Bicycle Hydraulic Pressure Controller for Stable Braking During Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

In bicycle hydraulic brake systems, attaching a hydraulic pressure controller to the head tube leads to unstable control of braking force due to stress generated in brake fluid pipes during handlebar turning, exacerbated by the larger turning angle range of bicycles compared to two-wheeled vehicles.

Innovation Solution

The hydraulic pressure controller is coupled to the bicycle's turning section, ensuring that the brake fluid system, brake lever, and brake fluid pipe turn integrally, thereby reducing stress on the brake fluid pipe and stabilizing braking force control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hydraulic pressure controller is attached to the head tube, then the braking force control can be implemented, but stress is generated in the brake fluid pipe during handlebar turning, causing unstable control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking force controlVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic pressure controller is merged with the turning section (handlebar assembly) rather than being separately attached to the head tube. This integration ensures that the controller moves together with the handlebar during turning operations, preventing stress generation in the brake fluid pipe and maintaining stable hydraulic pressure control throughout the turning range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Force

If the hydraulic brake system is adopted to improve braking performance, then braking force can be controlled via hydraulic pressure, but stress in the brake transmission path becomes significant, especially with larger handlebar turning angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking forceVSAvoidstress in brake transmission path
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static attachment (controller fixed to head tube) to a dynamic attachment (controller integrated with turning section). This allows the brake fluid pipe connection to dynamically follow the handlebar's turning motion, maintaining optimal alignment and minimizing stress in the brake transmission path across the full range of turning angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3699044B1Hydraulic pressure controller, hydraulic brake system, and bicycle
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3699044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3699044B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3699044B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention obtains a hydraulic pressure controller whose control of a braking force is suppressed from becoming unstable. The invention also obtains a hydraulic brake system that includes such a hydraulic pressure controller, and a bicycle. A hydraulic pressure controller 110 controls hydraulic pressure of a brake fluid that is at least supplied to a front-wheel braking section 17 of a bicycle 200, and includes: a base section that is formed with a channel, through which the brake fluid flows, therein; a valve that is attached to the base section and opens and closes the channel; and a coupling section that couples the base section to the bicycle 200. The coupling section is coupled to a turning section 10 of the bicycle 200, the turning section 10 turning about an axis of a head tube 1A.