Patent Application
20240010290
This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 20 2022 103 756.6 filed Jul. 5, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to a bicycle element and a bicycle system.
A bicycle element is, for example, a bicycle in its entirety or only a part of the bicycle, e.g., a bicycle frame in connection with a bicycle fork, a bicycle frame in connection with a handlebar and the like. In particular with e-bikes, pedelecs and the like, it is possible to also supply electric light with the energy stored in the accumulator. Switching the light on and off can be effected, possibly directly, via a switch on the handlebar or a remote unit. A large number of bicycles having an electric motor is shipped without lighting. If a customer wishes to mount lighting on such a bicycle and the lighting shall have no separate battery, but be connected directly to the battery of the bicycle, it is necessary to install a corresponding connection cable. Corresponding connection possibilities are typically located in the area of the battery terminal, i.e. in the area of electric contact with the battery. Corresponding connection possibilities may also be provided at the motor. It is then necessary to install a cable starting from the battery terminal to the lighting means. Generally, it is possible to do this inside the frame, however, this is rather difficult and complex.
Further, e-bikes are known having a magnetic holder means provided in the area of the handlebar stem. The holder means serves for magnetically holding a lighting means, the magnetic holder means additionally having electrical contacts. These are connected to the battery terminal via a cable installed in the frame. However, this is a very special solution which always requires the use of a corresponding suitable lighting means having a corresponding magnetic connection element. As such, the customer has no choice as to which lighting means he deems suitable.
It is an object of the invention to provide a bicycle element and a bicycle system, which provide the possibility of a simple and individual connection of an electric component such as a lighting means.
According to the invention, the object is achieved with a bicycle element with the features as described herein and with a bicycle system with the features as described herein.
The bicycle element according to the invention comprises a bicycle frame element and a bicycle component connected to the bicycle frame element. For example, the bicycle frame element is a bicycle frame or a part of a bicycle frame, such as a top tube, a down tube and/or a head tube. The bicycle component is a component connected to the bicycle frame element, such as a handlebar stem, a handlebar, a seat post, a stay, a luggage carrier or the like. The bicycle component may also be a fastening element for other components, such as a headset, a clamp for the saddle tube or the like.
The bicycle element according to the invention further comprises a battery terminal which is preferably provided on the bicycle frame element. Such a battery terminal may be arranged, for example, inside the bicycle frame, e.g. inside a top tube, a head tube and/or a down tube. It is, in particular, possible that the battery terminal is connected to an electric motor via a power line, the motor being preferably connected to the bicycle frame element, either directly or indirectly. According to the invention, a cable is directly or indirectly connected to the battery terminal. Preferably, it is possible that the cable is connected to the power line. In a preferred embodiment, a terminal device, preferably having a terminal clamp, may be provided between the power line and the cable. It is preferred that the terminal device is arranged at the electric motor. Preferably, the cable may be connected to the terminal device in a releasable, preferably couplable, or a permanent manner. The cable is arranged in the bicycle frame element, as well as in or at the bicycle component. For example, the cable is installed inside the down tube starting from a battery terminal provided in the down tube and is then passed through the head tube into a handlebar stem or the like. Further, a holder element is provided. The holder element is connected to the bicycle component. Further, the holder element may also be the bicycle component itself. The holder element serves for receiving a connector element connected to the cable, the holder element fixing the connector element. The connector element is connected to the free end of the cable so that one end is directly or indirectly connected to the battery terminal and the other end of the cable is connected to the connector element. In a preferred embodiment, the connector element is a standardized connector element. The connector element according to the invention is arranged at the holder element and easily accessible to a user. Thus, a user can connect an electrical component to the connector element. This may be, for example, a lighting means. Accordingly, the user enjoys the advantage of being able to choose a lighting element according to his needs and preferences and to connect the same to the battery of the e-bike via a simple plug-in contact. A complex installation and connection of a cable is not required. Moreover, another electronic component, such as e.g. a mobile phone, can be connected to such a connector element for charging. It is possible, for example, to connect the corresponding connector element to a lighting means or to optionally charge a mobile phone via the connector element, in particular if no lighting is required.
A corresponding connector element may be arranged in the area of a handlebar stem, a headset or directly on the handlebar. Likewise, a corresponding connector element may be arranged, for example, at a saddle tube or in the area of a saddle tube, so as to connect, e.g., a rear light thereto. Moreover, it is suitable to arrange such a connector element for example on a luggage carrier or in the area of the luggage carrier, e.g., at a seat stay.
Preferably, the holder element is designed such that the connector element is fixed in an interlocking and/or force-fitting manner. In particular, the holder element is designed such that the connector element is fixed in a clamping manner. Moreover, it is preferred that the holder element comprises an insertion opening through which the connector element is accessible. Thus, a connector of a lighting means or the like can be connected to the wire via the insertion opening. Preferably, the insertion opening is closed with a cover, so that the intrusion of moisture is avoided when the connector element is not connected to a connector.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the holder element is integrated in a headset of a steering bearing. Specifically, the holder element is integrated into an annular component of the headset that surrounds a steer tube of a bicycle fork. The integration of the holder element into this component of the bicycle has the advantage that a simple cable guidance is possible and the connector element is well accessible. Thereby, the user can connect different electronic components to the connector element in a simple manner.
It is particularly preferred in this context that the clamping fixation of the connector element in a part of the headset is made such that the connector element is fixed simultaneously with the fixation of the headset. This has the advantage that no additional further clamping fixation or the like is required.
For example, an annular component of a headset may have an opening in which an elastic element is arranged. This elastic element cooperates with the connector element. By fixing the headset, the elastic element is compressed and thereby fixes the connector element in a clamping manner. For example, the elastic element can have a recess or opening which is arranged similar to the connector element.
As an alternative, it is also possible, for example, that the connector element is connected to the holder element by a latching connection.
Preferably, the cable is arranged in a cable duct at least in the bicycle frame element, in particular in the down tube. In this manner, a defined position of the cable is ensured and it is further ensured that the cable is not damaged, e.g., when the battery is inserted or removed. Preferably, the cable duct extends substantially from the battery terminal to a steer tube so that the cable can then be guided out from the cable duct into the steer tube to the holder element, in particular an annular element of a headset.
The invention further relates to a bicycle system with at least one bicycle element according to the invention. In particular, the bicycle system is a bicycle. The bicycle system preferably comprises at least two bicycle elements according to the invention. If the bicycle system is embodied with a plurality of bicycle elements according to the invention, it is preferred that the battery terminals of the plurality of bicycle elements are implemented by a single, common battery terminal. Thus, it is preferably realized that the plurality of cables of the plurality of bicycle elements is connected to a single battery terminal.
In the following, the invention is described in more detail by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
As can be seen in particular from
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connector element 26 is arranged in a centering ring or in another component of a headset. Such a centering ring 34 (
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 2022 103 756.6 | Jul 2022 | DE | national |
