Cable-actuated bicycle disc brake

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable-operated bicycle disc brake that operates by the tension of an inner cable connected to a brake lever. The cable-operated bicycle disc brake of the present invention comprises a rotating disc, a brake pad, a caliper body that movably supports the brake pad, an operating arm in which the inner cable is fixed and which rotates by the tension of the inner cable, a conversion mechanism that converts the rotation of the operating arm into movement of the brake pad toward the rotating disc, and an automatic separation compensation mechanism that updates the return reference position of the brake pad from the released state toward the rotating disc. When the operating stroke of the operating arm, which increases with wear of the brake pad, exceeds the reference stroke, the automatic separation compensation mechanism updates the return reference position while maintaining the fixed position of the inner cable relative to the operating arm, thereby maintaining the separation distance between the rotating disc and the brake pad within a target separation range. Accordingly, the user does not have to repeat the operation of pulling and fixing the inner cable again in response to brake pad wear, and unnecessary position updates are suppressed within the normal operating range, thereby preventing pad dragging and overcompensation.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disc brake for a bicycle, and more specifically, to a cable-operated bicycle disc brake in which an operating arm (40) rotates by the tension of an inner cable (50) connected to a brake lever, and the rotation of the operating arm (40) is converted into movement of the brake pad (30, 31) toward the rotating disc (10) by a conversion mechanism (60).

[0002] The present invention relates to a cable-operated bicycle disc brake in which, even when the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) increases due to wear of the movable brake pad (31), the inner cable (50) is not pulled back and fixed to the operating arm (40) or the pad position adjustment screw is not repeatedly operated, and the return reference position of the brake pad (31) in the released state is updated to the rotating disc (10) side by an automatic separation compensation mechanism (70).

[0003] The present invention relates to a structure that can be applied to mountain bikes, commuter bikes, electric bikes, cargo bikes, shared bikes, folding bikes, and other lightweight vehicles using cable-type disc brakes, and mechanically compensates for a gap within a small caliper body (20) without relying on a fluid circuit of a hydraulic brake system or a composite compensation device for large vehicles. Background Technology

[0004] A bicycle disc brake is a device that generates braking force by applying pressure to a rotating disc (10) with brake pads (30, 31). In a typical cable-operated bicycle disc brake, tension is generated in the inner cable (50) according to the operation of the brake lever, and when the inner cable (50) pulls the operating arm (40), the operating arm (40) rotates relative to the caliper body (20). The rotation of the operating arm (40) is converted into linear movement of a moving member (61) by a cam, ball ramp, inclined surface, screw cam, or other conversion mechanism (60), and the moving member (61) moves the moving side brake pad (31) toward the rotating disc (10).

[0005] Cable-operated bicycle disc brakes have the advantage of having a simpler structure and lower manufacturing costs compared to hydraulic brakes, and do not require dedicated hydraulic tools or hydraulic oil for maintenance. However, cable-operated brakes have a problem in that as the brake pads (30, 31) wear out, the distance (G) between the rotating disc (10) and the brake pads (30, 31) increases, and as a result, the amount of operation of the brake lever or the operation stroke of the operating arm (40) increases.

[0006] When the brake pads (30, 31) are worn out, the user typically releases the fixed position of the inner cable (50) fixed to the operating arm (40), pulls the inner cable (50) further to fix it again, or rotates the pad position adjustment screw provided on the caliper body (20) to move the brake pads (30, 31) toward the rotating disc (10). Alternatively, the user increases the cable tension by operating a tension adjustment mechanism provided on the brake lever side or the cable line. Such adjustments are cumbersome for users lacking maintenance knowledge, and if the amount of adjustment is excessive, the brake pads (30, 31) are dragged against the rotating disc (10), and if the amount of adjustment is insufficient, the braking responsiveness is reduced.

[0007] In addition, the actual gap of a cable-operated bicycle disc brake is continuously affected by variations in the thickness of the bicycle frame, wheel, caliper mounting part, and rotating disc (10), cable elongation, pad wear, and the user's lever operation habits. Therefore, the method of the user periodically pulling the inner cable (50) back to secure it or operating the adjustment screw has the disadvantage that the braking performance varies significantly depending on the user's skill level.

[0008] Various structures may exist in large vehicle brakes or hydraulic brakes to compensate for pad wear. However, bicycle cable disc brakes require a small installation space, strict limitations on weight increase, exposure to contaminants and rainwater, and the ability for users to perform maintenance with only simple tools. Therefore, it is difficult to directly apply the complex automatic compensation systems found in large vehicles, and compensation methods utilizing piston chambers or hydraulic reservoirs found in hydraulic brakes do not align with the structural premises of cable brakes.

[0009] Accordingly, a small automatic separation compensation mechanism is required that automatically updates the reference position of the brake pad (31) in the released state even when the fixed position of the inner cable (50) on the operating arm (40) is maintained in a cable-operated bicycle disc brake, suppresses unnecessary compensation operation in the normal operating range, and allows the pad to be easily returned to the initial position when replaced. The problem to be solved

[0010] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to ensure that, even when the brake pads (30, 31) in a cable-operated bicycle disc brake wear out, the user does not have to perform the task of unwinding the inner cable (50) from the operating arm (40) and pulling it back to secure it, and that the distance (G) between the rotating disc (10) and the brake pads (30, 31) is maintained within the target distance range.

[0011] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to suppress overcompensation, pad dragging, unnecessary friction, and heat generation by causing the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) to update the return reference position only when the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) exceeds the reference stroke (S) due to wear of the brake pad (31), and preventing the updating of the return reference position when the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) is within the normal range or below the reference stroke (S).

[0012] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a cable-actuated bicycle disc brake that performs wear compensation for a brake pad (31) by means of a simple and lightweight mechanical structure that can be housed in the limited internal space of a bicycle caliper body (20), and does not rely on a hydraulic circuit, a large actuator, or a complex vehicle compensation device.

[0013] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to allow the position-holding state of the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) to be released when replacing the brake pads (30, 31), thereby allowing the moving member (61) or the pad support (35) to be returned to the initial position, so that a replacement brake pad thicker than the worn brake pad can be smoothly mounted on the caliper body (20). means of solving the problem

[0014] A cable-operated bicycle disc brake (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problem may include a rotating disc (10), a brake pad (30, 31), a caliper body (20) that movably supports the brake pad (30, 31), an operating arm (40) in which an inner cable (50) is fixed and rotates by the tension of the inner cable (50), a conversion mechanism (60) that converts the rotation of the operating arm (40) into movement of the brake pad (31) toward the rotating disc (10), and an automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) that updates the return reference position of the brake pad (31) in the released state toward the rotating disc (10).

[0015] The automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) can update the return reference position of the brake pad (31) in the released state to the rotating disc (10) side when the operating stroke of the operating arm (40), which increases with the wear of the brake pad (31), exceeds the reference stroke (S). At this time, since the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) can update the return reference position while maintaining the fixed position of the inner cable (50) relative to the operating arm (40), the user does not need to perform the task of loosening the cable clamp bolt (44) and pulling the inner cable (50) back to fix it.

[0016] The automatic clearance compensation mechanism (70) may include an elastic member (71) that deflects the brake pad (31) or the pad support member (35) supporting the brake pad (31) toward the rotating disk (10), and a unidirectional position maintaining member (72) that limits the return of the brake pad (31) or the pad support member (35) away from the rotating disk (10) at an updated return reference position. The elastic member (71) provides a reference position updating force to compensate for clearance increased by pad wear, and the unidirectional position maintaining member (72) may maintain the moving member (61) or the pad support member (35) so that it does not retract beyond the updated position.

[0017] The automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may be configured to update the return reference position only when the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) rotates beyond the reference stroke (S), and to prevent the updating of the return reference position when the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) is less than or equal to the reference stroke (S). To this end, the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may include a stroke trigger part (90) comprising a trigger member (91) linked to the operating arm (40) and a coupling member (92) provided on the caliper body (20).

[0018] The unidirectional position holding member (72) may be composed of a ratchet mechanism comprising a tooth row (73) formed on the moving member (61) and a pawl (74) that engages with the tooth row (73). Alternatively, the unidirectional position holding member (72) may be composed of a friction holding member (76) that frictionally contacts the outer surface of the moving member (61). Alternatively, the unidirectional position holding member (72) may be composed of a wedge member (77) that is movable along an inclined surface (78). These embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and two or more position holding structures may be used in combination.

[0019] The automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may further include a reset unit (80). The reset unit (80) may include a reset operating unit (81) operable from the outside of the caliper body (20), a release pin (82) that releases the engagement or friction-maintaining state of the unidirectional position holding unit (72), or a reset lever (83) that separates the pawl (74) from the gear row (73). When the reset unit (80) is operated, the moving member (61), the moving side pad support (35), or the moving side brake pad (31) becomes movable in a direction away from the rotating disc (10), thereby enabling the mounting of a replacement brake pad. Effects of the invention

[0020] According to the present invention, even if the brake pads (30, 31) of a cable-operated bicycle disc brake (1) are worn out, the fixed position of the inner cable (50) to the operating arm (40) can be updated to the rotating disc (10) side by an automatic spacing compensation mechanism (70) without readjusting the fixed position of the brake pad (31) in the released state. Therefore, the user does not have to repeat the cumbersome task of loosening the cable clamp bolt (44) and pulling the inner cable (50) back to fix it.

[0021] According to the present invention, when the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) exceeds the reference stroke (S) due to wear of the brake pad (31), the return reference position is updated, so that compensation operation can be performed only when the wear of the brake pad (31) substantially causes an increase in the gap or an increase in the lever stroke. Accordingly, compared to a structure in which the compensation amount is unconditionally accumulated for every braking operation, the possibility of overcompensation is reduced, and pad dragging on the rotating disc (10), unnecessary heat generation, noise, and premature pad wear can be suppressed.

[0022] According to the present invention, the automatic clearance compensation mechanism (70) prevents the updating of the return reference position within the normal operating range and allows the updating of the position only when the operating stroke exceeds the reference stroke (S). This conditional compensation provides the effect of automatically compensating for the increase in lever clearance due to accumulated wear while satisfying the requirements for a small installation space and light operating feel of a bicycle brake.

[0023] According to the present invention, since the elastic member (71) deflects the movable brake pad (31) or the movable pad support member (35) toward the rotating disk (10) and the unidirectional position maintaining member (72) limits excessive return in a direction away from the rotating disk (10), the reference position update due to pad wear can be achieved using only a mechanical structure without using a hydraulic circuit. Accordingly, the problem of manual clearance adjustment, which is a weakness of cable-type brakes, can be mitigated without increasing manufacturing costs, maintenance difficulty, or component weight.

[0024] According to the present invention, since the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) can be placed inside the caliper body (20) or in a small space adjacent to the caliper body (20), it can be applied without significantly changing the basic structure of the existing bicycle frame, brake lever, inner cable (50), and outer cable housing (51). This provides the effect of improving the maintainability of the cable brake without switching to a hydraulic brake system.

[0025] According to the present invention, the position holding state of the unidirectional position holding member (72) can be released by the reset member (80), so that when replacing the brake pads (30, 31), the moving member (61) or the moving side pad support member (35) can be returned to the initial position. Therefore, even if an automatic compensation function exists, a new thick brake pad can be easily inserted into the caliper body (20), and the workability of the pad replacement is not reduced.

[0026] According to the present invention, an automatic clearance compensation mechanism (70) can be configured to suit various production grades and brake specifications through a ratchet mechanism, a friction retaining member (76), a wedge member (77), or a combination thereof. For example, the ratchet mechanism provides clear stepwise compensation in units of engagement pitch (P), the friction retaining member (76) provides relatively continuous position retention, and the wedge member (77) can provide high retention force by utilizing self-locking characteristics.

[0027] According to the present invention, the stroke trigger unit (90) can determine whether to operate the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) based on the actual operation stroke of the operating arm (40). Since this utilizes the phenomenon of increased lever stroke perceived by the user due to pad wear as a direct mechanical input, the timing of wear compensation can be reliably determined without a separate electronic sensor, power supply, controller, or hydraulic pressure detection unit.

[0028] This invention does not simply scale down and apply a complex automatic compensation device for vehicles to bicycles, but rather solves the problems that actually occur in cable-operated bicycle disc brakes—such as cable re-locking, pad position adjustment screw operation, lever stroke increase, and pad replacement reset—through a single mechanical compensation system. Therefore, this invention has the effect of simultaneously considering the structural constraints, maintenance environment, user operability, and lightweight requirements of bicycle cable brakes.

[0029] The present invention provides an automatic compensation function while suppressing unnecessary position updates during normal braking, and updates the return reference position only when wear accumulates and the operating stroke exceeds the reference stroke (S). This configuration balances the conflicting demands of wear compensation for the brake pad (31) and prevention of brake drag, and can be presented as a technical effect that distinguishes it from a simple manual adjuster or an unconditional automatic forward mechanism during the examination stage. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which an automatic clearance compensation mechanism is positioned within the caliper body in the cable-operated bicycle disc brake of FIG. 1. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an operating state in which, when the operating stroke of the operating arm exceeds the reference stroke due to wear of the brake pad, the return reference position of the brake pad is updated to the rotating disc side by an automatic separation compensation mechanism. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the state in which the position holding state of the automatic separation compensation mechanism is released by the reset unit when the brake pad is replaced, and the return reference position returns to the initial position. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a configuration in which an automatic spacing compensation mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an elastic part and a unidirectional position maintaining part. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an example in which a unidirectional position maintaining part according to one embodiment of the present invention is composed of a ratchet mechanism including a tooth row and a pawl. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example in which a unidirectional position maintaining member according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a friction maintaining member that frictionally contacts the outer surface of a moving member. FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example in which a unidirectional position maintaining member according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a wedge member movable along an inclined surface. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration in which a conversion mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cam member that converts the rotational movement of an operating arm into the linear movement of a brake pad. FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprising a stroke trigger unit linked with an operating arm, a trigger member, and a coupling member provided on a caliper body. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The shapes, sizes, and relative positions of the components shown in the drawings are exemplary to aid in understanding the invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to specific proportions or specific appearances shown in the drawings. In this specification, the expression "side of the rotating disk (10)" refers to the direction in which the brake pads (30, 31) approach the rotating disk (10) for braking, and the expression "direction away from the rotating disk (10)" refers to the direction in which the brake pads (30, 31) move away from the rotating disk (10) after braking is released.

[0032] In this specification, the return reference position refers to the reference position where the movable brake pad (31), the movable pad support (35), or the movable member (61) is located when the operation of the brake lever is released and the operating arm (40) returns to an initial or released state. That the return reference position is updated toward the rotating disk (10) side may mean that the release position of the brake pad (31) is changed to a position closer to the rotating disk (10) than the release position before the brake pad (31) is worn out.

[0033] In this specification, the target spacing range (G) refers to a desirable gap range formed between the rotating disc (10) and the brake pads (30, 31). The target spacing range (G) can be set to a range that provides sufficient spacing so that the brake pads (30, 31) do not drag on the rotating disc (10), while ensuring that the braking response delay does not increase excessively when the brake lever is operated. For example, the target spacing range (G) can be set according to the brake specifications, the allowable amount of wobble of the rotating disc (10), the material of the pad friction material (32), and the bicycle application, and is not limited to a specific numerical value.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a cable-operated bicycle disc brake (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a rotating disc (10), a caliper body (20), a fixed brake pad (30), a movable brake pad (31), an operating arm (40), an inner cable (50), an outer cable housing (51), a conversion mechanism (60), and an automatic separation compensation mechanism (70). The rotating disc (10) may be coupled to a bicycle wheel hub and rotate together with the wheel, and the caliper body (20) may be fixed to a caliper mounting portion provided on a bicycle frame or fork.

[0035] The rotating disc (10) may be made of a metal plate and may include friction surfaces (11) on both sides to which brake pads (30, 31) can contact. The rotating disc (10) may be configured in various shapes, such as a disc shape, a wave shape, a shape having ventilation holes, or a shape having multiple lightweight openings. The present invention is not limited to a specific shape of the rotating disc (10), and the thickness, diameter, and material of the rotating disc (10) may be selected according to the type of bicycle and braking performance requirements.

[0036] The caliper body (20) may have a housing structure positioned with a portion of the outer circumference of the rotating disc (10) in between. The caliper body (20) may include a caliper housing (21), a pad receiving space (22), a pad guide portion (23), a cable support portion (24), an arm support shaft (25), a compensation mechanism receiving space (27), and a mounting portion (29) coupled to a frame or fork. The caliper housing (21) may support a fixed-side brake pad (30), a movable-side brake pad (31), a conversion mechanism (60), and an automatic separation compensation mechanism (70), and protect them from external impact.

[0037] A pad receiving space (22) may be formed inside the caliper body (20) so that brake pads (30, 31) can be placed on both sides of the rotating disc (10). A pad guide portion (23) may guide the direction of movement of the brake pads (30, 31) or the pad support portions (34, 35). The pad guide portion (23) may be composed of a rail, a slot, a pin, a guide groove, a guide projection, or a combination thereof, and may guide the moving brake pad (31) to approach or move away from the rotating disc (10) in a substantially straight direction.

[0038] The cable support (24) supports the end of the outer cable housing (51) and can provide a reference support point so that the tensile force transmitted by the inner cable (50) to the operating arm (40) acts stably. The cable support (24) may be formed integrally with the caliper body (20) or connected by a separate bracket. The cable support (24) may include a recess or a screw-type adjustment sleeve that accommodates the cable end cap (52), but the operation of the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may be performed while maintaining the fixed position of the inner cable (50) relative to the operating arm (40).

[0039] The operating arm (40) may be a lever-type member rotatable with respect to the caliper body (20). The operating arm (40) may include an arm body (42), an arm pivot axis (43), a cable fixing part (41), a cable clamp bolt (44), an arm return elastic part (45), and a trigger linkage part (46). The arm pivot axis (43) may be supported by the arm support axis (25) of the caliper body (20), and the operating arm (40) may rotate around the arm pivot axis (43) according to the direction in which the inner cable (50) is pulled.

[0040] The cable fixing part (41) is a part to which the end or middle part of the inner cable (50) is fixed. The cable fixing part (41) may include a cable clamp bolt (44), a clamp plate, a cable insertion groove, or a cable fixing hole. The user may fix the inner cable (50) to the cable fixing part (41) during initial installation, but the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) of the present invention can update the return reference position without changing the fixing position of the inner cable (50) again even after the brake pad (31) has worn out.

[0041] The arm return elastic member (45) can provide an elastic force to return the operating arm (40) to the release direction after the operation of the brake lever is released. The arm return elastic member (45) may be composed of a torsion spring, a tension spring, a compression spring, or an elastic rubber member. The elastic force of the arm return elastic member (45) is sufficient to stably return the operating arm (40) to the initial angle position, but may be set so as not to arbitrarily release the position holding force of the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70).

[0042] The conversion mechanism (60) converts the rotational movement of the operating arm (40) into linear movement of the movable brake pad (31) toward the rotating disc (10). The conversion mechanism (60) may include a moving member (61), a cam member (62), a cam follower (63), a ball ramp mechanism (64), an inclined cam (65), a screw cam (66), a drive rod (67), or a combination thereof. The conversion mechanism (60) may be implemented with various mechanical drive structures used in cable-type disc brakes and is not limited to a specific cam shape.

[0043] The moving member (61) may be a member that pushes the movable brake pad (31) or the movable pad support (35) toward the rotating disc (10). The moving member (61) may have a shape that is integrated with a piston type, slider type, rod type, plunger type, or rotation-linear conversion member. The moving member (61) may move along the pad guide portion (23) or move within a bore or sliding groove formed in the caliper body (20).

[0044] A fixed-side brake pad (30) may be positioned on one side of a rotating disk (10), and a movable-side brake pad (31) may be positioned on the other side of a rotating disk (10) and move toward the rotating disk (10). The fixed-side brake pad (30) may be supported by a fixed-side pad support (34), and the movable-side brake pad (31) may be supported by a movable-side pad support (35). Each brake pad (30, 31) may include a pad friction material (32) and a pad backplate (33).

[0045] The fixed brake pad (30) may be fixed relative to the caliper body (20), but may be configured to allow for manual initial position adjustment as needed. The movable brake pad (31) may be moved toward the rotating disc (10) by the conversion mechanism (60) to press the rotating disc (10) toward the fixed brake pad (30), or in a structure where both pads move simultaneously, it may move oppositely on both sides of the rotating disc (10). The automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) of the present invention is described as an example of updating the return reference position of the movable brake pad (31), but it may also be applied to each of the two brake pads (30, 31).

[0046] The automatic displacement compensation mechanism (70) updates the return reference position of the brake pad (31) from the released state to the rotating disc (10) side. The automatic displacement compensation mechanism (70) can be housed in the compensation mechanism receiving space (27) and can be mechanically coupled with at least one of the moving member (61), the moving side pad support (35), the conversion mechanism (60), or the operating arm (40). The automatic displacement compensation mechanism (70) does not require a large device protruding outside the caliper body (20) and can be placed in the internal or side space of the caliper body (20).

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, the automatic clearance compensation mechanism (70) may include an elastic member (71) and a unidirectional position maintaining member (72). The elastic member (71) provides a force that deflects the moving member (61), the moving side pad support member (35), or the moving side brake pad (31) toward the rotating disk (10). The deflection force of the elastic member (71) may be set not as a force that pushes the brake pad (31) into a strongly braking state, but as a reference position updating force to compensate for clearance increased by wear of the brake pad (31).

[0048] The elastic member (71) may be composed of a coil spring, a leaf spring, a disc spring, a torsion spring, an elastic polymer member, or a combination thereof. The coil spring is positioned in a compressed state at the rear of the moving member (61) to push the moving member (61) toward the rotating disk (10). The leaf spring may be positioned between the inner wall of the caliper body (20) and the moving side pad support (35). The disc spring can provide high elastic force in a small axial space, and the elastic polymer member can provide both vibration absorption and anti-vibration functions.

[0049] The unidirectional position maintaining member (72) allows movement of the brake pad (31) or the movable pad support member (35) toward the rotating disk (10), and can restrict the return of the brake pad (31) or the movable pad support member (35) toward the rotating disk (10) from the updated return reference position. The unidirectional position maintaining member (72) can maintain the movable member (61) so that it does not fully retract to the previous position even if the operating arm (40) returns to the release position after the elastic member (71) advances the movable member (61) toward the rotating disk (10).

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, when the brake pad (31) is not worn or the amount of wear is small, the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) may remain below the reference stroke (S). In this case, the automatic gap compensation mechanism (70) does not perform an update of the return reference position, and the movable brake pad (31) returns to the existing return reference position. Therefore, unnecessary forward compensation is not accumulated during normal use, and the phenomenon of the gap between the rotating disc (10) and the brake pad (31) becoming excessively narrow can be prevented.

[0051] When wear of the brake pad (31) progresses, the operating arm (40) must rotate at a larger angle or with a longer operating stroke to obtain the same braking force. When the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) exceeds the reference stroke (S), the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) initiates an operation to update the return reference position. At this time, the elastic part (71) advances the moving member (61) or the moving side pad support part (35) toward the rotating disk (10), and the unidirectional position holding part (72) restricts the retraction of the moving member (61) from the advanced position.

[0052] The reference stroke (S) may be set to be larger than the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) required for the movable brake pad (31) to contact the rotating disc (10) in a pre-wear state. The reference stroke (S) may include a margin to prevent malfunction due to normal rotation of the rotating disc (10), deformation of the pad elasticity, elongation of the cable, deformation of the frame, or a sudden strong braking input from the user. The reference stroke (S) may be set by the stopper shape of the caliper body (20), the position of the trigger member (91), the position of the coupling member (92), or the position of the reference stroke setting part (94).

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, the unidirectional position holding member (72) may be composed of a ratchet mechanism including a tooth row (73) formed on a moving member (61) and a pawl (74) that engages with the tooth row (73). The tooth row (73) may be formed on the outer surface, side, upper surface, lower surface of the moving member (61) or on a separate ratchet rod. The tooth row (73) may have an inclined surface through which the pawl (74) can pass in the direction of movement toward the rotating disk (10), and a catch surface through which the pawl (74) is caught in the direction away from the rotating disk (10).

[0054] The pole (74) can be elastically pressed in a direction that engages with the gear row (73) by the pole elastic part (75). When the moving member (61) moves toward the rotating disk (10) by the elastic part (71), the pole (74) moves relative along the inclined surface of the gear row (73) and can pass over one or more gears. When the moving member (61) attempts to return in a direction away from the rotating disk (10), the pole (74) can engage with the catch surface of the gear row (73) to restrict the retraction of the moving member (61).

[0055] The engagement pitch (P) of the gear row (73) can be set to correspond to the target spacing range (G). If the engagement pitch (P) is too large, the return reference position may advance excessively, causing pad dragging, and if the engagement pitch (P) is too small, the strength of the gear may be insufficient or the reliability of the engagement may be reduced due to contaminants. Therefore, the engagement pitch (P) can be set by taking into account the amount of wear of the movable brake pad (31), the allowable run of the rotating disc (10), the allowable clearance of the brake lever, and manufacturing tolerances.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7, the unidirectional position holding member (72) may include a friction holding member (76) that frictionally contacts the outer surface of the moving member (61). The friction holding member (76) may be an elastic ring, collet, tapered sleeve, clamp ring, friction pad, or eccentric clamp surrounding the moving member (61). The friction holding member (76) may be configured to provide relatively small resistance for movement of the moving member (61) toward the rotating disk (10) and to increase frictional resistance for movement of the moving member (61) toward the rotating disk (10).

[0057] The friction-maintaining member (76) can maintain the position of the moving member (61) without using the gear row (73) and pawl (74), so it may be advantageous for brake specifications requiring fine position updates. The friction-maintaining member (76) can adjust the holding force by the surface roughness, friction material, elastic preload, taper angle, or contact length of the moving member (61). The holding force of the friction-maintaining member (76) is set to prevent the moving member (61) from retracting from the updated position when the brake is released, but can be set so that the moving member (61) can return to the initial position when the reset unit (80) is operated.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 8, the unidirectional position holding member (72) may include a wedge member (77) movable along an inclined surface (78). The wedge member (77) may be placed in the space between the moving member (61), the moving side pad support member (35), or the caliper body (20). The wedge member (77) may enter along the inclined surface (78) when the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) is activated due to wear of the brake pad (31), and may form a self-locking state with the inclined surface (78) to restrict the retraction of the moving member (61).

[0059] The angle of inclination of the wedge member (77) can be set to satisfy the self-locking condition. However, since the brake pad (31) may be dragged on the rotating disc (10) if the wedge member (77) enters excessively, a stopper (79) that limits the amount of entry of the wedge member (77) may be provided. The stopper (79) may be composed of the inner wall of the caliper body (20), the step of the moving member (61), the protrusion of the wedge member (77), or a separate limiting pin.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 9, the conversion mechanism (60) may include a cam member (62). The cam member (62) rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operating arm (40) and can push the cam follower (63) to move the moving member (61) toward the rotating disk (10). The cam member (62) may include an eccentric cam, an inclined cam (65), a ball ramp mechanism (64), or a screw cam (66). An eccentric cam has a simple structure, a ball ramp mechanism (64) can provide a relatively large axial movement with a small rotation angle, and a screw cam (66) can provide high mechanical gain.

[0061] If the conversion mechanism (60) includes a ball ramp mechanism (64), a ball may be placed between opposing ramp surfaces, and relative rotation of the ramp surfaces may occur according to the rotation of the operating arm (40), allowing the moving member (61) to advance in the axial direction. If the conversion mechanism (60) includes a screw cam (66), the rotation of the operating arm (40) may be converted into relative rotation of the screw threads, allowing the moving member (61) to move toward the rotating disk (10). This conversion structure can be combined with an automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) to perform a return reference position update according to pad wear.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 10, the automatic gap compensation mechanism (70) may include a stroke trigger portion (90). The stroke trigger portion (90) may include a trigger member (91) linked to an operating arm (40), a coupling member (92) provided in a caliper body (20), a gap space (93) formed between the trigger member (91) and the coupling member (92), a reference stroke setting portion (94), and a trigger elastic portion (95). The trigger member (91) may be formed on the trigger linkage portion (46) of the operating arm (40) or composed of a separate projection, pin, cam surface, or link coupled to the operating arm (40).

[0063] The coupling member (92) may be provided on the caliper body (20), the inner wall of the compensation mechanism receiving space (27), or the support frame of the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70). When the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) is less than or equal to the reference stroke (S), the trigger member (91) does not come into contact with or substantially engage with the coupling member (92) due to the clearance space (93). Therefore, the position update operation of the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) is not initiated during normal braking.

[0064] When the operating stroke of the operating arm (40) exceeds the reference stroke (S), the trigger member (91) may come into contact with or engage with the coupling member (92). By the engagement of the trigger member (91) and the coupling member (92), the pole (74) may advance the tooth row (73) by more than one pitch, the holding position of the friction holding member (76) may advance, or the wedge member (77) may enter along the inclined surface (78). Accordingly, the return reference position of the moving member (61) is updated toward the rotating disk (10).

[0065] The stroke trigger portion (90) may operate based on at least one of the angle of the operating arm (40), the amount of movement of the conversion mechanism (60), the amount of operation of the brake lever, or the amount of movement of the inner cable (50). For example, the trigger member (91) may be provided at the tip of the operating arm (40), and the coupling member (92) may be positioned outside the normal rotation range of the operating arm (40). Alternatively, the trigger member (91) may be provided on the moving member (61), and the coupling member (92) may be positioned at a location that is contacted only when the moving member (61) advances beyond a reference position.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 4, a reset unit (80) may be provided to release the position-holding state of the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) when replacing the pad. The reset unit (80) may include a reset operation unit (81) that can be operated from the outside of the caliper body (20). The reset operation unit (81) may be composed of a button, a slider, a rotary knob, a hex wrench insertion part, a lever, or a screw-type operation part. When a user operates the reset operation unit (81), a release pin (82) or a reset lever (83) may act on the pawl (74), the friction-holding member (76), or the wedge member (77) to release the position-holding state.

[0067] When the reset unit (80) is applied to the ratchet mechanism, the reset lever (83) can lift the pawl (74) from the gear row (73) to release the engagement between the gear row (73) and the pawl (74). At this time, the moving member (61) can be moved away from the rotating disc (10) by the user's finger, a pad insertion tool, or a separate return spring. When the moving member (61) comes into contact with the initial position stopper (84), sufficient space is secured for a new brake pad to be inserted.

[0068] When the reset unit (80) is applied to the friction-maintaining member (76), the release pin (82) can reduce the friction-maintaining force on the moving member (61) by relaxing the tapered contact of the friction-maintaining member (76) or by expanding the collet. When the reset unit (80) is applied to the wedge member (77), the reset operating unit (81) can move the wedge member (77) in the retracting direction of the inclined surface (78) or release the self-locking state between the wedge member (77) and the moving member (61).

[0069] The automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may include a cover or sealing member to reduce the ingress of contaminants. Since bicycle brakes may be exposed to water, mud, dust, and cleaning fluid, the compensation mechanism receiving space (27) is connected to the outside through an opening (28) of the caliper body (20) and may include a dustproof cover, rubber seal, cap, or lubrication retention structure. The tooth row (73), pawl (74), friction retention member (76), wedge member (77), and inclined surface (78) may be formed of corrosion-resistant metal or surface-treated metal.

[0070] The automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may be designed to update the return reference position step by step whenever the amount of wear on the brake pad (31) accumulates above a certain level. For example, in the case of a ratchet mechanism, the tooth row (73) may advance by one engagement pitch (P) in one update operation. In other examples, in the case of strong braking or when a large amount of wear accumulates, it may advance by two or more engagement pitches (P) in one update operation. However, excessive advance may be limited by a stopper (79) or a reference stroke setting part (94).

[0071] The cable-operated bicycle disc brake (1) of the present invention can be compatible with an existing cable operation system comprising a brake lever, an inner cable (50), and an outer cable housing (51). When initially installed, the user secures the inner cable (50) to the cable fixing part (41) of the operating arm (40), and since the return reference position is updated by the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) even as the brake pad (31) wears out, constant braking responsiveness can be maintained without frequent cable re-fixing operations.

[0072] In an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may be described as being applied only to the movable brake pad (31), but in another embodiment, the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may also be applied to the position adjustment of the fixed brake pad (30). For example, a separate elastic part and a unidirectional position maintaining part may be provided in the fixed pad support part (34) so ​​that the reference position of the fixed brake pad (30) may be updated toward the rotating disc (10) side according to the wear of the fixed brake pad (30).

[0073] In another embodiment, the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may be positioned between the moving member (61) and the operating arm (40). In this case, the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may not directly update the output position of the conversion mechanism (60), but rather slightly change the release angle position of the operating arm (40) or the reference input position of the conversion mechanism (60), thereby updating the return reference position of the moving side brake pad (31) to the side of the rotating disc (10). However, even in this case, the fixed position of the inner cable (50) relative to the operating arm (40) may be maintained.

[0074] In another embodiment, the automatic displacement compensation mechanism (70) may be composed of a modular compensation unit attached to the outside of the caliper body (20). The modular compensation unit may include a bracket coupled to the existing caliper body (20), a compensation rod connected to a movable member (61), an elastic member (71), and a unidirectional position maintaining member (72). This modular structure can facilitate rear mounting for existing cable-type bicycle disc brakes or common use for various caliper specifications.

[0075] In another embodiment, the reference stroke (S) can be adjusted by the user or the manufacturer. The reference stroke setting part (94) may include a screw-type adjustment pin, an eccentric cam, a replaceable spacer, or a position adjustment slot. Setting the reference stroke (S) large may reduce the frequency of compensation operation and decrease the risk of pad drag, while setting the reference stroke (S) small may compensate for increased lever play more sensitively. Thus, the reference stroke (S) can be set differently depending on the bicycle application.

[0076] In another embodiment, the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) may include a display unit that informs the user of the completion of compensation. The display unit may be configured to provide an externally visible display window, color display, protruding indicator pin, or click sensation depending on the position of the moving member (61), the advance stage of the gear row (73), the state of the reset unit (80), or the amount of pad wear. While such a display unit is not an essential component, it can help the user easily check when to replace the pad or whether a reset is necessary.

[0077] In another embodiment, the elastic member (71) may be used with a limiting structure to prevent the brake pad (31) from being excessively pressed against the rotating disc (10) after the brake is released, as well as with a deflection force for compensating operation. For example, the forward force of the elastic member (71) is limited by the engagement pitch (P) of the unidirectional positioning member (72) and the stopper (79), and the pad return spring (36) may form a fine release gap so that the pad friction material (32) is not directly dragged against the rotating disc (10).

[0078] In another embodiment, the automatic clearance compensation mechanism (70) may be configured to maintain a balanced clearance between both sides of the rotating disc (10). For example, when the return reference position of the movable brake pad (31) is updated, the position of the fixed pad support (34) or the reference plane within the pad receiving space (22) of the caliper body (20) may be adjusted together. Alternatively, the fixed brake pad (30) may be set with a separate initial adjustment screw, and the entire lever clearance may be managed solely by the automatic compensation of the movable brake pad (31).

[0079] To explain an example of the operation process, when a user pulls the brake lever, the inner cable (50) is pulled, and the operating arm (40) fixed to the inner cable (50) rotates around the arm rotation axis (43). The rotation of the operating arm (40) is converted into linear movement of the moving member (61) by the conversion mechanism (60), and the moving member (61) moves the moving side brake pad (31) toward the rotating disk (10) through the moving side pad support (35). The moving side brake pad (31) presses the rotating disk (10) toward the fixed side brake pad (30) to generate braking force.

[0080] When the brake pad (31) is sufficiently thick and the gap is within the target separation range (G), the operating arm (40) can generate the necessary braking force within a range of less than or equal to the reference stroke (S). At this time, the stroke trigger part (90) does not operate, and the position update of the unidirectional position holding part (72) does not occur. When the brake lever is released, the arm return elastic part (45) returns the operating arm (40) to the release position, and the movable brake pad (31) returns to the existing return reference position.

[0081] When wear on the brake pad (31) accumulates and a longer travel distance is required for the movable brake pad (31) to contact the rotating disk (10), the operating arm (40) rotates beyond the reference stroke (S). At this time, the trigger member (91) is coupled to the coupling member (92), and the position update operation of the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) is initiated. The elastic member (71) advances the movable member (61) toward the rotating disk (10), and the unidirectional position maintaining member (72) restricts the return of the movable member (61) from the advanced position. Subsequently, even when the brake lever is released, the reference return position of the movable brake pad (31) is maintained at the updated position.

[0082] To explain an example of the pad replacement process, the user operates the reset unit (80) to release the position holding state of the unidirectional position holding unit (72). In the ratchet mechanism embodiment, the reset lever (83) separates the pawl (74) from the gear row (73); in the friction holding embodiment, the release pin (82) relieves the preload of the friction holding member (76); and in the wedge embodiment, the wedge member (77) is retracted along the inclined surface (78). Subsequently, the moving member (61) moves in a direction away from the rotating disk (10) and reaches an initial position set by the initial position stopper (84).

[0083] Each of the above-described embodiments may be applied independently of one another, or at least some of them may be applied in combination. For example, a ratchet mechanism and a stroke trigger part (90) may be combined, a friction retaining member (76) and a reset part (80) may be combined, and a wedge member (77) and a stopper (79) may be combined. Additionally, an elastic part (71) may be combined with any one of the ratchet mechanism, the friction retaining member (76), and the wedge member (77).

[0084] The materials of the components of the present invention are not particularly limited. The caliper body (20) may be formed of aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, steel, stainless steel, or fiber-reinforced composite. The operating arm (40), moving member (61), tooth row (73), pawl (74), and wedge member (77) may be formed of a metal having wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and the elastic member (71) may be formed of spring steel, stainless steel, or elastic polymer. The friction retaining member (76) may include metal, engineering plastic, sintered friction material, or elastic body.

[0085] The automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) of the present invention is not limited to completely excluding manual adjustment functions. For example, a separate initial adjustment means may be provided for initial installation, wheel replacement, replacement of the rotating disc (10), or special maintenance. However, the automatic separation compensation mechanism (70) of the present invention can perform a return reference position update corresponding to the normal wear progression of the brake pad (31) without re-fixing the inner cable (50) by the user.

[0086] The embodiments described above are intended to illustrate the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the name, shape, arrangement, or order of operation of specific embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, the shape, location, quantity, and combination relationship of each component may be varied. Explanation of the symbols

[0087] 1: Cable-operated bicycle disc brakes 10: Rotating disk 11: Friction surface 20: Caliper body 21: Caliper housing 22: Pad storage space 23: Pad Guide Section 24: Cable support 25: Aam Jijichuk 26: Operating arm stopper 27: Compensation mechanism accommodation space 28: Frog 29: Mounting part 30: Fixed-side brake pad 31: Moving side brake pad 32: Pad friction material 33: Pad backplate 34: Fixed side pad support 35: Movable side pad support 36: Pad return spring 40: Operating arm 41: Cable fixing part 42: Arm main body 43: Aam meeting axis 44: Cable clamp bolt 45: Arm return elastic part 46: Trigger Linkage 50: Inner cable 51: Outer cable housing 52: Cable End Cap 60: Transformer 61: Moving member 62: Cam missing 63: Cam Followers 64: Ball lamp fixture 65: Inclined cam 66: Screw cam 67: Drive Load 70: Automatic separation compensation mechanism 71: Elastic part 72: Unidirectional positioning part 73: Serrated row 74: Paul 75: Pole elastic part 76: Friction retaining member 77: Wedge Absence 78: Slope 79: Stopper 80: Reset section 81: Reset control unit 82: Release pin 83: Reset lever 84: Initial position stopper 90: Stroke trigger section 91: Missing Trigger 92: Connecting member 93: Gaps space 94: Standard stroke setting section 95: Trigger elastic part 96: Trigger release side G: Target separation range or separation distance P: Interlocking pitch S: Reference stroke

Claims

Claim 1 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake operated by the tension of an inner cable connected to a brake lever, comprising: a rotating disc, a brake pad disposed on at least one side of the rotating disc, and a caliper body that movably supports the brake pad; an operating arm to which the inner cable is fixed and which rotates by the tension of the inner cable; a conversion mechanism that converts the rotation of the operating arm into movement of the brake pad toward the rotating disc; and an automatic separation compensation mechanism that updates the return reference position of the brake pad in the released state toward the rotating disc when the operating stroke of the operating arm, which increases with wear of the brake pad, exceeds a reference stroke, wherein the automatic separation compensation mechanism updates the return reference position while maintaining the fixed position of the inner cable relative to the operating arm, thereby maintaining the separation distance between the rotating disc and the brake pad within a target separation range. Claim 2 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 1, wherein the automatic separation compensation mechanism comprises an elastic member that deflects the brake pad or the pad support member supporting the brake pad toward the rotating disc, and a unidirectional position maintaining member that limits the return of the brake pad or the pad support member away from the rotating disc at an updated return reference position. Claim 3 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 1, wherein the automatic separation compensation mechanism updates the return reference position only when the operating arm rotates beyond the reference stroke due to wear of the brake pad, and prevents the updating of the return reference position when the operating stroke of the operating arm is less than or equal to the reference stroke. Claim 4 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 1, wherein the automatic separation compensation mechanism further includes a reset unit for returning the updated return reference position to an initial position when the pad is replaced. Claim 5 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 1, wherein the automatic separation compensation mechanism is disposed inside the caliper body and updates the return reference position independently of the inner cable tension adjustment mechanism. Claim 6 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 1, wherein the brake pad comprises a fixed brake pad disposed on one side of the rotating disc and a movable brake pad disposed on the other side of the rotating disc and movable toward the rotating disc, and the automatic separation compensation mechanism updates the return reference position in the released state of the movable brake pad. Claim 7 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to paragraph 2, wherein the unidirectional position maintaining member allows movement toward the rotating disc side of the brake pad or the pad support member, and restricts movement toward the rotating disc side of the brake pad or the pad support member. Claim 8 A cable-actuated bicycle disc brake according to paragraph 2, wherein the unidirectional position maintaining member comprises a ratchet mechanism including a row of teeth formed on a moving member that moves together with the brake pad or the pad support, and a pawl that engages with the row of teeth. Claim 9 A cable-actuated bicycle disc brake according to claim 8, wherein the pawl is elastically pressed in a direction engaging with the gear row, moves relative along the gear row when the moving member moves toward the rotating disc, and engages with the gear row to restrict the return of the moving member when the moving member moves away from the rotating disc. Claim 10 A cable-actuated bicycle disc brake according to claim 8, wherein the meshing pitch of the gear row is set to correspond to the target spacing range, and the automatic spacing compensation mechanism updates the return reference position stepwise in units of the meshing pitch. Claim 11 A cable-actuated bicycle disc brake according to claim 2, wherein the unidirectional position maintaining member includes a friction maintaining member that frictionally contacts the outer surface of a moving member that moves together with the brake pad or the pad support member, and the friction maintaining member allows movement of the moving member toward the rotating disc but increases frictional resistance for movement of the moving member away from the rotating disc. Claim 12 A cable-actuated bicycle disc brake according to paragraph 2, wherein the unidirectional position maintaining member comprises a wedge member movable along an inclined surface, and the wedge member forms a self-locking state with the inclined surface to restrict movement away from the brake pad or the rotating disc of the pad support. Claim 13 A cable-actuated bicycle disc brake according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the elastic member comprises any one of a coil spring, a leaf spring, a disc spring, a torsion spring, and an elastic polymer member. Claim 14 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 1, wherein the conversion mechanism includes a cam member that rotates according to the rotation of the operating arm, and the cam member converts the rotational movement of the operating arm into linear movement of the brake pad or a movable member supporting the brake pad. Claim 15 A cable-actuated bicycle disc brake according to claim 14, wherein the cam member comprises any one of an eccentric cam, an inclined cam, a ball ramp mechanism, and a screw cam. Claim 16 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to paragraph 3, characterized in that the reference stroke is set to be larger than the operating stroke of the operating arm required for the brake pad to contact the rotating disc in the pre-wear state of the brake pad. Claim 17 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 3, wherein the automatic separation compensation mechanism comprises a trigger member linked to the operating arm and a coupling member provided in the caliper body, and the trigger member engages with the coupling member only when the operating stroke of the operating arm exceeds the reference stroke to initiate an operation to update the return reference position. Claim 18 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 17, wherein the trigger member and the coupling member are spaced apart from each other when the operating stroke of the operating arm is less than or equal to the reference stroke, and come into contact or engage with each other when the operating stroke of the operating arm exceeds the reference stroke. Claim 19 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 4, wherein the reset unit is configured to be operable from the outside of the caliper body, and the brake pad or the pad support supporting the brake pad is switched to a state in which it can move away from the rotating disc by operating the reset unit. Claim 20 A cable-operated bicycle disc brake according to claim 4, wherein the reset unit releases the position holding state of the automatic separation compensation mechanism to return the return reference position to an initial position so that a replacement brake pad thicker than the worn brake pad can be mounted on the caliper body.

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