Synchronized Bicycle Brake Arms via Link Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle brakes face issues with synchronization of brake arms, leading to uneven friction distribution and increased operating effort due to additional friction and biasing forces required for synchronizing structures, which are further exacerbated by contaminants like water and mud.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle brake system with synchronized brake arms utilizing a synchronizing link and bias communicating member that ensures both brake arms move in synchronization, reducing the need for stronger return springs and balancing the forces applied to the brake pads, thereby reducing the operating effort and improving synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchronizing structures (gear wheels, rollers, cams, links) are added to balance friction between brake arms, then synchronization is improved, but device complexity and operating effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex synchronizing structures (gear wheels, rollers, cams, links) from the brake system. By removing these additional components, the patent achieves synchronization through the inherent design of the brake arms and mounting portions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the synchronization function into the basic brake arm structure itself. The control interface portions and mounting portions are designed to inherently provide balanced friction and synchronization without requiring separate synchronizing mechanisms, thus combining multiple functions into a unified simple structure.
2Reliability
If synchronizing structures are added to ensure simultaneous brake pad contact, then brake arm synchronization is improved, but operating effort increases due to additional friction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the additional friction-generating synchronizing structures (gear wheels, rollers, cams, links) that increase operating effort. By eliminating these components, the brake system requires less force to operate while maintaining synchronization through the simplified inherent design of the brake arm mounting and control interface portions.
3Reliability
If stronger return springs are used to overcome additional friction from synchronizing structures, then brake arm synchronization is maintained, but operating effort and biasing forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for stronger return springs by removing the synchronizing structures that generate additional friction. The simplified design allows standard return springs to provide sufficient biasing force while maintaining brake arm synchronization through the inherent balanced design of the mounting portions and control interfaces.
4Reliability
If complex synchronizing assemblies are used, then brake arm synchronization is improved, but friction and wear increase especially in contaminated conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex synchronizing assemblies (gear wheels, rollers, cams, links) that are susceptible to contamination and increased friction. By eliminating these components, the brake system has fewer parts that can accumulate water, dirt, and mud, thereby reducing friction and wear in contaminated conditions while maintaining synchronization through the simplified inherent design.
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 system achieves synchronized operation of brake arms with reduced operating force and improved balance, ensuring both brake pads contact the wheel rim simultaneously, while minimizing wear on control wires and providing a mechanical advantage for efficient force communication.
Implementation Method 1
A synchronizing link (380) communicates a synchronizing force that arises from one of the first brake arm (34) or the second brake arm (38) to the other one of the first brake arm (34) or the second brake arm (38) so that the first brake arm (34) and the second brake arm (38) move in synchronization.
Implementation Method 2
first and second brake pads mounted to the first and second brake pad mounting portions frictionally contact the bicycle wheel rim
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle brake apparatus includes first and second brake arms. The first brake arm includes a first brake arm mounting portion for mounting the first brake arm to a bicycle frame member, a first brake pad mounting portion, and a first control interface portion. The second brake arm includes a second brake arm mounting portion for mounting the second brake arm to the bicycle frame member and a second brake pad mounting portion. A synchronizing link communicates a synchronizing force that arises from one of the first brake arm or the second brake arm to the other one of the first brake arm or the second brake arm so that the first brake arm and the second brake arm move in synchronization.