Hidden Hydraulic Bike Brake Structure for Lower Drag and Weight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydraulic bike disc brakes are obtrusive, produce windage, and are heavy due to their protruded design, especially when used on bikes with curved handlebars, and there is a lack of affordable hydraulic shift levers.

Innovation Solution

A hidden hydraulic structure for bike disc brakes integrated with handlebar tubes, featuring a base, pistons, linking members, oil tubes, and disc braking units, where the base is partially or fully hidden within the handlebar tubes, reducing windage and weight, and allowing for modular assembly and easy installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the hydraulic structure protrudes from the bike body, then the braking function is achieved, but the windage increases and the appearance becomes obtrusive

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovewindageVSAvoidhydraulic structure arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic base is nested within the bike body tube's accommodating space, with the base shape corresponding to the tube shape. The positioning portions fit into positioning holes in the accommodating space, effectively hiding the hydraulic structure inside the bike frame and eliminating windage while maintaining braking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic base is merged with the bike body tube by integrating it into the accommodating space within the tube. This combination allows the hydraulic structure to become part of the bike frame itself, reducing obtrusiveness and windage while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the hydraulic structure protrudes from the bike body, then the braking function is achieved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidhydraulic structure arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic base is nested within the bike body tube, utilizing the existing frame structure to house the hydraulic components. This eliminates the need for separate protruding structures and reduces overall weight while maintaining braking functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If the base fully fills the accommodating space, then the strength of the bike body tube increases, but the installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebike body tube strengthVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic base is designed with separate positioning portions that fit into positioning holes in the accommodating space. This segmentation allows for simplified installation through alignment and connection, while the base still fully fills the accommodating space to maximize structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The accommodating space is designed to serve dual purposes: providing housing for the hydraulic base and reinforcing the bike body tube structure. The positioning portions and holes create a universal connection system that simplifies installation while ensuring structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 eliminates windage, reduces weight, and improves the appearance of the bike by integrating the hydraulic structure within the handlebar tubes, while maintaining braking efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The piston is disposed in the base for controlling a pressure of the oil circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2902282B1Structure set including hidden hydraulic structure of bike disc brake and handlebar tubes
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 GIANT MANUFACTURING CO LTD
  • EP2902282B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2902282B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2902282B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A hidden hydraulic structure of a bike disc brake is integrally disposed with a bike body tube. The hidden hydraulic structure of the bike disc brake includes a base (200) , a piston ( 3000) , a linking member (31) , an oil tube and a disc braking unit. The base (2000) includes an oil circuit. The piston (300) is located in the base for controlling a pressure of the oil circuit. The piston (300) is actuated by the linking member. The oil circuit is connected to the oil tube. The disc braking unit is connected to the oil tube. A brake of the disc braking unit is controlled by a pressure of the oil tube. Wherein a shape of the base (200) is corresponded to a shape of the bike body tube, and the base (200) is connected with the bike body tube to form a portion of the bike body tube, thereby increasing strength of the bike body tube.