A frame for a pedal driven vehicle, the frame having a first portion that defines an open channel. The frame includes fixture points for releasably securing a drive assembly having a crank axle to the frame, such that the drive assembly can be secured in the open channel, via the fixture points, so as to define an operational crank axis of the drive assembly. The frame defines one or more compartments for receiving a battery, so that the battery can be arranged in communication with the drive assembly for the transfer of motive power from the battery to the drive assembly (i.e. for driving the crank axle) whilst the battery is located in the compartment. The drive assembly is moveable in and out of the open channel in a movement which is in a non-axial direction of the channel.
A frame for a pedal driven vehicle, the frame having a first portion that defines an open channel. The frame includes fixture points for releasably securing a drive assembly having a crank axle to the frame, such that the drive assembly can be secured in the open channel, via the fixture points, so as to define an operational crank axis of the drive assembly. The frame defines one or more compartments for receiving a battery, so that the battery can be arranged in communication with the drive assembly for the transfer of motive power from the battery to the drive assembly (i.e. for driving the crank axle) whilst the battery is located in the compartment. The drive assembly is moveable in and out of the open channel in a movement which is in a non-axial direction of the channel.
The present disclosure relates to strain wave gears, vehicle drive systems (10) including such gears and methods of torque and cadence measurement. The vehicle drive system (10) comprises a first rotational input, a second rotational input and rotational output (6), wherein the first rotational input is transmitted through a strain wave gear (5) to a first rotational input one-way bearing (34), and wherein the second rotational input is transmitted through a second rotational input one-way bearing (32) to the rotational output (6), the first (32) and second (34) one-way bearings being affixed to a secondary axle (330, 42), the secondary axle (42) driving the rotational output (6), wherein the second rotational input is provided by a primary axle (26), the primary (26) and secondary (42) axles being coaxial, the secondary axle (42) surrounding the primary axle (26), and wherein a strain gauge (84) is provided to measure the torque applied to the primary axle (26). The strain wave gear (5) assembly comprises a strain wave generator (16), an outer ring gear (39) and a flex-spline (38), wherein a distal portion of the flex-spline (38) is coupled to a flex axle, the flex axle (114, 26) being located within the flex-spline (38).
A one-way bearing, a bearing assembly, and a free-wheeling mechanism for a bicycle are disclosed herewith. The bearing assembly, in one aspect, includes a one-directional bearing having an inner and an outer race, the one-directional bearing including a sprag clutch mechanism. The bearing assembly, according to this aspect, further includes a first thrust bearing and a second thrust bearing, wherein the inner and outer races of the one-directional bearing are formed to retain one or both of the first or second thrust bearings, and a one-directional bearing mechanism located between the inner and outer races. In at least one aspect, the inner race has a flange extending in a radially outward direction, the sprag clutch mechanism abuts the flange on an inner axial side of the flange, and the flange abuts the first thrust bearing on an outer axial side of the flange.
F16D 41/28 - Freewheels or freewheel clutches specially adapted for cycles with intermediate wedging coupling members
F16C 19/30 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings for axial load mainly
F16D 41/069 - Freewheels or freewheel clutches with intermediate wedging coupling members between an inner and an outer surface the intermediate members wedging by pivoting or rocking, e.g. sprags
5.
FREEWHEEL AND THRUST BEARINGS SYSTEM AND VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS INCLUDING SUCH A SYSTEM
A one-way bearing, a bearing assembly, and a free-wheeling mechanism (10) for a bicycle are disclosed herewith. The bearing assembly, comprises a one-directional bearing (22) having an inner and outer race, a first thrust bearing (14) and a second thrust bearing (16), wherein the inner and outer races of the one-directional bearing are formed to retain one or both of the thrust bearings. The one- way bearing comprises an outer race and an inner race with a one- directional bearing mechanism located between said inner and outer races, the inner race comprising an inner race ring portion, with an inner flange projecting from the inner race ring portion in a first direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the bearing, and an outer flange, projecting in a second direction away from the axis of rotation of the bearing, an outer race comprising an outer race ring portion and an outer flange portion extending axially inwardly from the outer race ring portion, there therefore being defined a first bearing surface around an outer circumference of the inner race ring portion, a second bearing surface defined by the inner circumference of the outer race ring portion, a third bearing surface defined by a first sidewall of the inner race ring portion and/or the inner flange, a fourth bearing surface defined by a second sidewall of the inner race ring portion and/or the outer flange and a fifth bearing surface defined by an inner surface of the outer race flange portion.
F16C 19/38 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of rollers
F16D 41/06 - Freewheels or freewheel clutches with intermediate wedging coupling members between an inner and an outer surface
F16D 41/07 - Freewheels or freewheel clutches with intermediate wedging coupling members between an inner and an outer surface the intermediate members wedging by pivoting or rocking, e.g. sprags between two cylindrical surfaces
F16D 41/28 - Freewheels or freewheel clutches specially adapted for cycles with intermediate wedging coupling members
B60B 27/04 - Hubs adapted to be rotatably arranged on axle housing driving means, e.g. sprockets
F16C 19/46 - Needle bearings with one row of needles
The present disclosure relates to transmission systems for vehicles and especially those for use in electric bicycles, where human power is augmented with electric motor derived power. The present disclosure includes various embodiments, where the electric motor is of the harmonic drive type and wherein there is provided a secondary axle or bracket which provides the output of the systems, driven by both the manual input and the motor input, and wherein these two inputs are insulated from one another by placement of one-way clutches, between the flex-spline and the secondary axle or bracket and between the bracket and the primary drive axle. A modular assembly for such transmission systems and a method of assembly and disassembly are also disclosed.
The present disclosure relates generally to gearing transmission systems, especially those used in bicycles, but may be used in other vehicle and non-vehicle applications. More specifically a freewheel mechanism for a bicycle is disclosed, comprising a bottom bracket axle, the bottom bracket axle having or being able to receive one or more crank arms, and a chain-ring or chain-ring mount, wherein there is provided a one-way bearing between the axle and the chain-ring or chain-ring mount.
B62M 9/10 - Transmissions characterised by use of an endless chain, belt, or the like of changeable ratio using a single chain, belt, or the like involving different-sized wheels selectively engaged by the chain, belt, or the like
8.
TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS AND IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO BICYCLES AND VEHICLES
A transmission system is described comprising a first rotational input, a second rotational input and a rotational output, wherein the first rotational input and second rotational input may transmit a rotation to the rotational output, wherein one of the first rotational input and second rotational input is connected to the rotational output through a one way clutch, and wherein the other of the first rotational input and second rotational input is connected to the rotational output through an overrunning clutch, wherein said one way clutch and said overrunning clutch are rotationally coupled are described in the present disclosure. Further, there is described bicycles and vehicles including such a transmission system. Also described is a control system which may be used in electrical vehicles, including electric bicycles, having such a transmission system. Further, there is detail relating to novel bicycle frames and method of constructing such bicycle frames to house such transmission systems and control systems.
A gearing system comprises a first rotational input, a second rotational input and a rotational output. The first rotational input and second rotational input may transmit a rotation to the rotational output, wherein one of the first rotational input and second rotational input is connected to the rotational output through a one way clutch, and wherein the other of the first rotational input and second rotational input is connected to the rotational output through an overrunning clutch, wherein said one way clutch and said overrunning clutch are rotationally coupled. The gearing system may be used in electric bicycles, but may also be used in other dual propulsion vehicles such as hybrid cars.
F16H 37/06 - Combinations of mechanical gearings, not provided for in groups comprising essentially only toothed or friction gearings with a plurality of driving or driven shaftsCombinations of mechanical gearings, not provided for in groups comprising essentially only toothed or friction gearings with arrangements for dividing torque between two or more intermediate shafts
B62M 6/55 - Rider propelled cycles with auxiliary electric motor power-driven at crank shafts parts
F16H 1/28 - Toothed gearings for conveying rotary motion with gears having orbital motion
B60K 1/00 - Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units
The present disclosure relates to vehicle gearing systems, especially those used in electric bicycles, but may also be used in other dual propulsion vehicles such as hybrid cars. The vehicle gearing system comprises a first rotational input, a second rotational input and a rotational output. The first rotational input and second rotational input may transmit a rotation to the rotational output, wherein one of the first rotational input and second rotational input is connected to the rotational output through a one way clutch, and wherein the other of the first rotational input and second rotational input is connected to the rotational output through an overrunning clutch, wherein said one way clutch and said overrunning clutch are rotationally coupled.
patents
