Hydraulic Brake Locking Device for E-Bike Anti-Theft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locks for bicycles and electric bicycles are insufficient in preventing theft once they have been picked, as they do not effectively prevent the vehicle from being moved after the lock is compromised.
Innovation Solution
A locking device for hydraulic brake systems that connects and disconnects sections of the brake pipe to maintain pressure and lock the brake in place, using a volume flow slide and control valve to ensure the brake remains engaged even when the driver is not present, and incorporates an authentication unit for secure unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional locks are used to secure the vehicle, then the vehicle can be locked and secured to another object, but the vehicle can still be moved after the lock is picked or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The brake line is divided into two separate sections: an upstream reservoir-side section and a downstream brake-side section. A volume flow valve with a slide element physically separates these sections, creating two distinct hydraulic circuits. This segmentation ensures that even if one section is compromised, the other maintains braking pressure to prevent vehicle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic pressure to control the locking mechanism. When the slide element moves to the locking position, it seals the downstream brake-side section, trapping hydraulic pressure in that section. This trapped pressure maintains the brake in the engaged state, preventing wheel rotation and vehicle movement without requiring continuous power or complex mechanical lockers.
2Reliability
If the brake line is disconnected to lock the brake, then the brake pressure is maintained and the vehicle cannot move, but the brake system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The volume flow valve serves multiple functions: it acts as a normal flow control valve during braking operation and as a locking mechanism when the slide element moves to the sealed position. The same hydraulic system serves both braking and anti-theft locking purposes, eliminating the need for separate locking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own hydraulic pressure to achieve locking. When the slide element seals the downstream section, the trapped pressure automatically maintains the brake engaged without requiring external power sources, motors, or additional actuation mechanisms. The hydraulic system locks itself.
3Reliability
If a volume flow valve with slide element is used to separate brake line sections, then the downstream section remains pressure-retaining and locked, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The slide element acts as an intermediary component that physically separates the two brake line sections while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow between them. When positioned in the locked state, the slide element's sealing surface creates the hydraulic barrier, simplifying the overall valve structure compared to using multiple separate components.
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 prevents or hinders the movement of the vehicle by maintaining the braking effect and locking mechanism, even after conventional locks are overcome, thereby enhancing security against theft.
Implementation Method 1
the downstream and brake-side section of the brake line is hydraulically and pressure-retainingly closed
Implementation Method 2
in a braking operating state an upstream and reservoir-side section of a brake line of the brake system and a downstream and brake-side section of the brake line are hydraulically connected
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking device (100) for a hydraulic brake system (30), in particular for a vehicle propelled by muscle power and/or motor power, bicycle, electric bicycle, e-bike, pedelec or the like, in which (i) in a braking operating state an upstream and reservoir-side section (32-1) of a brake line (32) of the brake system and a downstream and brake-side section (32-2) of the brake line of the brake system are hydraulically connected, (ii) in a locking operating state the upstream and reservoir-side section of the brake line and the downstream and brake-side section of the brake line are hydraulically separated from each other and the downstream and brake-side section of the brake line is hydraulically and pressure-retainingly closed, (iii) a volume flow slide (40) is designed with a housing (41) and a slide element (42),(iv) the slide element in the housing is displaceable between a first position corresponding to the braking operating state and a second position corresponding to the locking operating state, and (v) the volume flow slide is arranged to displace the slide element into the second position corresponding to the locking operating state in a controlled manner via a pressure prevailing in the upstream and reservoir-side section of the brake line.