Bicycle Brake Master Cylinder with Bladder and Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle brake systems are often bulky, complex, and difficult to assemble, lacking a compact and efficient design that simplifies production and use.
Innovation Solution
A brake system featuring a master cylinder assembly with a fluid-based design, comprising a body, piston, bladder, and retainer, where the piston's movement within a pressure chamber and bladder's volume adjustment facilitate compactness and ease of assembly, utilizing a lever to actuate the piston and secure the bladder, with a retainer that limits piston stroke and seals the bladder to the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional brake system design is used, then reliable braking performance is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it retains the bladder, seals the fluid reservoir, guides the piston, and limits the piston stroke. This consolidation of multiple components into a single retainer reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable braking performance through integrated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer component is designed as a multi-functional element that combines retention, sealing, guidance, and stroke limitation functions. This universal component approach reduces the total number of parts needed in the brake system while ensuring all necessary functions are performed reliably.
2Reliability
If a traditional brake system design is used, then reliable braking performance is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is divided into modular components (master cylinder assembly, lever, retainer, bladder) that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. The retainer is designed as a discrete component that can be installed independently to perform multiple functions, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliable braking performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is pre-configured with integrated features (sealing surfaces, guidance structures, stroke limits) that are built-in during manufacturing. This preliminary integration of functions into the retainer component reduces assembly complexity, as the component is ready to perform multiple functions upon installation without requiring additional assembly steps.
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 achieves a compact, efficient, and user-friendly brake mechanism that is easier to produce and assemble, providing reliable braking performance with fewer parts and improved operational simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a brake system of a type using fluid... advancement of the piston reduces the volume of the pressure chamber and retraction of the piston expands the volume of the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
a brake system with a brake actuation mechanism in the form of a brake master cylinder assembly... a bladder to define a reservoir having a volume to contain fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A brake system for a bicycle is disclosed. The brake system comprises an actuation mechanism shown as a master cylinder assembly and a brake or brake mechanism for the wheels of the bicycle. The mechanism/assembly comprises (among other parts, components and assemblies) a body or housing, a piston assembly, an actuating lever on a pivot pin, a bladder, a retainer and a primary seal. The bladder is fixed at a first end to the piston and fixed at a second end to the retainer. A reservoir is defined by the piston, the body, and the bladder. Advancement of the piston along the stroke causes the piston to seal against a primary seal and separate the reservoir from a pressure chamber in the body. A retainer may be provided to seal the bladder to the body, act as a piston guide bushing, act as a pivot bushing, and act as a stroke limiter. Upon advancement the piston will contact the primary seal and separate the reservoir from the pressure chamber as the bladder rolls out thus pressurizing the fluid. Stroke is limited at one end by a feature on the retainer which contacts the cam surface on the lever preventing further rotation/movement and at the other end by a stop pin.