Hydraulic Brake Control Apparatus with Internal Bleed Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic brake levers on bicycles are exposed and susceptible to damage due to their mounting configuration, which is not ideal for protection against environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic brake control apparatus with a body portion that fits within a handlebar opening and a lever portion to actuate the brake mechanism, featuring a hydraulic brake pressure cylinder housed within the body portion and ports for air bleeding, allowing for secure mounting and maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the hydraulic brake lever is mounted on the handlebar using a bracket affixed to the outer circumference, then the brake system is easy to install and access, but the components are exposed and susceptible to damage from environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic brake control mechanism is nested within the hollow interior of the handlebar, with the body portion having a first section that fits inside the bar opening and a second section that mounts outside. This nesting approach protects the hydraulic components from environmental damage while maintaining accessibility through the external second section and bleed ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The body portion acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the interior and exterior of the handlebar. It provides a protected housing for the hydraulic components while extending outward to allow lever operation and maintenance access, effectively mediating between the need for protection and the need for accessibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the body portion is completely mounted inside the handlebar opening, then maximum protection is achieved, but access for bleeding air from the piston chamber becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The body portion is segmented into a first section that fits inside the bar opening for protection and a second section that mounts outside for accessibility. The bleed port is specifically positioned on the second external section, allowing air bleeding operations to be performed easily while the majority of the hydraulic components remain protected inside the handlebar.
3Ease of operation
If the brake lever components are exposed on the outside of the handlebar, then ease of access for operation and maintenance is improved, but susceptibility to damage from environmental factors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The critical hydraulic components (piston chamber, seal, conduit) are nested within the protected interior of the handlebar, while only the essential operational elements (lever portion, external body section, bleed port) extend outward. This selective nesting protects vulnerable components while maintaining operational 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
The solution provides a secure and protected mounting configuration for the hydraulic brake system, reducing exposure to damage and enabling easy air bleeding, thus enhancing the reliability and maintenance of the brake system.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic brake pressure cylinder having a piston chamber therein
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic brake control apparatus including a body portion, a hydraulic brake control mechanism, and a lever portion. The body portion has a first section configured to fit within an interior of a bar opening and a second section configured to be mounted outside of the interior of the bar opening. The hydraulic brake control mechanism includes a hydraulic brake pressure cylinder having a piston chamber therein, where at least a portion of the hydraulic brake control mechanism is housed within the first section of the body portion. The lever portion connected to the body portion and configured to actuate the hydraulic brake control mechanism. The body portion includes a port fluidly connected to the piston chamber by a conduit. The port is provided on the second section in order to allow bleeding of air from within the piston chamber when the body portion is mounted to the bar opening.