Drive device for an electric bicycle and electric bicycle

A drive device for an electric bicycle, the drive device comprising:

• a shaft;
• a redirecting gearbox for coupling with an electric motor and said shaft so that a torque is transmittable from the electric motor via said redirecting gearbox to said shaft;
• said redirecting gearbox having a first gear element rotatable about a first axis and a second gear element coupled to said first gear element, said second gear element being rotatable about a second axis running at an angle to the first axis;
• the drive device being configured to transmit a torque from said first gear element to said shaft via a coupling between said first gear element and said shaft;
• the drive device being further configured to rotate said shaft in a first rotational direction relative to said first gear element;
• and,
• said first gear element being axially displaceable relative to said second gear element, parallel to the first axis, within predetermined limits, wherein said first gear element and said second gear element remain coupled to one another within the predetermined limits.

An electric bicycle comprising:

• an electric motor;
• a drive device having a shaft and a redirecting gearbox;
• said redirecting gearbox being for coupling with said electric motor and said shaft so that a torque is transmittable from said electric motor via said redirecting gearbox to said shaft;
• said redirecting gearbox having a first gear element rotatable about a first axis and a second gear element coupled to said first gear element, said second gear element being rotatable about a second axis running at an angle to the first axis;
• said drive device being configured to transmit a torque from said first gear element to said shaft via a coupling between said first gear element and said shaft;
• said drive device being further configured to rotate said shaft in a first rotational direction relative to said first gear element;
• said first gear element being axially displaceable relative to said second gear element, parallel to the first axis, within predetermined limits, wherein said first gear element and said second gear element remain coupled to one another within the predetermined limits;
• and,
• said electric motor being coupled to the redirecting gearbox so that the torque of said electric motor is transmitted to said first gear element via said second gear element.