Fluid pressure control unit and saddle-riding type vehicle

Abstract

To provide a fluid pressure control unit with a more improved degree of freedom of mounting to a saddle-riding type vehicle than a conventional technology.SOLUTION: A fluid pressure control unit according to the present invention includes a pump device that returns brake fluid flowing out from a wheel cylinder at the time of anti-lock brake control to a master cylinder. The pump device includes: a pump mechanism; a linear motor having a reciprocating output shaft; and an amplification mechanism that amplifies power input from the output shaft of the linear motor and outputs the power to a piston of the pump mechanism, and causes the piston to push out brake fluid in a pump chamber of the pump mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydraulic pressure control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle, and to a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with the hydraulic pressure control unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Some straddle-type vehicles are equipped with a hydraulic control unit that controls the pressure of brake fluid in a hydraulic circuit filled with brake fluid. A conventional hydraulic control unit for a straddle-type vehicle performs anti-lock brake control, for example, when a driver of the straddle-type vehicle operates a brake input device such as a brake lever. Such a conventional hydraulic control unit for a straddle-type vehicle includes a pump mechanism that returns brake fluid released from a wheel cylinder to a master cylinder, and a motor that drives a piston of the pump mechanism. Specifically, a conventional hydraulic control unit for a straddle-type vehicle includes a rotary motor with a rotating output shaft that drives the piston of the pump mechanism. The conventional hydraulic control unit for a straddle-type vehicle is configured to press and drive the piston of the pump mechanism with an eccentric part attached to the output shaft of the rotary motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-111997 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Saddle-ride vehicles, which are a type of vehicle, have a lower degree of freedom in terms of component layout and therefore a lower degree of freedom in terms of mounting a hydraulic control unit compared to vehicles such as four-wheeled automobiles. For this reason, there is a growing demand for hydraulic control units for saddle-ride vehicles that have a higher degree of freedom in terms of mounting on saddle-ride vehicles.

[0005] A first object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic control unit that can be mounted more flexibly on a saddle-ride type vehicle than conventional hydraulic control units, and a second object of the present invention is to provide a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with such a hydraulic control unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The hydraulic control unit according to the present invention is a hydraulic control unit for a brake system mounted on a saddle-ride type vehicle and capable of performing anti-lock brake control, and comprises: a main flow path that communicates between a master cylinder and a wheel cylinder; an inlet valve that is provided in the main flow path and opens and closes the main flow path; a secondary flow path that has a first end connected to a region of the main flow path that is on the wheel cylinder side with respect to the inlet valve and a second end connected to a region of the main flow path that is on the master cylinder side with respect to the inlet valve; a release valve that is provided in the secondary flow path and opens and closes the secondary flow path; and a pump device that is provided in a region of the secondary flow path that is on the second end side with respect to the release valve and returns brake fluid that has flowed from the main flow path to the master cylinder, The pump device comprises a pump mechanism, an amplifying mechanism, and a linear motor having a reciprocating output shaft, and when the portion of the secondary flow path that is the first end side relative to the pump device is defined as a first secondary flow path, and the portion of the secondary flow path that is the second end side relative to the pump device is defined as a second secondary flow path, the pump mechanism comprises a pump chamber whose brake fluid inlet is connected to the first secondary flow path and whose brake fluid outlet is connected to the second secondary flow path, and a piston that moves in a pushing direction to push the brake fluid stored in the pump chamber into the second secondary flow path, and the amplifying mechanism comprises an input section to which force is input from the output shaft of the linear motor, and an output section that amplifies the force input to the input section and outputs it to the piston, pressing the piston in the pushing direction.

[0007] A straddle-type vehicle according to the present invention includes the hydraulic pressure control unit according to the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention provides a hydraulic control unit that can be mounted more flexibly on a saddle-ride type vehicle than conventional units, and also provides a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with such a hydraulic control unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a straddle-type vehicle equipped with a brake system including a hydraulic pressure control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a brake system including a hydraulic pressure control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a brake system including another example of a hydraulic control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram for explaining another example of an amplification mechanism. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a brake system including another example of a hydraulic control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram for explaining another example of an amplification mechanism. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a brake system including a modified example of the hydraulic control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a brake system including a modified example of the hydraulic control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a brake system including a modified example of the hydraulic control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A hydraulic pressure control unit and a saddle-ride type vehicle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, an example will be described in which the hydraulic control unit according to the present invention is mounted on a motorcycle, which is an example of a saddle-ride type vehicle. However, the hydraulic control unit according to the present invention may also be mounted on other saddle-ride type vehicles other than motorcycles. Examples of other saddle-ride type vehicles other than motorcycles include bicycles (e.g., two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, etc.), three-wheeled vehicles using at least one of an engine and an electric motor as a drive source, and buggies. Furthermore, the term "bicycle" refers to any vehicle that can be propelled on a road by pedal force applied to the pedals. In other words, bicycles include standard bicycles, electrically assisted bicycles, and electric bicycles. Furthermore, a motorcycle or three-wheeled vehicle refers to a so-called motorcycle, which includes a motorcycle, a scooter, an electric scooter, etc.

[0011] In the following, an example is described in which the hydraulic pressure control unit according to the present invention is used in a brake system having one hydraulic circuit system, but the number of hydraulic circuits in a brake system in which the hydraulic pressure control unit according to the present invention is used is not limited to one system. A brake system in which the hydraulic pressure control unit according to the present invention is used may have two or more hydraulic circuits.

[0012] Furthermore, the configurations, operations, etc. described below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to such configurations, operations, etc. Furthermore, in each drawing, the same or similar members or parts may be assigned the same reference numerals or may not be assigned the reference numerals. Furthermore, detailed structures may be appropriately simplified or omitted from the illustration.

[0013] Embodiment <Configuration and Operation of Brake System for Saddle-Riding Vehicle> The configuration and operation of a brake system including a hydraulic pressure control unit according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a brake system including a hydraulic pressure control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a brake system including a hydraulic pressure control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] 1 and 2, the brake system 10 is mounted on a saddle-riding vehicle 200. The saddle-riding vehicle 200 is, for example, a motorcycle powered by an engine. The saddle-riding vehicle 200 includes a body 1, a handlebar 2 rotatably held by the body 1, a front wheel 3 rotatably held together with the handlebar 2 by the body 1, and a rear wheel 4 rotatably held by the body 1.

[0015] The brake system 10 includes a brake lever 11 and a hydraulic circuit 12 filled with brake fluid. The brake lever 11 is provided on the steering wheel 2 and is operated by the driver's hand. The hydraulic circuit 12 generates a braking force in a rotor 3a that rotates together with the front wheels 3 according to the amount of operation of the brake lever 11. The rotor 4a that rotates together with the rear wheels 4 generates a braking force according to the amount of operation of a brake pedal 13. The brake pedal 13 is provided on the lower part of the body 1 and is operated by the driver's foot. The mechanism that generates a braking force according to the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 may be a mechanism that generates a braking force by increasing the pressure of the brake fluid, or may be a mechanism that generates a braking force mechanically (for example, a mechanism that generates a braking force by generating tension in a wire).

[0016] Here, the brake lever 11 and the brake pedal 13 are examples of a brake input unit. For example, a brake pedal other than the brake pedal 13 provided on the trunk 1 may be used as a brake input unit replacing the brake lever 11. Also, for example, a brake lever other than the brake lever 11 provided on the handlebars 2 may be used as a brake input unit replacing the brake pedal 13.

[0017] The hydraulic circuit 12 includes a master cylinder 21 incorporating a piston (not shown), a reservoir 22 attached to the master cylinder 21, a brake caliper 23 having brake pads (not shown), and a wheel cylinder 24 that operates the brake pads (not shown) of the brake caliper 23.

[0018] The hydraulic control unit 100 has an internal flow path in the base 101 through which brake fluid flows. In this embodiment, the hydraulic control unit 100 has a main flow path 41 and a sub-flow path 42 as internal flow paths. The main flow path 41 is a flow path that connects the master cylinder 21 and the wheel cylinders 24. Specifically, the master cylinder 21 and the wheel cylinders 24 communicate with each other via a fluid pipe 15 connected between the master cylinder 21 and a master cylinder port MP formed in the base 101, the main flow path 41, and a fluid pipe 16 connected between the wheel cylinders 24 and wheel cylinder ports WP formed in the base 101. The main flow path 41 is provided with an inlet valve 25 that opens and closes the main flow path 41. The inlet valve 25 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve that switches the flow of brake fluid at its installation location from open to closed when it is switched from a non-energized state to an energized state. By opening and closing the inlet valve 25, the flow path portion of the main flow path 41 where the inlet valve 25 is installed is opened and closed, and the flow rate of the brake fluid flowing through this region is controlled.

[0019] Furthermore, a master cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor 30 for detecting the hydraulic pressure of brake fluid in master cylinder 21 is provided in a region of main flow path 41 closer to master cylinder 21 than inlet valve 25. Furthermore, a wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor 31 for detecting the hydraulic pressure of brake fluid in wheel cylinder 24 is provided in a region of main flow path 41 closer to wheel cylinder 24 than inlet valve 25. Note that hydraulic pressure control unit 100 according to this embodiment may be configured without at least one of master cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor 30 and wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor 31.

[0020] One end, or first end 42a, of the secondary flow path 42 is connected to an area of ​​the main flow path 41 that is closer to the wheel cylinder 24 with respect to the inlet valve 25. The other end, or second end 42b, of the secondary flow path 42 is connected to an area of ​​the main flow path 41 that is closer to the master cylinder 21 with respect to the inlet valve 25. The secondary flow path 42 is provided with a release valve 26 that opens and closes the secondary flow path 42. The release valve 26 is an electromagnetic valve that, for example, when it changes from a non-energized state to an energized state, switches the flow of brake fluid from closed to open through its installation location toward a pump device 110 (described below). The opening and closing operation of the release valve 26 opens and closes the flow path portion of the secondary flow path 42 where the release valve 26 is installed, thereby controlling the flow rate of brake fluid flowing through this area.

[0021] A pump device 110 is provided in a region of the secondary flow path 42 that is closer to the second end 42b with respect to the release valve 26. The pump device 110 returns the brake fluid that has flowed from the main flow path 41 into the secondary flow path 42 to the master cylinder 21. More specifically, the pump device 110 returns the brake fluid that has flowed from the wheel cylinders 24 into the secondary flow path 42 via the main flow path 41 to the master cylinder 21. Hereinafter, the portion of the secondary flow path 42 that is closer to the first end 42a with respect to the pump device 110 will be referred to as a first secondary flow path 43. The portion of the secondary flow path 42 that is closer to the second end 42b with respect to the pump device 110 will be referred to as a second secondary flow path 44.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the secondary flow path 42 is provided with an accumulator 27, an inlet check valve 51, and an outlet check valve 52. The accumulator 27 is provided in a region of the first secondary flow path 43 between the release valve 26 and the pump device 110. The accumulator 27 stores brake fluid that has flowed from the main flow path 41 into the secondary flow path 42. The inlet check valve 51 is provided in the first secondary flow path 43 between a pump chamber 121 (described later) of the pump device 110 and the release valve 26, or at an inlet 122 of the pump chamber 121. The inlet check valve 51 regulates the flow of brake fluid from the pump chamber 121 toward the release valve 26. The inlet check valve 51 allows the flow of brake fluid from the release valve 26 toward the pump chamber 121. When the hydraulic control unit 100 includes the accumulator 27 as in this embodiment, the inlet check valve 51 is provided in the first sub-path 43 between the pump chamber 121 and the accumulator 27, or at the inlet 122 of the pump chamber 121. The outlet check valve 52 is provided in the second sub-path 44 or at the outlet 123 of the pump chamber 121. The outlet check valve 52 regulates the flow of brake fluid from the second end 42b toward the pump chamber 121. The outlet check valve 52 also allows the flow of brake fluid from the pump chamber 121 toward the second end 42b.

[0023] The hydraulic control unit 100 is composed of the base body 101, the various components (inlet valve 25, release valve 26, accumulator 27, master cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor 30, wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor 31, pump device 110, etc.) provided in the internal flow path of the base body 101, and the control device (ECU) 60.

[0024] Control device 60 controls inlet valve 25, release valve 26, and linear motor 160 (described later) of pump device 110. There may be one control device 60, or there may be multiple separate control devices. Control device 60 may be attached to base 101, or may be attached to a member other than base 101. Part or all of control device 60 may be configured, for example, by a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like, or may be configured with updatable firmware, or may be a program module executed by commands from a CPU, or the like.

[0025] For example, under normal conditions, the inlet valve 25 and the release valve 26 are controlled to a non-energized state by the control device 60. When the brake lever 11 is operated in this state, the piston (not shown) of the master cylinder 21 is pushed in, increasing the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the wheel cylinder 24, and the brake pads (not shown) of the brake caliper 23 are pressed against the rotor 3a of the front wheel 3, thereby braking the front wheel 3.

[0026] The outputs of the various sensors (master cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor 30, wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure sensors 31, wheel speed sensors, acceleration sensors, etc.) are input to control device 60. In response to these outputs, control device 60 outputs commands that govern the operation of inlet valve 25, release valve 26, and linear motor 160, thereby performing pressure reduction control, etc.

[0027] For example, when the brake fluid pressure in the wheel cylinders 24 is excessive or potentially excessive, the control device 60 executes pressure reduction control to reduce the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the wheel cylinders 24 of the hydraulic circuit 12. In this case, the control device 60 controls the inlet valve 25 and the release valve 26 in the hydraulic circuit 12 to be energized, while driving the pump device 110. As a result, the brake fluid in the wheel cylinders 24 flows into the first secondary flow path 43 through the main flow path 41, reducing the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinders 24. The brake fluid that flows from the wheel cylinders 24 into the first secondary flow path 43 then flows through the release valve 26 into the accumulator 27 and is stored in the accumulator 27. The brake fluid stored in the accumulator 27 is returned to the master cylinder 21 by the pump device 110 through the second secondary flow path 44 and the main flow path 41.

[0028] In other words, the hydraulic pressure control unit 100 controls the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the wheel cylinders 24, and is capable of performing pressure reduction control of the hydraulic circuit 12 (in other words, anti-lock brake control). Note that some conventional hydraulic control units perform automatic pressure increase control by sending brake fluid from a master cylinder to the wheel cylinders using a pump device. The hydraulic pressure control unit 100 according to this embodiment may be configured to perform such automatic pressure increase control.

[0029] A conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle capable of performing anti-lock brake control includes a pump mechanism that returns brake fluid released from the wheel cylinders to the master cylinder as a pump device, and a motor that drives the piston of the pump mechanism. Specifically, the conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a rotary motor with a rotating output shaft as the motor that drives the piston of the pump mechanism. The conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle is configured so that an eccentric part attached to the output shaft of the rotary motor presses and drives the piston of the pump mechanism.

[0030] Here, straddle-type vehicles, which are one type of vehicle, have a lower degree of freedom in component layout compared to vehicles such as four-wheeled automobiles, and therefore a lower degree of freedom in mounting a hydraulic control unit. For this reason, hydraulic control units for straddle-type vehicles are required to have improved mounting flexibility in straddle-type vehicles. However, in conventional hydraulic control units for straddle-type vehicles, the orientation of the rotary motor, which occupies a large portion of the volume of the hydraulic control unit, is limited. Specifically, the rotary motor must be installed so that the output shaft of the rotary motor and the reciprocating direction of the piston of the pump mechanism are perpendicular to each other. For this reason, it is difficult to change the external shape (the dimensional ratios in three orthogonal directions) of conventional hydraulic control units for straddle-type vehicles, making it difficult to improve mounting flexibility in straddle-type vehicles. Therefore, in the hydraulic control unit 100 according to this embodiment, the pump device 110 is configured as follows to improve mounting flexibility in a straddle-type vehicle 200 compared to conventional units.

[0031] <Pump device configuration> As shown in FIG. 2, the pump device 110 includes a pump mechanism 120, an amplification mechanism 130, and a linear motor 160 having a reciprocating output shaft 161. The pump mechanism 120 returns brake fluid stored in the accumulator 27 to the master cylinder 21. The pump mechanism 120 includes a pump chamber 121 and a piston 124. The pump chamber 121 is formed with an inlet 122 and an outlet 123 for brake fluid. The inlet 122 is connected to the first sub-channel 43. The outlet 123 is connected to the second sub-channel 44. That is, the brake fluid stored in the accumulator 27 flows into the pump chamber 121 and is stored therein. In other words, the brake fluid that flows from the main channel 41 into the first sub-channel 43 flows into the pump chamber 121 and is stored therein. The pump chamber 121 is formed, for example, using a hole formed in the base 101.

[0032] The piston 124 is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating motion, and moves in a pushing direction (toward the left side of the paper in FIG. 2 ), which is a direction in which the volume of the pump chamber 121 is reduced, to push out the brake fluid stored in the pump chamber 121 into the second sub-channel 44. The piston 124 is moved in the pushing direction by a linear motor 160 via an amplification mechanism 130, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the piston 124 is moved in the direction opposite to the pushing direction by a spring 126. In other words, in this embodiment, the hydraulic control unit 100 is provided with a spring 126 that moves the piston 124 in the direction opposite to the pushing direction.

[0033] The amplification mechanism 130 amplifies the force output from the output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160 and transmits it to the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120. The amplification mechanism 130 has an input unit 131 to which force is input from the output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160. The amplification mechanism 130 also has an output unit 132 that amplifies the force input to the input unit 131 and outputs it to the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120, pressing the piston 124 in the pushing direction. That is, in the pump device 110 according to this embodiment, the force output from the output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160 is amplified by the amplification mechanism 130, and the force amplified by the amplification mechanism 130 presses the piston 124 in the pushing direction, thereby pressing the brake fluid stored in the pump chamber 121 into the second sub-channel 44. The output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160 presses the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120 via the amplification mechanism 130, thereby increasing the pump output (increasing the amount of brake fluid discharged) compared to when the output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160 directly presses the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120. This allows the linear motor 160 to be made smaller while increasing the pump output.

[0034] The amplification mechanism 130 described above can be realized by employing a Pascal mechanism 140 that uses Pascal's law, as shown in FIG. 2 . In other words, the amplification mechanism 130 includes, for example, the Pascal mechanism 140. The Pascal mechanism 140 includes an amplifier piston 141 that is pressed by an output shaft 161 of a linear motor 160. The Pascal mechanism 140 also includes a fluid 143 that is filled in a sealed space whose opening is blocked by the piston 124 and the amplifier piston 141. The fluid 143 is, for example, a liquid such as oil. Alternatively, the fluid 143 may be, for example, a gas such as air. The contact area between the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120 and the fluid 143 is larger than the contact area between the amplifier piston 141 and the fluid 143.

[0035] In the amplification mechanism 130 using the Pascal mechanism unit 140, the input portion 131 is a first surface 142 that is an output-side surface of an amplifier piston 141 that is a piston different from the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120. In other words, the first surface 142 is a surface of the amplifier piston 141 that comes into contact with a fluid 143. In addition, in the amplification mechanism 130 using the Pascal mechanism unit 140, the output portion 132 is a second surface 125 that is an input-side surface of the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120. In other words, the second surface 125 is a surface of the piston 124 that comes into contact with the fluid 143. In addition, in the amplification mechanism 130 using the Pascal mechanism unit 140, a fluid 143 is filled between the second surface 125 that is the output portion 132 and the first surface 142 that is the input portion 131. That is, in the amplification mechanism 130 using the Pascal mechanism 140, the first surface 142 and the second surface 125 come into contact with the fluid 143, and the second surface 125 has a larger contact area with the fluid 143 than the first surface 142.

[0036] 2 is merely an example. Below, several other examples of the amplification mechanism 130 will be introduced.

[0037] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the configuration of a brake system including another example of a hydraulic control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and are diagrams for explaining another example of an amplification mechanism.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3 , the amplification mechanism 130 using the Pascal mechanism 140 may include a lever mechanism 150 using the principle of leverage in addition to the Pascal mechanism 140. The lever mechanism 150 includes an arm 152 rotatably supported on a fulcrum 151. The fulcrum 151 is provided on the base 101, for example. The arm 152 includes an action portion 153 to which a force from an output shaft 161 of a linear motor 160 acts, and a pressing portion 154 that presses the amplification piston 141. The pressing portion 154 is disposed at a position where the distance from the fulcrum 151 to the action portion 154 is shorter than the distance between the fulcrum 151 and the action portion 153. The amplification mechanism 130 including the Pascal mechanism 140 and the lever mechanism 150 can amplify the force output from the output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160 by both the Pascal mechanism 140 and the lever mechanism 150. Therefore, compared to the amplification mechanism 130 shown in FIG. 2, the amplification mechanism 130 equipped with the Pascal mechanism 140 and the lever mechanism 150 can further reduce the size of the linear motor 160 while increasing the pump output, thereby enabling the hydraulic control unit 100 to be made smaller.

[0039] When the amplification mechanism 130 is configured using the lever mechanism 150, the amplification mechanism 130 may be configured without the Pascal mechanism 140, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the pressing unit 154 presses the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120 in the extrusion direction. Therefore, the input unit 131 serves as an action unit 153, which is included in an arm 152 rotatably supported by a fulcrum 151 and to which a force from an output shaft 161 of a linear motor 160 acts. The output unit 132 serves as the pressing unit 154. That is, the output unit 132 is included in the arm 152 and is disposed at a position on the arm 152 where the distance from the fulcrum 151 is shorter than the distance between the fulcrum 151 and the input unit 131.

[0040] <Effects of the hydraulic control unit> The effects of the hydraulic pressure control unit 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0041] The hydraulic control unit 100 according to this embodiment is a hydraulic control unit for a brake system 10 mounted on a saddle-ride type vehicle 200 and capable of performing antilock brake control. The hydraulic control unit 100 includes a main flow path 41, an inlet valve 25, a secondary flow path 42, a release valve 26, and a pump device 110. The main flow path 41 is a flow path that connects the master cylinder 21 and the wheel cylinders 24. The inlet valve 25 is a valve provided in the main flow path 41 that opens and closes the main flow path 41. The secondary flow path 42 has one end, a first end 42a, connected to a region of the main flow path 41 that is closer to the wheel cylinders 24 relative to the inlet valve 25, and the other end, a second end 42b, connected to a region of the main flow path 41 that is closer to the master cylinder 21 relative to the inlet valve 25. The release valve 26 is a valve provided in the secondary flow path 42 that opens and closes the secondary flow path 42. The pump device 110 is provided in a region of the secondary flow path 42 that is closer to the second end 42b with respect to the release valve 26, and returns brake fluid that has flowed from the main flow path 41 into the secondary flow path 42 to the master cylinder 21. The pump device 110 includes a pump mechanism 120, an amplification mechanism 130, and a linear motor 160 having a reciprocating output shaft 161. Hereinafter, the portion of the secondary flow path 42 that is closer to the first end 42a with respect to the pump device 110 will be referred to as a first secondary flow path 43, and the portion of the secondary flow path 42 that is closer to the second end 42b with respect to the pump device 110 will be referred to as a second secondary flow path 44. The pump mechanism 120 includes a pump chamber 121 having a brake fluid inlet 122 that communicates with the first secondary flow path 43 and a brake fluid outlet 123 that communicates with the second secondary flow path 44, and a piston 124 that moves in a pushing direction to push the brake fluid stored in the pump chamber 121 into the second secondary flow path 44. The amplification mechanism 130 also includes an input section 131 to which force is input from the output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160, and an output section 132 that amplifies the force input to the input section 131 and outputs it to the piston 124, thereby pressing the piston 124 in the extrusion direction.

[0042] In the hydraulic control unit 100 configured as described above, the reciprocating output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160 presses the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120 of the pump device 110 via the amplification mechanism 130. Therefore, in the hydraulic control unit 100 configured as described above, the orientation of the linear motor 160 is not limited to an orientation in which the output shaft 161 and the reciprocating direction of the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120 are perpendicular to each other. For example, if the amplification mechanism 130 includes a Pascal mechanism 140, the linear motor 160 can be installed so that the output shaft 161 and the reciprocating direction of the piston 124 are not perpendicular to each other by adjusting the angle between the reciprocating direction of the piston 124 and the reciprocating direction of the amplification piston 141. For example, the linear motor 160 can be installed in an orientation in which the output shaft 161 and the reciprocating direction of the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120 are parallel to each other. Furthermore, for example, if the amplification mechanism 130 is equipped with a lever mechanism 150, the linear motor 160 can be provided so that the output shaft 161 and the reciprocating direction of the piston 124 are not perpendicular to each other by adjusting the bending angle of the arm 152, etc.

[0043] Therefore, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner can more easily change its external shape (the dimensional ratios in three orthogonal directions) than a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-riding type vehicle. Specifically, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner can have at least one of the dimensions in three orthogonal directions smaller than a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-riding type vehicle. Therefore, for example, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner can be made more elongated than a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-riding type vehicle. Also, for example, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner can be more easily miniaturized than a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-riding type vehicle. Therefore, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner can be installed more flexibly in a saddle-riding type vehicle 200 than a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-riding type vehicle.

[0044] Furthermore, the hydraulic pressure control unit 100 configured in this manner can also obtain the following effects compared to conventional hydraulic pressure control units for saddle-ride type vehicles.

[0045] As described above, a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle is configured to drive a piston of a pump mechanism by pressing the piston with an eccentric portion attached to the output shaft of a rotary motor. Therefore, when a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle presses the piston to force brake fluid from the pump mechanism, a load acts on the output shaft in a direction substantially perpendicular to the center of rotation of the output shaft of the rotary motor. Therefore, when a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle presses the piston to force brake fluid from the pump mechanism, the load can cause the output shaft to bend, which can reduce the amount of piston movement. Therefore, a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle can reduce the amount of brake fluid discharged from the pump mechanism, resulting in a deterioration in the brake fluid discharge performance of the pump mechanism. On the other hand, when a hydraulic control unit 100 configured as described above presses the piston 124 to force brake fluid from the pump mechanism 120, a load can act on the output shaft 161 of the linear motor 160 in a direction substantially parallel to the output shaft 161. Therefore, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner can suppress bending of the output shaft 161 when pressing the piston 124 to force brake fluid out of the pump mechanism 120, thereby suppressing a decrease in the amount of brake fluid discharged from the pump mechanism 120 and suppressing a decrease in the brake fluid discharge performance of the pump mechanism 120.

[0046] Furthermore, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner employs a linear motor 160 as the motor that presses the piston 124 of the pump mechanism 120. As a result, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner may be able to reduce the number of parts compared to a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle that employs a rotary motor as the motor that presses the piston of the pump mechanism. As the number of parts in a hydraulic control unit increases, the stability of the quality of the hydraulic control unit decreases due to variations in the quality of the individual parts. As a result, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner may be able to suppress the decrease in stability of quality compared to a conventional hydraulic control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle.

[0047] <Modification> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a brake system including a modified example of the hydraulic control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The hydraulic pressure control unit 100 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is provided with an accumulator 27 that stores brake fluid that has flowed from the main flow path 41 into the secondary flow path 42. On the other hand, the hydraulic pressure control unit 100 shown in FIG. 5 is configured without the accumulator 27. During anti-lock brake control, when the brake fluid in the wheel cylinders 24 flows into the first secondary flow path 43 through the main flow path 41, if the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the first secondary flow path 43 is higher than the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the pump chamber 121, the brake fluid in the first secondary flow path 43 can flow into the pump chamber 121. For this reason, the hydraulic pressure control unit 100 can return the brake fluid that has flowed from the wheel cylinders 24 into the first secondary flow path 43 to the master cylinder 21 even though it does not have the accumulator 27 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0048] That is, the hydraulic control unit 100 can perform anti-lock brake control even without the accumulator 27. The hydraulic control unit 100 without the accumulator 27 does not need to secure space for the accumulator 27, and can be made smaller than the hydraulic control unit 100 that includes the accumulator 27. That is, the hydraulic control unit 100 without the accumulator 27 can be mounted more flexibly on the saddle-ride type vehicle 200, compared to the hydraulic control unit 100 that includes the accumulator 27. On the other hand, the hydraulic control unit 100 that includes the accumulator 27 can release the brake fluid that has flowed from the wheel cylinders 24 into the first secondary flow path 43 to the accumulator 27, regardless of the relationship between the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the first secondary flow path 43 and the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the pump chamber 121. Therefore, the hydraulic control unit 100 equipped with the accumulator 27 can reduce the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder 24 earlier than the hydraulic control unit 100 not equipped with the accumulator 27, thereby improving the performance of the hydraulic control unit 100.

[0049] 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the configuration of a brake system including a modified example of the hydraulic pressure control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The brake system 10 described above is configured to include a single hydraulic circuit system, but is not limited to this, and the brake system 10 may include multiple hydraulic circuits system.

[0050] The brake system 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes multiple hydraulic circuits. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a brake system 10 including two hydraulic circuits. Specifically, the brake system 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a hydraulic circuit 14 in addition to the hydraulic circuit 12. The hydraulic circuit 14 generates a braking force on the rotor 4a, which rotates together with the rear wheel 4, in accordance with the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13. The other configuration of the hydraulic circuit 14 is the same as that of the hydraulic circuit 12. That is, the hydraulic control unit 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a main flow path 41, an inlet valve 25, a sub-flow path 42, and a release valve 26, the number of which corresponds to the number of hydraulic circuits. Furthermore, the pump device 110 of the hydraulic control unit 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a pump mechanism 120 for each hydraulic circuit. That is, the hydraulic pressure control unit 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a plurality of sets of the main flow path 41, the inlet valve 25, the sub-flow path 42, the release valve 26, and the pump mechanism 120.

[0051] 6 and 7, the amplification mechanism 130 is shared among the plurality of sets described above. In other words, in the hydraulic control unit 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the amplification mechanism 130 is shared among at least two of the sets described above. Specifically, the amplification mechanism 130 of the pump device 110 includes at least two output portions 132. The pistons 124 of the pump mechanisms 120 of the at least two sets described above are each pressed in the extrusion direction by the output portion 132 included in the amplification mechanism 130. In other words, the pistons 124 of the pump mechanisms 120 of the at least two sets described above are each pressed in the extrusion direction by the output portion 132 included in one amplification mechanism 130.

[0052] In the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner, the number of amplifying mechanisms 130 and linear motors 160 of the pump device 110 can be reduced compared to when an amplifying mechanism 130 and a linear motor 160 of the pump device 110 are provided for each hydraulic circuit. Therefore, when the brake system 10 has multiple hydraulic circuits, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner can be made more compact compared to when an amplifying mechanism 130 and a linear motor 160 of the pump device 110 are provided for each hydraulic circuit. In other words, when the brake system 10 has multiple hydraulic circuits, the hydraulic control unit 100 configured in this manner can further improve the degree of freedom in installation on the saddle-ride type vehicle 200.

[0053] Although the hydraulic control unit 100 according to this embodiment has been described above, the hydraulic control unit according to the present invention is not limited to the description of this embodiment. The hydraulic control unit according to the present invention may be embodied in only a part of this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 fuselage, 2 handle, 3 front wheel, 3a rotor, 4 rear wheel, 4a rotor, 10 brake system, 11 brake lever, 12 hydraulic circuit, 13 brake pedal, 14 hydraulic circuit, 15 hydraulic pipe, 16 hydraulic pipe, 21 master cylinder, 22 reservoir, 23 brake caliper, 24 wheel cylinder, 25 fill valve, 26 release valve, 27 accumulator, 30 master cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor, 31 wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor, 41 main flow path, 42 secondary flow path, 42a first end, 42b second end, 43 first secondary flow path, 44 second secondary flow path, 51 inlet side check valve, 52 outlet side check valve, 60 control device, 100 hydraulic control unit, 101 base, 110 pump device, 120 pump mechanism, 121 pump chamber, 122 inlet, 123 outlet, 124 piston, 125 second surface, 126 spring, 130 amplification mechanism, 131 input section, 132 output section, 140 Pascal mechanism section, 141 amplification piston, 142 first surface, 143 fluid, 150 lever mechanism section, 151 fulcrum, 152 arm section, 153 action section, 154 pressing section, 160 linear motor, 161 output shaft, 200 saddle-ride type vehicle, MP master cylinder port, WP wheel cylinder port.

Claims

1. A hydraulic pressure control unit (100) for a brake system (10) mounted on a saddle-ride type vehicle (200) and capable of performing antilock brake control, comprising: a main flow path (41) that connects the master cylinder (21) and the wheel cylinder (24); an inlet valve (25) provided in the main flow path (41) for opening and closing the main flow path (41); a sub-flow path (42) having one end, a first end (42a), connected to a region of the main flow path (41) that is on the wheel cylinder (24) side with respect to the inlet valve (25), and the other end, a second end (42b), connected to a region of the main flow path (41) that is on the master cylinder (21) side with respect to the inlet valve (25); a release valve (26) provided in the secondary flow path (42) for opening and closing the secondary flow path (42); a pump device (110) provided in a region of the secondary flow path (42) on the second end (42b) side with respect to the release valve (26), and configured to return brake fluid that has flowed from the main flow path (41) into the secondary flow path (42) to the master cylinder (21); Equipped with The pump device (110) includes a pump mechanism (120), an amplification mechanism (130), and a linear motor (160) having a reciprocating output shaft (161); When a portion of the sub-flow path (42) that is on the first end (42a) side with respect to the pump device (110) as a reference is defined as a first sub-flow path (43), and a portion of the sub-flow path (42) that is on the second end (42b) side with respect to the pump device (110) as a reference is defined as a second sub-flow path (44), The pump mechanism (120) a pump chamber (121) having a brake fluid inlet (122) communicating with the first sub-flow path (43) and a brake fluid outlet (123) communicating with the second sub-flow path (44); a piston (124) that moves in a pushing direction to push the brake fluid stored in the pump chamber (121) into the second sub-flow path (44); Equipped with The amplification mechanism (130) an input section (131) to which a force is input from the output shaft (161) of the linear motor (160); an output section (132) that amplifies the force input to the input section (131) and outputs the amplified force to the piston (124) to press the piston (124) in the extrusion direction; Equipped with Hydraulic control unit (100).

2. In the amplification mechanism (130), The input portion (131) is a first surface (142) that is an output side surface of an amplifier piston (141) that is a piston different from the piston (124), The output portion (132) is a second surface (125) that is an input side surface of the piston (124), A fluid (143) is filled between the output portion (132) and the input portion (131), The first surface (142) and the second surface (125) are in contact with the fluid (143), and the second surface (125) has a larger contact area with the fluid (143) than the first surface (142). The hydraulic control unit (100) of claim 1.

3. The amplification mechanism (130) The linear motor further includes an arm portion (152) that is rotatably supported on a fulcrum (151) and includes an action portion (153) on which a force from the output shaft (161) of the linear motor (160) acts, and a pressing portion (154) that presses the amplifying piston (141), The pressing portion (154) is disposed at a position where the distance between the pressing portion (154) and the fulcrum (151) is shorter than the distance between the fulcrum (151) and the action portion (153). The hydraulic control unit (100) of claim 2.

4. In the amplification mechanism (130), The input unit (131) an acting portion (153) on which a force from the output shaft (161) of the linear motor (160) acts, the acting portion (153) being included in an arm portion (152) rotatably supported on a fulcrum (151); The output section (132) is included in the arm section (152) and is disposed at a position on the arm section (152) where the distance from the fulcrum (151) is shorter than the distance between the fulcrum (151) and the input section (131). The hydraulic control unit (100) of claim 1.

5. a plurality of sets of the main flow path (41), the inlet valve (25), the secondary flow path (42), the release valve (26), and the pump mechanism (120); The amplification mechanism (130) is shared among the plurality of sets. A hydraulic control unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The amplifier mechanism (130) comprises at least two of the outputs (132), The pistons (124) of the at least two sets of the pump mechanisms (120) are each configured to be pushed in the extrusion direction by the output portion (132). The hydraulic control unit (100) of claim 5.

7. an accumulator (27) for storing brake fluid that has flowed from the main flow path (41) into the secondary flow path (42) is provided in a region of the first secondary flow path (43) between the release valve (26) and the pump device (110); A hydraulic control unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. an inlet-side check valve (51) provided in the first sub-flow path (43) between the pump chamber (121) and the release valve (26) or at the inlet (122) of the pump chamber (121), and regulating the flow of brake fluid in a direction from the pump chamber (121) to the release valve (26); an outflow check valve (52) provided in the second sub-flow path (44) or the outflow port (123) of the pump chamber (121) and regulating the flow of brake fluid in a direction from the second end (42 b) toward the pump chamber (121); Equipped with A hydraulic control unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The pump mechanism (120) includes a spring (126) that moves the piston (124) in a direction opposite to the pushing direction. A hydraulic control unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The hydraulic control unit (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided. Saddle-type vehicle (200).

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