Rim brake and brake shoe of rim brake

Abstract

To provide a rim brake and a brake shoe of a rim brake which are more simplified in an assembling work than the conventional one.SOLUTION: A rim brake 1 used for braking a rear wheel 5 of a vehicle 2 includes a brake shoe 15 fixed to a second caliper 12 and capable of friction braking in braking the vehicle 2, an electric generator 22 provided in the brake shoe 15 and capable of regeneratively braking in braking the vehicle 2, and a brake light 21 to which regenerative electric power generated by the electric generator 22 is supplied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rim brake and a brake shoe for a rim brake that can be used, for example, to brake the rear wheel of a vehicle such as a bicycle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the bicycle brake display system disclosed in Patent Document 1, brake pads are attached to an arm, and a generator is attached to the arm. When the bicycle brakes are applied, the generator generates regenerative power to light up the brake lights. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3069419 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, for example, it is necessary to assemble the brake pad and the generator separately to the arm, which may make the assembly work complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a rim brake and a brake shoe for a rim brake that can be assembled more simply than conventional brakes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rim brake that can be used to brake the rear wheels of a vehicle, comprising: a brake shoe that is fixed to a caliper and is capable of frictional braking when braking the vehicle; a generator that is provided on the brake shoe and is capable of regenerative braking when braking the vehicle; and a brake light that is supplied with regenerative power generated by the generator. According to the present invention configured in this way, since the generator is provided on the brake shoe, it is not necessary to assemble the brake shoe and generator separately to the caliper, for example, and therefore it is possible to provide a rim brake that simplifies the assembly process compared to conventional methods.

[0007] In the present invention, preferably, at least a portion of the generator is housed inside the brake shoe. According to the present invention configured in this manner, at least a portion of the generator is housed inside the brake shoe, making it possible to make the brake shoe smaller than if the entire generator were arranged outside the brake shoe.

[0008] In the present invention, preferably, the brake shoe is provided with a braking portion having a braking surface that can contact the rear wheel when braking the vehicle, and the braking portion is provided with a recess that opens onto the braking surface and can accommodate the generator, and the recess is provided with a biasing member that biases a portion of the generator so that it protrudes toward the rear wheel beyond the braking surface. According to the present invention configured as described above, when the vehicle brakes, the generator contacts the rear wheel and rotates before the braking surface of the brake shoe. As the generator rotates, regenerative power is generated using the vehicle's deceleration energy. The regenerative power obtained through this regeneration is then supplied to the brake lights, which, for example, turn on before frictional braking by the braking surface of the brake shoe begins. This allows those around the vehicle to be notified early that the vehicle is braking.

[0009] In the present invention, the biasing member is preferably configured to be elastically deformable. According to the present invention configured as described above, when the brake shoes move toward the rear wheels during vehicle braking, the generator abutting against the rear wheels moves toward the inside of the recessed portion while elastically deforming the biasing member. This causes the generator and the braking surfaces of the brake shoes to abut against the rear wheels. This allows for regenerative braking by the generator and frictional braking by the braking surfaces of the brake shoes, enabling more reliable braking of the vehicle.

[0010] In the present invention, preferably, the brake shoe has a support portion for fixing the braking portion to the caliper, one end of the support portion is fixed to the back side opposite the braking surface of the braking portion, and the brake light is provided on the support portion. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the brake lights are provided on the support pillar, so it is possible to avoid situations where, for example, the rear wheel tire gets in the way and the lit status of the brake lights cannot be properly seen from behind the vehicle.

[0011] In the present invention, preferably, the brake light is provided at the other end of the support pillar, and the support pillar is fixed to the caliper at a position on the braking portion side of the brake light. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the support portion is fixed to the caliper at a position on the braking portion side of the brake light, so it is possible to avoid a situation where, for example, the caliper gets in the way and the lit state of the brake light cannot be properly seen from the rear of the vehicle.

[0012] In the present invention, preferably, the braking portion extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the support portion, one end of the support portion is fixed to the central part of the braking portion in the intersecting direction, the generator and the brake light are connected by an electric wire, and the support portion and the generator overlap in the extension direction of the support portion. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the support portion and the generator overlap in the extension direction of the support portion, so that the electric wire connecting the brake light provided on the support portion to the generator can be shortened.

[0013] In the present invention, preferably, the braking portion comprises a pad portion having the braking surface and a holder portion for detachably supporting the pad portion, and the pad portion is replaceable. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the pad portion is replaced while the holder portion and the like continue to be used, thereby reducing the cost of replacing the brake shoes.

[0014] In the present invention, the brake lights are preferably configured to change their flashing intervals in accordance with the deceleration of the vehicle when braking. According to the present invention configured as described above, the brake lights are flashed in accordance with the deceleration of the vehicle, thereby making it possible to notify those around the vehicle of the deceleration of the vehicle.

[0015] In the present invention, preferably, the brake shoes comprise a pair of left and right first and second brake shoes, the first and second brake shoes each comprising the generator and the brake light, the brake light of the first brake shoe being turned on when the vehicle is braking, and the brake light of the second brake shoe being configured to change its flashing interval according to the deceleration of the vehicle when the vehicle is braking. According to the present invention configured as described above, the brake light of the first brake shoe is turned on, thereby making it possible to notify those around the vehicle that the vehicle is braking. Also, the brake light of the second brake shoe flashes in accordance with the deceleration of the vehicle, making it possible to notify those around the vehicle of the deceleration of the vehicle.

[0016] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a brake shoe for a rim brake that can be used to brake the rear wheels of a vehicle, comprising: a generator that is provided on the brake shoe and is capable of regenerative braking when the vehicle is braking; and a brake light that is provided on the brake shoe and is supplied with regenerative power generated by the generator, wherein the brake shoe can be fixed to a caliper and is capable of friction braking when the vehicle is braking. According to the present invention configured as described above, since the generator is provided in the brake shoe, it is not necessary to assemble the brake shoe and generator separately to the caliper, for example. Therefore, it is possible to provide a brake shoe that simplifies the assembly work of the rim brake compared to conventional brakes. Furthermore, since the generator and brake light are provided in the brake shoe, it is possible to notify the surroundings of the vehicle of the braking state, for example, simply by assembling the brake shoe to the caliper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] It is possible to provide a rim brake and a brake shoe for the rim brake in which the assembly work is simplified compared to conventional methods. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing the overall configuration of a vehicle equipped with a rim brake according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a rim brake according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state of the brake shoe when the vehicle is not braking. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state of the brake shoe at the beginning of braking of the vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state of the brake shoe at a later stage of braking of the vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature.

[0020] 1 shows a vehicle 2 equipped with a rim brake 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vehicle 2 is a bicycle.

[0021] The vehicle 2 also includes a frame 3. Front wheels 4 are provided at the front of the frame 3, and rear wheels 5 are provided at the rear of the frame 3. The front wheels 4 and rear wheels 5 are attached to the frame 3 so as to be freely rotatable.

[0022] A pair of left and right pedals 6 are attached to the middle of the frame 3. The pedals 6 are connected to the rear wheels 5 via a chain 7. When the driver of the vehicle 2 pedals the pedals 6 with his or her feet, the rear wheels 5 are driven to rotate, and the vehicle 2 moves forward.

[0023] In this embodiment, "U" in the drawings indicates the upper side of the vehicle, "D" indicates the lower side of the vehicle, "F" indicates the front side of the vehicle, "B" indicates the rear side of the vehicle, "L" indicates the left side of the vehicle, and "R" indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0024] In addition, a handlebar 8 extending to the left and right is provided at the front of the frame 3. The handlebar 8 is designed to be gripped by the driver, and the driver can change the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 by operating the handlebar 8.

[0025] A pair of left and right brake levers 9 are provided on the handlebars 8 (only the right brake lever 9 is shown in FIG. 1). The right brake lever 9 is connected to a front brake 10 (e.g., a rim brake) via a first brake wire 9a. When the driver grips the right brake lever 9 while the vehicle 2 is moving forward, the front wheels 4 are braked by friction with the front brake 10.

[0026] The left brake lever 9 is connected to the rim brake 1 via a second brake wire 9b. When the driver grips the left brake lever 9 while the vehicle 2 is moving forward, the rear wheel 5 is braked by the rim brake 1.

[0027] Next, the rim brake 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2. In this embodiment, the rim brake 1 is a cantilever brake.

[0028] The rim brake 1 includes a pair of left and right calipers, a first caliper 11 and a second caliper 12, each of which is substantially arch-shaped.

[0029] A brake shoe 15 is detachably attached to each of the first caliper 11 and the second caliper 12. In other words, one brake shoe 15 is detachably fixed to the first caliper 11, and the other brake shoe 15 is detachably fixed to the second caliper 12.

[0030] Furthermore, the first base end portion 11a of the first caliper 11 and the second base end portion 12a of the second caliper 12 are each rotatably supported by the frame 3 via a cylindrical support member 13a. In this embodiment, one end portion of each support member 13a is attached to a base (not shown) of the frame 3. Then, in a state in which the support member 13a is inserted into a hole provided in each of the first base end portion 11a of the first caliper 11 and the second base end portion 12a of the second caliper 12, a first fixing member 13b is attached to the other end portion (the end portion opposite the frame 3) of each support member 13a, so that the first caliper 11 and the second caliper 12 are rotatably supported with respect to the frame 3.

[0031] The lower ends of the arch wire 14a are fixed to the first tip end 11b of the first caliper 11 and the tip end 12b of the second caliper 12. The upper ends of the arch wire 14a are fixed to zirconia 14b, which are fixed to the second brake wire 9b.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first caliper 11 and the second caliper 12 are each provided with a return spring (not shown). The springs urge the brake shoes 15 of the first caliper 11 and the second caliper 12 in a direction away from the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5 (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, when braking the vehicle 2 (when the driver squeezes the left brake lever 9), the brake shoes 15 of the first caliper 11 and the brake shoes 15 of the second caliper 12 clamp the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5, thereby braking the rear wheel 5.

[0033] Each brake shoe 15 is provided with a braking portion 16 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a substantially columnar support portion 17. The braking portion 16 is provided with a pad 18 and a holder 19 that detachably supports the pad 18.

[0034] Each pad 18 is made of, for example, rubber and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A braking surface 18a that can come into contact with the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5 when braking the vehicle 2 is provided on the surface (front surface) of each pad 18 that faces the side surface of the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5.

[0035] Each holder 19 is configured to detachably support the pad 18 from the back side (the surface opposite to the braking surface 18a) of the pad 18. In this embodiment, the pad 18 is configured to be replaceable by removing a used pad 18 from the holder 19 and then attaching an unused pad 18 to the holder 19. The pad 18 is fixed to the holder 19 using a fixing member (e.g., a bolt) not shown.

[0036] Furthermore, one end of a support pillar 17 (the end on the braking unit 16 side) is fixed to the back side of each holder 19 (the surface opposite to the braking surface 18a). The support pillar 17 extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the braking unit 16. In this embodiment, the support pillar 17 extends in approximately the left-right direction of the vehicle 2.

[0037] A fixed portion 17a is provided at the middle of each support portion 17. The fixed portion 17a of one support portion 17 is inserted into a first fixing hole 11c provided in the middle of the first caliper 11, and the fixed portion 17a of the other support portion 17 is inserted into a second fixing hole 12c provided in the middle of the second caliper 12.

[0038] The other end of each support portion 17 (the end opposite the braking portion 16) is provided with a second fixing device 20. In this embodiment, one brake shoe 15 is fixed to the first caliper 11 by one second fixing device 20, and the other brake shoe 15 is fixed to the second caliper 12 by the other second fixing device 20.

[0039] Each second fixture 20 is provided with a brake light 21. The brake light 21 is, for example, an LED (light-emitting diode) that emits red light. More specifically, the brake light 21 is a stoplight that notifies following vehicles (those around the vehicle 2) that the vehicle 2 is decelerating (braking) regardless of day or night.

[0040] Next, the detailed structure of the brake shoe 15 will be described using Figure 3. Figure 3 illustrates a state when the vehicle 2 is not braking (when the driver is not gripping the brake lever 9). Note that the brake shoe 15 of the first caliper 11 and the brake shoe 15 of the second caliper 12 have a symmetrical structure, so the brake shoe 15 of the second caliper 12 will be used as an example for the description.

[0041] A storage portion 18b is provided in the center portion in the extension direction of the pad 18 of the brake shoe 15. The storage portion 18b is recessed from the braking surface 18a toward the support portion 17. In other words, the storage portion 18b is a recess that opens to the braking surface 18a.

[0042] The brake shoe 15 is also provided with a generator 22 capable of regenerating electricity by utilizing the rotational energy of the rear wheel 5. The generator 22 is, for example, a rim dynamo, and includes a main body that houses a cylindrical coil, a magnet disposed inside the coil, and a rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the magnet, and a rotating part that is disposed outside the main body and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft. When the rotating part is rotated by the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5 during braking of the vehicle 2, the magnet connected to the rotating part via the rotating shaft rotates inside the coil, thereby generating regenerative electricity.

[0043] The generator 22 is also connected to the brake light 21 via an electric wire (not shown). This allows the regenerative power generated by the generator 22 to be supplied to the brake light 21. In this embodiment, the generator 22 housed in the housing portion 18b and the support portion 17 overlap in the extension direction of the support portion 17. This allows the electric wire connecting the generator 22 and the brake light 21 to be shorter than when the generator 22 and the support portion 17 do not overlap in the extension direction of the support portion 17.

[0044] An elastically deformable coil spring 23 is disposed in the housing portion 18b at a position on the support portion 17 side of the generator 22. The coil spring 23 biases a portion of the generator 22 so as to protrude toward the rim 5a (rear wheel 5) beyond the braking surface 18a. In other words, when the vehicle 2 is not braking as shown in FIG. 3, a portion of the generator 22 is located outside the housing portion 18b, and the remaining portion of the generator 22 is located inside the housing portion 18b. In this embodiment, the coil spring 23 biases the main body of the generator 22 so as not to impede the rotation of the rotating portion of the generator 22. Furthermore, one end of the coil spring 23 is fixed to the bottom of the housing portion 18b, and the other end of the coil spring 23 is fixed to the main body of the generator 22, thereby making it possible to prevent the generator 22 from falling off the brake shoe 15.

[0045] Next, the operation of the rim brake 1 when braking the vehicle 2 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the state of the rim brake 1 at the beginning of braking the vehicle 2. Figure 5 shows the state of the rim brake 1 at the later stage of braking the vehicle 2.

[0046] At the initial stage of braking of the vehicle 2, in response to operation of the brake lever 9 by the driver, the first caliper 11 and the second caliper 12 move to clamp the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4 , the brake shoe 15 moves toward the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5. Here, at the initial stage of braking of the vehicle 2, the amount of movement of the brake shoe 15 toward the rim 5a is relatively small, so the biasing force of the coil spring 23 presses the generator 22, which protrudes toward the rim 5a beyond the braking surface 18a, against the rim 5a. Meanwhile, the braking surface 18a of the pad 18 is not pressed against the rim 5a. In other words, at the initial stage of braking of the vehicle 2, only regenerative braking by the generator 22 is performed, and friction braking by the pad 18 is not performed. As a result, regenerative power generated by the generator 22 at the initial stage of braking of the vehicle 2 is supplied to the brake lights 21, causing the brake lights 21 to light up.

[0047] In the later stage of braking of the vehicle 2, when the driver further increases the amount of operation of the brake lever 9 from the state shown in FIG. 4 (the initial stage of braking of the vehicle 2), the brake shoe 15 moves closer to the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5 than in the state shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the generator 22, which is in contact with the rim 5a, moves within the housing portion 18b toward the support portion 17 while elastically deforming the coil spring 23, and the entire generator 22 is housed within the housing portion 18b. In other words, in the later stage of braking of the vehicle 2 shown in FIG. 5, the braking surface 18a of the pad 18 and the generator 22 are pressed against the rim 5a. This results in frictional braking by the braking surface 18a of the pad 18 and regenerative braking by the generator 22. Note that, in the later stage of braking of the vehicle 2, as in the initial stage of braking of the vehicle 2, electric power regenerated by the generator 22 is supplied to the brake lights 21, causing the brake lights 21 to light up.

[0048] In this embodiment, the greater the deceleration when braking the vehicle 2, the higher the illuminance of the brake lights 21. In other words, the greater the regenerative power supplied to the brake lights 21 when braking the vehicle 2, the higher the illuminance of the brake lights 21. As a result, for example, when the vehicle 2 brakes suddenly, the illuminance of the brake lights 21 becomes higher, making it possible to appropriately notify vehicles following the vehicle 2 that the vehicle 2 is in a state of sudden braking.

[0049] When the driver then performs an operation to decrease the amount of operation of the brake lever 9, the brake shoe 15 moves in a direction away from the rim 5a of the rear wheel 5. As a result, the braking surface 18a of the pad 18 is no longer pressed against the rim 5a, and the generator 22 is pressed against the rim 5a (the same state as the state shown in FIG. 4). Thereafter, when the driver further performs an operation to decrease the amount of operation of the brake lever 9, the brake shoe 15 moves further in a direction away from the rim 5a, and the braking surface 18a of the pad 18 and the generator 22 are no longer pressed against the rim 5a (the state shown in FIG. 2).

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, since the generator 22 is provided on the brake shoe 15, it is not necessary to assemble the brake shoe 15 and the generator 22 separately to the first caliper 11 and the second caliper 12, for example. Therefore, it is possible to provide a rim brake 1 in which the assembly work is simplified compared to conventional methods.

[0051] Furthermore, since at least a portion of the generator 22 is housed inside the brake shoe 15, it is possible to make the brake shoe 15 smaller than when the entire generator 22 is disposed outside the brake shoe 15.

[0052] Furthermore, when braking the vehicle 2, the generator 22 comes into contact with the rear wheel 5 and rotates before the braking surface 18a of the brake shoe 15. When the generator 22 rotates, regenerative power is generated using the deceleration energy of the vehicle 2. The regenerative power obtained by the regenerative power generation is then supplied to the brake light 21, so that, for example, the brake light 21 is illuminated before friction braking by the braking surface 18a of the brake shoe 15 begins. Therefore, it is possible to notify those around the vehicle 2 that the vehicle 2 is in a braking state at an early stage.

[0053] Furthermore, when the brake shoe 15 moves toward the rear wheel 5 during braking of the vehicle 2, the generator 22 in contact with the rear wheel 5 moves toward the inside of the accommodation portion 18b while elastically deforming the coil spring 23. This causes the generator 22 and the braking surface 18a of the brake shoe 15 to come into contact with the rear wheel 5. Therefore, regenerative braking by the generator 22 and friction braking by the braking surface 18a of the brake shoe 15 are performed, making it possible to brake the vehicle 2 more reliably.

[0054] In addition, since the brake light 21 is provided on the support part 17, it is possible to avoid a situation where the tire part of the rear wheel 5 gets in the way and the lit state of the brake light 21 cannot be properly seen from behind the vehicle 2.

[0055] Furthermore, since the support portion 17 is fixed to the caliper (first caliper 11, second caliper 12) at a position on the braking portion 16 side of the brake light 21, it is possible to avoid a situation where the caliper (first caliper 11, second caliper 12) gets in the way and the lit state of the brake light 21 cannot be properly seen from the rear of the vehicle 2.

[0056] Furthermore, since the support column 17 and the generator 22 overlap in the direction in which the support column 17 extends, the electric wire connecting the brake light 21 provided on the support column 17 and the generator 22 can be shortened.

[0057] Furthermore, while the pad 18 is replaced, the holder 19 and the like can be used continuously, so the cost of replacing the brake shoe 15 can be reduced.

[0058] Furthermore, since the generator 22 is provided on the brake shoe 15, there is no need to separately assemble the brake shoe 15 and the generator 22 to, for example, the caliper (first caliper 11, second caliper 12). Therefore, it is possible to provide a brake shoe 15 that simplifies the assembly work of the rim brake 1 compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, since the generator 22 and brake light 21 are provided on the brake shoe 15, it is possible to notify the surrounding area of the vehicle of the braking state of the vehicle 2, for example, simply by assembling the brake shoe 15 to the caliper (first caliper 11, second caliper 12).

[0059] In addition, in this embodiment, the vehicle 2 does not include a battery capable of supplying power to the brake lights 21 because the regenerative power of the generator 22 is supplied to the brake lights 21. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle 2.

[0060] In this embodiment, a bicycle has been used as an example of the vehicle 2, but the present invention can also be applied to vehicles other than bicycles (e.g., kick scooters, motorized two-wheeled vehicles, tricycles, four-wheeled vehicles, etc.) as long as the rim brake 1 can be used.

[0061] In addition, in this embodiment, a cantilever brake has been used as an example of a rim brake 1 that can be used on the rear wheel 5 of the vehicle 2, but a rim brake other than a cantilever brake (for example, a V-brake or a caliper brake as shown in Figure 6) may also be used.

[0062] In addition, in the present embodiment, the holder 19 of the brake shoe 15 detachably supports the pad 18, but the pad 18 may be fixed non-detachably to the holder 19. In other words, the pad 18 may not be replaceable.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, the brake shoe 15 fixed to the first caliper 11 and the brake shoe 15 fixed to the second caliper 12 are each provided with a brake light 21 and a generator 22, but it is also possible to provide the brake light 21 and the generator 22 on only one of the brake shoes 15.

[0064] In addition, in this embodiment, the brake light 21 is provided on the second fixing device 20 of the support portion 17, but as long as the lighting state of the brake light 21 is visible from around the vehicle 2 (for example, from the rear or side of the vehicle 2), it may be provided on a part other than the second fixing device 20 of the support portion 17, or it may be provided on the braking portion 16, or it may be fixed to the braking portion 16 or the support portion 17 using a bracket or the like not shown, or it may be provided on the first caliper 11 and the second caliper 12, or it may be provided on the frame 3 of the vehicle 2.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, the brake light 21 is described as an example of an LED (light emitting diode) that emits red light, but other than LED (for example, an incandescent bulb, a halogen lamp, an HID lamp, etc.) may be used, and the light may be emitted in a color other than red.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the brake lights 21 are turned on by the regenerative power of the generator 22 when the vehicle 2 is braking, but they may also be configured to flash. In this case, the flashing interval of the brake lights 21 may be changed according to the deceleration of the vehicle 2 when braking. For example, the flashing interval of the brake lights 21 may be configured to be shorter when the deceleration of the vehicle 2 is high than when it is not, or the flashing interval of the brake lights 21 may be configured to be longer when the deceleration of the vehicle 2 is high than when it is not. In this way, the brake lights 21 flash according to the deceleration of the vehicle 2, making it possible to notify those around the vehicle 2 of the deceleration of the vehicle 2.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the brake lights 21 are turned on by the regenerative power of the generator 22 when the vehicle 2 is braking, but the brake lights 21 may be turned on and then flashed (for example, the flashing interval may be changed according to the deceleration of the vehicle 2 when braking). Furthermore, the brake lights 21 may be turned on and then flashed (for example, the flashing interval may be changed according to the deceleration of the vehicle 2 when braking) by the regenerative power of the generator 22 when the vehicle 2 is braking.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the brake light 21 provided on the brake shoe 15 (first brake shoe) of the first caliper 11 and the brake light 21 provided on the brake shoe 15 (second brake shoe) of the second caliper 12 are illuminated when the vehicle 2 is braking, but it is also possible to configure one of the brake lights 21 to be illuminated when the vehicle 2 is braking, and the blinking interval of the other brake light 21 to be changed in accordance with the deceleration of the vehicle 2. In this way, the brake light 21 of the first brake shoe is illuminated, making it possible to notify those around the vehicle 2 that the vehicle 2 is in a braking state. Furthermore, the brake light 21 of the second brake shoe is blinked in accordance with the deceleration of the vehicle 2, making it possible to notify those around the vehicle 2 of the deceleration of the vehicle 2.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the generator 22 is housed in the housing portion 18b, but it may be attached to the support portion 17, to the outer surface of the pad 18, to the holder 19, or to the brake shoe 15 using a bracket or the like.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the coil spring 23 has been used as an example of the biasing member, but means other than the coil spring 23 (for example, an elastic member such as rubber) may be used as long as it is capable of biasing the generator 22.

[0071] In addition, in this embodiment, when the vehicle 2 is not braking, the generator 22 protrudes toward the rear wheels 5 from the braking surface 18a, but the generator 22 may not protrude toward the rear wheels 5 from the braking surface 18a. [Industrial Applicability]

[0072] The present invention is suitable for rim brakes and brake shoes for rim brakes that can be used to brake the rear wheel of a vehicle such as a bicycle, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Rim brake 2 vehicles 15 Brake shoes 16 Braking part 17 Support section 18 Pad (Pad part) 19 Holder (holder part) 18a Braking surface 18b Receptacle (recess) 21 Brake lights 22 Generator 23 Coil spring (biasing member)

Claims

1. A rim brake that can be used to brake a rear wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a brake shoe fixed to the caliper and capable of friction braking when braking the vehicle; a generator provided on the brake shoe and capable of regenerative braking when braking the vehicle; and a brake light supplied with regenerated power generated by the generator.

2. 2. The rim brake of claim 1, A rim brake in which at least a portion of the generator is housed inside the brake shoe.

3. 3. The rim brake according to claim 2, the brake shoe includes a braking portion having a braking surface that can come into contact with the rear wheel when braking the vehicle, the braking portion is provided with a recess that opens to the braking surface and is capable of accommodating the generator, A rim brake, wherein the recess is provided with a biasing member that biases a portion of the generator so as to project toward the rear wheel beyond the braking surface.

4. 4. The rim brake according to claim 3, A rim brake in which the biasing member is configured to be elastically deformable.

5. 4. The rim brake according to claim 3, The brake shoe includes a support portion for fixing the braking portion to the caliper, one end of the support pillar is fixed to a back surface side of the braking portion, the back surface being located on the opposite side of the braking surface, The brake light is a rim brake provided on the support part.

6. 6. The rim brake according to claim 5, The brake light is provided at the other end of the support pillar, A rim brake in which the support portion is fixed to the caliper at a position on the braking portion side of the brake light.

7. 6. The rim brake according to claim 5, the braking portion extends in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the support portion, One end of the support pillar is fixed to a central portion of the braking portion in the intersecting direction, The generator and the brake light are connected by an electric wire, A rim brake in which the support column and the generator overlap in the extension direction of the support column.

8. A rim brake according to any one of claims 3 to 7, the braking portion includes a pad portion having the braking surface and a holder portion that detachably supports the pad portion, A rim brake in which the pad portion is replaceable.

9. 2. The rim brake of claim 1, A rim brake, wherein the brake lights are configured to change their flashing interval depending on the deceleration of the vehicle when braking.

10. 2. The rim brake of claim 1, The brake shoes include a pair of left and right brake shoes, a first brake shoe and a second brake shoe, The first brake shoe and the second brake shoe are respectively equipped with the generator and the brake light, The brake light of the first brake shoe is turned on when braking the vehicle, A rim brake in which the brake light of the second brake shoe is configured to change its flashing interval depending on the deceleration of the vehicle when braking the vehicle.

11. A brake shoe for a rim brake that can be used to brake a rear wheel of a vehicle, a generator provided on the brake shoe and capable of regenerative braking when braking the vehicle; a brake light provided on the brake shoe and supplied with the regenerative power generated by the generator, The brake shoe is a rim brake shoe that can be fixed to a caliper and is capable of friction braking when braking the vehicle.

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