Rotating Vehicle Brake Handle with Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle brake systems lack adjustability and versatility, particularly in terms of handle orientation, which can limit driver control and convenience during various driving maneuvers and modes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable brake apparatus featuring a handle that rotates and pivots relative to a brake lever, allowing it to lock in different positions to optimize leverage and access, and includes mechanisms for detecting user-selected driving modes through sensors and switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is fixed in a single position on the brake lever, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the driver cannot adjust leverage or access for different driving modes
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to be rotatable relative to the brake lever body, allowing it to dynamically change position between a first position (optimized for drifting maneuvers) and a second position (optimized for parking). This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same handle to serve multiple driving modes without requiring separate controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle mechanism is segmented into a rotatable handle portion and a fixed brake lever body, connected through a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the handle to be independently positioned while maintaining structural integrity through the lockable connection.
2Ease of operation
If the handle can rotate to multiple positions, then driver control versatility is improved, but the locking mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock the handle in either the first or second position without requiring separate locking actions from the driver. The mechanism self-activates when the handle reaches a predetermined angular position, using the handle's own rotation to engage the lock.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses magnetic fields or elastic deformation (rather than complex mechanical interlocks) to achieve reliable positioning and locking of the handle in discrete angular positions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and switches are added to detect driving modes, then mode-specific braking performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle position itself serves dual functions: it acts as both the operational control element for braking and as a sensor input for detecting the selected driving mode. The same physical component (handle position) provides both mechanical control and electronic signaling functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors detect the angular position of the handle and provide feedback signals to the vehicle's control system, enabling automatic adjustment of braking parameters based on the selected driving mode (drifting vs. parking).
Data Source
AI summary
Adjustable brake apparatus for use with vehicles are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a brake lever to control braking of a vehicle and a handle coupled to the brake lever. The handle rotates relative to the brake lever between a first position and a second position. The handle locks in the first position and the second position to enable actuation of the brake lever by a force applied to the handle in either the first position or the second position.