Handlebar Hydraulic Lever Layout for Compact Reservoir Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic operating devices for small vehicles, such as bicycles, face challenges in maintaining a compact profile while effectively integrating a hydraulic reservoir tank and bleed valve, which hinders easy operation and efficient fluid management.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a hydraulic operating device with a base member, operating member, piston, handlebar fixing structure, and a hydraulic reservoir tank that is positioned to maintain a compact profile, featuring a bleed valve for air removal, angled longitudinal axis, and offset placement to allow closer pivot axis alignment with the handlebar, enabling easier operation and fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the hydraulic reservoir tank is integrated into the hydraulic operating device, then fluid management efficiency is improved, but the device profile becomes bulky and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic reservoir tank is nested within the housing structure of the hydraulic operating device, with the tank positioned inside the housing and fluidly connected to the cylinder bore. This nesting arrangement allows the reservoir to be integrated without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the device, maintaining a compact profile while improving fluid management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal axis of the hydraulic reservoir tank is angled relative to the cylinder axis, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that optimizes space utilization. This angular positioning allows the tank to extend into available space without interfering with the handlebar arrangement area or pivot axis positioning, thus maintaining ease of operation while integrating fluid management.
2Ease of operation
If the pivot axis is positioned closer to the handlebar for easy operation, then operation ease is improved, but space for integrating the hydraulic reservoir tank is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic reservoir tank's longitudinal axis is positioned at an angle to the cylinder axis, allowing the tank to extend in a direction that does not interfere with the handlebar arrangement area. This angular positioning enables the pivot axis to be placed close to the handlebar for easy operation while still providing sufficient space for the reservoir tank in a different spatial dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is segmented to create distinct functional zones: a first side for the handlebar arrangement area with the pivot axis close to the handlebar, and a second side for the hydraulic pressure chamber and reservoir tank. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each zone - ease of operation in the handlebar area and fluid management in the reservoir area - without compromising either function.
3Shape
If the hydraulic reservoir tank is positioned on one side of the handlebar fixing structure, then compact profile is improved, but fluid management accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for the operating device, contains the hydraulic reservoir tank, and facilitates fluid management through integrated features such as the bleed valve. The bleed valve is positioned on the housing to allow air removal from the hydraulic system, enabling fluid management operations without requiring disassembly or access to internally positioned components, thus maintaining both compact profile and accessibility.
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
This configuration allows for a compact hydraulic operating device with improved ease of operation and efficient fluid management, enabling the hydraulic reservoir tank to be positioned closer to the handlebar while maintaining a compact profile and allowing for additional component mounting space.
Implementation Method 1
The cylinder defines a hydraulic pressure chamber with a space between the piston and a fluid outlet port of the cylinder. The hydraulic reservoir tank has a hydraulic fluid chamber fluidly connected to the cylinder bore.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic operating device for a small vehicle including a bicycle is basically provided with a base member, an operating member, a piston, a handlebar fixing structure and a hydraulic reservoir tank. The base member includes a cylinder having a cylinder bore. The operating member is pivots about a pivot axis to move the piston within the cylinder bore. The handlebar fixing structure defines a handlebar arrangement area. The hydraulic reservoir tank has a hydraulic fluid chamber fluidly connected to the cylinder bore. The cylinder defines a hydraulic pressure chamber with a space between the piston and a fluid outlet port of the cylinder. The hydraulic reservoir tank is partially disposed on a first side of the handlebar fixing structure while the hydraulic pressure chamber is disposed on a second side of the handlebar fixing structure as view in the pivot axis direction.