Bicycle Brake Mount Sleeve for Precise Caliper Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disc brake assembly on bicycles requires a painstaking adjustment process to achieve accurate parallel alignment between brake pads and the brake rotor, often resulting in improper setup and rider dissatisfaction due to misalignment caused by geometric boundaries in the bicycle frame, leading to unbalanced braking forces and unnecessary wear.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a universal brake mount that creates a strong axial and radial reference to the hub assembly rather than the frame, using a sleeve and clamp bolt mechanism to ensure precise alignment and reduce the need for manual adjustment, thereby maintaining accurate positioning of the brake caliper relative to the brake rotor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional frame-mounted brake caliper system is used, then the brake caliper can be installed on the bicycle frame, but accurate parallel alignment between brake pads and brake rotor is difficult to achieve due to geometric boundaries in the frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a brake mount as an intermediary component between the frame and brake caliper. This brake mount includes a bracket with bores to receive fasteners coupling the brake caliper, and a sleeve that extends into the axle opening in the frame. The brake mount serves as a mediator that provides accurate alignment references while isolating the brake system from frame geometric imperfections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the brake mounting system into separate functional components: a bracket for caliper attachment, a sleeve for axial positioning, and a clamp mechanism for radial securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific alignment function independently, making the overall system more precise and easier to adjust than a monolithic frame-mounted system.
2Ease of manufacture
If the brake caliper is rigidly mounted to the frame, then installation is simple, but misalignment causes unbalanced braking forces and unnecessary wear
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mount acts as an intermediary that decouples the brake caliper from direct rigid mounting to the frame. The sleeve-clamp mechanism provides a controlled connection that maintains reliability through precise alignment while preserving ease of installation via the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting parameters from fixed rigid attachment to a controlled clamp mechanism. The sleeve provides axial positioning while the clamp bolt controls radial position, allowing optimization of both installation ease and braking reliability through adjustable parameters rather than fixed geometry.
3Reliability
If manual adjustment is performed to achieve proper alignment, then braking performance can be improved, but time and effort required for setup and maintenance increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mount incorporates preliminary alignment actions into its structure. The sleeve pre-establishes axial alignment, and the bracket pre-establishes radial positioning, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments during setup and maintenance while ensuring reliable braking performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake mount is designed to be self-aligning through its structural features. The sleeve automatically positions the bracket axially, and the clamp mechanism automatically secures radial alignment, making the system self-servicing without requiring extensive manual adjustment time.
4Manufacturing precision
If the brake mount uses a sleeve and clamp mechanism, then precise alignment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mount components serve multiple functions: the sleeve provides both axial positioning and a mounting surface for the clamp, while the bracket provides both structural support and alignment references. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, managing device complexity while maintaining high alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Brake mounts for bicycles are described herein. The brake mounts are for coupling a brake caliper to a bicycle. An example brake mount includes a bracket having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The bracket has bores to receive fasteners to couple the brake caliper to the bracket. The brake mount includes a sleeve extending from the first side of the bracket. An opening extends through the sleeve and the bracket. The opening is to receive an axle of a hub assembly of the bicycle. The sleeve is to extend into an axle opening in a frame of the bicycle. A distal end of the sleeve is threaded. The brake mount also includes a nut to be threadably coupled to the distal end of the sleeve when the sleeve is inserted into the axle opening in the frame e.