A COMBINED BRAKE SYSTEM FOR TWO-WHEELER VEHICLES
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a combined brake system for two-wheeler vehicles such as motorcycles and scooters. Further, embodiments of the disclosure disclose a combined brake system whereby the brakes to the rear wheel and the front wheel can be actuated by actuation of a singular rear brake pedal or lever.
BACKGROUND
Generally, two-wheeler vehicles are provided with independent brakes for deaccelerating the vehicle. Conventionally, in scooters (two-wheelers without clutch) such brakes are provided on the handle bar of the vehicle, while in bikes/motorcycles (two-wheelers having a clutch on the handle bar) the front brake lever is generally located on the handle bar and the rear brake is actuated by means of a foot pedal. When a user/rider has to deaccelerate the vehicle, generally both the independent brakes, i.e. front and rear brakes have to be applied together in proportion so as to obtain optimum braking effect. However, there are many demerits of independent braking systems. One such shortcoming is the poor relative timing of application of the front and rear independent brakes leading to disproportionate braking between the two wheels. Usually when the rear brake is applied more than the front brake the stopping distance increases and the braking effect reduces. On the contrary, if the front brake is applied more than the rear brake the braking effect on the front wheel is very high leading to skidding/toppling of the scooter/bike causing hazard to the rider.
In other words, researchers have developed a more efficient and technically advance brake system for two-wheeler vehicles that overcomes one or more limitations stated above. More specifically, a brake system whereby the rider/user can easily achieve maximum braking through minimal effort and with least chances of skidding or toppling thereby enhancing rider safety.
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SUMMARY
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a combined brake system for two-wheeler vehicles, as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the construction as claimed in the present disclosure.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a combined brake system for two-wheeler vehicles, comprising a rear brake unit being configured with a front brake unit for actuating a front wheel brake and a rear wheel brake in tandem by means of a rear brake pedal. The said combined brake system comprises the rear brake unit being supported on a frame of the two-wheeler vehicle. The rear brake unit comprises a bell crank lever being movably configured with the rear brake pedal. The bell crank lever comprises a first end configured with a first connecting link for actuating a rear wheel brake; and a second end coupled with a proximal end of a first actuation lever. The first actuation lever is movably connected with the front brake unit by means of a second connecting link. The front brake unit is mounted on the handle bar of the vehicle; the front brake unit comprises a second actuation lever being rotatable about a central pivot. The second actuation lever comprising a first slot being configured with the second connecting link; and a second slot being configured with a front brake lever and a third connecting link for actuating a front wheel brake.
In an embodiment, the bell crank lever is connected with the brake pedal by means of an actuation link.
In an embodiment, the first actuation lever is pivotally supported on the frame about pivot point.
In an embodiment, a first end of the second connected link is connected to a distal end of the first actuation lever.
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In an embodiment, the first and second slots of the second actuation lever have a generally arcuate shape.
In an embodiment, the first and second slots are disposed oppositely with respect to one another on the second actuation lever.
In an embodiment, a second end of the second connecting link comprises a first bead being disposed in the first slot for actuating the second actuation lever in a clockwise direction about the central pivot.
In another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a second bead of the front brake lever is disposed in the second slot; for actuating the second actuation lever in a clockwise direction about the central pivot.
In an embodiment, a third bead on an end portion of the third connecting link is disposed in the second slot; for actuating the front wheel brake on actuation of the second actuation lever in the clockwise direction.
In another non-limiting embodiment, the rear brake unit comprises a stopper lever being configured resiliently with an actuation member.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction
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with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of the rear brake unit of the combined brake system for two-wheeler vehicles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 is a schematic view of the front brake unit of the combined brake system for two-wheeler vehicles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figures 3 is an exemplary illustration of a combined brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 shows perspective view of the first actuation lever of the combined brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 shows perspective view of the second actuation lever of the combined brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6 shows perspective view of the casing of the front brake unit of the combined brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7 illustrates a schematic view of the combined brake system depicting the actuation of the various parts comprises in the said combined brake system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 8 depicts an embodiment of the combined brake system whereby the rear brake unit is configured with a stopper lever.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure to modify the construction and mechanism of a combined brake system for two-wheeler vehicles. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method that comprises multiple steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such method. In other words, one or more steps in a method proceeded by “comprises… steps of” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other steps or additional elements in the method.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a combined brake system for two-wheeler vehicles, comprising a rear brake unit being configured with a front brake unit for actuating a front wheel brake and a rear wheel brake in tandem by means of a rear brake pedal. The said combined brake system comprises the rear brake unit being supported on a frame of the two-wheeler vehicle. The rear brake unit comprises a bell crank lever being movably configured with the rear brake pedal. The bell crank lever comprises a first end configured with a first connecting link for actuating a rear wheel brake; and a second end coupled with a proximal end of a first actuation lever. The
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first actuation lever is movably connected with the front brake unit by means of a second connecting link. The front brake unit is mounted on the handle bar of the vehicle; the front brake unit comprises a second actuation lever being rotatable about a central pivot. The second actuation lever comprising a first slot being configured with the second connecting link; and a second slot being configured with a front brake lever and a third connecting link for actuating a front wheel brake. The bell crank lever is connected with the brake pedal by means of an actuation link. The first actuation lever is pivotally supported on the frame about pivot point. A first end of the second connected link is connected to a distal end of the first actuation lever. The first and second slots of the second actuation lever have a generally arcuate shape. The first and second slots are disposed oppositely with respect to one another on the second actuation lever. A second end of the second connecting link comprises a first bead being disposed in the first slot for actuating the second actuation lever in a clockwise direction about the central pivot. A second bead of the front brake lever is disposed in the second slot; for actuating the second actuation lever in a clockwise direction about the central pivot. A third bead on an end portion of the third connecting link is disposed in the second slot; for actuating the front wheel brake on actuation of the second actuation lever in the clockwise direction.
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the figures the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.
Now referring to the figures, in which Figures 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of the disclosure providing illustrating combined brake system (100) for two-wheeler vehicles, comprising a rear brake unit (101) being configured with a front brake unit (102) for actuating a rear wheel brake (103) and a front wheel brake (104) in tandem by means of a singular rear brake pedal (1) in a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. The rear brake unit (101) is supported on, but not limited to, a frame of the two-wheeler vehicle. The front brake unit (102) is mounted on, but not limited to a handle bar of the vehicle in the vicinity of the front brake lever (7) of the vehicle.
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As shown in Figure 3, the rear brake unit (101) is connected to the front brake unit (102) through a plurality of connecting links. As shown, the brake pedal (1) is mounted pivotally on the frame of the vehicle. The brake pedal (1) is configured to be operated manually by a rider for actuating the said combined brake system (100). The rear brake unit (101) comprises a bell crank lever (2). The said bell crank lever (2) is movably connected with the rear brake pedal (1) by means of an actuation link (3). In the mounted condition, the actuation link (3) forms a rigid connection with the rear brake pedal (1) so as to transfer the actuation displacement from the brake pedal to the bell crank lever (2). The bell crank lever (2) is configured movably with the rear brake pedal (1). The bell crank lever (2) comprises a first end (2a) which is connected with an end of a first connecting link (4). The other end of the first connected link (4) is coupled with the rear wheel brake (103) of the two-wheeler vehicle for actuating the rear wheel brake of the vehicle on actuation of the bell crank lever (2) by the rear brake pedal (1). As shown, for transmitting the actuation force to the front brake unit (102), there is provided a first actuation lever (5). As shown in Figure 4, the first actuation lever (5) is pivotally supported on the frame of the vehicle about pivot point (5a). The first actuation lever (5) comprises a proximal end (5b) and distal end (5c). Referring to Figure 3, the proximal end (5b) of the first actuation lever (5) is connected to a second end (2b) of the bell crank lever (2). During operation of the said combined brake system (100), the first actuation lever (5) is rotatable about pivot point (5a) upon actuation by the bell crank lever (2). The first actuation lever (5) is configured operably with the front brake unit (102) by means of a second connecting link (6). A first end (6a) of the second connecting link (6) is connected to a distal end (5c) of the first actuation lever (5). A second end (6b) of the second connecting link (6) is connected with the front brake unit (102) for actuating the front wheel brake (104) upon actuation of the rear brake pedal (1) by a rider/user.
As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the front brake unit (102) comprises a casing (102a) mounted on the handle bar of the vehicle in the vicinity of the front brake lever (7). The said front brake unit (102) comprises a second actuation lever (8) being disposed in the casing (102a). The said second actuation lever (8) is mounted such that it is rotatable about a central pivot (8a). As shown in Figure 5, the second actuation lever (8) comprises a first slot (8b) and a second slot (8c). The first and second slots (8b), (8c) have a generally arcuate shape; the first and second slots (8b), (8c) being
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disposed oppositely thereby assisting in rotational motion of the second actuation lever (8) about central pivot (8a). The second end (6b) of the second connecting link (6) comprises a first bead (X). In the mounted condition, the first bead (X) is disposed in the first slot (8b) of the second actuation lever (8) such that during actuation of the said combined brake system (100) by the rear brake pedal (1), the first bead (X) actuates the second actuation lever (8) in a clockwise direction about the central pivot (8a). It is to be noted that the direction of rotation of the second actuation lever (8) is depicted as clockwise for the purpose of better illustration and simplicity. The same may be different in different embodiments of the present disclosure. Any such modification, shall therefore be construed to fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
Further, as shown in Figure 6 the front brake lever (7) comprises an elongated portion being received in the casing (102a). The said elongated portion comprises a second bead (Y). The said second bead (Y) of the front brake lever (7) is received in the second slot (8c) of the second actuation lever (8). During actuation of the front brake lever (7) by the rider/user, when the second bead (Y) actuates the second actuation lever (8) in the clockwise direction about the central pivot (8). Referring to Figure 3, the second actuation lever (8) is configured with the front wheel brake (104) by means of a third connecting link (9). The third connecting link comprises a third bead (Z) on an end portion (9a). The other end portion (9b) of the third connecting link (9) is connected with the front wheel brake (104) for applying brakes to the front wheel of the vehicle. The third bead (Z) is disposed in the second slot (8c) such that when the second actuation lever (8) is actuated in the clockwise direction, the third bead (Z) actuates the third connecting link (9), thereby actuating the front wheel brake (104).
As shown in Figure 7, during actuation of the said combined brake system, when the rider/user applies an actuating force on the rear brake pedal (1), the actuation link (3) transmits the operating force from the rear brake pedal (1) to the bell crank lever (2). Correspondingly, the bell crank lever (2) is actuated linearly and rotationally in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, the bell crank lever (2) correspondingly transmits the braking force to the rear wheel brake (103) by means of the first connecting link (4). Additionally, the actuation of the bell crank lever (2) actuates the first actuation lever (5) such that the first actuation lever (5) is rotated about the pivot point (5a) in
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an anti-clockwise direction. This results in the braking force being transmitted to the front brake unit (102) by means of the second connecting link (6). The first bead (X) at the second end (6b) of the second connecting link (6) displaces the second actuation lever (8) in the clockwise direction about the central pivot (8a). The clockwise rotation of the second actuation lever (8) results in actuation of the third connecting link (9) by means of the third bead (Z), thereby transmitting the braking force to the front wheel brake (104). In this condition, the second bead (Y), is accommodated in the second slot (8c) and the front brake lever (7) remains unactuated.
Alternatively, when the rider/user applies an actuating force on the front brake lever (7), the operating force from the front brake lever (7) is transmitted to the second actuation lever (8) by means of the third bead (Z) such that the second actuation lever (8) is displaced in the clockwise direction about the central pivot (8a). The clockwise rotation of the second actuation lever (8) results in actuation of the third connecting link (9) by means of the third bead (Z), thereby transmitting the braking force to the front wheel brake (104). member (5) being connected to the actuation lever (4), thereby actuation of the bar link (6) further actuates the third link (8). In this condition, the first bead (X) of the second connecting link (6), is accommodated in the first slot (8b) and the rear brake unit (101) remains unactuated. Thus, providing independent braking of the front wheel when only the front brake lever (7) is actuated.
As shown in Figure 8, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear brake unit (101) comprises a stopper lever (10) being pivoted on a mounting bracket at a pivot (10a). The said stopper lever (10) comprises an upper end portion (10b) supported against a stopping pin (not shown). A lower end portion (10c) comprises a stopping face being loaded resiliently by means of a stopper spring (11). The stopper spring (11) is supported on the frame of the vehicle as shown in Figure 8. During operation of the vehicle, to prevent unintended application of the rear wheel brake (103) due to sudden bump/shock, the stopper lever (10) overcomes the actuation force exerted by the stopper spring (11) due to rotary movement of the stopper lever (10) about the pivot (10a). Thereby allowing an actuation member (12) to be displaced in the clockwise direction without applying the rear wheel brakes (103). The actuation member (12) is configured with a return spring (13) for delay in operation of the front brake unit (102).
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Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is
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intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
List of reference numerals:
Reference Number
Description
100
Combined Brake System
101
Rear Brake Unit
102
Front Brake Unit
102a
Casing
103
Rear Wheel Brake
104
Front Wheel Brake
1
Rear Brake Pedal
2
Bell Crank Lever
2a
First End of Bell Crank Lever
2b
Second End of Bell Crank Lever
3
Actuation Link
4
First Connecting Link
5
First Actuation Lever
13
5a
Pivot Point of First Actuation Lever
5b
Proximal End of First Actuation Lever
5c
Distal End of First Actuation Lever
6
Second Connecting Link
6a
First End of Second Connecting Link
6b
Second End of Second Connecting Link
7
Front Brake Lever
8
Second Actuation Lever
8a
Central Pivot of Second Actuation Lever
8b
First Slot of Second Actuation Lever
8c
Second Slot of Second Actuation Lever
9
Third Connecting Link
10
Stopper Lever
10a
Pivot of Stopper Lever
10b
Upper End Portion of Stopper Lever
10c
Lower End Portion of Stopper Lever
11
Stopper Spring
12
Actuation Member
13
Return Spring
X
First Bead of Second Connecting Link
Y
Second Bead of Front Brake Lever
Z
Third Bead of Third Connecting Link

We claim
1. A combined brake system (100) for two-wheeler vehicles, comprising a rear brake unit (101) being configured with a front brake unit (102) for actuating a rear wheel brake (103) and a front wheel brake (104) in tandem by means of a rear brake pedal (1);
the rear brake unit (101) being supported on a frame of the two-wheeler vehicle; the rear brake unit (101) comprising;
a bell crank lever (2) being movably configured with the rear brake pedal (1); the bell crank lever (2) comprising;
a first end (2a) configured with a first connecting link (4) for actuating a rear wheel brake (103); and
a second end (2b) coupled with a proximal end (5b) of a first actuation lever (5);
the first actuation lever (5) being operably connected with the front brake unit (102) by means of a second connecting link (6); and
the front brake unit (102) being mounted on the handle bar of the vehicle; the front brake unit comprising;
a second actuation lever (8) being rotatable about a central pivot (8a); the second actuation lever (8) comprising
a first slot (8b) being configured with the second connecting link (6); and
a second slot (8c) being configured with a front brake lever (7) and a third connecting link (9) for actuating the front wheel brake (104).
2. The combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bell crank lever (2) is connected with the rear brake pedal (1) by means of an actuation link (3).
3. The combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuation lever (5) is pivotally supported on the frame about pivot point (5a).
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4. The combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first end (6a) of the second connected link (6) is connected to a distal end (5c) of the first actuation lever (5).
5. The combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second slots (8b), (8c) of the second actuation lever (8) have a generally arcuate shape.
6. The combined brake system as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the first and second slots (8b), (8c) are disposed oppositely with respect to one another on the second actuation lever (8).
7. The combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second end (6b) of the second connecting link (6) comprises a first bead (X) being disposed in the first slot (8b) for actuating the second actuation lever (8) in a clockwise direction about the central pivot (8a).
8. The combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second bead (Y) of the front brake lever (7) is disposed in the second slot (8c); for actuating the second actuation lever (8) in a clockwise direction about the central pivot (8a).
9. The combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a third bead (Z) formed on an end portion of the third connecting link (9), is disposed in the second slot (8c) for actuating the front wheel brake (104) on actuation of the second actuation lever (8) in the clockwise direction.
10. The combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear brake unit (101) comprises a stopper lever (10) being configured resiliently with an actuation member (12).