Bicycle Brake Lever Control for Balanced Front-Rear Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difference in speeds between the front and rear wheels of a bicycle during braking, caused by independent control of front and rear brake calipers, poses safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A brake system with a first hydraulic brake assembly, a second hydraulic brake assembly, a first switch, a second switch, and a first electronic brake assembly, where the electronic brake assembly controls oil pressure to the second brake caliper based on the activation of the switches, ensuring synchronized braking of the front and rear wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If independent brake levers control front and rear brake calipers separately, then each brake can be operated independently, but the difference in wheel speeds becomes significant causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of front and rear brakes by connecting the first hydraulic brake assembly to the second hydraulic brake assembly through a shared hydraulic system. When the first brake lever is operated, it activates the first electronic brake assembly which then controls oil pressure to the second brake caliper, ensuring coordinated braking action between front and rear wheels while maintaining independent lever operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control through the first electronic brake assembly which receives activation signals from the first switch (activated by the first brake lever) and automatically adjusts the oil pressure applied to the second brake caliper based on the braking state of the front wheel, ensuring synchronized deceleration and preventing excessive braking of either wheel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only front caliper is driven when front brake lever is operated, then the front brake lever controls only front brake, but the difference between speeds of front and rear wheels becomes significant
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the first electronic brake assembly automatically activate the second brake caliper before or during the front brake application. When the first brake lever is pulled, the first switch activates the first electronic brake assembly which pre-controls oil pressure to the second brake caliper, ensuring the rear brake is already prepared to engage and reducing the speed difference between wheels during braking.
3Ease of operation
If two separate brake levers control front and rear brakes independently, then each wheel can be braked separately, but safety issues arise during braking process
Solution Approach 1:
The first electronic brake assembly serves as an intermediary between the first brake lever and the second brake caliper. It receives the operator's input through the first switch and automatically mediates the hydraulic pressure distribution to the second brake caliper, ensuring safe and coordinated braking without requiring the operator to manually control both levers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces the difference in wheel speeds during braking, enhancing safety by preventing excessive braking of either wheel, thereby maintaining balanced deceleration.
Implementation Method 1
a first electronic brake assembly which is connected to the second brake caliper controls an oil pressure applied to the second brake caliper according to whether the first switch and the second switch are activated or not
Data Source
AI summary
A brake system includes a first and a second hydraulic brake assembly, a first and a second switch and a first electronic brake assembly. The first hydraulic brake assembly includes a first brake caliper and a first brake lever connected to each other. The second hydraulic brake assembly includes a second brake caliper and a second brake lever connected to each other. The first switch is activated by the first brake lever when the first brake lever is operated. The second switch is activated by the second brake lever when the second brake lever is operated. The first electronic brake assembly is connected to the second hydraulic brake assembly. The first electronic brake assembly controls an oil pressure applied to the second brake caliper according to whether the first switch and the second switch are activated.