Adjustable Brake Master Cylinder With Level Reservoir Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle brake assemblies experience a loss of fluid pressure due to air entering the hydraulic piston brake line when the handle/lever is positioned at different angles relative to the handlebar, causing the reservoir body to tilt.

Innovation Solution

A brake assembly design that includes a reservoir body, a piston, a base bracket pivotably coupled to the reservoir body, and a handle pivotally coupled to the base bracket, allowing the handle to be set at various angular positions without tilting the reservoir body, thus preventing air from entering the brake line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the handle/lever is positioned at different angles relative to the handlebar, then the rider can grip it differently for comfort, but the reservoir body tilts and air enters the brake line causing loss of fluid pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle grip comfortVSAvoidbrake fluid pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brake assembly is divided into functionally independent segments: the reservoir body remains fixed to the handlebar while the handle/lever is decoupled through a linkage mechanism. This segmentation allows the handle to be positioned at different angles for rider comfort without affecting the reservoir body's vertical orientation, thus preventing air entry while maintaining operational comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the handle/lever and the reservoir body. This intermediary transmits the braking force from the handle to the piston while isolating the reservoir body from angular movements of the handle, ensuring the reservoir remains vertically oriented regardless of handle position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the handle is fixed at a specific angle, then the reservoir body remains level, but the rider cannot adjust for different grip preferences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir body orientationVSAvoidhandle angle adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handle/lever is designed with dynamic positioning capability through the linkage mechanism, allowing it to be adjusted to different angular positions. The linkage maintains a mechanical connection that transmits force while accommodating the angular adjustment, enabling the handle to be positioned optimally for different riding conditions and rider preferences without compromising reservoir body stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12221082B2Brake master cylinder

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 PERRY ANDREW JAMES

AI summary

A brake assembly includes a reservoir body adapted to store a brake fluid and defining a cylinder bore, and a piston adapted to reciprocate inside the cylinder bore. The brake assembly also includes a base bracket pivotably coupled to a reservoir body and adapted to be mounted to a handlebar, and a handle pivotally coupled to the base bracket and adapted to pivot relative to the base bracket. A drive link is pivotable coupled to the reservoir body and is configured to pivot relative to the reservoir body to advance the piston inside the cylinder bore in response to the pressing of the handle. The handle is configured to be set at a plurality of angular positions with respect to the reservoir body by pivoting the base bracket relative to the reservoir body.