Motorcycle Brake Pipe Routing via Head Pipe

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The complex layout of brake pipes in motorcycles, especially on the front wheel side, is prone to bending loads due to the swinging and expansion of front forks, which hinders self-alignment and reduces running stability.

Innovation Solution

A brake pipe structure where the first and second brake pipes are suspended and held between the front fork and the body frame, intersecting near the center axis of the steering shaft, with flexible hose members between holding parts to reduce deformation and interference, allowing for improved stability and simplified layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If brake pipes are fixed at multiple places to prevent slacking and bending, then reliability of brake pipe positioning is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple fixing members and holding members

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake pipe positioning stabilityVSAvoidnumber of fixing members
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for multiple fixing members and holding members by routing the brake pipes through the head pipe interior space. The brake pipes are held in position by the head pipe structure itself rather than by separate fixing components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The head pipe serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the front fork, protects wiring harnesses, and now also serves as a routing channel and positioning structure for the brake pipes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated fixing members, reducing overall device complexity.

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

2Ease of operation

If brake pipes are routed along the front fork to connect master cylinder and brake caliper, then ease of operation for braking is improved, but running stability deteriorates due to forced bending loads from front fork movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake operationVSAvoidrunning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the routing dimension of the brake pipes from running along the exterior of the front fork to passing through the interior space of the head pipe. This dimensional change allows the pipes to be positioned closer to the steering shaft rotation center, reducing the bending moment and forced deformation caused by front fork movement, thereby improving running stability while maintaining brake operation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If brake pipes are extended to connect ABS unit with master cylinder and brake caliper, then functionality of antilock braking is improved, but device complexity increases due to longer and more complicated pipe layout

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveABS braking functionVSAvoidpipe layout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the routing path of the brake pipes with the head pipe structure. Both the first brake pipe (connecting master cylinder to ABS unit) and the second brake pipe (connecting ABS unit to brake caliper) are routed through the head pipe interior space, combining multiple routing functions into a single structural element and simplifying the overall pipe layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The head pipe interior space provides a common routing channel that equalizes the positioning conditions for both brake pipes. By passing both pipes through the same structured space near the steering shaft, the invention creates equipotential positioning that simplifies the layout and reduces complexity compared to separate routing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentEP2604498B1Motorcycle brake pipe structure
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP2604498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2604498B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2604498B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A brake pipe structure of a motorcycle includes: a first brake pipe connecting a master cylinder and an ABS unit; and a second brake pipe connecting the ABS unit and a hydraulic wheel braking part. The first brake pipe and the second brake pipe are suspended and held between a front fork and a body frame so as to pass near a center axis of a steering shaft under a head pipe.