Brake Bias Adjuster With Visual Ratio Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake bias adjusters in race cars lack a visible indicator for the driver to quickly and easily determine the relative front to rear brake bias setting while driving, making it difficult to adjust and verify the brake force distribution, which can lead to unsafe conditions, especially during racing on various tracks and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A brake bias adjuster with a visible brake bias ratio indicator, featuring a brake bias adjustment knob assembly that includes a ring gear with indication symbols and a cross-shaped knob for tactile and visual reference, allowing drivers to easily verify and adjust the brake bias ratio, even while driving, and can be retrofitted into existing vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional brake bias adjuster without visual indicators is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the driver cannot quickly and easily determine the brake bias setting while driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual indicators with different colors or patterns on the adjustment knob to represent different brake bias ratios. This allows the driver to quickly identify the current setting without complex instrumentation, resolving the contradiction by providing information through simple visual cues rather than complex displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual representation (copy) of the brake bias ratio setting through markings and indicators on the adjustment mechanism. This visual copy allows the driver to immediately perceive the current configuration without needing to interpret complex mechanical positions or perform calculations.
2Ease of operation
If the brake bias adjustment knob is made with detailed markings and indicators, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adjustment knob into distinct segments or positions, each marked with specific indicators representing different brake bias ratios. This segmentation allows the driver to easily select predetermined optimal settings without dealing with continuous adjustment, improving ease of operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-marks the knob with indicator positions corresponding to optimal brake bias ratios for different racing conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the driver to quickly select the appropriate setting without needing to calculate or determine the optimal ratio during competition, enhancing ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the driver must remember the brake bias setting through manual counting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual feedback mechanisms that continuously display the current brake bias ratio setting to the driver. This immediate feedback eliminates the need for the driver to remember settings or perform manual counting, significantly improving reliability by providing an always-available visual reference that prevents erroneous adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle braking system bias adjuster which includes a brake bias adjustment knob assembly which enables the driver of the vehicle to quickly and easily set, adjust, and visually and quickly determine the relative front to rear (or right front to left front) brake bias or brake bias setting of the vehicle before and while driving the vehicle. The brake bias adjustment knob assembly visually indicates the exact amount of brake bias, or if there is no bias at all. The ratio is expressed in numbers to enable the driver to reset the brake bias to a known value of ratio as needed for track conditions and vehicle weight changes. The value in numbers is reproducible. The present disclosure also provides a method and apparatus for retrofitting an existing vehicle with a brake bias adjustment knob assembly which enables the driver of the vehicle to quickly and easily set, adjust, and visually determine the relative brake bias or brake bias setting (i.e., the ratio of front to rear brake biasing or the ratio of side to side brake biasing) of the vehicle before and while driving the vehicle.