Integrated Brake Pressure Control for Cleaner Handlebar Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing brake systems for straddle-type vehicles, such as bicycles, increase complexity around the handlebar due to the need for a dedicated brake switch and signal line near the handlebar to detect brake application.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic pressure control device integrated with a master cylinder, a control valve, a pressure sensor, and a control device that outputs a control signal for the brake lamp based on pressure sensor readings, reducing the need for a dedicated brake switch and signal line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated brake switch and signal line are installed near the handlebar to detect brake application, then the brake system can reliably detect whether the brake is applied, but the complexity around the handlebar increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake detection function is merged into the existing hydraulic pressure control device by integrating a pressure sensor that detects brake fluid pressure. This eliminates the need for a separate mechanical brake switch and its signal line near the handlebar, as the pressure sensor within the hydraulic system provides brake application detection through pressure changes in the brake fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical brake switch system is replaced with a hydraulic pressure sensing system. Instead of using a mechanical switch that requires physical contact and signal lines near the handlebar, the invention uses a pressure sensor to detect brake application through hydraulic pressure changes, substituting mechanical detection with hydraulic sensing.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical brake switch is used near the handlebar, then the brake application can be detected, but the system reliability decreases due to fragile mechanical components and signal lines
Solution Approach 1:
The fragile mechanical brake switch and signal line system is replaced with a hydraulic pressure sensor integrated into the brake fluid system. The pressure sensor detects brake application through hydraulic pressure changes, eliminating mechanical contact components and wire connections that are prone to failure, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic pressure control device uses the brake fluid pressure itself as the detection signal. The pressure sensor automatically detects brake application through the natural pressure changes in the hydraulic system during braking, without requiring separate mechanical switches or external signaling 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
The solution suppresses the increase in complexity around the handlebar, improves the reliability of the brake system by eliminating fragile mechanical switches, and enhances the mounting flexibility of the brake system components.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor provided in the base body and detecting the pressure of the brake fluid between the control valve and the wheel cylinder in the internal flow path
Implementation Method 2
a control valve opening and closing the internal flow path and adjusting pressure of a brake fluid supplied to the wheel cylinder from the master cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
To obtain a hydraulic pressure control device capable of suppressing an increase in complexity around a handlebar as compared with the related art when mounted to a straddle-type vehicle. The hydraulic pressure control device according to the present invention is mounted to the handlebar of a straddle-type vehicle. The hydraulic pressure control device includes: a master cylinder-integrated base body where an internal flow path as a part of a brake fluid flow path allowing a piston mounting hole provided with a piston of a master cylinder and a wheel cylinder to communicate with each other is formed; a control valve opening and closing the internal flow path and adjusting the pressure of a brake fluid supplied to the wheel cylinder; a pressure sensor provided in the base body and detecting the pressure of the brake fluid in the internal flow path; and a control device controlling the opening and closing operation of the control valve based on a detection result of the pressure sensor, in which the control device outputs a control signal of a brake lamp of the straddle-type vehicle based on the detection result of the pressure sensor.