DESC:FIELD OF INVENTON
This invention is related to combined brake arrangement in an automotive vehicle. This invention is particularly related to a combined brake arrangement in a saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The known brake systems for automotive vehicle for example motorcycle comprise; a front brake actuation lever generally mounted on a handle bar of motorcycle preferably at right side and the front brake is actuated by a rider through a front brake cable by a pressing front brake actuation lever by hand; a rear brake actuation pedal generally mounted on the frame of motorcycle and rear brake is actuated by a rider through a rear brake rod by pressing pedal by a foot.
Interlock or combined brake system is well-known in two wheelers. It is the brake system where both front wheel brake and rear wheel brake are applied simultaneously by operating a single actuator like hand brake lever or foot brake pedal of a two wheeler.
The known combined brake system for motorcycle comprises; a front brake system actuated through cable; a rear brake system actuated through a rod; an equalizer link mounted on the brake pedal; a brake pedal mounted on frame of motorcycle. One end of equalizer link is connected to the front brake cable; other end of equalizer link is connected to the rear brake rod; the brake pedal is hinged on the frame of motorcycle; one end of pedal is connected to the equalizer link between the two ends of equalizer link. When the rider of motorcycle applies a force on pedal by foot, the pedal actuates the equalizer link which further actuates both the brakes i.e. front brake and rear brake simultaneously through front brake cable and rear brake rod respectively. The force applied on pedal is distributed by equalizer link to front brake system and rear brake system and transmitted to front brake through cable and to rear brake through rod.
The main disadvantage of such type of combined brake system is that combined front brake cable is routed through an equalizer link which is located at the rear side of the vehicle and goes to front brake panel which is located at front side of the vehicle. Hence length of the cable is long and has multiple bends through the route. The single and long cable has a sharp bend near head pipe area which results in poor cable efficiency. Alternately if the radius of bend of cable is increased to avoid sharp bend, it may result in increased length of cable and may not possible due to space constrains. This results in less cable efficiency for stroke transmission to the front brake (For example approximately 50-60%). Hence force and stroke transmitted and applied on front brake is less. Due to this, stopping distance of vehicle after brake application is more due to less combined braking efficiency of this system. In this system as the force transmitted to front brake is less, the full capacity of front brake is not used which result is poor overall braking efficiency of vehicle.
This problem may be attended by splitting the combined front brake cable in two parts and providing a distributor link between these two parts. Two separate parts of combined front brake cable have less bending and the cable efficiency is improved. For optimum advantage of this system and to avoid bending of cables, the distributor link should be located on the head pipe near steering axis of the vehicle to minimize movement of cable when handle bar of vehicle is rotated. However there are many components of the vehicle which are located around the head pipe of vehicle (for example head lamp assembly mounting bracket, speedometer flap, electrical wiring harness, cable routing, steering cum ignition lock mounting bracket etc.). Hence it is difficult to package the distributor link near to the head pipe of the vehicle. The problem further aggravates if the combined brake system is to be placed within existing lay out of vehicle. This calls to change in layout / re-positioning of certain parts and compromise with their desired position. Thus the challenge is to install combined brake system without compromising positions/locations of other parts and still achieving desired efficiency of the braking system and provide a robust brake system.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Hence the object of the invention is to provide a combined brake system for a vehicle in which the brake operation is more efficient.
Another object of the invention is to provide a combined brake system for a vehicle in which the combined front brake cable have minimum bends through its route.
Another object of the invention is to provide a combined brake system for a vehicle which is robust.
Another object of the invention is to provide a combined brake system without compromising existing layout of vehicle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
With above objects in view, the present invention provides a combined brake system for a vehicle comprising;
a front brake system;
a rear brake system;
atleast an equalizer link;
atleast a distribution link;
the front brake is connected to one end of equalizer link through combined front brake cable and combined brake cable;
rear brake is connected to other end of equalizer link through rear brake rod;
the said distributor link is pivoted between its two end points and is provided between the combined front brake cable and combined brake cable which transmits the actuating force on front brake during operation of said combined brake system;
Wherein
The said distributor link is located proximate to a head pipe and in the vicinity of front portion of fuel tank and substantially above front wheel.
According to one of the embodiment of invention, preferably the said distributor link is pivotally mounted on a joining gusset which joins a head pipe to main tube and lower tube of frame of the vehicle.
Preferably the said distribution link is positioned substantially rearward of steering axis of the head pipe of frame of the vehicle.
In the situation when a combined brake unit of the vehicle is at right side of vehicle and front brake unit is also at the right side of the vehicle, the distributor link is pivotally mounted on the gusset of the vehicle and located entirely at right side of the vehicle and the pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to longitudinal axis of vehicle when viewed from top side.
The above arrangement ensures the routing of front brake cables is optimized with minimum bends and resulting in better cable efficiency.
Preferably the said pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to vertical plane of vehicle along the longitudinal direction of vehicle, when viewed from front side of vehicle.
In the situation when a combined brake unit of the vehicle is at left side of vehicle and front brake unit is also at the left side of the vehicle, the distributor link is pivotally mounted on the gusset of the vehicle and located entirely at left side of the vehicle and the pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to longitudinal axis of vehicle when viewed from top side.
The above arrangement ensures the routing of front brake cables is optimized with minimum bends and resulting in better cable efficiency.
Preferably the said pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to vertical plane of vehicle along the longitudinal direction of vehicle, when viewed from front side of vehicle.
In the situation when a combined brake unit of the vehicle is at one side of vehicle (for example right side) and front brake unit is at the other side of the vehicle (for example left side) or vice versa, the distributor link is pivotally mounted on the front side of head pipe of the vehicle and the pivot axis is substantially perpendicular or makes an angle to the steering axis of the vehicle when viewed from left or right side of vehicle.
In this arrangement, combined brake cable remains entirely at one side of vehicle which connects combined brake unit to one end of distributor link and front brake cable is also remains entirely at another side of vehicle which connects another end of distributor link to front brake unit. This arrangement ensures the optimized routing of front brake cables with minimum bends and resulting in better cable efficiency.
According to another embodiment of the invention, in the situation when a combined brake unit of the vehicle is at one side of vehicle (for example right side) and front brake unit is at the other side of the vehicle (for example left side) or vice versa, a distributor link comprising link 1 and link 2 and both link 1 and link 2 are interconnected to each other by a connecting rod; wherein the said connecting rod is pivotally mounted on frame portion. The connecting rod may be mounted in a through hole in the joining gusset of the vehicle and the pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to longitudinal axis of vehicle when viewed from top side of the vehicle and link 1 and link 2 are connected to the two ends of connecting rod.
The link 1 and link 2 may be positioned such that their cable mounting locations are in opposite direction to each other.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the link 1 and link 2 may be positioned such that their cable mounting locations make an angle with each other, preferably are perpendicular to each other.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the distributor link is pivotally mounted to the vehicle through a distributor unit which is attached to the vehicle.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the distributor link is pivotally mounted to the front fork of the vehicle.
Preferably a distributor unit is provided which is mounted between two inner tubes of the front fork of the vehicle.
Preferably distributor unit is mounted on brackets attached to spacer tubes of the front fork of the vehicle and the distributor link is pivotally mounted on the said distributor unit. As both the distributor link and front brake unit (for example brake plate) are connected to the front fork of the vehicle, there is no relative angular movement between two ends of combined front brake cable when handle bar is rotated. This arrangement ensures the optimized routing of front brake cables with minimum bends and resulting in better cable efficiency.
Preferably the distributor link is perpendicular to the moving direction of front wheel.
Preferably the pivot axis of distributor link is perpendicular or makes an angle to the plane passing through the steering axis and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the combined brake system as explained above may compress primary and secondary equalizer links.
Preferably, the primary and the secondary equalizer links are hingably connected to each other and the primary equalizer link is connected to rear brake through rear brake rod and the secondary equalizer link is connected to front brake through front brake cable; the said secondary equalizer link is pivoted on vehicle; the said combined brake actuating system is connected to the primary equalizer link between its two end points to actuate front brake and rear brake simultaneously.

DRAWINGS:
Figures 1 is a pictorial view of the motorcycle with combined brake system without distributor link according to prior art.
Figure 2 is a pictorial view of the motorcycle with combined brake system and with distributor link mounted on gusset at right side of the vehicle according to present embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2a, 2b and 2c are close up views of figure 2 namely side view, top view and front view respectively.
Figure 3a and 3b are a pictorial views of details of equalizer links of combined brake system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4a and 4b are pictorial views of details of distributor link mounted on distributor unit at right side of the vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention
Figure 5 is a pictorial view the motorcycle with combined brake system and with distributor link mounted on front fork of the vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5a, 5b and 5c are pictorial views of details of distributor link mounted on front fork of the vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6a is a pictorial view of details of distributor link according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6b and 6c are pictorial views of details of distributor link of figure 6a mounted on frame of the vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6d and 6e are pictorial views of details of distributor link and its mounting on frame of the vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7a, 7b, 7c and7dc are various pictorial views of details of distributor link of figure 6a mounted on frame of the vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Now the one of the embodiment of the present invention is explained in details with help of the figures 1 to 7.
A motorcycle 10 comprises a frame 60 which further comprises head pipe 61, main tubes 62 and lower tubes 63. A motorcycle 10 provided with combined brake system comprises a front brake unit 11, a rear brake unit 12, combined front brake cable 15, combined brake pedal 21, rear brake rod 22, primary equalizer link 41, secondary equalizer link 42, connecting link 44, front brake cable 15 and rear brake rod 22. The combined brake pedal 21 is pivotally mounted on frame 60 of motorcycle 10 at pivot point 46. One end 47 of combined brake pedal 21 is connected to the primary equalizer link 41 through connecting link 44 at pivot point 43. One end of primary equalizer link 41 is pivotally connected to the rear brake rod 22 at pivot point 45. Other end of primary equalizer link 41 is pivotally connected to the one end of secondary equalizer link 42 at pivot point 46. Other end of secondary equalizer link 42 is connected to the front brake cable 15. Secondary equalizer link 42 is mounted on the frame 60 of motorcycle 10 at pivot point 46 which is also a pivot point of combined brake pedal 21.
When a force is applied on combined brake pedal 21, part of force is transmitted to the rear brake rod 22 through connecting link 44 and primary equalizer link 41. The remaining force is transmitted to front brake cable 15 through connecting link 44, primary equalizer link 41 and secondary equalizer link 42.
The combined front brake cable 15 is routed through the secondary equalizer link 42 which is located at the rear side of the motorcycle 10 and goes to front brake 11 which is located at front side of the motorcycle. Hence length of the cable 15 is long and has multiple bends through the route. This results in less cable efficiency for stroke transmission to the front brake 11 (For example 50-60%). This results in more stopping distance of motorcycle after brake application due to less combined braking efficiency of this system. In this system as the force transmitted to front brake 11 is less, the full capacity of front brake 11 is not used which result is poor overall braking efficiency of motorcycle.

To avoid this situation a combined front brake cable 15 is split in two parts namely combined brake cable 51 and combined front brake cable 52 by providing a distributor link 53 between these two cables. Due to this, each separate cable 51 and 52 have less bending and the cable efficiency is improved. For optimum advantage of this system and to avoid bending of cables 51 and 52, the distributor link 53 should be located on the head pipe 61 near steering axis 54 of the vehicle 10 to minimize movement of cable 52 when handle bar of vehicle 10 is rotated.
However there are many components of the vehicle 10 which are located around the head pipe 61 of vehicle 10 (for example head lamp assembly mounting bracket, speedometer flap, electrical wiring harness, cable routing, steering cum ignition lock mounting bracket etc). Hence it is difficult to package the distributor link 53 near to the head pipe 61 of the vehicle 10. The problem further aggravates if the combined brake system is to be placed within existing lay out of vehicle 10. This calls to change in layout / re-positioning of certain parts and compromise with their desired position. Thus the challenge is to install combined brake system without compromising positions/locations of other parts and still achieving desired efficiency of the braking system and provide a robust brake system.

This is achieved by different method. In one method, the distributor link 53 is positioned slightly away from head pipe 61 of the vehicle 10 towards rewards of head pipe 61 on gusset 62 of the vehicle 10. In another method, the distributor link 53 is positioned slightly away from head pipe 61 of the vehicle 10 towards forward of head pipe 61 to the front fork 70 of the vehicle 10. Both these method are explained in the following paras.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the distributor link 53 is mounted slightly away from head pipe 61 for the vehicle 10 towards rearward of head pipe 61 and forward to the fuel tank 16 and above the front wheel 17 of the vehicle 10.
The distributor link 53 is pivotally mounted on a gusset 55 which joins a head pipe 61 to main tube 62 and lower tube 63 of the vehicle 10. The pivot 56 of the distributor link 53 is positioned substantially rearward of steering axis 54 of head pipe 61 to main tube 62 and lower tube 63 of frame 60 of the vehicle and the pivot axis “P” may be perpendicular to or makes an angle “A” to longitudinal axis “L” of vehicle when viewed from top side of the vehicle. Also the pivot axis “P” may be perpendicular to or makes an angle ”B” to vertical plane “V” of vehicle along the longitudinal direction of vehicle when viewed from front side of the vehicle.
According to one embodiment of the invention, when both the combined brake unit 21 and front brake unit 11 are located at the right side of vehicle 10, the distributor link 53 is mounted on the gusset 55 at the right side of vehicle 10.
According to another embodiment of the invention, when both the combined brake unit 21 and front brake unit 11 are located at the left side of vehicle 10, the distributor link 53 is mounted on the gusset 55 at the left side of vehicle 10. This arrangement ensures the routing of front brake cables is optimized with minimum bends and resulting in better cable efficiency.
According to another embodiment of the invention, when the combined brake unit 21 is located at the one side (left or right) of vehicle 10 and front brake unit 11 is located at the other side (right of left) of vehicle 10, the distributor link 53 is pivotally mounted on the front side of head pipe 61 of the vehicle 10 and the pivot axis “P” is substantially perpendicular or makes an angle “C” to the steering axis 54 of the vehicle 10 when viewed from left or right side of vehicle. In this arrangement, combined brake cable 51 remains entirely at one side of vehicle 10 which connects combined brake unit 21 to one end of distributor link 53 and combined front brake cable 52 is also remains entirely at another side of vehicle 10 which connects another end of distributor link 53 to front brake unit 11. This arrangement ensures the optimized routing of front brake cables with minimum bends and resulting in better cable efficiency.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the distributor link 53 is pivotally mounted to the vehicle 10 through a distributor unit 57 which is attached to the vehicle.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the distributor link 73 is positioned slightly away from head pipe 61 of the vehicle 10 towards forward of head pipe 61 to the front fork 70 of the vehicle 10. The distributor link 73 is pivotally mounted to the front fork 70 of the vehicle 10. A distributor unit 75 is provided which is mounted between two inner tubes 71 of the front fork 70 of the vehicle 10. The distributor unit 75 is mounted on brackets 76 attached to spacer tubes 72 of the front fork 70 of the vehicle and the distributor link 73 is pivotally mounted on the said distributor unit 75. The distributor link 73 is perpendicular to the moving direction of front wheel 17. The pivot axis “P” of distributor link 73 is perpendicular or makes an angle to the plane passing through the steering axis 54 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis “L” of the vehicle.

As both the distributor link 73 and front brake unit 11 are connected to the front fork 70 of the vehicle 10, there is no relative angular movement between two ends of combined front brake cable 52 when handle bar of the vehicle is rotated. This arrangement ensures the optimized routing of front brake cables 52 with minimum bends and resulting in better cable efficiency.
According to another embodiment of the invention, referring to figures 6 and 7, a distributer link 80 comprises link 1 (81) link 2 (82) and a connecting rod 83. Link 1 (81) and link 2 (82) are interconnected to each other by a connecting rod 83. The said connecting rod 83 is pivotally mounted on frame portion. The said connecting rod 83 may be mounted in a through hole 84 in the joining gusset 55 of the vehicle 10 and the pivot axis “P” is perpendicular to or makes an angle to longitudinal axis “L” of vehicle when viewed from top side of the vehicle and link 1 (81) and link 2 (82) are connected to the two ends of connecting rod (83) such that the both link 1 and link 2 are pointed towards the opposite direction to each other as shown in figures 6a – 6c. The combined brake cable 51 is connected to the link 1 (81) and combined front brake cable 52 is connected to link 2 (82). In this arrangement, combined brake cable 51 remains entirely at one side of vehicle 10 which connects combined brake pedal 21 to link 1 (81) of distributor link 80 and combined front brake cable 52 is also remains entirely at another side of vehicle 10 which connects another link 2 (82) of distributor link 80 to front brake unit 11. This arrangement ensures the optimized routing of front brake cables with minimum bends and resulting in better cable efficiency.
In another embodiment of the invention, link 1 (81) and link 2 (82) are connected to the two ends of connecting rod (83) such that the both link 1 and link 2 makes an angle with each other or are perpendicular to each other as shown in figures 6d-6e.
Modifications and variations to the combine brake system in this specification may be apparent to skilled readers. Such modifications and variations are deemed within the scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:Claim 1: A combined brake system for a saddle type vehicle comprising;
a front brake system;
a rear brake system;
at least an equalizer link;
atleast a distribution link;
the front brake is connected to one end of equalizer link through combined front brake cable and combined brake cable ;
rear brake is connected to other end of equalizer link through rear brake rod;
the said distributor link is pivoted between its two end points and is provided between the combined front brake cable and combined brake cable which transmits the actuating force on front brake during operation of said combined brake system;
Wherein
The said distributor link is located proximate to a head pipe and in the vicinity of front portion of fuel tank and substantially above front wheel of vehicle.

Claim 2: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 1; wherein the said distributor link is pivotally mounted on a joining gusset which joins the head pipe to main tube and lower tube of frame of the vehicle.

Claim 3: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 2; wherein the distribution link is positioned substantially rearward of steering axis of the head pipe of frame of the vehicle.

Claim 4: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 3; wherein a rear brake unit of the vehicle is at right side of vehicle and front brake unit is at the right side of the vehicle and wherein the said distributor link is pivotally mounted on the gusset of the vehicle and located entirely at right side of the vehicle and the pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to longitudinal axis of vehicle when viewed from top side of the vehicle.

Claim 5: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 3; wherein a rear brake unit of the vehicle is at left side of vehicle and front brake unit is at the left side of the vehicle and wherein the said distributor link is pivotally mounted on the gusset of the vehicle, and located entirely at left side of the vehicle and the pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to longitudinal axis of vehicle when viewed from top side of the vehicle.

Claim 6: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 4 or 5; wherein the said pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to vertical plane of vehicle along the longitudinal direction of vehicle, when viewed from front side of vehicle.

Claim 7: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 1; wherein a rear brake unit of the vehicle is at one side of vehicle and front brake unit is at the other side of the vehicle and wherein the said distributor link is pivotally mounted on the front side of head pipe of the vehicle and the pivot axis is substantially perpendicular or makes an angle to the steering axis of the vehicle when viewed from left or right side of vehicle.

Claim 8: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 3; wherein a rear brake unit of the vehicle is at one side of vehicle and front brake unit is at the other side of the vehicle and wherein the said distributor link comprising link 1 and link 2 and both link 1 and link 2 are interconnected to each other by a connecting rod; wherein the said connecting rod is pivotally mounted on a frame of vehicle and link 1 and link 2 are connected to the two ends of connecting rod.

Claim 9: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 8; wherein the said connecting rod is pivotally mounted in a through hole in the joining gusset of the vehicle and the pivot axis is perpendicular to or makes an angle to longitudinal axis of vehicle when viewed from top side of the.

Claim 10: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 9; wherein link 1 and link 2 are positioned such that their cable mounting locations are in opposite direction to each other.
Claim 11: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 9; wherein link 1 and link 2 are positioned such that their cable mounting locations make an angle with each other or are perpendicular to each other.

Claim 12: A combined brake system as claimed in any of the above claims; wherein the said distributor link is pivotally mounted to the vehicle through a distributor unit which is attached to the vehicle.

Claim 13: A combined brake system as claimed in claims 1; wherein the said distributor link is pivotally mounted to the front fork of the vehicle.

Claim 14: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 13; wherein a distributor unit is provided which is mounted between two inner tubes of the front fork of the vehicle.
Claim 15: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 14; wherein a distributor unit is mounted on brackets attached to spacer tubes of the front fork of the vehicle and the distributor link is pivotally mounted on the said distributor unit.

Claim 16: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 15; wherein the said distributor link is perpendicular to the moving direction of front wheel.

Claim 17: A combined brake system as claimed in claim 16; wherein the pivot axis of distributor link is perpendicular or makes an angle to the plane passing through the steering axis which is passing through center of front wheel.

Claim 18: A combined brake system as claimed in any one of above claims wherein; this system comprises primary and secondary equalizer links.

Claim 19: A combined brake system as claimed in 18 wherein, the primary and the secondary equalizer links are hingably connected to each other and the primary equalizer link is connected to rear brake through rear brake rod and the secondary equalizer link is connected to front brake through front brake cable; the said secondary equalizer link is pivoted on vehicle; the said combined brake actuating system is connected to the primary equalizer link between its two end points to actuate front brake and rear brake simultaneously.