US 20150051052A1

(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0051052 A1
(43) Pub. Date:

Cheng et al.
(54)

FLYWHEEL DEVICE OF BICYCLE

Feb. 19, 2015

(52) U.S.Cl.
CPC .................................. .. A63B 21/015 (2013.01)

(71) ApplicantszYun-Yin Cheng, New Taipei City (TW);

USPC

.......................................................... ..

482/64

Yi-Jia Wu, Yilan County (TW)

(72) Inventors: Yun-Yin Cheng, New Taipei City (TW);

Yi-Jia Wu, Yilan County (TW)

(21) App1.No.: 14/088,515

(22) Filed:

(30)

Nov. 25, 2013

Foreign Application Priority Data

Aug. 13, 2013

(TW) ............................... .. 102129052

Publication Classi?cation

(51)

Int. Cl.
A63B 21/015

(2006.01)

(57)

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a ?ywheel device of a bicycle, including a ?y

wheel means, a clutching means and a speed transforming
means. The ?ywheel means is installed in rotation with the

frame that is placed between the driving wheel and the driven
wheel. The clutching means is engaged or disengaged
between the ?ywheel means and the driving wheel according
to an engaging state and a disengaging state thereof, wherein,
a rotational energy is transferable between the ?ywheel
means and the driving wheel during in the engaging state. The
speed transforming means is connected between the ?ywheel
means and the driving wheel by means of the clutching means
to adjust a transmission ratio in relation to the driving wheel
and the ?ywheel means.

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16

112

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FIG.2a

232

{V24
242

222

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23

4m21

{J

21

US 2015/0051052 A1

241
El

[1/24

FIG.2b
l

222%
24%
2

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 19, 2015 Sheet 4 0f4

US 2015/0051052 A1

US 2015/0051052 A1

Feb. 19,2015

FLYWHEEL DEVICE OF BICYCLE

forming assembly and an output transforming assembly, the

input transforming assembly is provided to adjust an input

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

transmission ratio of the driving wheel to the ?ywheel means,

[0001] The present invention relates to an assist device of a

bicycle, and more particularly to a ?ywheel device of a

bicycle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

and the output transforming assembly is provided to adjust an

output transmission ratio of the ?ywheel means to the driving
wheel.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present inven
tion, the input transmission ratio of the driving wheel to the
?ywheel means is adjusted as an acceleration transmission

[0002] A bicycle is widely popular to people all around the

ratio by the input transforming assembly.

world. The movement of the bicycle is driven depending on a

pedaling force or a resistance force applied by a rider.
[0003] A rider can save an applying pedaling force either by
an inertia generated from the bicycle and the rider itself in a
movement or by a slope degree of a road. However, once the
bicycle is slowed down or is stopped while it is in an uphill, in
a situation against the wind, or in an emergency, the rider will

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present inven

tion, the output transmission ratio of the ?ywheel means to
the driving wheel is adjusted as an acceleration transmission

have to take much effort to pedal the bicycle again to gain the

original speed.
[0004] Further, when a bicycle is slowed down or is to stop,
the bicycle will be unsteady to loss of balance to cause the
rider falling down or being hurt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]

In view of above, the bicycle of a prior art has a

defects that a rider needs to take a great effort to pedal the

bicycle to start or to speed up, and tends to loss the balance
while the bicycle is slowed down or is to be stopped.

ratio by the output transforming assembly.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present inven
tion, the ?ywheel device further comprises a ratchet means,
assembled between the ?ywheel means and the driving wheel
via the speed transforming means.
[0017] By means of technical means of the present inven
tion, the ?ywheel device according to the present invention
can selectively store and release a rotational kinetic energy in

a way that the bicycle is starting, speeding up, slowing down

and stopping easier to save riders effort on riding. Further,

the ?ywheel device according to the present invention stores

the rotational kinetic energy by means of rotating manner, so
an angular momentum of the rotation can be helpful for

balancing the bicycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention

to provide a ?ywheel device of a bicycle that provides the
assist for speeding up and slowing down, and maintains the

balancing of the bicycle.

[0007]

The present invention provides a ?ywheel device of

a bicycle, the bicycle having a frame, a driving wheel and a

driven wheel, the ?ywheel device comprises: a ?ywheel

means installed on the frame that is placed between the driv

ing wheel and the driven wheel, a rotation axis of the ?ywheel
means being substantially parallel to a rotating axis of the
driving wheel; a clutching means, engaged or disengaged
between the ?ywheel means and the driving wheel according
to an engaging state and a disengaging state thereof, wherein,
a rotational energy is transferable between the ?ywheel
means and the driving wheel during in the engaging state; and
a speed transforming means connected between the ?ywheel
means and the driving wheel by means of the clutching means
to adjust a transmission ratio in relation to the driving wheel
and the ?ywheel means.
[0008] According to an embodiment of the present inven
tion, the driving wheel is a rear wheel of the bicycle.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present inven
tion, the ?ywheel means is positioned between a down tube
and a seat tube of the frame.

[0010]

According to an embodiment of the present inven

tion, the ?ywheel means has a ?ywheel edge partly extending

beyond a top tube of the frame.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present inven
tion, the ?ywheel means is rotated in connection with the
driving wheel via a transmission member.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present inven
tion, the clutching means is provided with a handling member
for shifting the clutching means in the engaging state or the

disengaging state.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present inven
tion, the speed transforming means includes an input trans

[0018] The structure and the technical means adopted by

the present invention to achieve the above and other objects
can be best understood by referring to the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments and the accompa

nying drawings.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of a ?ywheel device according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2a is a top view of the ?ywheel device accord
ing to the embodiment of the present invention when the

bicycle is slowing down;

[0021] FIG. 2b is a top view of the ?ywheel device accord
ing to the embodiment of the present invention when the

bicycle is stopping; and

[0022] FIG. 20 is a top view of the ?ywheel device accord
ing to the embodiment of the present invention when the

bicycle is speeding up.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be

described hereafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20. The

present invention, however, should not be construed as lim

ited to the embodiment set forth herein. These embodiments
should be considered as only the examples of the present
invention.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, a ?ywheel device 2 according to
an embodiment of the present invention is allocated on a

bicycle 1 that has a frame 11, a driving wheel 12 and a driven

wheel 13. The ?ywheel device 2 includes: a ?ywheel means
21 installed on the frame 11 that is placed between the driving
wheel 12 and the driven wheel 13, a rotation axis 210 of the

?ywheel means 21 being substantially parallel to a rotating

axis 120 of the driving wheel 12; a clutching means 22,
engaged or disengaged between the ?ywheel means 21 and

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the driving wheel 12 according to an engaging state and a

disengaging state thereof, wherein, a rotational energy is
transferable between the ?ywheel means 21 and the driving

wheel 12 during in the engaging state; and a speed transform

ing means 23 connected between the ?ywheel means 21 and
the driving wheel 12 by means of the clutching means 22 to
adjust a transmission ratio in relation to the driving wheel 12
and the ?ywheel means 21.

[0025]

In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi

ment of the present as shown in FIG. 1, the driving wheel 12

is rotated by a rider who pedals a pedal 14 of the bicycle 1. In

detail, a rotation energy generated by pedaling the pedal 14 is

transferred through a chain ring 15 and a chain 16 to the

driving wheel 12 to thus drive the bicycle 1 for moving

forward. However, the present invention is not limited to this,
and in another embodiment, the rotation energy may be trans

ferred to the driving wheel 12 through other transferring

means other than the chain ring 15 and the chain 16.

[0026] In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi

ment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the driving
wheel 12 is a rear wheel of the bicycle 1. However, in another
embodiment, the driving wheel 12 may be a front wheel of the
bicycle 1 or a wheel in any other position of the bicycle 1.

[0027]

In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi

ment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the ?ywheel

Feb. 19,2015

adjusting an output transmission ratio of the ?ywheel means

21 to the driving wheel 12. Correspondingly, the clutching

means 22 includes a ?rst clutching assembly 221 and a second

clutching assembly 222. The ?rst clutching assembly 221

selectively enables the connection between the ?ywheel
means 21 and the driving wheel 12 by means of the input

transforming assembly 231 of the speed transforming means

23, and the second clutching assembly 222 selectively
enables the connection between the ?ywheel means 21 and

the driving wheel 12 by means of the output transforming

assembly 232 of the speed transforming means 23.
[0032] In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi
ment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2a, the input
transmission ratio of the driving wheel 12 to the ?ywheel
means 21 is adjusted as an acceleration transmission ratio by

means of the input transforming assembly 231. Speci?cally,

the input transforming assembly 231 includes a ?rst input
chain ring 23111 connected with the driving wheel 12, a sec
ond input chain ring 2311) connected with the ?ywheel means
21, and an input chain 2310 connected between the ?rst input
chain ring 23111 and the second input chain ring 2311). Since
the teeth number of the ?rst input chain ring 23111 is larger
than that of the second input chain ring 231b, when the
driving wheel 12 is connected with the ?ywheel means 21 via

the input transforming assembly 231, the driving wheel 12

means 21 is positioned between a down tube 111 and a seat

can drive the ?ywheel means 21 through the ?rst input chain

tube 112 of the frame 11. In such arrangement, the center of

ring 23111, the input chain 2310 and the second input chain

gravity of an integral bicycle 1 and the ?ywheel device 2 will

ring 23119 to rotate in a manner that the rotation speed of the

be maintained on the frame 11 as between the front and rear

?ywheel means 21 is faster than that of the driving wheel 12

wheels for balancing the bicycle 1 and preventing the bicycle

based on the acceleration transmission ratio.

1 from being turned over.

[0033]

[0028] In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi

ment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the ?ywheel
means 21 has a ?ywheel edge 211 that is mostly extending
beyond a top tube 113 of the frame 11. The larger radius of the
?ywheel means 12 is, the larger moment of inertia will be
obtained, so the rotation will generate a larger angular

ment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 20, the output

transmission ratio of the ?ywheel means 21 to the driving
wheel 12 is adjusted as an acceleration transmission ratio by

momentum. Accordingly, the ?ywheel means 21 having a

larger radius can improve the balancing of the bicycle 1.

[0029] In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi
ment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the ?ywheel
means 21 is rotated in connection with the driving wheel 12
via a transmission member. The transmission member, such
as a chain or a belt, is connected between the ?ywheel means

21 and the driving wheel 12 to enable the ?ywheel means 21

and the driving wheel 12 to rotate with each other. However,
in another embodiment, the ?ywheel means 21 may be
rotated in connection with the driving wheel 12 via other

In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi

means of the output transforming assembly 232. Similarly,

the output transforming assembly 232 includes a ?rst output
chain ring 23111 connected with the ?ywheel means 21, a
second output chain ring 2321) connected with the driving
wheel 12, and an output chain 2320 connected between the

?rst output chain ring 23211 and the second output chain ring
2321). Since the teeth number of the ?rst output chain ring
23211 is larger than that of the second output chain ring 232b,
when the driving wheel 12 is connected with the ?ywheel
means 21 via the output transforming assembly 232, the
?ywheel means 21 can drive the driving wheel 12 through the

?rst output chain ring 23211, the output chain 2320, and the
second output chain ring 23219 to rotate in a manner that the

rotation speed of the driving wheel 12 is faster than that of the

means, such as a gear set.

?ywheel means 21 based on the acceleration transmission

[0030]

ratio.

In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi

ment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the clutch

ing means 22 is provided with a handling member 223, which

is installed on handlebar 17 for shifting the clutching means
22 in the engaging state or the disengaging state. However, the
handling member 223 is not limited to be installed on the

handlebar 17, and the handling member 223 may be installed

on any position or may be operated by, for example, feet.
[0031] In the ?ywheel device 2 according to the embodi
ment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c,
the speed transforming means 23 includes an input transform

ing assembly 231 and an output transforming assembly 232.

The input transforming assembly 231 is for adjusting an input
transmission ratio of the driving wheel 12 to the ?ywheel
means 21, and the output transforming assembly 232 is for

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c, the ?ywheel

device 2 according to the embodiment of the present inven
tion further includes a ratchet means 24, which is assembled

between the ?ywheel means 21 and the driving wheel 12 via

the speed transforming means 23. The ratchet means 24 is a
mechanical means that forces a rotation moving in a single
direction so as to prevent any rotation in its opposite direction

to thus keep a single direction transmission between the ?y

wheel means 21 and the driving wheel 12. Corresponding to
the speed transforming means 23, the ratchet means 24
includes an input ratchet 241 and an output ratchet 242. The

input ratchet 241, which is assembled between the ?ywheel

means 21 and the driving wheel 12 via the input transforming
assembly 231, maintains the energy being transferred from

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Feb. 19,2015

the driving wheel 12 to ?ywheel means 21, and prevents the

energy from being transferred from ?ywheel means 21 back
to the driving wheel 12 while the rotation speed of the driving
wheel 12 is slower than that of the ?ywheel means 21. Simi
larly, the output ratchet 242, which is assembled between the
?ywheel means 21 and the driving wheel 12 via the output

tion axis of the ?ywheel means being substantially par

allel to a rotating axis of the driving wheel;
a clutching means, engaged or disengaged between the
?ywheel means and the driving wheel according to an
engaging state and a disengaging state thereof, wherein,

transforming assembly 232, maintains the energy being trans

means and the driving wheel during in the engaging

state; and
a speed transforming means connected between the ?y

ferred from ?ywheel means 21 to the driving wheel 12 and

prevents the energy from being transferred from driving

wheel 12 back to the ?ywheel means 21 while the rotation

speed of the driving wheel 12 is faster than that of the ?ywheel

means 21.

[0035] With such a structure according to the present inven

tion, as shown in FIG. 2a, while attempting to slow down the
bicycle 1, a user operates the clutching means 22 to engage
the driving wheel 12 with the ?ywheel means 21 via the input

transforming assembly 231 of the speed transforming means

23, and thereby the rotation energy of the driving wheel 12
can be transferred to the ?ywheel means 21 through the input

a rotational energy is transferable between the ?ywheel

wheel means and the driving wheel by means of the

clutching means to adjust a transmission ratio in relation
to the driving wheel and the ?ywheel means.
2. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
driving wheel is a rear wheel of the bicycle.
3. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
?ywheel means is positioned between a down tube and a seat
tube of the frame.
4. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the

?ywheel means has a ?ywheel edge partly extending beyond

transforming assembly 231 to thus slow down the moving

speed of the bicycle 1 by means of reducing the rotation
energy of the driving wheel 12.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2b, when the bicycle 1 is slowing

?ywheel means is rotated in connection with the driving

down or is to be stopped, a user can operate the clutching

wheel via a transmission member.

means 22 to disengage the driving wheel 12 with the ?ywheel

means 21 to thus maintain the balancing of the bicycle 1 based
on the angular momentum from the rotation of the ?ywheel
means 21 even though the driving wheel 12 and the driven
wheel 13 are stopped.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 20, when the bicycle 1 is starting

6. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the

clutching means is provided with a handling member for
shifting the clutching means in the engaging state or the

or is speeding up, a user can operate the clutching means 22 to

engage the driving wheel 12 with the ?ywheel means 21 via

the output transforming assembly 232 of the speed transform

ing means 23, and thereby the rotation energy of the ?ywheel
means 21 can be transferred to the driving wheel 12 through

the output transforming assembly 232 to thus enable the

bicycle 1 to start up or speeding up based on the increase of

the rotation energy of the driving wheel 12.

[0038] The above description should be considered as only
the discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention. However, a person having an ordinary skill in the
art may make various modi?cations to the present invention.
Those modi?cations still fall within the spirit and scope

de?ned by the appended claims

What is claimed is:
1. A ?ywheel device of a bicycle, the bicycle having a
frame, a driving wheel and a driven wheel, the ?ywheel

device comprising:
a ?ywheel means installed on the frame that is placed
between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, a rota

a top tube of the frame.

5. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the

disengaging state.
7. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the

speed transforming means includes an input transforming

assembly and an output transforming assembly, the input
transforming assembly is provided to adjust an input trans
mission ratio of the driving wheel to the ?ywheel means, and
the output transforming assembly is provided to adjust an
output transmission ratio of the ?ywheel means to the driving
wheel.
8. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the

input transmission ratio of the driving wheel to the ?ywheel

means is adjusted as an acceleration transmission ratio by the

input transforming assembly.

9. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
output transmission ratio of the ?ywheel means to the driving
wheel is adjusted as an acceleration transmission ratio by the

output transforming assembly.

10. A ?ywheel device as claimed in claim 1, further com
prising a ratchet means assembled between the ?ywheel

means and the driving wheel via the speed transforming

means.