Brake Operating Apparatus Electric Actuator Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for small vehicles, such as bicycles, are typically driven by human power and lack the capability to be operated by electric power, limiting their efficiency and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A brake operating apparatus comprising a support, an operating member, an electric actuator, and an electronic controller that converts human input into electric power to drive the brake apparatus, utilizing a conversion mechanism like a hydraulic unit to efficiently operate the existing brake system without additional configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an existing brake apparatus is converted to electric power operation, then efficiency and convenience are improved, but device complexity increases due to addition of electric actuator and controller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electric actuator and electronic controller into an integrated brake operating apparatus that works with the existing brake apparatus. The electric actuator is mounted on the brake lever arm, and the controller is integrated with the detector, creating a unified system that adds electric functionality without requiring separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake operating apparatus is designed to be universally applicable to existing brake systems. The electric actuator can convert electrical signals to mechanical force to operate the brake, while also maintaining compatibility with traditional cable-driven or hydraulic brake systems, allowing one system to serve multiple operational modes.
2Volume of moving object
If electric actuator and controller are integrated into the brake operating apparatus, then the apparatus becomes compact, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the electric actuator inside or adjacent to the brake lever arm structure, and integrates the controller with the detector assembly. This nesting arrangement allows multiple components to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial volumes, achieving compactness without requiring a completely new oversized housing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conversion mechanism is added to convert electric actuator power to driving force, then the existing brake apparatus can be readily driven, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the brake lever arm as an intermediary mechanical element. The electric actuator applies force to the lever arm, which then transmits this force through the existing cable or hydraulic connection to the brake apparatus. This lever arm intermediary allows conversion of electric actuator motion into the mechanical force needed by existing brake systems without requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms.
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
Enables the existing brake apparatus to be driven by electric power, providing enhanced efficiency and user convenience while maintaining a compact design and operational feel similar to human-powered systems.
Implementation Method 1
the conversion mechanism includes a hydraulic unit including a base, a cylinder bore provided to the base, and a piston movable in the cylinder bore. With the brake operating apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the conversion mechanism converts power of the electric actuator into a hydraulic pressure to efficiently, thereby smoothly driving the existing brake apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
A brake operating apparatus operates a brake apparatus of a small vehicle including a bicycle. The brake operating apparatus includes a support, an operating member, an electric actuator and an electronic controller. The operating member is provided to the support. The detector is configured to detect information on input to the operating member. The electric actuator is configured to drive the brake apparatus. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric actuator based on a detection result of the detector.