Brake Fluid Reservoir

Abstract

A brake fluid reservoir (1) comprising a receptacle (2) adapted to contain brake fluid and a cap (8). The container (2) defines a bottom wall (3) and a peripheral wall (4), the bottom wall (3) and the peripheral wall (4) defining an internal compartment (5) for containing brake fluid, the peripheral wall (4) defining an inlet opening (6) located opposite the bottom wall (3) in communication with the internal compartment (5), and the bottom wall (3) defining an outlet opening (7) in communication with the internal compartment (5) and fluidly connectable to a brake system. The cap (8) is configured to close the inlet opening (6). The container (2) defines an auxiliary opening (9). The auxiliary opening communicates with the interior compartment (5), and the reservoir (1) is distinct from the inlet opening (6) and the outlet opening (7). The reservoir (1) includes a valve (10) located at the auxiliary opening (9), the valve (10) being configured to regulate the flow of brake fluid through the auxiliary opening (9).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a brake fluid reservoir, and more particularly to a brake fluid reservoir for a racing motorcycle. [Background technology]

[0003] Background technology

[0004] Racing motorcycles are equipped with brake fluid reservoirs.

[0005] Brake fluid reservoirs typically consist of a brake fluid container, a diaphragm and membrane disposed within the container, and a threaded cap designed to allow the container to be opened and closed.

[0006] The brake fluid reservoir has two main functions.

[0007] The first function is to compensate, by means of the brake fluid contained therein, for wear of friction materials in the braking system, such as brake pads and brake discs.

[0008] The second function is to replenish brake fluid during the initial filling and bleeding of the brake system.

[0009] During test runs of racing motorcycles, the brake fluid reservoir must be opened repeatedly to bleed and refill the air.

[0010] Because these procedures are carried out in the pits at the end of the hectic race, impurities and dirt often get into the brake fluid, which can cause a variety of problems in the braking system and, in severe cases, can lead to brake system failure.

[0011] To address this significant problem, attempts have been made to place filters within the brake fluid reservoir to prevent impurities from circulating within the braking system.

[0012] However, such a solution does not prevent impurities from entering the brake fluid reservoir during the draining operation.

[0013] Moreover, such known solutions make the draining process difficult, in particular hindering the drainage of air from the brake system, and furthermore, the gradual clogging of the filters makes it necessary to inspect or replace them periodically. Summary of the Invention

[0014] solution

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a brake fluid reservoir, in particular for racing motorcycles, adapted to overcome at least some of the drawbacks highlighted in the prior art.

[0016] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a brake fluid reservoir in which the ingress of contaminants is prevented or minimized during the filling and draining of the reservoir itself.

[0017] It is yet a further specific object of the present invention to provide a brake fluid reservoir which facilitates the bleeding of the brake fluid reservoir itself.

[0018] These and other objects are achieved by a brake fluid reservoir according to the independent claims.

[0019] The dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] drawing

[0021] In order that the invention may be better understood and its advantages appreciated, non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brake fluid reservoir according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the brake fluid reservoir shown in FIG.

[0024] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a further side view of the brake fluid reservoir shown in FIG.

[0025] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a partially exploded brake fluid reservoir according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of a brake fluid reservoir according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the brake fluid reservoir shown in FIG.

[0028] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a further longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the brake fluid reservoir shown in FIG.

[0029] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a brake fluid reservoir system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a brake fluid reservoir according to a further embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0032] Referring to the drawing, a brake fluid reservoir is designated by the reference numeral 1.

[0033] The reservoir 1 comprises a container 2 adapted to contain brake fluid.

[0034] The container 2 defines a bottom wall 3 and a peripheral wall 4 .

[0035] The bottom wall 3 and the peripheral wall 4 define an internal compartment 5 for containing brake fluid.

[0036] The peripheral wall 4 defines an inlet opening 6 opposite the bottom wall 3 .

[0037] The inlet opening 6 communicates with the inner compartment 5 .

[0038] The bottom wall 3 defines an outlet opening 7 which communicates with the interior compartment 5 and is fluidly connectable to a pump of the brake system.

[0039] The reservoir 1 further comprises a cap 8 configured to close the inlet opening 6 .

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the container 2 defines an auxiliary opening 9 .

[0041] The auxiliary opening 9 is separate from the inlet opening 6 and the outlet opening 7 .

[0042] The auxiliary opening 9 communicates with the inner compartment 5 .

[0043] Furthermore, the reservoir 1 comprises a valve 10 arranged in the auxiliary opening 9 .

[0044] Valve 10 is configured to regulate the flow of brake fluid through auxiliary opening 9 .

[0045] The reservoir 1 thus constructed allows for the filling of brake fluid through a valve 10 located at the auxiliary opening 9. Furthermore, during filling of the brake fluid, the inlet opening 6 of the reservoir 1 remains closed. Thus, the flow of brake fluid into the reservoir 1 is controlled by the valve 10, and furthermore, contamination of the brake fluid by external factors is minimized, since the inlet opening 6 is in the closed state and is not exposed to the external environment.

[0046] A further advantage is that draining operations can also be carried out through the auxiliary opening 9, so that contamination of the brake fluid during these operations is kept to a minimum.

[0047] As a further advantage, the container 2 does not require an increased volume to facilitate filling with brake fluid, as is required with prior art reservoirs. The reservoir 1 thus constructed is therefore smaller in size than conventional reservoirs and can be dimensioned to accommodate only the amount of brake fluid required to compensate for wear of the friction materials of the braking system.

[0048] As a further advantage, the compactness of the reservoir 1 makes it easier to detect consumption of the brake fluid contained in the reservoir 1 by the brake system, and therefore to detect excessive wear of the brake system.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the valve 10 is a proportional valve, or a quick connect valve, or a Staubli type valve.

[0050] Advantageously, a valve 10 of this kind facilitates filling and draining the brake fluid.

[0051] According to one embodiment, an auxiliary opening 9 is defined on the peripheral wall 4 .

[0052] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary openings 9 extend substantially transversely to the peripheral wall 4 .

[0053] Advantageously, such an arrangement of the auxiliary openings 9 facilitates the filling and draining operations of the brake fluid.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the peripheral wall 4 is substantially cylindrical. According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall 3 is substantially planar.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the cap 8 is connected to the peripheral wall 4 by removable fastening means.

[0056] Advantageously, the cap 8 prevents external factors from contaminating the brake fluid through the inlet opening 6 while the brake fluid is being filled through the auxiliary opening 9 or while the brake fluid is being drained through the auxiliary opening 9 .

[0057] Preferably, the cap 8 is connectable to the peripheral wall 4 by means of a threaded connection means 18 so as to close the inlet opening 6 .

[0058] According to one embodiment, the cap 8 is connected to the peripheral wall 4 by a number of screws 18, for example three screws equally spaced around the periphery of the cap 8.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the reservoir 1 comprises a membrane 11 and / or a diaphragm 12 .

[0060] The membrane 11 and diaphragm 12 are disposed within the interior compartment 5 of the container 2 , beneath the cap 8 .

[0061] The membrane 11 and diaphragm 12 are configured to form a fluid-tight seal at the cap 8 to prevent dispersion of brake fluid contained within the interior compartment 5 of the container 1 through the inlet opening 6 .

[0062] Advantageously, if the membrane 11 or diaphragm 12 needs to be replaced, it can be removed from the reservoir 1 through the inlet opening 6. This replacement operation can advantageously be carried out in a controlled environment, including the opening of the cap 8, to avoid contamination of the reservoir 1.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the valve 10 is arranged below the membrane 11 .

[0064] In particular, an auxiliary opening 9 in which a valve 10 is located is defined in the peripheral wall 4 between the membrane 11 and the bottom wall 3 .

[0065] Advantageously, such an arrangement allows for easy filling and draining of brake fluid.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the reservoir 1 comprises an outlet conduit 13 which extends from the outlet opening 5 to the exterior of the reservoir 1 .

[0067] The outlet conduit 13 is in fluid communication with the interior compartment 5 .

[0068] The outlet conduit 13 is adapted to be directly or indirectly connectable to a brake system pump and conveys the brake fluid contained in the reservoir 1 towards the pump of the brake system.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the outlet conduit 13 extends transversely to the bottom wall 3 .

[0070] According to an embodiment, the outlet device 13 is provided with snap connection means.

[0071] Advantageously, a snap connection means allows the outlet conduit 13 to be quickly connected to the pump of the brake system.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the container 2 is made of a polymer material. Alternatively, the container 2 is made of a metallic material, preferably aluminium.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the container 2 comprises a sight glass 14 arranged on the peripheral wall 4 .

[0074] Advantageously, a sight glass 14 makes it possible to check the level of brake fluid in the container 2 .

[0075] According to a further aspect of the invention, a brake fluid reservoir system 15 comprises at least one reservoir 1 as previously described.

[0076] The system 15 further comprises a delivery conduit 16 .

[0077] The delivery conduit 16 is arranged to be fluidly connectable to the valve 10 of the reservoir 1 so as to convey brake fluid to the reservoir 1 via the valve 10 located in the auxiliary opening 9 .

[0078] According to one embodiment, the delivery conduit 16 comprises a filter 17 .

[0079] The filter 17 is arranged to filter the brake fluid entering the reservoir 1 .

[0080] Advantageously, contamination of the brake fluid entering the reservoir 1 is minimised by the filter 17 .

[0081] Even more advantageously, since the filter 17 is located inside the delivery conduit 16 and therefore outside the reservoir 1 and is removable therefrom, the filter 17 does not interfere with the draining operation and does not prevent the escape of air from the system 15. In fact, during the draining operation, the delivery conduit 16 is disconnected from the valve 10 through which the brake fluid is drained, so that the filter does not interfere with the draining operation.

[0082] As a further advantage, the delivery conduit 16 allows the filtered brake fluid to be introduced into the reservoir 1 without exposing the brake fluid to the outside environment, thereby minimizing contamination by external agents.

[0083] Alternative Embodiments

[0084] According to an alternative embodiment, the brake fluid reservoir 1 comprises a container 2 adapted to contain brake fluid.

[0085] The container 2 defines a bottom wall 3 and a peripheral wall 4 .

[0086] The bottom wall 3 and the peripheral wall 4 define an internal compartment 5 for containing brake fluid.

[0087] The peripheral wall 4 faces the bottom wall 3 and defines an inlet opening 6 which communicates with the interior compartment 5 .

[0088] The bottom wall 3 defines an outlet opening 7 which communicates with the interior compartment 5 and is fluidly connectable to a pump of the brake system.

[0089] The reservoir 1 further comprises a cap 8 configured to close the inlet opening 6 .

[0090] The reservoir 1 further comprises a pump inlet conduit 19 fluidly connected to the outlet opening 7 and extending in the opposite direction relative to the internal compartment 5 .

[0091] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reservoir 1 further comprises a three-way component 20 comprising three flow paths 21 fluidly connected to one another.

[0092] One of the three flow paths 21 of the three-way component 20 is connected to the pump inlet conduit 19 .

[0093] The second of the three flow paths 21 of the three-way component 20 is connectable to a pump of the brake system.

[0094] The third of the three flow paths 21 includes a valve 10 therein.

[0095] Valve 10 is configured to regulate the flow of brake fluid through the third of three flow paths 21 .

[0096] The reservoir thus constructed allows draining and filling of the brake fluid through the valve 10 located in the three-way component 20 without exposing the brake fluid to the external environment, thus avoiding its contamination. Indeed, the inlet opening remains closed when draining and filling the brake fluid in the reservoir.

[0097] As a further advantage, the container 2 does not need to be oversized to facilitate filling with brake fluid, as is required with conventional reservoirs. Thus, the reservoir 1 so constructed can be smaller in size than conventional reservoirs and sized to contain only the amount of brake fluid required to compensate for wear of the friction materials of the brake system.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the valve 10 is a proportional valve, or a quick connect valve, or a Staubli type valve.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the cap 8 is connected to the peripheral wall 4 by removable fastening means, preferably a threaded connection 18 .

[0100] According to one embodiment, the reservoir 1 is composed of a membrane 11 and a diaphragm 12, which are arranged in the internal compartment 5 of the reservoir 2 under the cap 8, and which are configured such that the membrane 11 and the diaphragm 12 form a hermetic seal in the cap 8 and prevent leakage of the brake fluid contained in the internal compartment 5 of the reservoir 1 through the inlet opening 6.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the container 2 is made from a polymeric material or, preferably, from a metallic material such as aluminium.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the container 2 comprises a sight glass 14 arranged on the peripheral wall 4 and adapted to enable the level of brake fluid in the container 2 to be observed.

[0103] According to a further aspect of the invention, a brake fluid reservoir 15 system comprises the reservoir 1 described above and a delivery conduit 16 .

[0104] The delivery conduit 16 is adapted to be fluidly connectable to a valve 10 in the reservoir 1 such that brake fluid is conveyed to the reservoir 1 by the valve 10 located in a three-way component 20 .

[0105] According to one embodiment, the delivery conduit 16 includes a filter 17 , where the filter 17 is configured to filter the brake fluid entering the reservoir 1 .

[0106] Advantageously, contamination of the brake fluid entering the reservoir 1 is minimised by the filter 17 .

[0107] Even more advantageously, since the filter 17 is arranged inside the delivery conduit 16 and is therefore outside the reservoir 1 and removable therefrom, the filter 17 does not hinder the draining operation and does not prevent the escape of air from the system 15. In fact, during the draining operation, the delivery conduit 16 is disconnected from the valve 10 through which the brake fluid is drained, so that the filter does not hinder the draining operation.

[0108] As a further advantage, the delivery conduit 16 allows the filtered brake fluid to be introduced into the reservoir 1 without exposing the brake fluid to the outside environment, thereby minimizing contamination by external agents.

[0109] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims that follow. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1. Storage Containers 2. Container 3. Bottom wall 4. Surrounding wall 5. Internal compartment 6. Entrance opening 7. Outlet opening 8. Cap 9. Auxiliary opening 10. Valve 11. Membrane 12. Diaphragm 13. Outlet conduit 14. Peephole 15. Storage System 16. Delivery conduit 17. Filters 18. Screw connection means 19. Pump inlet conduit 20. Three-way valve 21. Flow Path

Claims

1. A container (2) adapted to hold brake fluid, The container (2) has a bottom wall (3) and a peripheral wall (4), The bottom wall (3) and the peripheral wall (4) define an internal compartment (5) for containing brake fluid. The peripheral wall (4) faces the bottom wall (3) and defines an entrance opening (6) that communicates with the internal compartment (5). The bottom wall (3) communicates with the internal compartment (5) and defines an outlet opening (7) that can be fluidly connected to the brake system pump, and the container (2) A cap (8) configured to close the aforementioned inlet opening (6), A pump inlet conduit (19) is fluidly connected to the outlet opening (7) and extends in the opposite direction from the internal compartment (5), In a brake fluid reservoir (1) equipped with, The brake fluid reservoir (1) comprises a three-way component (20) having three fluidically connected passages (21), One of the three flow paths (21) of the three-way component (20) is connected to the pump inlet conduit (19). The second of the three flow paths (21) of the three-way component (20) is connectable to the brake system pump. A brake fluid reservoir (1) wherein the third of the three flow paths (21) of the three-way component (20) includes a valve (10) inside, and the valve (10) is configured to regulate the flow of brake fluid through the third of the three flow paths (21).

2. The brake fluid reservoir (1) according to claim 1, wherein the valve (10) is a proportioning valve, a quick connect valve, or a Stäubli-type valve.

3. The brake fluid reservoir (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cap (8) is connected to the peripheral wall (4) by a detachable fastening means, preferably a screw-in connection means (18).

4. It comprises a membrane (11) and a diaphragm (12), The membrane (11) and the diaphragm (12) are positioned below the cap (8) within the internal compartment (5) of the container (2). The brake fluid reservoir (1) according to claim 1, wherein the membrane (11) and the diaphragm (12) are configured to achieve a liquid-tight seal in the cap (8) and prevent the brake fluid contained in the internal compartment (5) of the brake fluid reservoir (1) from leaking out through the inlet opening (6).

5. The container (2) is made of a polymer material or a metallic material, preferably aluminum. and / or, The container (2) is equipped with a viewing window (14) located on the peripheral wall (4) that allows the liquid level of the brake fluid inside the container (2) to be checked. Brake fluid reservoir (1) according to claim 1.

6. A brake fluid reservoir (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a discharge conduit (16) are provided, Brake fluid reservoir system (15), wherein the discharge conduit (16) is configured to be fluidly connectable to the valve (10) of the brake fluid reservoir (1) in order to transfer brake fluid to the brake fluid reservoir (1) via the valve (10) located in the three-way component (20).

7. The aforementioned discharge conduit (16) includes a filter (17), The brake fluid reservoir system (15) according to claim 6, wherein the filter (17) is configured to filter the brake fluid that enters the brake fluid reservoir (1).

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