HYDRAULIC BRAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY MUSCLE-POWERED BICYCLE
20240059370 · 2024-02-22
Inventors
Cpc classification
F15B21/006
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B62L3/023
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60T11/22
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
F15B1/26
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A hydraulic brake arrangement for a bicycle with a transmitting unit with a brake lever, and a cylinder housing with a cylinder space, and with a piston unit displaceably received in the cylinder space. In the tank space of an equalizing reservoir device, a membrane unit is disposed which subdivides the tank space into a fluid space for the hydraulic fluid and an air space sealed against the fluid space. The air space is connected with atmosphere through a vent opening. When the membrane unit is mounted, a filling mouth is in fluid connection with the fluid space. The vent opening opens into a receiving space that is at least partially enclosed by the base body of the transmitting unit. In the receiving space, an actuating mechanism is disposed which transmits force from the brake lever to the piston unit.
Claims
1. A hydraulic brake arrangement for an at least partially muscle-powered bicycle, comprising: at least one transmitting unit provided for fluid connection with a receiving unit; wherein the transmitting unit comprises a brake lever and a cylinder housing with a cylinder space, and a piston unit displaceably received in the cylinder space, and at least one equalizing reservoir device for a hydraulic fluid; wherein the equalizing reservoir device comprises a tank space and at least one filling mouth for filling in the hydraulic fluid; and wherein at least one membrane unit is disposed in the tank space, subdividing the tank space into a fluid space for the hydraulic fluid and an air space sealed against the fluid space; wherein at least one duct connection is configured between the fluid space and the cylinder space; and wherein the air space is connected with atmosphere through at least one vent opening, so as to enable pressure compensation between the air space and atmosphere; and wherein, when the membrane unit is mounted, the filling mouth is in fluid connection with the fluid space; the vent opening opens into a receiving space that is at least partially encircled by the base body of the transmitting unit; and an actuating mechanism is at least partially disposed in the receiving space and forces transmission from the brake lever to the piston unit.
2. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the base body is configured integrally, and wherein the cylinder housing is an integral component of the base body, and wherein the vent opening extends in the base body.
3. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an imaginary elongation of the longitudinal axis of the vent opening intersects the actuating mechanism and preferably a connecting rod device of the actuating mechanism.
4. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a cam body is at least partially accommodated in the receiving space, wherein a connecting rod device is pivotally linked to the cam body, and wherein the vent opening opens into the receiving space between the cam body and a supporting wall, wherein in the supporting wall, a connecting opening (43) is configured, through which the actuating mechanism extends from the receiving space into the cylinder space to the piston unit.
5. The brake arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the connecting rod device is linked to the cam body for pivoting around a connecting rod pivot axis, and wherein the connecting rod pivot axis and the longitudinal axis of the vent opening extend in one shared plane.
6. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the brake lever is linked to a lever accommodation for pivoting around a brake lever pivot axis, and wherein the vent opening has a longitudinal axis which lies in one plane with the brake lever pivot axis.
7. The brake arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the brake lever pivot axis extends though the receiving space.
8. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the vent opening and the duct connection have longitudinal axes extending in a shared plane.
9. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an imaginary axial elongation of the cylinder space extends through the receiving space.
10. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the equalizing reservoir device is disposed above the cylinder space and the receiving space, and wherein the equalizing reservoir device and the cylinder space and/or the receiving space have longitudinal axes which extend in a shared plane.
11. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the filling mouth is also configured as a deaeration opening for deaerating a hydraulic circuit (11), and wherein deaeration is possible when the membrane unit is mounted as intended.
12. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the air space is disposed beneath the membrane unit, and the fluid space, above the membrane unit, and the receiving space, beneath the air space and the fluid space, when the transmitting unit is mounted to the handlebar as intended.
13. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the equalizing reservoir device has a longitudinal axis which is inclined to the horizontal, such that the equalizing reservoir device has at least one collecting area for air, which is higher than the other areas of the equalizing reservoir device, when the transmitting unit is mounted to the handlebar as intended, and wherein the filling mouth is disposed in the collecting area of the equalizing reservoir device.
14. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the duct connection and the filling mouth are disposed on end portions of the equalizing reservoir device opposite each other in the longitudinal direction.
15. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the vent opening and the filling mouth have longitudinal axes extending in a shared plane.
16. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the equalizing reservoir device comprises at least one tank trough and at least one cover, and wherein the tank trough and the cover are mounted to one another, sealed by means of a tank sealing, and wherein the tank sealing is an integral component of the membrane unit.
17. The brake arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the vent opening is configured in the bottom in the tank trough, and wherein the filling mouth is configured in the cover.
18. The brake arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the tank trough and/or the cover provide at least one receiving groove for the tank sealing, and wherein the tank trough and the cover are spaced apart in the region of the receiving groove in the mounted state as intended, such that the tank sealing is accommodated shear-proof.
19. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the membrane unit comprises a membrane component provided for spreading between the fluid space and the air space, and wherein the membrane component is an integral component of the membrane unit, and wherein the membrane unit comprises at least one arcuate connection member, and wherein the connection member biases the membrane component at least in sections against the bottom of the equalizing reservoir device.
20. The brake arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the membrane component is configured bulged above the vent opening, such that the membrane component at least in this place is disposed spaced apart from the bottom of the equalizing reservoir device.
21. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the duct connection extends from the fluid space through a cover of the equalizing reservoir device and through the base body to the cylinder space, and wherein the cover and the base body are circumferentially mounted to one another around the duct connection, sealed by means of a duct sealing, and wherein the duct sealing is an integral component of the membrane unit.
22. The brake arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the duct sealing encircles the duct connection in a ring shape, extending in sections between the cover and a tank trough of the equalizing reservoir device.
23. The brake arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the tank sealing encircles the membrane component in a ring shape, and wherein the duct sealing is disposed outside of the membrane component and is not encircled by the tank sealing in a ring shape.
24. The brake arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the hydraulic fluid must pass the membrane unit to get to the cylinder space, and wherein to this end, the hydraulic fluid passes the membrane unit through a through hole enclosed by the duct sealing.
25. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the membrane unit is configured integrally.
26. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the duct connection has a longitudinal axis extending transverse to a shared longitudinal axis of the equalizing reservoir device and the cylinder space and the receiving space.
27. The brake arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the duct connection comprises a central duct, which is subdivided into at least one equalizing hole and at least one lubrication hole, and wherein the central duct and at least one of the at least one equalizing holes and at least one of the at least one lubrication holes comprise longitudinal axes extending in a shared plane.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0072] The figures show in:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0084] The
[0085] A bicycle 100 comprises a frame 104, a handlebar 101 with grips 114, a saddle 107, a fork or suspension fork 105 and in the case of the mountain bike, a rear wheel damper 106 may be provided. A pedal crank 112 with pedals used for propelling the bicycle. Optionally, the pedal crank 112 and/or the wheels 102, 103 may be provided with an electrical auxiliary drive. The hubs of the wheels 102, 103 may each be attached to the frame 104 or the fork 105 by means of a clamping system 113 (for example a through axle or a quick release). The frame 104 and the fork 105 each have a receiving unit 200 fastened thereto, presently configured as hydraulic disk brakes. The receiving unit 200 is connected with the associated transmitting unit 10 by means of a conduction device 201, not visible, such that a closed hydraulic circuit 11 results. The transmitting units 10 of a bicycle 100 are mounted to opposite ends of the handlebar 101, each showing a brake lever 2 provided for finger actuation. In the racing bicycle 100, the transmitting unit 10 is configured as a shifting-braking combination.
[0086] The brake arrangement 1 according to the application will now be described in detail with reference to the various illustrations of the
[0087] The brake arrangement 1 comprises a transmitting unit 10, which is connected via a conduction device 201 with a receiving unit 200, not shown, for example a disk brake. The transmitting unit 10 is fastened to the handlebar 101 of a bicycle 100, presently by means of a handlebar link 8, as has been described above.
[0088] This handlebar link 8 comprises two linking sections 18, 28. The first linking section 18 is an integral component of a base body 20. The second linking section 28 is screwed to the first linking section 18 and comprises two parts which are pivotally coupled to one another through a hinge.
[0089] The transmitting unit 10 comprises a cylinder housing 3 with a cylinder space 13 and a piston unit 4 displaceably received in the cylinder space 13. The cylinder housing 3 is also an integral component of the base body 20.
[0090] A brake lever 2, likewise integrated in the base body 20, is supported on a lever accommodation 22 so that said lever can pivot around a brake lever pivot axis 12. The brake lever 2 is coupled to the piston unit 4 by means of an actuating mechanism 7. Pulling the brake lever 2 causes displacement of the piston unit 4 in the cylinder space 13.
[0091] The actuating mechanism 7 comprises a connecting rod device 17 with a connecting rod 170 and a connecting rod small end 171, and a cam body 27. The cam body 27 is supported on the lever accommodation 22, such that it can pivot around a cam pivot axis 37. The brake lever pivot axis 12 and the cam pivot axis 37 are presently identical. The connecting rod device 17 is linked to the cam body 27 for pivoting around a connecting rod pivot axis 172. The cam body 27 is accommodated in a receiving space 30 of the base body 20. The cam body 27 is configured integrally with the brake lever 2.
[0092] The cylinder housing 3 comprises a lever-side end 73 and a receiver-side end 83. The receiving space 30 lies on a longitudinal axis shared with the cylinder space 13. On the receiver-side end 83, a connection port 93 is configured for coupling the conduction device 201. On the lever-side end 73, a connecting opening 43 is configured, through which the connecting rod 170 extends from the receiving space 30 into the cylinder space 13 to the piston unit 4. The connecting opening 43 is configured in a supporting wall 33, which is integrally connected with the cylinder housing 3.
[0093] The piston unit 4 comprises a piston 14 and a piston sealing device 24, which is provided by a primary sealing 54 and a secondary sealing 64. The piston unit 4 is shown in a rest position 44, since the transmitting unit 10 is not actuated. In the rest position 44, the connecting rod small end 171 bears against a contact portion 330 of the supporting wall 33 (see
[0094] A biasing member 34, configured as a spring, rests against the opposite end of the piston unit 4. The biasing member 34 is supported on a support structure 931 of a connecting unit 930. The connecting unit 930 is screwed into the receiver-side end 83 of the cylinder housing 3, such that the hydraulic fluid can only exit from the cylinder space 13 through the connecting unit 930 and the linked conduction device 201. Between the connecting unit 930 and the cylinder housing 3, a sealing 932 is disposed such that the screw thread is not necessarily required for sealing.
[0095] For storing hydraulic fluid, an equalizing reservoir device 5 with a tank space 15 is provided. The hydraulic fluid provided is presently a biologically decomposable oil. Alternately, mineral oil or brake fluid (DOT) may be provided. The equalizing reservoir device 5 comprises a tank trough 75 and a cover 85. The tank trough 75 is an integral component of the base body 20.
[0096] In the cover 85, a filling mouth 25 is provided, which doubles as a deaeration opening 65 for deaerating the hydraulic circuit 11 in the scope of maintenance work. The cover 85 of the equalizing reservoir device 5 is fastened to the tank trough 75 with two screws 850. For closing the filling mouth 25 or the deaeration opening 65, another screw 850 is provided.
[0097] In the tank space 15, a membrane unit 6 is disposed, subdividing the tank space 15 into a fluid space 35 for the hydraulic fluid and an air space 45. The membrane unit 6 seals the fluid space 35 from the air space 45.
[0098] The piston unit 4 and the cylinder housing 3 shown, limit a pressure space 131, which forms part of the cylinder space 13. The pressure space 131 is connected with the fluid space 35 through an equalizing hole 53 configured in a cylinder wall 130 of the cylinder housing 3. Merely exemplarily, the equalizing hole 53 consists of a total of three single holes. In the sectional view of the
[0099] The equalizing hole 53 is exposed when the piston unit 4 is in the rest position 44. When the transmitting unit 10 is actuated, the piston unit 4 seals the pressure space 131 against the fluid space 35 with its primary sealing 54. This applies pressure on the pressure space 131, when the brake lever 2 continues to be pulled. Then, the receiving unit 200 is actuated, and for example a piston of a disk brake is extended.
[0100] In addition to the equalizing hole 53, the cylinder space 13 is connected with the fluid space 35 through a lubrication hole 63. The lubrication hole 63 opens into a part of the cylinder space 13 lying outside of the pressure space 131. Through the lubrication hole 63, hydraulic fluid can flow behind the primary sealing 54, where it lubricates the piston unit 4. Moreover, the hydraulic fluid can return into the tank space 15 through the lubrication hole 63, when it has flowed behind the primary sealing 54. The lubrication hole 63 is sealed by means of the secondary sealing 64 against the connecting opening 43 and the receiving space 30 located behind.
[0101] The equalizing hole 53 and the lubrication hole 63 are parts of a duct connection 23 which connects the fluid space 35 with the cylinder space 13. The equalizing hole 53 and the lubrication hole 63 extend from a central duct 230 of the duct connection 230 into the cylinder space 15. The central duct 230 is connected with the fluid space 35 through a transverse duct 231 configured in the cover 85. The central duct 230 and the equalizing hole 53 and the lubrication hole 63 are configured in the base body 20.
[0102] The air space 45 is connected with atmosphere through a vent opening (and, in particular, e.g. a vent hole) 55. Thus, pressure changes are equalized, when the quantity of hydraulic fluid in the fluid space 35 increases or decreases, thus causing the membrane unit 6 to bulge upwardly respectively downwardly. The vent opening 55 shown is configured in the bottom 751 of the tank trough 75 and opens into the receiving space 30. Thus, the vent opening 55 is enclosed by the base body 20 in the region of its mouth and accommodated well protected in the receiving space 30.
[0103] In the transmitting unit 120 shown, an imaginary elongation of the longitudinal axis of the vent opening 55 intersects the connecting rod 170. Moreover, the connecting rod pivot axis 172 and the vent opening 55 extend in parallel to one another. The brake lever pivot axis 12 extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vent opening 55. Moreover, the vent opening 55, the central of the three equalizing holes 53 and the lubrication hole 63 and the central duct 230, show longitudinal axes extending in parallel to one another. The equalizing reservoir device 5 and the cylinder space 13 show longitudinal axes extending in parallel to one another.
[0104] The membrane unit 6 is configured integrally, and comprises a tank sealing 16 and a membrane component 26 and a connection member 36, and a duct sealing 46. The membrane unit 6 is particularly clearly visible in the detail illustration of
[0105] In a mounted state as intended, the tank sealing 16 extends between the tank trough 75 and the cover 85, such that these are mounted sealed to one another. The membrane component 26 is enclosed by the tank sealing 16 and is spread between the fluid space 35 and the air space 45.
[0106] The connection member 36 is configured arcuate and connects the membrane component 26 with the tank sealing 16. The connection member 36 biases the membrane component 26 in the region of a circumferential bottom edge against the bottom 751 of the tank trough 75 (see
[0107] The tank sealing 16 is accommodated in a receiving groove 750 of the tank trough 75. Since the tank trough 75 and the cover 85 are spaced apart in the region of the receiving groove 750, the tank sealing 16 cannot shear off even in the case of shocks acting on the cover 85. In the region of the duct sealing 46, the tank sealing 16 extends between the duct sealing 46 and the membrane component 26. Moreover, the base body 20 likewise has a receiving groove 750 in the region of the duct sealing 46 to prevent the duct sealing 46 from shearing off.
[0108] The duct sealing 46 seals the duct connection 23 against the cover 85 and the base body 20. Since the duct connection 23 shown, extends from the fluid space 35 through the cover 85 and further through the base body 20 to the cylinder space 13, the hydraulic fluid does not need to flow through the membrane component 26. The hydraulic fluid may pass the membrane unit 6 outside of the tank sealing 16.
[0109] To this end, the hydraulic fluid passes the membrane unit 6 through a through hole 56 configured in the duct sealing 46. This omits a passage in the membrane component 26, the sealing of which tends to be very complicated. Nevertheless, no additional sealing needs to be mounted, since the membrane unit 6 also provides for the duct sealing 46.
[0110] The air space 45 is configured beneath the fluid space 35. The filling mouth 25 opens directly into the fluid space 35, such that the membrane unit 6 does not need to be removed for filling up the hydraulic fluid. Since the filling mouth 24 is also configured as a deaeration opening 65, the membrane unit 6 is not required to be demounted for deaerating either.
[0111] As can be clearly seen in the
[0112] When manufacturing the brake arrangement 1 shown, the base body 20 is manufactured by selective material removal from a base body blank. This generates the base body 20 shown, in which the cylinder housing 3 with the cylinder space 13 and the supporting wall 33 and the contact portion 330, the lever accommodation 22 and the tank trough 75 of the equalizing reservoir device 5, and the receiving space 30 and the pertaining holes or ducts are fixedly incorporated.
[0113] After working out the cylinder space 13, the supporting wall 33 is readily accessible to tools, from the connection port 93. Thus, the contact surface 330 can be processed uncomplicated while highly precisely, working from the connection port 93. Before or after, the connecting opening 43 can also be manufactured through the connection port 93 or working from the receiving space 30. The equalizing hole 53 may be manufactured before or after manufacturing the contact portion 330.
[0114] In any case, the equalizing hole 53 and the contact portion 330 are incorporated in the base body 20 at defined distances 530 from one another (see
[0115] After finishing the cylinder space 13, the piston unit 4 in the preassembled state (the piston 14 with the piston sealing device 24 mounted) is inserted into the cylinder space 13 through the connection port 93. The minimum diameter of the connection port 93 is matched to the maximum diameter of the cross sectional geometry of the piston unit 4. To protect the piston sealing device 24 when pushing in, the connection port 93 shown is provided with a chamfer 93a.
[0116] Firstly, the connecting rod device 17 is inserted into the cylinder space 13 through the connection port 93, with the connecting rod 170 leading. The connecting rod 171 is guided back out from the cylinder space 13 through the connecting opening 43, and connected with the cam body 27 in the receiving space 30.
[0117] On a side of the connecting opening 43 facing away from the cylinder space 13, a sealing groove 174 is incorporated into the base body 20. A sealing member 173 is inserted into the sealing groove 174, through which the connecting rod 170 extends. In this way, the cylinder space 13 is sealed from the receiving space 30.
[0118] After inserting the piston unit 4 in the cylinder space 13, the biasing member 34 is inserted through the connection port 93 (see
[0119] The transmitting unit 10 shown, due to its special structural assembly, allows exchanging the piston sealing device 24 respectively the piston 14 within a very short time, for practiced persons for example in less than one minute. To gain access to the piston unit 4, only the connecting unit 930 needs to be unscrewed. Since the piston unit 4 bears only loosely (biased) against the connecting rod device 17, the piston unit 4 can be pulled out of the cylinder space 13 quite simply through the connection port 93. After mounting for example a new primary sealing 54, the piston unit 4 can, again quite simply, be reinserted in the cylinder space 13.
[0120] After inserting the biasing member 34 and screw-fixing the connecting unit 930, the transmitting unit 10 is then completely installed again. Due to the distance 530 fixedly incorporated in the base body 20 and the supporting wall 33 with its contact portion 330 configured integrally in the base body 20, the dead travel is then automatically adjusted optimally. Subsequent filling up and deaerating the hydraulic circuit 11 can be done very simply and safely, due to the equalizing reservoir device 5 and the membrane unit 6 described above.
[0121] While a particular embodiment of the present hydraulic brake arrangement for an at least partially muscle-powered bicycle have been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0122] 1 brake arrangement [0123] 2 brake lever [0124] 3 cylinder housing [0125] 4 piston unit [0126] 5 equalizing reservoir device [0127] 6 membrane unit [0128] 7 actuating mechanism [0129] 8 handlebar link [0130] 10 transmitting unit [0131] 11 hydraulic circuit [0132] 12 brake lever pivot axis [0133] 13 cylinder space [0134] 14 piston [0135] 15 tank space [0136] 16 tank sealing [0137] 17 connecting rod device [0138] 18 linking section [0139] 20 base body [0140] 22 lever accommodation [0141] 23 duct connection [0142] 24 piston sealing device [0143] 25 filling mouth [0144] 26 membrane component [0145] 27 cam body [0146] 28 linking section [0147] 30 receiving space [0148] 33 supporting wall [0149] 34 biasing member [0150] 35 fluid space [0151] 36 connecting member [0152] 37 cam pivot axis [0153] 40 horizontal [0154] 43 connecting opening [0155] 44 rest position [0156] 45 air space [0157] 46 duct sealing [0158] 53 equalizing hole [0159] 54 primary sealing [0160] 55 vent opening [0161] 56 through hole [0162] 63 lubrication hole [0163] 64 secondary sealing [0164] 65 deaeration opening [0165] 73 end [0166] 75 tank trough [0167] 83 end [0168] 85 cover [0169] 93 connection port [0170] 93a chamfer [0171] 100 bicycle [0172] 101 handlebar [0173] 102 wheel, front wheel [0174] 103 wheel, rear wheel [0175] 104 frame [0176] 105 fork, suspension fork [0177] 106 rear wheel damper [0178] 107 saddle [0179] 109 spoke [0180] 110 rim [0181] 112 pedal crank [0182] 113 clamping system [0183] 114 grip [0184] 130 cylinder wall [0185] 131 pressure space [0186] 170 connecting rod [0187] 171 connecting rod small end [0188] 172 connecting rod pivot axis [0189] 173 sealing member [0190] 174 sealing groove [0191] 200 receiving unit [0192] 201 conduction device [0193] 230 central duct [0194] 231 transverse duct [0195] 330 contact portion [0196] 530 distance [0197] 750 receiving groove [0198] 751 bottom [0199] 850 screw [0200] 930 connecting unit [0201] 931 support structure [0202] 932 seal