Patent ID: 12252215

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1shows a bicycle48having a frame14, in particular, a bicycle frame. Frame14includes a holding device10for releasably supporting an energy store12, in particular, an energy store for a bicycle, on frame14. Holding device10includes at least one locking unit16, which is intended, in a locked state18, for fixing energy store12axially in position and locking it releasably. Bicycle48includes an auxiliary motor52and an energy store12. Bicycle48takes the form of a pedelec. Energy store12is provided for supplying auxiliary motor52with electrical power. Energy store12takes the form of a storage battery. Frame14takes the form of a bicycle frame50. Bicycle frame50includes a frame element40. Frame element40is formed to be tubular. Tubularly formed frame element40has a circular cross-section, but could have, as an alternative, an oval, angular, or differently shaped cross-section, as well. Locking unit16of holding device10is integrated directly in frame element40of frame14.

FIG.2andFIG.3show two different schematic views of locking unit16of holding device10from different perspectives. Locking unit16is intended for axially fixing the energy store in position and locking it releasably inside of holding device10. Locking unit16includes a first locking element20and a second locking element22corresponding to first locking element20. InFIGS.2and3, first locking element20and second locking element22are represented in two different positions. In a first position, first locking element20and second locking element22are represented by a dashed line and show an unlocked state of locking unit16. In a second position, first locking element20and second locking element22are represented by a solid line and show locking unit16in a locked state18. In locked state18, a connecting element46is fixed in position within a recess of second locking element22having a semicircular cross section. Connecting element46takes the form of a pin, which has a circular cross-section, but could have, as an alternative, an oval, angular, or differently shaped cross section, as well. Connecting element46is presently situated on a carrier unit42for receiving energy store12. As an alternative, connecting element46could, however, be part of energy store12, as well, and be situated directly on energy store12. First locking element20and second locking element22are pivoted on a base of locking unit16. First locking element20and second locking element22are interconnected by a bar element32of locking unit16. When connecting element46is inserted into locking unit16, in a direction opposite to an ejection direction54, connecting element46is pressed against second locking element22. Second locking element22carries out a rotation. Since first locking element20is connected to second locking element22by bar element32, first locking element20simultaneously carries out a rotation in a direction of rotation opposite to a direction of rotation of second locking element22, until locked state18is reached. In locked state18, first locking element20blocks a further rotation of second locking element22. Due to the shape of the outer contour of first locking element20, first locking element20forms a limit stop for second locking element22.

Locking unit16includes an actuating unit30for toolless manipulation of locking unit16by a user. Actuating unit30includes an actuating element56. Actuating element56takes the form of a lock58and is connected to first locking element20in a form-locked manner. However, as an alternative, actuating element56could also take the form of a knob or a lever or a different actuating element. Lock58forms a security mechanism of actuating unit30for protection against unauthorized actuation of locking unit16. With the aid of a key (not shown), a user may actuate locking unit16in an otherwise toolless manner.

FIG.3shows a tensioning unit24of locking unit16. Tensioning unit24is intended for pre-stressing first locking element20and/or second locking element22in the locked state18with the aid of a tensional force. Tensioning unit24includes a first tensioning element26and a second tensioning element28. First tensioning element26takes the form of a torsion spring and is rigidly connected to first locking element20.

In the locked state18, first tensioning element26prestresses first locking element20with the aid of a tensional force. Second tensioning element28takes the form of a further torsion spring and is rigidly connected to second locking element20. In the locked state18, second tensioning element28prestresses second locking element22with the aid of a tensional force.

When locked state18is removed, tensioning unit24ejects energy store12in ejection direction54with the aid of the tensional force exerted on second locking element22by second tensioning element28. Locked state18is ended by turning a key in actuating element56of actuating unit30in a direction contrary to the tensional force exerted on first locking element20by first tensioning element26; the actuating element taking the form of a lock58and being connected to first locking element20of locking unit16in a form-locked manner. In an operating state of the locking unit different from locked state18, second locking element22is not blocked by first locking element20and may rotate. Due to the tensional force exerted by second tensioning element28on second locking element22, second locking element22rotates into the position represented by dashed lines and pushes connecting element46, and thus, energy store12, out of locking unit16.

Locking unit16includes a damping element34. In this case, it is preferable for second tensioning element28to simultaneously take the form of damping element34. In locked state18, the second tensioning element28taking the form of damping element34exerts a bias and is intended for fixing the energy store in position without play. Due to the tensional force of the tensioning element28taking the form of damping element34, damping element34performs a damping function when connecting element46is pushed into locking unit16. Alternatively, or in addition, damping element34could also be constructed as a further spring formed differently from the second tensioning element28taking the form of a torsion spring, or as a rubber element, a cushioning element, or a sheet made of a cellular plastic such as polyurethane, or as a further element for damping and fixing energy store12in position without play.

Locking unit16includes a contacting unit36. Contacting unit36includes a contacting element38and is designed to contact energy store12electrically. In locked state18, electrical contact is established between energy store12and auxiliary motor52by contacting element38of contacting unit36, and energy store12supplies auxiliary motor52with power (cf.FIG.1).

FIG.4Ashows carrier unit42of holding device10. Carrier unit42is provided for receiving and releasably supporting energy store12. Carrier unit42includes a base plate having rounded-off corners. The base plate of carrier unit42has a plurality of screw holes, which are provided for screwing the carrier element onto energy store12. Carrier unit42includes connecting element46and a carrier element44. Connecting element46takes the form of a pin having a circular cross-section and is connected in one piece to a front side of the base plate of carrier unit42, using two connecting legs parallel to each other. Carrier element44is formed in one piece with the base plate of carrier unit42and extends from the front side of the base plate of carrier unit42, past a bottom edge of the base plate of carrier unit42, in a direction running perpendicularly to the base plate of carrier unit42.FIG.4Bshows carrier unit42together with energy store12. Energy store12is connected to the base plate of carrier unit42. Carrier element44forms a guide rail60. Guide rail60is intended for guiding energy store12inside of holding device10. Energy store12is situated above guide rail60. To fix energy store12in position axially and lock it to holding device10releasably, connecting element46of carrier unit42may be pushed into locking unit16in a direction contrary to ejection direction54(cf.FIG.2).