A vehicle with a handlebar, featuring a hydraulic braking system and an electronically controlled ABS hydraulic unit mounted in the steering tube.

Abstract

A vehicle with handlebars, particularly an electric bicycle, includes a hydraulic braking system and an electronically controlled hydraulic ABS device (14). The body (140) of the ABS device (14) is housed within a steering tube (6), which forms part of the vehicle's front fork (9) and is rotatably mounted within a head tube (3) that forms part of the vehicle's frame (2). The front fork (9) includes a bridge (8) connected to the lower end of the steering tube (6), and the bridge (8) has a central through-hole (80) coaxial with the steering tube (6), through which the body (140) of the ABS device (14) can be inserted into the steering tube (6).

Description

Invention Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to vehicles with handlebars, such as bicycles or motorcycles.

[0002] This invention relates to a vehicle with handlebars, which includes a frame with a head tube, and a steering tube that forms part of the vehicle's front fork is rotatably mounted within the head tube.

[0003] The vehicle also includes a hydraulic braking system, which comprises:

[0004] - The master cylinder, which is associated with the brake lever.

[0005] - The actuation cylinder of the brake device,

[0006] - Hydraulic lines that connect the master cylinder to the actuator cylinder, and

[0007] - An electronically controlled ABS hydraulic unit, which is inserted in the hydraulic line between the master cylinder and the actuator cylinder, is configured to reduce the working pressure in the actuator cylinder during braking when the electronic controller of the ABS unit receives a signal from a sensor indicating that the ABS function needs to be activated. Existing technology

[0008] Electronically controlled ABS hydraulic systems (particularly for electric bicycles) have been known and used for some time. See, for example, DE19508915A1, DE10158382A1, EP2943395B1, WO2017 / 115171A2, WO2019 / 159029A1, EP3753835B1, EP3789256B1, EP2985198B1, US4275934A, and US2020 / 324752A1. The applicant itself has developed several solutions in this field (see, for example, EP4132841B1 and EP4132821B1).

[0009] A vehicle having the features shown in the preamble of the appended claim 1 is known from document DE 10 2019118949 A1, to which the applicant is currently a co-owner. In that document, a solution is proposed in which the main body of the ABS unit is housed within an element of the vehicle frame. In this way, in addition to achieving the advantage of “minimizing the impact of the ABS unit on the vehicle's appearance,” the ABS unit can be installed in an optimal position to facilitate easy installation of the master cylinder associated with the hydraulic connection lines to the brake lever and the actuation cylinders of the braking devices (typically disc brakes) associated with the vehicle's wheels (typically the front wheels).

[0010] However, there is a need for further improvement in this area.

[0011] A vehicle having all the features described in the preamble of claim 1 is known from document DE102020210035A1. In this known solution, the main body of the ABS unit is housed in the annular space between the head tube of the frame and the steering tube rotatably mounted within the head tube, which makes the installation and maintenance of the ABS unit complex and inconvenient. Other solutions including housing the ABS unit within the frame components or fork arms of the bicycle are known from documents WO 2021 / 205334 A1, DE 102021209730 A1, and CN 210707775 U.

[0012] Scope of Invention

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a new solution for installing an electronically controlled hydraulic ABS device in a vehicle equipped with a hydraulic braking system and a handle, which retains the advantages of the solution constituting the subject matter of DE 102019118949 A1, but allows for further improvements, particularly from the perspective of ease of installation. Summary of the Invention

[0014] To achieve this purpose, the present invention relates to a vehicle with handles having all the features described in claim 1.

[0015] Thanks to these features, the installation and maintenance of ABS devices are both simple and quick.

[0016] Furthermore, thanks to these same features, the ABS system has no impact on the vehicle's aesthetics, as it is completely hidden inside the steering tube, which forms part of the vehicle's front fork.

[0017] In the specific case where the ABS unit controls the braking system associated with the front wheels of a vehicle, the arrangement proposed in this paper allows the ABS unit to be positioned relatively close to both the brake lever and the braking system associated with the front wheels (typically a disc brake caliper). On the one hand, this simplifies the installation of hydraulic lines between the ABS unit and the master cylinder associated with the brake lever; on the other hand, it simplifies the installation of hydraulic lines between the ABS unit and the brake caliper actuation cylinder. A better compromise is also achieved in reducing the length of the hydraulic lines upstream and downstream of the ABS unit, making the hydraulic lines easier to route within the vehicle frame, thus reducing costs, and improving the reliability of the brake bleed phase.

[0018] The vehicle's front fork has a bridging section that connects to the lower end of the steering tube and has a central hole coaxial with the steering tube. The main body of the ABS unit can be inserted into the steering tube through this central hole. From the lower end of the ABS unit's main body, through the aforementioned central hole in the bridging section of the front fork, extends a pipe for the hydraulic connection between the ABS unit and the brake actuator cylinder. A pipe connecting the ABS unit to the master cylinder associated with the brake lever extends from the main body of the ABS unit, for example, through a side hole in the steering tube or from the top of the steering tube.

[0019] In one example, the body of the ABS unit is mounted in the steering tube via an interference fit, and a closure element is also present attached to the center bore through which the body of the ABS unit is mounted in the steering tube. Alternatively, the body of the ABS unit can be held in the steering tube by any known type of retaining element. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example only, wherein:

[0021] - Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front of a frame with handlebars and a fork, according to an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle based on the present invention.

[0022] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Front view of a partial cross-section of the unit.

[0023] - Figure 3 This is a perspective view of an example of an electronically controlled hydraulic ABS device used in a vehicle according to the invention, with associated hydraulic connecting pipes and disc brake calipers connected thereto.

[0024] - Figure 4 This is a partial sectional front view of the upper part of the front fork. The upper part of the front fork has a steering tube, and the ABS unit is located inside the steering tube.

[0025] - Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A 3D view showing details (viewed from below).

[0026] - Figure 6-9 It is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating the continuous stages of the ABS device installation process, and

[0027] - Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic braking system used in a vehicle according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 generally indicates an example of a vehicle (specifically an electric bicycle) according to the invention. Figure 1 The portion of its frame with handlebars and forks is shown.

[0029] According to conventional technology, a bicycle 1 has a frame 2, which includes a head tube 3. In the example shown herein, the head tube 3 is rigidly connected to the ends of a slant tube 4 and a top tube 5, which are part of the frame 2. A steering tube 6 is rotatably mounted within the head tube 3 about a steering axis X in any known manner. Figure 4 (The middle part is the clearest view). The upper end of the steering tube 6 is rigidly connected to the handle 7 in any known way.

[0030] The lower end of the steering tube 6 is rigidly connected to the bridge portion 8, which is part of the fork 9. According to conventional technology, the fork 9 has an arm 9A, the lower end of which is configured to rotatably support the bicycle's front wheel. One of the two arms 9A of the fork 9 is also associated with a caliper C of any known type of disc brake.

[0031] The vehicle according to the invention is equipped with any known type of hydraulic braking system. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only. Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a hydraulic braking system with an electronically controlled ABS hydraulic unit is shown.

[0032] exist Figure 10 In the accompanying drawing, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a braking system, which includes a brake lever ( Figure 10 (Not shown in the image) Associated master cylinder 11 and braking device—usually a disc brake caliper, ( Figure 10 (Not shown) An associated actuating cylinder 12 and a hydraulic line 13 connecting the master cylinder 11 and the actuating cylinder 12. An electronically controlled ABS device 14 is operably inserted into the connecting hydraulic line 13. In the example shown, the ABS device 14 includes a valve unit 15 having an inlet 16 and an outlet 17. The inlet 16 is hydraulically connected to the master cylinder 11 via an upstream section 13A of the connecting line 13, and the outlet 17 is hydraulically connected to the actuating cylinder 12 via a downstream section 13B of the connecting line 13. According to conventional technology, the valve unit 15 is controlled by an electrically driven actuator 18 of any known type (e.g., an electric motor or solenoid coil). Under normal operating conditions, the valve unit 15 is in Figure 10The diagram shows a state in which inlet 16 and outlet 17 are connected to each other. Therefore, in that state, the braking system can operate normally by acting on the brake lever, allowing pressurized fluid to be transferred from the master cylinder 11 to the actuating cylinder 12 of the brake caliper. The ABS system includes an electronic control unit E configured to receive signals S from sensors equipped on the vehicle, which are configured to indicate when the ABS function is needed to prevent initial lock-up of the front wheels during braking. According to conventional technology, these sensors may include, for example, front wheel speed sensors, or sensors capable of detecting the rear wheel lift-off tendency of the vehicle, or sensors of the operating pressure in the actuating cylinder 12 of the brake caliper. When ABS intervention is detected, the electronic control unit E activates actuator 18 to move valve unit 15 to a second operating state. In this state, communication between inlet 16 and outlet 17 is interrupted, and downstream line 13B, which communicates with brake caliper actuator cylinder 12, enters communication with accumulator chamber 19 of fluid accumulator 20. Accumulator 20 has a movable member 21, which moves (simply due to the arrival of pressurized fluid from line 13B, or also due to an additional actuator associated with movable member 21) to increase the volume of accumulator chamber 19, thereby causing a decrease in the operating pressure in brake caliper actuator cylinder 12. The decrease in operating pressure in brake caliper actuator cylinder reduces or cancels braking action, thus preventing wheel lock-up. When ABS is no longer needed, valve unit 15 returns to normal operating state, in which inlet 16 and outlet 17 are in communication with each other. Valve unit 15 also includes a one-way safety valve that, in the event of ABS intervention, discharges pressurized fluid into upstream line 13A if the pressure on the brake caliper side tends to become greater than the pressure on the master cylinder 11 side associated with the brake lever.

[0033] certainly, Figure 10 The description of the hydraulic braking system 10 shown herein is given only as an example. Return Figure 1-9 The ABS device (represented as 14 as a whole) provided in the vehicle according to the invention has a generally cylindrical body 140 housed within the cavity of the steering tube 6. In one example, the body 140 of the ABS device 14 is mounted within the steering tube 6 by an interference fit. As shown in the figures, the body 140 of the ABS device 14 can be mounted into the steering tube 6 by insertion through the central through-hole 80 of the bridge portion 8 of the fork 9. A conduit T1 extends from the lower end of the body 140 (referencing the mounting position) for hydraulic connection between the ABS device 14 and the actuation cylinder 12 of the brake caliper C.

[0034] In the example shown, the central through-hole 80 of the bridging portion 8 is closed by a cover member 15, which has a cylindrical wall fitted between the wall of the central through-hole 80 and the outer surface of the body 140 of the ABS device 14. The front wall of the cover member 15 has a central through-hole for the tube T1.

[0035] Pipe T2 extends from the upper end of the body 140 of the ABS unit 14 and is used to hydraulically connect the ABS unit to the master cylinder, which is associated with the brake lever L that controls the front wheel brakes. Pipe T2 passes through a hole 6A in the head tube wall 6 (see...). Figure 4 ) leaves the steering tube 6 and passes through the space between the narrow section of the steering tube 6 and the head tube wall 3. Figure 2 ), and then connect it to the handle L.

[0036] In an example of the assembly process, when the steering tube is not yet installed in the head tube 3, the body 140 of the ABS unit 14 is inserted into the steering tube 6 through the center hole 80 of the bridge portion 8 of the fork 9. In this state ( Figure 4 , Figure 5 The end cap 15 is applied by passing tube T1 through the end cap 15 and connecting tube T1 to the brake caliper carried by the fork 9. Also at this stage, tube T2 is led out from the steering tube 6 through hole 6A. Tube T2 can then be connected to the master cylinder associated with the brake lever L, after which the steering tube 6 can be assembled into the head tube 3. Figure 7 The attached drawings do not show the unit disposed within the head tube 3 to rotatably support the steering tube 6, because this component can be made in any known manner and is not itself part of the present invention. Figure 8 The next stage of the assembly process is shown, in which the upper end of the steering tube 6 is fixed to the central support 16 of the handle 7. Figure 9 The assembly stage of handle 7 is shown.

[0037] Of course, all the assembly operations described above are given as examples only in this article.

[0038] It is equally obvious that the configuration of the ABS unit body 140 may also be completely different from that described herein as an example. The technology for holding the body 140 within the steering tube 6 can be any technology. For example, it is conceivable that the ABS unit body 140 is held in place by any known type of retaining element (e.g., a nut threaded into the threaded portion of the center hole 80 of the bridge portion 8 of the fork 9).

[0039] As can be clearly seen from the above description, the solution presented in this paper belongs to the more general concept proposed in DE 102019118949 A1, because it still involves housing the ABS unit within the components of the vehicle frame (the steering tube 6 itself is arranged within the head tube 3), but it proposes a specific solution (installing the ABS unit within the steering tube), which produces additional important advantages.

[0040] Of course, while adhering to the principles of the present invention, structural details and forms of implementation may vary widely relative to the content described and illustrated purely by way of example, as long as they do not depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle with handlebars, such as an electric bicycle, comprising a frame (2) including a head tube (3), wherein a steering tube (6) forming part of a fork assembly (9) of the vehicle is rotatably mounted within the head tube (3). in, The vehicle also includes a hydraulic braking system (10), which includes: - Master cylinder (11), which is associated with brake lever (L), - Actuator cylinder (12) of brake device (C). - A hydraulic line (13) connecting the master cylinder (11) to the actuating cylinder (12), and - An electronically controlled ABS hydraulic unit (14), which is inserted in a hydraulic line (13) between the master cylinder (11) and the actuator cylinder (12), and is configured to: during braking, when the electronic controller (E) of the ABS unit (14) receives a signal (S) from a sensor indicating that the ABS function needs to be activated, reduce the working pressure in the actuator cylinder (12). - The ABS device has a main body (140) which is housed within the vehicle frame component (3). - The frame component that houses the main body (140) of the ABS device (14) is the head tube (3), and the steering tube (6) is rotatably mounted in the head tube (3). - The vehicle is characterized in that the body (140) of the ABS device (14) is housed within the steering tube (6), and The fork (9) includes a bridging portion (8) connected to the lower end of the steering tube (6), and the bridging portion (8) has a central through hole (80) coaxial with the steering tube (6). Through the central through hole (80), the body (140) of the ABS device (14) can be inserted into the steering tube (6).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipe (T1) defining the section (13B) of the hydraulic line (13) that connects the ABS device (14) to the actuation cylinder (12) of the brake device (C) extends from the lower end of the body (140) of the ABS device (14).

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipe (T2) defining the section (13A) of the hydraulic line (13) that connects the ABS device (14) to the master cylinder (11) associated with the brake lever (L) extends from the body (140) of the ABS device (14), through the side hole (6A) of the steering pipe (6), or from the upper end of the steering pipe (6).

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body (140) of the ABS device (14) is installed in the steering tube (6) by interference fit.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The main body (140) of the ABS device (14) is held in the steering tube (6) by a retaining element (15).

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining element (15) is in the form of a cap-shaped closure element and is installed in the center through hole (80) of the bridging portion (8) of the fork (9).

7. An electronically controlled ABS hydraulic device, characterized in that, The electronically controlled ABS hydraulic system is configured to be installed in a vehicle according to any of the preceding claims.

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