Motorcycle Brake Hydraulic Unit Layout for Impact Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydraulic pressure control units for straddle-type vehicles are prone to external forces when mounted, such as from flipped stones or falls, due to their placement on the outer side of the front fork, leading to potential damage and aesthetic issues.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic pressure control unit with a base body dimensioned to fit between the front fork and front wheel, featuring a housing design that reduces projection on the outer side, allowing the unit to be positioned closer to the fork and reducing exposure to external forces, while maintaining anti-lock brake control functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hydraulic pressure control unit is mounted on the outer side of the front fork, then the unit can be easily installed and accessed, but it becomes vulnerable to external forces such as flipped stones and ground impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidexposure to external forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with asymmetric dimensions where the width direction dimension is greater than the base body width, and the center of the base body is offset toward the first side surface. This asymmetric configuration allows the unit to be positioned with minimal projection on the outer side of the front fork, reducing exposure to external forces while maintaining ease of installation through the front fork's holding structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the hydraulic pressure control unit is positioned closer to the front wheel, then exposure to external forces is reduced, but the unit's width must be minimized to fit in the available space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure to external forcesVSAvoidwidth of housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing dimensions are optimized locally: the width direction dimension is made greater than the base body width to accommodate internal components, while the overall projection on the outer side is minimized by offsetting the base body center toward the first side surface. This allows the unit to fit in the limited space between the front fork and front wheel while protecting against external forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively minimizes the unit's exposure to external forces and improves the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle by reducing the visible extent of the hydraulic pressure control unit, enhancing its durability and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a first coil as a drive source of the inlet valve; a second coil as a drive source of the outlet valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

store a brake fluid that is released from a wheel cylinder during depressurization in the anti-lock brake control in an accumulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure storage: Hydraulic Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP4023539B1Hydraulic control unit, brake system, and saddle-type vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4023539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4023539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4023539B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hydraulic pressure control unit capable of suppressing application of an external force thereto in comparison with the related art at the time when mounted to a straddle-type vehicle is obtained. A hydraulic pressure control unit (1) includes: a base body (10) formed with an internal channel through which a brake fluid flows; and a housing (40) that is connected to the base body (10) and accommodates a circuit board. A dimension in a width direction (Y) of the housing (40) is greater than a dimension in the width direction (Y) of the base body (10). In a state where the hydraulic pressure control unit (1) is seen in a connection direction (X), a center in the width direction (Y) of the base body (10) is located on a first side surface (45) side from a center in the width direction (Y) of the housing (40) .