Vibration suppressed bicycle structure

• US 6,986,521 B1
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology Armaments Bureau MND (Government of The Republic of China)
• Inventors: Lin, Sheuan-Perng, Wang, Cheng-Huan, Juang, Dar-Ping, Ger, Guang-Shyang, Li, Shan, Sun, Shyh-Jang, Liu, Dauh-Churn
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US10/962,485
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 280/281.1, 280/283, 280/284, 280/275, 280/276, 310/326, 310/327
• US Class Current: 280/281.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/00 Cycle frames cycle frames specially adapted for one particular kind of cycle specified in groups B62K1/00 - B62K17/00, see the relevant group
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/00 Axle suspensions for vehicles in general B60G
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/04 for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork for sidecars, forecars or the like B62K27/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/04 having a substantially horizontal top bar

Abstract

An improved vibration suppressed bicycle structure includes a frame and a handle set that have ceramic piezoelectric elements located thereon to couple with passive and active control energy consuming mechanisms to convert the vibration energy of the bicycle body into electric energy, which is consumed in heat or gathered for active control use. The invention can absorb vibration energy of the bicycle to enhance structural performance, reduce vibration, and give bicycle riders more comfort over long distance rides and improved maneuverability.

Claims

1. An improved vibration suppressed bicycle structure for a bicycle frame, the bicycle frame comprising:

a upper tube, a head tube coupling with one end of the upper tube, a seat tube coupling with other end of the upper tube, two rear upper forks coupling with a upper side of the seat tube, two rear lower forks coupling with distal ends of the rear upper forks, a hub coupling with the two rear lower forks and the seat tube, a lower tube bridging the head tube and the hub, and a handle set movably coupled with the head tube;

wherein the structure, including the upper tube, the lower tube, the head tube, the seat tube, the two rear upper forks, the two rear lower forks and the handle set, has ceramic piezoelectric elements located on high strain areas to form active and passive mechanisms of a damping effect to absorb a portion of vibration energy of the bicycle to reduce vibrations.

2. The improved vibration suppressed bicycle structure of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric elements are adhered to the selected locations of the upper tube, the lower tube, the head tube, the seat tube, the two rear upper forks, the two rear lower forks and the handle set.

3. The improved vibration suppressed bicycle structure of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric elements are embedded in selected locations of the upper tube, the lower tube, the head tube, the seat tube, the two rear upper forks, the two rear lower forks and the handle set.

4. The improved vibration suppressed bicycle structure of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric elements have varying effective piezoelectric power according to alterations of the length, width and thickness of the piezoelectric elements, and the design of electrodes.

5. The improved vibration suppressed bicycle structure of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric elements are made from lead zirconate titanate (PZT).

6. The improved vibration suppressed bicycle structure of claim 1, wherein the handle set includes a handle, a stand coupling to a middle portion of a front end of the handle and a stem fastening to a distal end of the stand.

7. The improved vibration suppressed bicycle structure of claim 1, wherein the bicycle frame and the handle set are made from metal or carbon fiber reinforced plastics.