Hydraulic Brake Lever Layout With Handlebar-Proximal Hose Outlet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic brake control devices for bicycles have an outlet port that faces away from the handlebar, leading to visible hose routing and distraction for the rider, compromising the field of view during travel.

Innovation Solution

The hydraulic brake control device features an outlet port that is positioned in close proximity to the handlebar, allowing hose routing along or within the handlebar, with the outlet port facing either towards the handlebar or parallel to its surface, thereby improving the rider's view and reducing visual distraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the outlet port faces away from the handlebar, then the brake system structure is simple, but the hose routing is visible and causes visual distraction to the rider

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake system structureVSAvoidvisual distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet port is inverted to face towards the handlebar instead of away from it. This reversal allows the brake hose to be routed along the handlebar where it becomes less visible to the rider, eliminating visual distraction while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the outlet port faces away from the handlebar, then the manufacturing is straightforward, but the hose routing is visible compromising the field of view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing straightforwardnessVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet port orientation is inverted to face towards the handlebar, enabling the brake hose to be positioned along the handlebar. This configuration removes the hose from the rider's field of view while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the outlet port is positioned away from the handlebar, then the device structure is conventional, but the hose creates visual clutter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidvisual clutter

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet port is repositioned to face towards the handlebar, inverting the conventional arrangement. This allows the brake hose to be routed along the handlebar where it becomes part of the structure rather than a visual clutter element, maintaining conventional device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11912372B2Hydraulic brake control device with handlebar proximal hose attachment

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 SRAM LLC

AI summary

A control device for a hydraulic brake for a bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. The reservoir has a variable volume. The control device also includes a reservoir cover at least partially defining the reservoir, and a support that is attachable to a handlebar of the bicycle via an inner annular surface of the support. A handlebar proximity zone is radially outer relative to the inner annular surface of the support and is within two centimeters of the inner annular surface of the support. At least part of the reservoir cover is within the handlebar proximity zone.