Support device for supporting a disc brake caliper and an ABS system of a bicycle

Abstract

A disc brake caliper (7) and a body of an ABS system (A) are mounted on a fork arm (5L) of a bicycle (1) by means of a single adapter support (S), which is detachably connectable to the fork arm (5L) and configured to detachably support the disc brake caliper body (7) and the ABS system (A).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bicycles, and more particularly to bicycles equipped with a hydraulic brake system including a hydraulic ABS system, the ABS system being operably interposed between a master cylinder associated with the bicycle brake lever and a hydraulic cylinder actuating a caliper of a disc brake associated with a bicycle wheel (e.g., the front wheel). The ABS system is configured to reduce the fluid pressure supplied to the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper when a tendency toward wheel locking and / or the vehicle beginning to roll over is detected during braking. Background Art

[0002] In the past, it has been proposed to mount the ABS system associated with the front wheel of a bicycle on the arm of the front fork of the bicycle (see, for example, WO 2019 / 159029 A1). In this known solution, the body of the ABS system is clamped directly on the arm of the front fork, which means that the mounting system is configured according to each specific fork configuration. On the other hand, it would be desirable to propose a solution that can be applied to any type of fork and bicycle without requiring any adjustments. Furthermore, the above-mentioned known solutions do not allow the assembly operations of the ABS system to be performed simply and quickly. It would also be desirable that the ABS system could be located closer to the disc brake caliper associated with the front wheel of the bicycle, so as to simplify the arrangement of the communicating ducts between the ABS system and the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper. Finally, it would be desirable that the assembly operations of the ABS system could be performed quickly and easily.

[0003] Document JPH05105054A shows a bicycle fork arm on which a disc brake caliper and a hydraulic ABS system associated with a bicycle wheel are mounted. However, the support system shown in this document provides different and independent supports for mounting the disc brake caliper and the ABS system.

[0004] Document US 6 659 234 B1 shows a mechanical ABS system which essentially must be integrated into the mechanical control of the disc brake caliper. This solution is obviously not suitable for hydraulic ABS systems.

[0005] Solutions are also known from CN 210 07 75U and DE 10 2019 10012 A1.

[0006] Purpose of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to associate an ABS system of the hydraulic type with the front fork of a bicycle by mounting the ABS system close to the disc brake caliper and providing a mounting system that is independent of the configuration of the front fork.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to be able to assemble an ABS system on a bicycle very simply and quickly.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of an ABS system on a bicycle which requires very simple and low-cost components.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an installation of an ABS system on a bicycle which also makes the connection operation between the ABS system and the actuating cylinder of the disc brake caliper associated with the front wheel of the bicycle very simple and easy. Summary of the Invention

[0011] To achieve one or more of the above-mentioned objects, the present invention relates to a support device configured to support, on a fork arm of a bicycle, a caliper of a disc brake associated with a bicycle wheel and an ABS system in the form of a hydraulic control device, the ABS system being intended to be operatively interposed between a master cylinder associated with a bicycle lever for actuating the brakes and an actuating cylinder of the brake caliper, so as to control and reduce the fluid pressure supplied to the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper when a tendency toward wheel locking and / or when the bicycle begins to overturn is detected during braking.

[0012] Wherein the supporting device comprises:

[0013] - at least one first connection portion for connection to a bicycle fork arm, and

[0014] - at least one second connection portion for connection to the body of the disc brake caliper, and

[0015] - at least one third connection portion configured to be connected to said ABS system,

[0016] The support device is characterized in that the at least one first connection portion, the at least one second connection portion and the at least one third connection portion are all part of a single adapter support, which is detachably connectable to a fork arm and is configured to detachably support a caliper body and an ABS system of a disc brake.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the single adapter support has at least one first connection portion having at least one hole for receiving a screw to attach the adapter support to a fork arm of a bicycle. The at least one second connection portion of the adapter support has at least one hole for receiving a screw to attach the body of the disc brake caliper to the adapter support. The at least one third connection portion of the adapter support has at least one hole for receiving a screw to attach the body of the ABS system to the adapter support.

[0018] Preferably, in the preferred embodiment described above, the main body of the adapter support is in the form of an elongated rod having an upper head and a lower head (when mounted on a bicycle fork arm). Each of the two head portions has: a first hole for receiving a screw to attach the adapter support to the bicycle fork arm; a second hole for receiving a screw to attach the main body of the disc brake caliper to the adapter support; and a third hole for receiving a screw to attach the main body of the ABS system to the support. In one example, the axis of the third hole is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the first hole.

[0019] According to another preferred feature, the support device according to the invention further comprises an auxiliary adapter configured to be mounted on the body of the ABS system and connected to said adapter support in such a way as to serve as a connecting element between the adapter support and the body of the ABS system.

[0020] The present invention has many advantages. Firstly, the solution of the present invention can be applied to any bicycle, whatever the construction of the bicycle, and in particular whatever the construction of the front fork of the bicycle.

[0021] In particular, it should be noted that the attachment flange provided on bicycle forks for connecting the brake caliper support is a standard feature in the field of bicycles equipped with disc brake calipers. The adapter support of the present invention can be configured to connect to this standard attachment flange provided on the fork for attaching the brake caliper. Thus, the present invention solves the problem of simple and efficient assembly of an ABS system without any modification of the fork arm.

[0022] Another advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the single adapter support can be mounted strictly adjacent to the disc brake caliper, which also makes it very simple to provide connecting pipes between the ABS system and the cylinder actuator of the brake caliper, as well as to provide a connection between the ABS system and the operating device associated with the brake lever. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a bicycle to which the device according to the present invention is applied,

[0025] Figure 2 、 Figure 3 are two perspective views on an enlarged scale of a support device of an ABS system according to the invention in an example of embodiment,

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 、 Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the device,

[0027] Figure 5 Here is another exploded perspective view with the disc brake caliper removed.

[0028] Figure 6 is another exploded perspective view showing only the ABS system and the adapter support, and

[0029] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an ABS system equipped with an auxiliary adapter allowing it to be connected to the above-mentioned adapter support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] exist Figure 1 In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a bicycle to which the device according to the present invention is applied. Figure 1 The bicycle configuration shown is provided purely as an example, since the device of the invention is applicable to any bicycle, whatever its configuration, and in particular whatever the configuration of the front fork.

[0031] According to conventional technology, a bicycle 1 (e.g., an electric power-assisted bicycle) comprises a frame 2 including a steering tube 3 in which a steering shaft 4 is rotatably mounted. The steering shaft 4 is connected to a pair of arms 5L, 5R (see also FIG. Figure 2 ) is rotatably connected to the front fork 5. Still according to conventional technology, the lower ends of the two arms 5L, 5R rotatably support the front wheel R of the bicycle.

[0032] Associated with the hub of the front wheel R is a brake disc 6 cooperating with a disc brake caliper 7 .

[0033] The disc brake caliper body 7 is supported by an adapter S (see Figure 4 ) is mounted on one of the front fork arms 5, the adapter support serving as a spacer in order to arrange the brake caliper body 7 at a distance from the front wheel axle sufficient to enable correct engagement with the brake disc 6.

[0034] Specific reference Figure 5 In the example shown, the adapter support S has a main portion 8 configured as an elongated rod (in this example, with a quadrilateral cross-section) with an upper head 9 and a lower head 10 (with reference to the orientation of the support S in the assembled state). Each of the two head portions 9, 10 has a first through hole H1 for receiving a screw V1 that secures the support S to the fork arm 5L. For this purpose, in the example shown, the fork arm 5L has two protruding portions 11 with threaded blind holes 12 for receiving the screws V1.

[0035] It should be noted that the present invention is applicable to any bicycle equipped with a brake caliper mounted on a fork arm by means of an adapter support. Thus, the present invention does not require any modification of the bicycle or in particular the front fork arm, since the arrangement already provided for mounting the brake caliper is used.

[0036] Reference again Figure 4 Each end head 9 , 10 of the adapter support S has a hole H2 , in this example a threaded blind hole, for engaging a corresponding screw V2 fixing the body of the brake caliper to the adapter support S.

[0037] In the drawings, reference numeral A denotes as a whole an ABS system associated with the disc brake caliper 7 .

[0038] In this specification and in the claims that follow, the term "ABS system" refers to a hydraulic control device that is operatively interposed between a master cylinder associated with a bicycle lever for actuating the brakes and an actuating cylinder of the brake caliper 7 so as to control and reduce the fluid pressure supplied to the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper 7 when a tendency of the front wheel to lock is detected during braking.

[0039] The idea behind the present invention is to use an adapter support S already provided in the bicycle to support the body of the brake caliper 7 and also the body of the actuator A.

[0040] refer to Figure 6 In the exemplary embodiment shown here, each end portion 9, 10 of the adapter support S has a third hole H3 (a through hole in this example) for engaging a corresponding screw V3 for fixing the body of the ABS system A to the adapter support S. Referring again to Figure 6 In the example shown, in each end portion 9, 10 of the support S, the axis 30 of the third hole H3 is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the first hole H1 relative to the axis of the second hole H2 and is spaced apart from the axis of the first hole.

[0041] With reference also to the example specifically shown, the body of the actuator A has an elongated cylindrical shape. Therefore, in order to allow connection by means of screws V3, an auxiliary adapter S1 is associated with the body of the actuator A. In this example, the auxiliary adapter has a cylindrical half-shell configuration that partially surrounds the body of the actuator A and is provided with two upper side ears 16 and a lower side ear 13, which are fixed to the two sides of the actuator body A and to the bottom surface of the actuator A, respectively, by means of screws 14.

[0042] refer to Figure 6, the auxiliary adapter S1 has, at least on one side, two protruding portions 17 provided with threaded blind holes for receiving corresponding screws V3 , thereby rigidly connecting the actuator A to the adapter support S.

[0043] As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention utilizes components already present on a bicycle (i.e., an adapter support S designed to support a disc brake caliper) to install an ABS system A. Therefore, only the adapter support S needs to be reconfigured to provide an adapter support for mounting actuator A. This does not require modification of the bicycle, particularly the front fork arm of the bicycle, nor does it require a new design of the device depending on the type of bicycle on which it is to be installed.

[0044] from Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG, the ABS actuator A is supported in a position strictly adjacent to the disc brake caliper, which makes the outlet of the actuator A (at Figure 2 Indicated by Z1 in the figure) and the inlet of the brake caliper 7 (in Figure 2 It is very simple to prepare the hydraulic connection pipe between the inlet and the actuator cylinder of the caliper. Figure 5 In the example shown, lower head 10 of adapter support S is provided with an additional through-hole 15 for mounting a sensor, which is designed to cooperate with disc 6 of a disc brake to detect the rotational speed of the bicycle wheel. In this application example, the electronic controller of the ABS actuator uses the signal from this sensor to activate the ABS function when a tendency toward locking of the front wheel or lifting of the rear wheel is detected during braking.

[0045] In general, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of configuration and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of example.

[0046] In particular, it should be clear that the specific configuration of the adapter support S that has been shown herein is provided purely as an example. The configuration of the adapter support S may vary widely depending on the characteristics of the specific application, in particular the characteristics of the fork and brake disc.

[0047] Furthermore, although the embodiment shown herein uses screws to connect the body of the ABS system A to the adapter support S, it will be appreciated that any other known connection technique may be used.

Claims

1. A support device configured to support, on a fork arm (5L) of a bicycle (1), a caliper (7) of a disc brake associated with a bicycle wheel and an ABS system (A) in the form of a hydraulic control device, said ABS system being intended to be operatively interposed between a master cylinder associated with a bicycle lever for actuating the brakes and an actuating cylinder of the brake caliper (7) in order to control and reduce the fluid pressure supplied to the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper (7) when a tendency towards wheel locking is detected during braking and / or when the bicycle begins to overturn, in, The supporting device comprises: - at least one first connecting portion (H1) for connecting to a bicycle fork arm (5L), - at least one second connection portion (H2) for connection to the body of the disc brake caliper (7), and - at least one third connection portion (H3) for connection to said ABS system (A), The support device is characterized in that the at least one first connection portion (H1), the at least one second connection portion (H2) and the at least one third connection portion (H3) are all part of a single adapter support (S), which is detachably connectable to a fork arm (5L) and is configured to detachably support a caliper body (7) and an ABS system (A) of a disc brake, The support device further comprises an auxiliary adapter (S1) configured to be mounted on the body of the ABS system (A) and for connection to the adapter support (S), thereby serving as a connection element between the adapter support (S) and the body of the ABS system (A), The auxiliary adapter (S1) is in the form of a shell, is configured to at least partially surround the body of the ABS system (A), and is provided with a first connection portion (16, 13) configured for connection to the body of the ABS system (A), and a second connection portion (17) configured for connection to the adapter support (S).

2. The support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: - said single adapter support having said at least one first connection portion having at least one hole (H1) for engaging a screw (V1) for attaching the adapter support (S) to a fork arm (5L) of a bicycle, - the single adapter support has the at least one second connection portion having at least one hole (H2) for engaging a screw (V2) to attach the body of the disc brake caliper (7) to the adapter support (S), and - the single adapter support has the at least one third connection portion having at least one hole (H3) for engaging a screw (V3) to attach the body of the ABS system (A) to the adapter support (S).

3. The supporting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The adapter support (S) is in the form of an elongated rod having an upper end head (9) and a lower end head (10) with reference to the mounted state on the fork arm (5L), and Each of the two end sections (9, 10) has: a first hole (H1) for engaging a screw (V1) to attach the adapter support (S) to the fork arm (5L) of the bicycle (1); a second hole (H2) for engaging a screw (V2) to attach the body of the disc brake caliper (7) to the adapter support (S); and a third hole (H3) for engaging a screw (V3) to attach the body of the ABS system (A) to the adapter support (S).

4. The supporting device according to claim 3, characterized in that The axis (30) of the third hole (H3) is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the first hole (H1).

5. A bicycle (1) comprising a support device according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. A method for mounting an ABS system (A) in the form of a disc brake caliper (7) and a hydraulic control device on a fork arm (5L) of a bicycle, The method is characterized in that the body of the ABS system (A) and the body of the disc brake caliper (7) are mounted on a fork arm by means of a supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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