Patent Description:
Known drive devices provide via an output shaft a torque for driving the bicycle. They are relatively large constructions which, in particular for aesthetic reasons, is undesirable. Furthermore, large drive devices are generally relatively heavy which, with regard to performance that is important in bicycles (for example sportive driving characteristics) is likewise undesirable.

Us <NUM><NUM><NUM> B2 discloses a drive device for a bicycle according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. Other drive devices are known from <CIT> and <CIT>.

The object of the invention therefore lies in providing an improved or at least another embodiment of a drive device. In particular, a comparatively compact drive device, an advantageous drive for a bicycle and an advantageous bicycle are to be stated.

According to the invention, this object is achieved through the subject-matter of independent claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims.

The invention has recognised in particular that a relatively compact drive device can be provided in that a plug connector previously projecting away, finger-like, from a housing of the drive device is replaced with an angular plug connector. The invention, furthermore, has recognised that by a practical configuration of attachment features of the drive device utilised for fixing the drive device to a frame of the bicycle a comparatively compact drive device can be realised.

Accordingly, a drive device for a bicycle, in particular an E-bike or a Pedelec, is provided, which comprises a multi-part housing accommodating a drive unit of the drive device, said housing comprises a first monolithic housing part having a first opening and a second monolithic housing part having a second opening which is fixed to the first housing part for example by a screw connection, wherein the second opening is aligned in the axial direction of an axis of rotation of a drive shaft of the drive unit with the first opening. Furthermore, it is provided that the drive shaft penetrates the first opening and the second opening forming shaft axial ends protruding over the first housing part and second housing part for arranging pedals of the drive unit. Furthermore, the drive unit comprises an output shaft which penetrates the first opening forming an axial protrusion protruding over the first housing part and enclosing the drive shaft coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation for arranging an attachment part referred to as spider in practice, on which for example a chain ring for a drive chain can be mounted. The first housing part has first attachment features for fixing the drive device to a frame of the bicycle. Furthermore, the second housing part has second attachment features for fixing the drive device to the frame of the bicycle. It is substantial that the drive device comprises a circuit board arranged in the housing and equipped with electronic components, in particular a so-called PCB (printed circuit board), which has a connection interface penetrating the first housing part, which has at least one angular plug connector protruding over the first housing part for connecting a mating plug connector of a sensor line of the bicycle.

Because of the angular plug connector, the proposed drive device is a relatively compact construction in particular in the axial direction of the axis of rotation. Apart from this, the drive device makes possible using a cost-effective sensor line with a mating plug connector of straight configuration, for example a flat mating plug connector having a diameter of less than <NUM>, since the angulation is realised by the plug connector.

The sensor line can be communicatingly connected to a sensor arranged on the bicycle, for example a speed sensor. For this purpose, the sensor line can be installed on or within a frame of the bicycle.

It is practical when the angular plug connector comprises a connector base parallel with respect to the axis of rotation engaging with the connection interface and a connector extension following thereon. The connector extension can be embodied angled with respect to the connector base so that between the connector extension and the axis of rotation an angle is defined. The said angle can amount to for example substantially <NUM>° or <NUM>°. Thus, when the sensor line is installed on or within a frame of the bicycle and routed to the drive device more or less at right angles to the axis of rotation, not only a relatively compact drive device is realised but a favourable mountability of the mating plug connector of the sensor line on the angular plug connector can be accomplished as well. It is practical when the angular plug connector forms a <NUM>° angular plug connector.

It is practical, further, when the angular plug connector comprises contact pins and the mating plug connector of the sensor line contact jacks into which the contact pins of the mating plug connector can be plugged. Alternatively it is also conceivable that the mating plug connector of the sensor line comprises contact pins and the angled plug connector contact jacks into which the contact pins of the mating plug connector can be plugged. By way of this, a preferred configuration for the plug and mating plug connector is stated.

It is practical, further, when the first attachment features are realised by threaded blind hole bores and/or threaded through-bores extending into the first housing part. The first attachment features thus do not protrude over the housing or the first housing part but are quasi-recessed or integrated in the first housing part. Because of this, the proposed drive device can be a relatively compact construction in the axial direction of the axis of rotation.

It is practical when the second attachment features are realised by threadless through-bores which extend completely through shoulder projections of the second housing part, and insert sleeves with internal thread, which are each inserted into a through-bore. Because of this, the second attachment features do not protrude over the housing or the second housing part but are quasi-recessed or integrated in the shoulder projections of the second housing part. Because of this, the proposed drive device can be an even more compact construction in the axial direction of the axis of rotation than before.

The insert sleeves can each have a hollow circular ring-cylindrical main body. On a main body axial end of such a main body, a support collar protruding over an outer lateral surface of the main body encircling the main body in portions can be provided, by way of which the insert sleeve, when inserted into a through-bore arranged on the second housing part, touchingly supports itself on the second housing part.

In order to be able to produce the said insert sleeves to be light in weight and at the same time in large quantities it can be provided that the insert sleeves are produced from an aluminium material.

By way of the first and second attachment features the proposed drive device can be attached to a frame of the bicycle so that even relatively large torque loads of for example greater than <NUM> applied via each pedal can be transferred via the housing of the drive device to the frame.

It is practical, further, when the first housing part comprises third attachment features for fixing a chain guide of the drive device for guiding a chain of the drive device engaging with the attachment part, wherein the first attachment features are realised by threaded bores extending into the first housing part, in particular further threaded blind hole bores and/or threaded through-bores. By way of the third attachment features the chain guide can then be fixed to the housing.

According to a further basic idea of the invention, a centre drive or a bottom bracket drive for a bicycle is provided, which is arranged on the frame of a bicycle, in particular an E-bike or a Pedelec, in the region of the pedals of the bicycle and comprises a drive device according to the preceding description. Because of this, a centre drive or bottom bracket drive is provided, which is relatively compact because of the advantageous drive device that can be provided.

The drive device, when it is integrated in the centre drive or the bottom bracket drive, can be employed as pedalling support for the bicycle or as drive for the bicycle.

According to a further basic idea of the invention, a bicycle, in particular an E-bike or a Pedelec, is provided which comprises a centre drive or bottom bracket drive according to the preceding description. Because of this, a bicycle having a centre drive or bottom bracket drive is provided which, because of the drive device employed, is a relatively compact construction.

In summary it should be noted: the present invention relates to a drive device for a bicycle which comprises a multi-part housing accommodating a drive unit of the drive device having a first housing part and a second housing part fixed thereon. It is substantial for the invention that the drive device comprises a circuit board equipped with electronic components arranged in the housing, in particular a so-called PCB (printed circuit board), which has a connection interface penetrating the first housing part which has at least one angular plug connector protruding over the first housing part for connecting a mating plug connector of a sensor line. The invention relates in particular to a centre drive or a bottom bracket drive having such a drive device and further in particular to a bicycle comprising such a centre drive or bottom bracket drive.

Further important features and advantages of the invention are obtained from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description by way of the drawings.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description, wherein same reference numbers relate to same or similar or functionally same components.

<FIG> show a preferred embodiment of a drive device marked in its entirety with the reference number <NUM> for a bicycle which is not illustrated, for example an E-bike or a Pedelec.

The shown drive device <NUM> has a multi-part housing <NUM> practically produced from a light metal or plastic or a plastic composite material having a first monolithic substantially tub-shaped housing part <NUM> and a second monolithic substantially tub-shaped housing part <NUM> which, here, are fixed to one another at their open housing sides by way of an encircling flange screw connection <NUM>. Furthermore, the drive device <NUM> has a drive unit <NUM> substantially accommodated completely in the interior of the housing <NUM> which drives the bicycle, when it is embodied as E-bike, without additional pedalling support, or which, when it is embodied as Pedelec, supports as pedalling support a user of the bicycle while driving the bicycle.

The drive unit <NUM> comprises a drive shaft designated <NUM>, which penetrates a first opening <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM> and a second opening <NUM> of the second housing part <NUM>, which in the axial direction <NUM> of an axis of rotation <NUM> of the drive shaft <NUM>, here drawn in with dash-dotted line, are aligned with one another, in each case forming a shaft axial end <NUM>, <NUM> protruding over the first housing part <NUM> or over the second housing part <NUM>. The latter are equipped for arranging pedals of the drive unit <NUM> which are not illustrated here, so that the user can comfortably pedal and introduce at the drive shaft <NUM> a pedal torque for driving the bicycle. The drive unit <NUM> of the drive device <NUM> additionally has an output shaft <NUM>, in particular a hollow output shaft which, here, penetrates the first opening <NUM> forming an axial protrusion <NUM> enclosing with respect to the axis of rotation <NUM> the drive shaft <NUM> coaxially. In <FIG> it is evident that an attachment part <NUM> referred to as spider in practice is fixed to the axial protrusion <NUM> of the output shaft <NUM>. For example, a chain ring which is not shown here for a drive chain of the drive device <NUM> which is likewise not illustrated can be mounted on the attachment part <NUM>. Furthermore, the drive unit <NUM> has an electric drive motor which is not shown which is fed by a battery of the bicycle, which drive motor provides a motor torque and a transmission which is likewise not shown. The latter, when the bicycle is embodied as E-bike, is equipped in order to convert the motor torque of the drive motor into a drive torque providing the same to the output shaft <NUM>. When, alternatively, the bicycle is embodied as Pedelec, the transmission is equipped to convert the pedal torque provided by the user and the motor torque of the drive motor, which is provided by the drive motor for example according to a specified support stage at different levels, into a drive torque and provide the same at the output shaft <NUM>.

In the figures it is evident, furthermore, that the housing <NUM> on the first housing part <NUM> comprises first attachment features <NUM> for fixing the drive device <NUM> to a frame <NUM> of the bicycle which is indicated only symbolically and on the second housing part <NUM> second attachment features <NUM> distinct with respect to the first attachment features <NUM> for fixing the drive device <NUM> to the frame <NUM>. The first attachment features <NUM> are exemplarily realised by threaded blind hole bores and/or threaded through-bores <NUM> extending into the first housing part <NUM>. Because of this, the first attachment features <NUM> do not protrude over the housing <NUM> or the first housing part <NUM> but are completely integrated in the first housing part <NUM>. The second attachment features <NUM>, in contrast with the first attachment features <NUM>, are in multiple parts. They have thread-free through-bores <NUM> which extend completely through shoulder projections <NUM> of the second housing part <NUM> protruding over the second housing part <NUM> transversely to the axis of rotation <NUM> of the second housing part <NUM>, and separate insert sleeves <NUM> with internal thread <NUM>. The insert sleeves <NUM> can be produced for example from an aluminium material and, in the inserted state, are each completely inserted or pressed into such a through-bore <NUM> that a respective insert sleeve <NUM> does not protrude over the second housing part <NUM> but ends flush with its housing part surface <NUM>. In <FIG> it is noticeable that the insert sleeves <NUM>, here, have a hollow circular ring-cylindrical main body <NUM> each, which has two opposite main body axial ends 34a, 34b, wherein on the one main body axial end 34a facing away with respect to the second housing part <NUM> a support collar <NUM> protruding over an outer lateral surface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> and encircling the main body <NUM> in portions is provided. The support collars <NUM> of the insert sleeves <NUM> are configured so that a respective insert sleeve <NUM>, in the state inserted into a through-bore <NUM>, can touchingly support itself on the second housing part <NUM> by way of the support collar <NUM>. In the inserted state, the support collars <NUM> are completely recessed into a through-bore <NUM>. Because of these measures, the first and second attachment features <NUM>, <NUM> do not protrude over the housing <NUM> or the first and second housing part <NUM>, <NUM> but are quasi-countersunk or integrated. Because of this, the proposed drive device <NUM> or the housing <NUM> can be a relatively compact structure in the axial direction <NUM> of the axis of rotation <NUM>.

The drive device <NUM>, furthermore, comprises a circuit board arranged in the housing <NUM> equipped with electronic components that are not visible, which is in particular a so-called PCB (printed circuit board). The same has a connection interface <NUM> penetrating the first housing part <NUM>, which has at least one plug connector <NUM> protruding over the first housing part <NUM> for connecting a mating plug connector <NUM> of a sensor line <NUM> of the bicycle. In <FIG> it is noticeable that the plug connector <NUM> is embodied angled and forms a <NUM>° angular plug connector. The plug connector <NUM> comprises a connector base <NUM> that is more or less parallel with respect to the axis of rotation <NUM> and directly acts on the connection interface <NUM>, and a connector extension <NUM> following thereon. With respect to the connector base <NUM>, the connector extension <NUM> is angled so that the connector extension <NUM> and the connector base <NUM> between them or the connector extension <NUM> and the axis of rotation <NUM> between them define an angle which exemplarily amounts to <NUM>°.

Claim 1:
A drive device (<NUM>) for a bicycle, in particular an E-bike or a Pedelec, comprising
- a multi-part housing (<NUM>) accommodating a drive unit (<NUM>) of the drive device (<NUM>), wherein the housing (<NUM>) comprises a first monolithic housing part (<NUM>) having a first opening (<NUM>) and a second monolithic housing part (<NUM>) fixed to the first housing part (<NUM>) and having a second opening (<NUM>) aligned in the axial direction (<NUM>) of an axis of rotation (<NUM>) of a drive shaft (<NUM>) of the drive unit (<NUM>) with the first opening (<NUM>),
- wherein the drive shaft (<NUM>) penetrates the first opening (<NUM>) and the second opening (<NUM>) forming shaft axial ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) protruding over the first housing part (<NUM>) and second housing part (<NUM>) for arranging pedals of the drive unit (<NUM>),
- wherein the drive unit (<NUM>) comprises an output shaft (<NUM>), which penetrates the first opening (<NUM>) forming an axial protrusion (<NUM>) protruding over the first housing part (<NUM>) and enclosing the drive shaft (<NUM>) coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation (<NUM>) for arranging an attachment part (<NUM>),
- wherein the first housing part (<NUM>) comprises first attachment features (<NUM>) for fixing the drive device (<NUM>) to a frame (<NUM>) of the bicycle,
- wherein the second housing part (<NUM>) comprises second attachment features (<NUM>) for fixing the drive device (<NUM>) to the frame (<NUM>) of the bicycle,
- wherein the drive device (<NUM>) comprises a circuit board arranged in the housing (<NUM>) equipped with electronic components, which has a connection interface (<NUM>) penetrating the first housing part (<NUM>), characterized in that the connection interface has at least one angular plug connector (<NUM>) protruding over the first housing part (<NUM>) for connecting a mating plug connector (<NUM>) of a sensor line (<NUM>).