spring axis and the longitudinal axis of 20 °. It can be seen that the caster during compression remains almost constant. So is at a deflection of 25 mm the Caster almost unchanged and is 75.54 mm (100.1%), while at a deflection of 75 mm 75.21 mm (99.7%). One recognizes that at an angle between the spring axis and the steering axis at the specified parameters the caster remains almost constant.

model calculations have revealed that at a larger angle as 20 °, the caster even stronger during compression increases, which may be advantageous in extreme driving can.

At the in 4 illustrated embodiments of the invention, the axle and the articulation of the shock absorber to the shaft tube offset from the spring axis, that is offset by the inclination of the spring axis relative to the steering axis enlarged Gabelvorbiegung. It is conceivable that according to the invention the Gabelvorbiegung is reduced, resulting in a greater caster over the conventional front wheel receiving devices.

It it is clear that the skilled person in studying the documents obvious Alternatives and equivalent solutions also in fall within the scope of the present application. For example Alternative embodiments of the struts are conceivable. For example the struts can be formed bent so that a telescopic movement takes place along an arc. As well It is conceivable that front wheel receiving devices of others Vehicles according to the embodiment, the Invention for bicycles shows trained. For example, an application for motorcycles, or other vehicles with a front wheel conceivable.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• - www.german-a.de [0008]

Claims (20)

Front wheel suspension device ( 10 ), in particular for bicycles, with a shaft tube ( 11 ) for inclusion in a head tube of a frame which has a steering axis ( 1 ), and at least one strut, at the lower end of an axle ( 15 ) is arranged, and whose upper end via at least one fork bridge with the shaft tube ( 11 ), the connecting line between the lower end ( 22 ) and the upper end ( 21 ) of a strut ( 20 ) defines a spring axis, characterized in that the front wheel receiving device is designed such that the steering axis ( 1 ) relative to the spring axis ( 2 ) is inclined at an angle (α) of at least 6 °. Front wheel receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (α) between the spring axis ( 2 ) and the steering axis at least 8 °, preferably at least 10 °, more preferably at least 12 °, more preferably at least 14 °, more preferably at least 16 °, more preferably at least 18 °, more preferably at least 19 ° and preferably about 20 °. Front wheel receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle (α) between the spring axis ( 2 ) and the steering axle ( 1 ) is at most 35 °, preferably at most 30 °, more preferably at most 28 °, more preferably at most 26 °, more preferably at most 24 °, more preferably at most 22 °, further preferably at most 21 ° and preferably at most 20 °. Front wheel suspension device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the Gabelvorbiegung at least 10 mm, preferably at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 35 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, and preferred about 42 mm. Front wheel suspension device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the Gabelvorbiegung not more than 60 mm, preferably not more than 55 mm, more preferably at most 50 mm, more preferably at most 45 mm and preferred. about 42 mm. Front wheel receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the struts each have a standpipe ( 13 ) and a dip tube ( 14 ) exhibit. Front wheel receiving device according to claim 7, characterized characterized in that the dip tubes each at the upper end of a Strut and the standpipes each at the lower end of a Strut are arranged. Front wheel receiving device according to claim 7, characterized characterized in that the dip tubes each at the lower end a strut and the stanchions each at the upper end of a Strut are arranged. Front wheel suspension device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front wheel suspension device has a front stabilizer ( 16 ) and / or rear stabilizer ( 17 ) having. Front wheel suspension device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper end of the strut relative to the lower end of the shaft tube ( 11 ) is arranged offset to the rear. Front wheel receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axle receptacle ( 15 ) opposite the lower end of the strut ( 20 ) is arranged offset to the rear. Front wheel suspension device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the upper end of the strut relative to the vehicle direction in front of the lower End of the shaft tube or arranged at the same height is. Front wheel receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axle receptacle ( 15 ) is arranged with respect to the vehicle direction in forward travel before the lower end of the shock absorber or at the same height. Front wheel suspension device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the struts are currently trained. Front wheel suspension device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the struts are formed bent. Bicycle with a front wheel receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the caster during compression of the front wheel receiving device by at most ± 20%, preferably at most ± 15%, preferably at most ± 10%, preferably at most ± 5% and preferably at Hoechsmann at least ± 2% changed. Bicycle according to the preceding claim, characterized characterized in that the caster is at least 40 mm, preferably at least 60 mm, more preferably at least 70 mm, and preferred about 75 mm in the unsprung state or in by the Weight of the driver is compressed state. Bicycle according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the caster is at most 120 mm, preferably at most 100 mm, more preferably at most 90 mm, more preferably at most 80 mm and preferably about 75 mm. Bicycle according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the inclination of the steering axle at least 60 °, preferably at least 65 °, more preferably at least 68 ° and preferably about 70 °. Bicycle according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that the inclination of the steering axle at most 75 °, preferably at most 72 ° and preferably about 70 °.