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

Abstract

The disc brake caliper (7) and the body of the ABS system (A) are mounted on the fork arm (5L) of the bicycle (1) using a single adapter support (S) that can be removably connected to the fork arm (5L) and configured to removably support both the disc brake caliper body (7) and the ABS system (A).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bicycles, and more particularly to bicycles with hydraulic braking systems having a hydraulic ABS system operatively interposed between a master cylinder associated with a brake lever of the bicycle and a hydraulic cylinder that actuates a caliper of a disc brake associated with a wheel, e.g., the front wheel, of the bicycle, the ABS system being configured to reduce the pressure of fluid supplied to the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper if a tendency for the vehicle to lock up and / or an incipient rollover is detected during braking. [Background technology]

[0002] Mounting an ABS system associated with a bicycle's front wheel on the arms of the bicycle's front fork has already been proposed (see, for example, WO 2019 / 159029 A1). In this known solution, the body of the ABS system is clamped directly onto the arms of the front fork, meaning that the mounting system is configured according to each specific fork shape. On the other hand, it would be desirable to propose a solution that can be adapted to any type of fork and bicycle without any adaptations. Furthermore, the known solution does not allow for simple and fast assembly of the ABS system. Furthermore, it would be desirable for the ABS system to be positioned closer to the disc brake caliper associated with the bicycle's front wheel in order to simplify the arrangement of the communication ducts between the ABS system and the brake caliper's actuating cylinder. Finally, it would be desirable for the assembly of the ABS system to be quick and easy to perform.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. H05105054A shows a bicycle fork arm on which are mounted both a disc brake caliper and the body of a hydraulic ABS system associated with the bicycle wheel. However, the support system shown in this document provides distinct and separate supports for mounting the disc brake caliper and the ABS system.

[0004] US Patent No. 6,659,234 B1 shows a mechanical ABS system which, by its very nature, is necessarily integrated into the mechanical control of the disc brake caliper, a solution which is obviously not applicable in the case of hydraulic ABS systems.

[0005] Solutions are also known from Chinese patent 210 07 75U and German patent 10 2019 10012A1.

[0006] [Objective of the Invention] It is therefore an object of the present invention to associate a hydraulic ABS system with a bicycle front fork by mounting the ABS system in a location close to the disc brake caliper and by providing a mounting system that is independent of the geometry of the front fork.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to allow for extremely simple and quick assembly of an ABS system on a bicycle.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of an ABS system on a bicycle that requires very simple and low cost components.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an installation of an ABS system on a bicycle that also provides a very simple and easy connection between the ABS system and the actuating cylinder of the disc brake caliper associated with the front wheel of the bicycle. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In order to achieve one or more of the above objects, the present invention provides a support device configured to support, on a fork arm of a bicycle, both a caliper of a disc brake associated with a bicycle wheel and an ABS system in the form of a hydraulic control device intended to be operatively interposed between a master hydraulic cylinder associated with a bicycle lever for actuating the brake and an actuating cylinder of said brake caliper, in order to control and reduce fluid pressure supplied to a cylinder brake caliper actuator when a tendency for wheel lock and / or an incipient fall of the bicycle is detected during braking, the support device comprising: at least one first connection part for connection to a bicycle fork arm; at least one second connection part for connection to a body of a disc brake caliper; at least one third connection configured for connection to the ABS system; Equipped with The support device is characterized in that the at least one first connection portion, the at least one second connection portion, and the at least one third connection portion are all part of a single adapter support that can be removably connected to the fork arm and configured to removably support both the caliper body and the ABS system of the disc brake.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the single adapter support has at least one first connection portion with at least one hole for engagement of a screw for attaching the adapter support to a fork arm of a bicycle, the at least one second connection portion of the adapter support with at least one hole for engagement of a screw for attaching a body of a disc brake caliper to the adapter support, and the at least one third connection portion of the adapter support with at least one hole for engagement of a screw for attaching a body of the ABS system to the adapter support.

[0012] Preferably, in the preferred embodiment, the body of the adapter support is in the form of an elongated rod having an upper end head and a lower end head (with reference to the state mounted on the fork arm). Each of the two end heads has a first hole for engagement of a screw to attach the adapter support to the fork arm of the bicycle, a second hole for engagement of a screw to attach the body of the disc brake caliper to the adapter support, and a third hole for engagement of a screw to attach the body of the ABS system to the support. In one example, the axis of the third hole is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hole.

[0013] According to another preferred characteristic, the support device according to the invention also comprises an auxiliary adapter configured to be mounted on the body of the ABS system and connected to said adapter support, so as to act as a connecting element between the adapter support and the body of the ABS system.

[0014] The present invention has many advantages: Firstly, the solution of the present invention can be applied to any bicycle, regardless of the shape of the bicycle, and in particular regardless of the shape of the bicycle's front fork.

[0015] It should be noted in particular that the connection flanges provided on bicycle forks for the connection of brake caliper supports are in fact a standard feature in the field of bicycles equipped with disc brake calipers. The adapter support of the present invention can be configured to be connected to the standard connection flanges provided on the fork for the attachment of brake calipers. The present invention therefore solves the problem of simple and efficient assembly of an ABS system without any modification of the fork arms.

[0016] Another advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the single adapter support can be mounted in a position exactly adjacent to the disc brake caliper, which also makes it extremely simple to provide the connecting pipes between the ABS system and the cylinder actuator of the brake caliper, and also the connections between the ABS system and the operating device associated with the brake lever.

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given purely by way of non-limiting example, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a bicycle to which the device according to the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a support device of an ABS system according to the present invention in an example embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a support device of an ABS system according to the present invention in an example embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIGS. 2 and 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is another exploded perspective view with the disc brake caliper removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is another exploded perspective view showing only the ABS system and adapter support. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ABS system equipped with an auxiliary adapter that allows it to be connected to the adapter support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In Figure 1, reference number 1 indicates a bicycle to which the device according to the invention is applied. The shape of the bicycle shown in Figure 1 is provided merely as an example, since the device according to the invention can be applied to any bicycle, regardless of its shape, in particular the shape of the front fork.

[0020] According to the prior art, a bicycle 1, which may be, for example, an electrically assisted pedal bicycle, comprises a frame 2 including a steering tube 3, in which a steering shaft 4 is rotatably mounted. The steering shaft 4 is rotatably connected to a front fork 5 having a pair of arms 5L, 5R (see also FIG. 2). Further according to the prior art, the lower ends of the two arms 5L, 5R rotate to support the front wheel of the bicycle.

[0021] A brake disc 6 is associated with the hub of the front wheel R and cooperates with a disc brake caliper 7 .

[0022] To position the brake caliper body 7 at an appropriate distance from the front wheel axle so that it can properly cooperate with the brake disc 6, the disc brake caliper body 7 is mounted on one of the front fork arms 5 using an adapter support S which acts as a spacer (see in particular Figure 4).

[0023] 5, in the example shown, the adapter support S has a main part 8 (with a square cross section in the example) configured as an elongated rod with an upper end head 9 and a lower end head 10 (with reference to the orientation of the support S in the assembled condition). Each of the two end heads 9, 10 has a first through hole H1 for the engagement of a screw V1 that secures the support S to the fork arm 5L. For this purpose, the fork arm 5L has, in the example shown, two protruding parts 11 with threaded blind holes 12 that receive the screws V1.

[0024] It should be noted that the present invention is applicable to any bicycle with a brake caliper mounted on the fork arm using an adapter support, and therefore does not require any modification of the bicycle, in particular the front fork arm, since the geometry already provided for mounting the brake caliper is used.

[0025] Referring again to FIG. 4, the end heads 9, 10 of each adapter support S have holes H2, in this example threaded blind holes, for the engagement of respective screws V2 that secure the body of the brake caliper to the adapter support S.

[0026] In the drawings, the reference A indicates as a whole an ABS system associated with a disc brake caliper 7 .

[0027] As used herein and in the claims that follow, the term "ABS system" means a hydraulic control device operatively interposed between a master hydraulic cylinder associated with the bicycle's brake actuating lever and the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper 7 to control and reduce the fluid pressure supplied to the actuating cylinder of the caliper 7 when a tendency for the front wheel to lock is detected during braking.

[0028] The idea behind the present invention is to use the adapter support S already provided on the bicycle to support the body of the brake caliper 7 and also to support the body of the actuator A.

[0029] 6, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, each of the end heads 9, 10 of the adapter support S has a third hole H3 (in the example, a through hole) for the engagement of a respective screw V3 that serves to fasten the body of the ABS system A to the adapter support S. Referring again to FIG. 6, in the example illustrated, in each of the end heads 9, 10 of the support S, the third hole H3 has an axis 30 that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the second hole H2 and spaced from the axis of the first hole H1.

[0030] 7, the body of the actuator A has an elongated cylindrical shape. Therefore, to enable connection using the screw V3, the auxiliary adapter S1 is associated with the body of the actuator A, which in this example has a cylindrical half-shell shape that partially surrounds the body of the actuator A, and is provided with two upper ears 16 and a lower ear 13 that are fixed to the two side surfaces of the actuator body A and the bottom surface of the actuator A, respectively, using the screws 14.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 6, the auxiliary adapter S1 has, on at least one side, two protruding portions 17 prepared with threaded blind holes to receive respective screws V3, creating a rigid connection of the actuator A to the adapter support S.

[0032] As is clear from the above description, the present invention uses a component already present on the bicycle, namely an adapter support S designed to support a disc brake caliper, for mounting the ABS system A. For this purpose, it is therefore not necessary to modify the bicycle, in particular the front fork arms of the bicycle, nor is it necessary to design a new device according to the type of bicycle intended, but it is only necessary to reconfigure the adapter support S to provide it for mounting the actuator A.

[0033] As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the ABS actuator A is supported in a position strictly adjacent to the disc brake caliper, which makes it extremely simple to provide a hydraulic connection pipe between the outlet of the actuator A (designated Z1 in Figure 2) and the inlet of the brake caliper 7 (designated Z2 in Figure 2), which communicates with the actuator cylinder of the caliper. Referring again to Figure 5, in a specific illustrative example, the lower end head 10 of the adapter support S is provided with a further through-hole 15, which serves to assemble a sensor intended to cooperate with the disc 6 of the disc brake, in order to detect the rotational speed of the bicycle wheel. In application examples, the signal of the sensor signal is used by the electronic controller of the ABS actuator to activate the ABS function if a tendency for the front wheel to lock during braking or a tendency for the rear wheel to lift is detected.

[0034] Naturally, without prejudice to the principles of the invention, the details of construction and embodiments may vary widely with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of example.

[0035] In particular, it is clear that the specific shape of the adapter support S shown here is provided purely by way of example, and that the shape of the adapter support S may vary widely depending on the characteristics of the particular application, in particular the characteristics of the fork and brake disc.

[0036] Additionally, although the embodiment illustrated herein utilizes screws to connect the body of the ABS system A to the adapter support S, it will be apparent that any other known connection technique may be used. 。 [Item 1] A support device configured to support, on a fork arm of a bicycle, both a caliper of a disc brake associated with a bicycle wheel and an ABS system in the form of a hydraulic control device intended to be operably interposed between a master hydraulic cylinder associated with a lever of the bicycle for actuating the brake and an actuator cylinder of the brake caliper, in order to control and reduce fluid pressure supplied to the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper when a tendency for wheel lock and / or an incipient fall of the bicycle is detected during braking, at least one first connection part for connection to a bicycle fork arm; at least one second connection part for connection to a body of a disc brake caliper; at least one third connection for connecting to the ABS system; Equipped with a support device, wherein the at least one first connection portion, the at least one second connection portion, and the at least one third connection portion are all part of a single adapter support that can be removably connected to the fork arm and configured to removably support both a caliper body of the disc brake and the ABS system. [Item 2] the single adapter support has the at least one first connection portion having at least one hole (H1) for engagement of a screw (V1) for attaching the single adapter support to the fork arm of the bicycle; the single adapter support has the at least one second connection part with at least one hole (H2) for the engagement of a screw (V2) for attaching the body of the disc brake caliper to the single adapter support, the single adapter support has the at least one third connection part with at least one hole (H3) for the engagement of a screw (V3) for attaching the body of the ABS system to the single adapter support, Item 1. The support device of item 1. [Item 3] the single adapter support is in the form of an elongated rod having an upper end head and a lower end head when mounted on the fork arm; Each of the upper end head and the lower end head has a first hole for engagement of a screw (V1) for attaching the single adapter support to the fork arm of the bicycle, a second hole for engagement of a screw (V2) for attaching the body of the disc brake caliper to the single adapter support, and a third hole for engagement of a screw (V3) for attaching the body of the ABS system to the single adapter support. Item 1. The support device of item 1. [Item 4] Item 4. The support device of item 3, wherein the axis of the third hole is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hole. [Item 5] Item 1. The support device of item 1, also comprising an auxiliary adapter configured to be mounted on the body of the ABS system and connected to the single adapter support to act as a connecting element between the single adapter support and the body of the ABS system. [Item 6] Item 6. The support device of item 5, wherein the auxiliary adapter is in the form of a shell configured to at least partially surround the body of the ABS system and is provided with a first connection portion configured for connection to the body of the ABS system and a second connection portion configured for connection to the single adapter support. [Item 7] 7. A bicycle equipped with a support device according to any one of items 1 to 6. [Item 8] 7. A method for mounting an ABS system in the form of a disc brake caliper and a hydraulic control device on a fork arm of a bicycle, wherein the body of the ABS system and the body of the disc brake caliper are mounted on the fork arm using a support device according to any one of items 1 to 6.

Claims

1. A support device configured to support, on a fork arm of a bicycle, both a caliper of a disc brake associated with a bicycle wheel and an ABS system in the form of a hydraulic control device intended to be operably interposed between a master hydraulic cylinder associated with a lever of the bicycle for actuating the brake and an actuator cylinder of the brake caliper, in order to control and reduce fluid pressure supplied to the actuating cylinder of the brake caliper when a tendency for wheel lock and / or an incipient fall of the bicycle is detected during braking, - at least one first connection part for connection to a bicycle fork arm; at least one second connection part for connection to the body of a disc brake caliper; at least one third connection for connecting to said ABS system; Equipped with the at least one first connecting portion, the at least one second connecting portion, and the at least one third connecting portion are all part of a single adapter support that can be removably connected to the fork arm and configured to removably support both a caliper body of the disc brake and the ABS system; the support device also comprises an auxiliary adapter configured to be mounted on the body of the ABS system and connected to the single adapter support to act as a connecting element between the single adapter support and the body of the ABS system; A support device, wherein the auxiliary adapter is in the form of a shell configured to at least partially surround the body of the ABS system and is provided with a first connection portion configured for connection to the body of the ABS system and a second connection portion configured for connection to the single adapter support.

2. the single adapter support has said at least one first connection portion having at least one hole (H1) for the engagement of a screw (V1) for attaching said single adapter support to said fork arm of said bicycle, - said single adapter support has said at least one second connection part with at least one hole (H2) for the engagement of a screw (V2) for attaching said body of said disc brake caliper to said single adapter support, - said single adapter support has said at least one third connection part with at least one hole (H3) for the engagement of a screw (V3) for attaching the body of said ABS system to said single adapter support; The support device of claim 1 .

3. the single adapter support is in the form of an elongated rod having an upper end head and a lower end head when mounted on the fork arm; each of the upper end head and the lower end head has a first hole for engagement of a screw (V1) for attaching the single adapter support to the fork arm of the bicycle, a second hole for engagement of a screw (V2) for attaching the body of the disc brake caliper to the single adapter support, and a third hole for engagement of a screw (V3) for attaching the body of the ABS system to the single adapter support; The support device of claim 1 .

4. The support device of claim 3 , wherein an axis of the third hole is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the first hole.

5. A bicycle equipped with a support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. 5. A method for mounting an ABS system in the form of a disc brake caliper and a hydraulic control device on a fork arm of a bicycle, wherein the body of the ABS system and the body of the disc brake caliper are mounted on the fork arm using a support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images