Patent Publication Number: US-2023147034-A1

Title: Transmission mechanism and bicycle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2021/104928 with a filing date of Dec. 28, 2016, designating the United States, now pending, and further claims priorities to Chinese Patent Application No. 202021352974.3 with a filing date of Jul. 10, 2020, Chinese Patent Application No. 202021352975.8 with a filing date of Jul. 10, 2020, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202021352969.2 with a filing date of Jul. 10, 2020. The content of the aforementioned applications, including any intervening amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical transmission mechanisms, and in particular, to a transmission mechanism and a bicycle using the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The existing bicycles or some vehicles generally take the transmission mechanism performing circular motion as the power source, but the transmission mechanism has the disadvantages of low transmission efficiency and low speed due to the transmission of ordinary gear components. In order to increase the speed of the bicycles or vehicles, the variable speed component is generally increased, which enlarges the transmission mechanism, greatly affecting the structural design of bicycles. In addition, the transmission mechanism performing circular motion transmission consumes some kinetic energy when its pedal component rotates from the lowest point to the highest point, affecting the transmission efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to design a transmission mechanism to make the transmission efficiency and speed of bicycles or vehicles become higher, and its structure is relatively compact. 
     SUMMARY 
     A technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a transmission mechanism and a bicycle in view of the above defects of the prior art, aiming at solving the problems of low transmission efficiency and low speed of an existing transmission mechanism. 
     In a first aspect, a technical solution adopted by the present disclosure to solve the technical problem is: a transmission mechanism, including: a main shaft, a power input member, a gear component, and a one-way transmission component. The gear component is arranged on the main shaft. The one-way transmission component is sleeved on the main shaft and connected with the power input member and the gear component, and enables the gear component to perform one-way transmission under the action of the power input member. The gear component is connected with a power output member in a transmission way to change a rotation speed transmitted from the power input member to the power output member. The power input member performs reciprocating motion with the main shaft as an axis to drive the power output member to move. 
     Further, the one-way transmission component is a one-way bearing or a ratchet component. 
     Further, the gear component is a sector gear component, including: a sector gear, a first gear, a second gear, and a third gear. The sector gear is arranged on the main shaft, and rotates with the main shaft as an axis. The first gear is arranged on an auxiliary shaft and meshed with the sector gear, and rotates with the auxiliary shaft as an axis. The second gear is arranged on the auxiliary shaft, and rotates with the auxiliary shaft as an axis. The third gear is connected with the second gear in a transmission way. 
     Further, the gear component is a planetary gear component. The main shaft further includes a shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve is connected with the one-way transmission component. The planetary gear component includes: a first planetary carrier, a first planetary gear set, a gear ring, and a first solar gear. The first planetary carrier is fixedly connected with the shaft sleeve. The first planetary gear set is arranged on the first planetary carrier. The gear ring is meshed with the first planetary gear set. The first solar gear passes through the main shaft to be connected with the first planetary gear set in a transmission way, and is connected with the power output member in a transmission way. 
     Further, the gear component is a spur gear component. The main shaft further includes a shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve is connected with the one-way transmission component. The spur gear component includes: a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a fourth gear, and a fifth gear. The first gear and the second gear pass through the main shaft, and the second gear is fixedly connected with the shaft sleeve. The third gear passes through and is fixed on an auxiliary shaft, and is meshed with the second gear. The fourth gear passes through and is fixed on the auxiliary shaft. The fourth gear and the third gear are fixedly connected or integrally formed. The fifth gear passes through the main shaft and is fixedly connected with the first gear, and is meshed with the fourth gear. 
     Further, the transmission mechanism includes a second solar gear, a second planetary carrier, and a second planetary gear set. The second planetary gear set shares the gear ring with the first planetary gear set. The second planetary gear set is arranged in the gear ring and meshed with the gear ring. The second solar gear is meshed with the first planetary gear set and fixedly connected with the second planetary carrier. 
     Further, the one-way bearing is divided into an inner race and an outer race, the inner race is connected with the first planetary carrier, and the outer race is connected with the power input member. 
     Further, the ratchet component includes a ratchet, a pawl plate, and a pawl. The pawl is arranged on the pawl plate. The pawl is meshed with the ratchet. The pawl plate is fixedly connected with the power input member. The ratchet is fixedly connected with the first planetary carrier. 
     Further, the ratchet component further includes a butting piece. The butting piece is fixed on the gear ring. The pawl is pressed down by the butting piece to disengage from meshing with ratchet teeth when rotating to the butting piece, such that the ratchet is rotatable freely. 
     Further, the transmission mechanism includes another one-way transmission component sleeved on the shaft sleeve, connected with another power input member, and driving the gear component to rotate under the action of the other power input member. 
     In a second aspect, the present disclosure further provides a bicycle, including a frame, a driving wheel, and a transmission mechanism as described above. The driving wheel is arranged on the frame. The power input member is a pedal component. The transmission mechanism is connected with the driving wheel in a transmission way. 
     Further, the bicycle further includes a reset mechanism connected with the pedal component to drive the pedal component to rotate and reset. 
     Further, the reset mechanism is an elastic member. The elastic member includes one end connected with the frame and a second end connected with the pedal component. 
     In a third aspect, the present disclosure also provides a bicycle, including a frame, a driving wheel, and a transmission mechanism as described above. The driving wheel is arranged on the frame. The power input member is a pedal component. The transmission mechanism is arranged on the driving wheel, and the main shaft of the transmission mechanism is fixedly connected with an axle of the driving wheel coaxially. 
     The present disclosure has the following beneficial effects: by arranging the one-way transmission component, the transmission mechanism can perform arc reciprocating motion, which can reduce the kinetic energy consumed by ordinary circular motion transmission from the lowest point to the highest point, thereby improving transmission efficiency. Further, the sector gear component, the planetary gear component, and the spur gear component are used as the transmission component, which can further improve the transmission efficiency. In addition, since its transmission ratio is greater than that of the ordinary gear, the speed of transmission from the power input member to the power output member is greatly increased, which can effectively improve the transmission efficiency and speed of bicycles or other equipment using the transmission mechanism. Furthermore, due to the structural characteristics of the planetary gear, the volume of the transmission mechanism can be reduced, helping to make the structure of the transmission mechanism more compact. 
     Then, the bicycle is provided with the transmission mechanism of the present disclosure, and further provided with the reset mechanism, so the driving mode of the transmission mechanism is to rotate from top to bottom, and reset through the reset mechanism. Therefore, there is no problem that the pedal lever is zero or close to zero during the traditional bicycle riding, resulting in a large power loss. In addition, through the stress mode of the transmission mechanism and the supporting function of the bearing seat and grip, riders can obtain the jacking force from the bearing seat and grip during riding, which increases the driving power and effectively solves the problems of low efficiency and insufficient power of existing bicycles. 
     Moreover, the pedal component performs reciprocating motion along the outer surface of the driving wheel with the transmission mechanism as the center of the circle, such that the user can ride the bicycle in a standing posture, to avoid the impact on the comfort due to the seat cushion squeezing the hip. In case of sudden danger, the user can immediately get away from the bicycle due to the standing posture, which is relatively safe, and it is more convenient and fast than the ordinary bicycle when the user gets off the bicycle normally. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The specific implementation of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is an explosive structure diagram of a transmission mechanism with a sector gear component of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an overall structure diagram of a transmission mechanism with a spur gear component of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is an overall structure diagram of an embodiment of a transmission mechanism with a planetary gear component of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is an explosive structure diagram of an embodiment of the transmission mechanism with a planetary gear component of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic structural diagram of a gear ring and a mounting seat of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a front-view structure diagram of a one-way bearing; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic structural diagram of a second view of the one-way bearing; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic structural diagram of a ratchet component; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic structural diagram of a second state of the ratchet component; 
         FIG.  10    is an explosive structure diagram of another embodiment of the transmission mechanism with a planetary gear component of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a pedal component; 
         FIG.  12    is an overall structure diagram of an embodiment of the transmission mechanism of the present disclosure applied to a bicycle; 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the pedal component; 
         FIG.  14    is an overall structure diagram of another embodiment of the transmission mechanism of the present disclosure applied to a bicycle; 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a reset mechanism in a bicycle; 
         FIG.  16    is an enlarged structure diagram at I in  FIG.  15   ; and 
         FIG.  17    is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the reset mechanism of the bicycle. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       1 , main shaft;  2 , power input member;  21 , first power input member;  22 , second power input member;  31 , sector gear component;  311 , sector gear;  312 , auxiliary shaft;  313 , first gear;  314 , second gear;  315 , third gear;  316 , hub;  32 , spur gear component;  321 , shaft sleeve;  322 , first gear;  323 , second gear;  324 , third gear;  325 , fourth gear;  326 , fifth gear;  327 , auxiliary shaft;  33 , planetary gear component;  331 , first planetary carrier;  332 , first planetary gear set;  333 , gear ring;  334 , first solar gear;  335 , shaft sleeve;  336 , mounting seat;  3311 , second solar gear;  3312 , second planetary carrier;  3313 , second planetary gear set;  4 , one-way transmission component;  41 , one-way bearing;  42 , ratchet component;  421 , ratchet;  422 , pawl plate;  423 , pawl;  424 , butting piece;  43 , first one-way transmission component;  44 , second one-way transmission component;  5 , power output member;  6 , pedal component;  61 , pedal;  7 , driving wheel;  8 , reset mechanism;  81 , elastic member;  811 , adjusting portion;  821 , first conical gear;  822 , second conical gear;  823 , rotating shaft; and  824 , third conical gear. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred implementations of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the implementations herein are merely intended to explain the technical principles of the present disclosure, rather than to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure. The preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The present disclosure provides a transmission mechanism, including: a main shaft, a power input member, a gear component, and a one-way transmission component. The gear component is arranged on the main shaft. The one-way transmission component is sleeved on the main shaft and connected with the power input member and the gear component, and enables the gear component to perform one-way transmission under the action of the power input member. The gear component is connected with a power output member in a transmission way to change a rotation speed transmitted from the power input member to the power output member. The power input member performs reciprocating motion with the main shaft as an axis to drive the power output member to move. The one-way transmission component may be a one-way bearing or a ratchet component. 
     A first embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIG.  1   , includes: a main shaft  1 , a power input member  2 , a sector gear component  31 , and a one-way transmission component  4 . The gear component here adopts the sector gear component  31 . The sector gear component  31  includes: a sector gear  311 , an auxiliary shaft  312 , a first gear  313 , a second gear  314 , and a third gear  315 . The sector gear  311  is arranged on the main shaft  1 . The sector gear  311  rotates with the main shaft  1  as an axis. The auxiliary shaft  312  is connected with the sector gear  311  in a transmission way. The first gear  313  is arranged on the auxiliary shaft  312 . The first gear  313  is meshed with the sector gear  311 . The first gear  313  rotates with the auxiliary shaft  312  as an axis. The third gear  315  is connected with a hub  316 . The third gear  315  is connected with the second gear  314  in a transmission way. 
     In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIG.  2   , the gear component adopts a spur gear component  32 . The main shaft  1  further includes a shaft sleeve  321 . The shaft sleeve  321  is connected with the one-way transmission component  4 . The spur gear component  32  includes: a first gear  322 , a second gear  323 , a third gear  324 , a fourth gear  325 , and a fifth gear  326 . The first gear  322  and the second gear  323  pass through the main shaft  1 , and the second gear  323  is fixedly connected with the shaft sleeve  321 . The third gear  324  passes through and is fixed on an auxiliary shaft  327 . The third gear  324  is meshed with the second gear  323 . The fourth gear  325  passes through and is fixed on the auxiliary shaft  327 . The fourth gear  325  and the third gear  324  are fixedly connected or integrally formed. The fifth gear  326  passes through the main shaft  1  and is fixedly connected with the first gear  322 . The fifth gear  326  is meshed with the fourth gear  325 . 
     A third embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIG.  3   , includes: a main shaft  1 , a power input member  2 , a planetary gear component  33 , and a one-way transmission component  4 . The planetary gear component  33  is arranged on the main shaft  1 . The one-way transmission component  4  is sleeved on the main shaft  1 . The one-way transmission component  4  is connected with the power input member  2  and is connected with the planetary gear component  33  in a transmission way. The one-way transmission component  4  enables the planetary gear component  33  to perform one-way transmission under the action of the power input member  2 . The planetary gear component  33  is connected with a power output member  5  in a transmission way and is configured to change a rotation speed transmitted from the power input member  2  to the power output member  5 . The power input member can perform reciprocating motion with the main shaft as an axis to drive the power output member to move. 
     By arranging the one-way transmission component  4 , the transmission mechanism can perform arc reciprocating motion, which can reduce the kinetic energy consumed by ordinary circular motion transmission from the lowest point to the highest point, thereby improving transmission efficiency. Further, the planetary gear component  33  is used as the transmission component, which can further improve the transmission efficiency. In addition, since its transmission ratio is greater than that of the ordinary gear, the speed of transmission from the power input member  2  to the power output member  5  is greatly increased, which can effectively improve the transmission efficiency and speed of bicycles or other equipment using the transmission mechanism. In addition, due to the structural characteristics of the planetary gear, the volume of the transmission mechanism can be reduced, helping to make the structure of the transmission mechanism more compact. 
     In the above embodiments, when the gear component adopts the planetary gear component  33 , as shown in  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  5   , the planetary gear component  33  includes: a first planetary carrier  331 , a first planetary gear set  332 , a gear ring  333 , and a first solar gear  334 . The first planetary carrier  331  is connected with the one-way transmission component  4  in a transmission way. The first planetary carrier  331  and a shaft sleeve  335  are fixedly connected or integrally formed. The first planetary gear set  332  is arranged on the first planetary carrier  331 . The gear ring  333  is connected with a mounting seat  336 . The mounting seat  336  is configured to fix the gear ring  333 . The gear ring  333  is meshed with the first planetary gear set  332 . The first solar gear  334  passes through the main shaft  1  to be connected with the first planetary gear set  332  in a transmission way, and is connected with the power output member  5  in a transmission way. Further, in order to increase the speed of the bicycle and meet the riding requirements, a second set of planetary gears can be added. With continuous reference to  FIG.  4   , for display, a schematic structure diagram of two sets of planetary gears is shown, including a second solar gear  3311 , a second planetary carrier  3312 , and a second planetary gear set  3313 . The second planetary gear set  3313  shares the gear ring  333  with the first planetary gear set  332 . At this time, the second planetary gear set  3313  is arranged in the gear ring  333  and meshed with the gear ring  333 . The second solar gear  3311  is meshed with the first planetary gear set  332  and fixedly connected with the second planetary carrier  3312 , so as to increase the rotation speed transmitted from the first planetary carrier  331  to the first solar gear  334 , and finally to increase the speed transmitted to the power output member  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7   , the one-way transmission component  4  is a one-way bearing  41 , and the one-way bearing  41  is divided into an inner race and an outer race. The inner race is fixedly connected with the one-way transmission component  4  and the first planetary carrier  331 , and the outer race is connected with the power input member  2 . The one-way bearing  41  is a standard part, which easy to purchase and assemble. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9   , the one-way transmission component  4  is a ratchet component  42 . The ratchet component  42  includes a ratchet  421 , a pawl plate  422 , and a pawl  423 . The pawl  423  is arranged on the pawl plate  422 . The pawl  423  is meshed with the ratchet  421 . The pawl plate  422  is fixedly connected with the power input member  2 . The ratchet  421  is fixedly connected with the first planetary carrier  331 . The ratchet component  42  is a standard part, which easy to purchase and assemble. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the ratchet component  42  and a butting piece  424  are shown. The butting piece  424  is fixed on the gear ring  333 . The pawl  423  is pressed down by the butting piece  424  to disengage from meshing with ratchet teeth when rotating to the butting piece  424 , such that the ratchet  421  is rotatable freely. In the bicycle with the existing transmission mechanism performing sector rotary motion, the wheel connected with the transmission mechanism drives the transmission mechanism to perform backward rotation when it reverses. However, due to the different design of the structures, the transmission mechanism cannot perform backward rotation, so the bicycle cannot reverse. In the present embodiment, the butting piece  424  is provided, such that the transmission mechanism of the present disclosure can reverse. The reversing process of the transmission mechanism of the present disclosure is as follows: the power input member  2  rotates to drive the pawl  423  on the plate  422  of the pawl  423  to rotate. The pawl  423  is pressed down by the butting piece  424  to disengage from meshing with ratchet teeth when rotating to the butting piece  424 , such that the ratchet  421  is rotatable freely, and the power output member  5  is rotatable freely. When meshing is needed again, the power input member  2  is rotated to drive the pawl  423  on the plate  422  of the pawl  423  to rotate, such that the pawl  423  is disengaged from abutment with the butting piece  424 , and the pawl  423  resumes the meshing with the ratchet teeth. 
     In the above embodiments, when the gear component adopts the spur gear component, the transmission mechanism further includes another one-way transmission component  4  sleeved on the shaft sleeve  321 . The other one-way transmission component  4  is connected with another power input member  2 , and drives the gear component to rotate under the action of the other power input member  2 . When the gear component adopts the planetary gear component, the transmission mechanism further includes another one-way transmission component  4  sleeved on the shaft sleeve  335 . The other one-way transmission component  4  is connected with another power input member  2 , and drives the gear component to rotate under the action of the other power input member  2 . Specifically, referring to  FIG.  10   , the transmission mechanism includes a first one-way transmission component  43 , a second one-way transmission component  44 , a first power input member  21 , and a second power input member  22 . The shaft sleeve  335  is arranged on the main shaft  1 , and is connected with the first one-way transmission component  43 , and the first one-way transmission component  43  is connected with the first power input member  21 . The second one-way transmission component  44  is sleeved on the shaft sleeve  335 , and the second one-way transmission component  44  is connected with the second power input member  22 , and is configured to drive the planetary gear component  33  to perform one-way transmission driven by the second power input member  22 . By arranging two one-way transmission components  43  and  44 , two power input members  21  and  22  are arranged correspondingly, so as to make the transmission mechanism more convenient for alternate transmission, improve riding experience and improve riding efficiency. 
       FIG.  11    and  FIG.  12    show an embodiment of the transmission mechanism of the present disclosure applied to a bicycle. A bicycle includes a frame, a driving wheel, and a transmission mechanism as described above. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the power input member  2  of the transmission mechanism is a pedal component  6 . There are two pedal components  6  in the present embodiment. The main shaft  1  of the transmission mechanism is directly and fixedly connected with the driving wheel  7  coaxially. Thus, the driving wheel  7  can be driven to rotate through repeated cycle motion of the two pedal components  6 . The driving wheel  7  can be either the rear wheel or the front wheel. In  FIG.  12   , the rear wheel is taken as an example but not limited to this. It should be noted here that in addition to the aforementioned frame, driving wheel and transmission mechanism, generally, a bicycle also includes other components relative to the driving wheel, such as a driven wheel, a handlebars, and a brake. However, since other components are generally known technologies, they will not be described here. 
       FIG.  13    and  FIG.  14    show a second embodiment of the transmission mechanism of the present disclosure applied to a bicycle. In the present embodiment, the power input member  2  of the transmission mechanism is also a pedal component  6 . There are two pedal components  6 . The power output member  5  of the transmission mechanism is connected with the driving wheel  7  in a transmission way. The transmission connection can be realized by means of a chain, belt or screw. Thus, the two pedal components  6  move in a cycle to drive the power output member  5  to rotate, and drive the driving wheel  7  to rotate through the power output member  5 . Likewise, the driving wheel  7  can be either the front wheel or the rear wheel. In  FIG.  14   , the rear wheel is taken as the driving wheel  7  but not limited to this. Likewise, the transmission connection method can also be used to connect the front wheel in a transmission way, with the front wheel as the driving wheel  7 . 
     With continuous reference to  FIG.  14   , in the above two embodiments of bicycles, the pedal component  6  can further include a foot cover  61 . The foot cover  61  is arranged on the pedal component  6 . The pedal component  6  can be reset through the rider&#39;s foot. 
     Referring to  FIG.  15    and  FIG.  16   , in the present embodiment, the bicycle further includes a reset mechanism  8 . The reset mechanism  8  is connected with the pedal component  6  to drive the pedal component to rotate and reset. The reset mechanism  8  is an elastic member  81 . The elastic member  81  includes one end connected with the frame and a second end connected with the pedal component  6 . The cyclic drive resetting of the pedal component  6  can also be realized simply by stretching and resetting the elastic member  81 . Further, the elastic member  81  is provided with an adjusting portion  811 . The adjusting portion  811  is connected with the elastic member  81 . The elastic force of the elastic member  81  can be changed by adjusting the position of the adjusting portion  811 . After being used for a long time, the elastic force of the elastic member  81  is weakened. Therefore, the adjusting portion  811  needs to be arranged to adjust the elastic force of the elastic member  81 , such that the reset of the pedal component  6  can be completed by the elastic force of the elastic member  81 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  17   , another embodiment of the reset mechanism  8  can include: a first conical gear  821 , a second conical gear  822 , a rotating shaft  823 , and a third conical gear  824 . The first conical gear  821  is sleeved and fixed on a pedal component  6 . The second conical gear  822  is sleeved and fixed on another pedal component  6 . The rotating shaft  823  is arranged on the frame. The third conical gear  824  passes through the rotating shaft  823  and is meshed with the first conical gear  821  and the second conical gear  822 . The third conical gear  824  makes the rotating directions of the two pedal components  6  opposite. In the present embodiment, the reset mechanism  8  is a gear linkage reset mechanism. When the reset mechanism  8  is used, the initial positions of the two pedal components  6  are arranged opposite to each other. One pedal component  6  is located at the starting end of the rotation stroke and the other pedal component  6  is located at the ending end of the rotation stroke. Therefore, when riding, one pedal component  6  rotates forward and the other pedal component  6  rotates backward, which can make the two pedal components  6  rotate in a cycle. 
     Specifically, the transmission mechanism of the present disclosure can also be applied to water bicycles, pedal boats, electric bicycles, scooters and exercise bicycles. For details, reference can be made to the method of application to bicycles in  FIG.  11    to  FIG.  14   , which will not be listed here. Any of the above pedal power tools adopts the transmission mechanism in the present embodiment and falls within the protection scope of the present disclosure. 
     It should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to explain the technical solution of the present disclosure, not to limit it. For those skilled in the art, the technical solution recorded in the above embodiments may be modified or some of the technical features may be replaced equivalently. All such modifications and substitutions shall fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims the present disclosure.