INTERLOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interlocking brake system, and
more particularly, to an interlocking brake system adapted for motorcycles.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently European Union has expressly stipulated that, for safety
concern, interlocking brake systems are required, as standard equipment, for
two-wheel small-displacement or low-power electric motorcycles. As
disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. 1370877, an interlocking brake system
includes a disk brake and a drum brake, which can be operated
simultaneously without interfering with each other. However, such
mandatory regulations on interlocking brake design for European Union are
limited on two-wheel motorcycles only. As such, the issue of cost will limit
development of the conventional art disclosed in 1370877, and that it is
necessary to undertake an improved brake system in reducing the number of
components and the cost, and also having merits in interlocking the disk
brake and the drum brake simultaneously.
Given the above, in an attempt to solve the problem, as mentioned
above, research and experiments for an "Interlocking Brake System" has
been undertaken, eventually resulting in accomplishment of the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an interlocking brake
system such that the number of components and the cost can be reduced,
together with the merits of having interlocking disk brake and drum brake
simultaneously.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, the interlocking brake system,
according to the present invention, comprises a first brake operating device,
a second brake operating device, a drum brake mechanism, a general brake
pump, a brake caliper, a first brake cable, and a second brake cable. The first
and second brake operating devices each consists of a support and a brake
lever pivotally connected with the support. The drum brake mechanism
consists of a drum brake base, and of a brake arm and a protruding portion
both arranged on the drum brake base. The protruding portion is provided
with at least one hole portion. The general brake pump includes a cylinder
body, a rocker arm pivotally connected with the cylinder body, a plunger,
and an oil chamber. The rocker arm is, at one end, pivotally connected with
a first end of the plunger. The oil chamber is located between a second end
of the plunger and the cylinder body. The brake caliper is communicated
with the oil chamber of the general brake pump through a brake oil tube.
According to the present invention, the first brake cable is sleeved with
a first sleeve and a second sleeve, where two ends of the first brake cable are
connected with the second brake lever and the brake arm, respectively. The
first sleeve is sleeved between a second support and the general brake pump,
whereas the second sleeve sleeved between the general brake pump and the
first hole portion of the protruding portion. The second brake cable is
sleeved with a third sleeve, where two ends of the second brake cable are
connected with the first brake lever and the brake arm, respectively. Besides,
the third sleeve is sleeved between the second support and the second hole

portion of the protruding portion. As such, the present invention has merits
on having the second brake cable solely operating the drum brake system,
while having the first brake cable operating the brake system interlocking the
disk brake and the drum brake simultaneously, and that the present invention
is superior to the known art disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. 1370877 in
requiring fewer components and in reducing cost.
Further, the interlocking brake system, according to the present
invention, may have a brake system using one brake cable to solely operate a
disk brake system, while have another brake system using another brake
cable to interlock a disk brake and a drum brake simultaneously. Such
interlocking brake system comprises a first brake operating device, a second
brake operating device, a drum brake mechanism, a general brake pump, a
brake caliper, a first brake cable, and a second brake cable. The first and
second brake operating devices each consists of a support and a brake lever
pivotally connected with the support. The drum brake mechanism consists
of a drum brake base, and of a brake arm and a protruding portion both
arranged on the drum brake base. The protruding portion is provided with a
first hole portion and a second hole portion. The general brake pump
includes a cylinder body, a rocker arm pivotally connected with the cylinder
body, a plunger, and an oil chamber. The rocker arm is, at one end,
connected with a first end of the plunger. The oil chamber is located
between a second end of the plunger and the cylinder body. The brake
caliper is communicated with the oil chamber of the general brake pump
through a brake oil tube.
Still further, according to the present invention, the first brake cable is
sleeved with a first sleeve, where two ends of the first brake cable are
connected with the second brake lever and the general brake pump. The first

sleeve is sleeved between the second support and the general brake pump.
The second brake cable is sleeved with a second sleeve and with a third
sleeve, where two ends of the second brake cable are connected with the first
brake lever and the brake arm, respectively. The second sleeve is sleeved
between the second support and the general brake pump. Besides, the third
sleeve is sleeved between the general brake pump and the hole portions of
the protruding portion. Two ends of the first brake cable are connected with
the second brake lever and the cylinder body of the general brake pump,
respectively. The first sleeve is sleeved between the second support and the
rocker arm of the general brake pump. Further, two ends of the first brake
cable may also be connected with the second brake lever and the rocker arm
of the general brake pump, respectively; and that the first sleeve may be
sleeved between the second support and the cylinder body of the general
brake pump.
According to the present invention, the general brake pump may further
include an oil outlet and an oil inlet communicated with an oil cup. The oil
outlet is communicated with both the oil chamber and the brake oil tube. An
inlet channel is formed between the oil inlet and the plunger, and that the oil
cup can form, with the oil inlet and the inlet channel, a passage for flowing
therein brake oil.
Further, according to the present invention, the general brake pump
may further include a one-way packing cup arranged on the plunger and
located between the inlet channel and the oil chamber for limiting brake oil
in the inlet channel to flow in one-direction toward the oil chamber, rather
than flow from the oil chamber back to the inlet channel.
Still further, according to the present invention, the general brake pump
may further include a resilient element sleeved to the plunger and located

between the second end of the plunger and inner wall of the cylinder body
for providing the plunger a recovery force.
According to the present invention, the general brake pump may further
include an oil seal sleeved to the plunger for preventing the brake oil in the
inlet chamber from flowing to exterior of the cylinder body.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating part of an
interlocking brake system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a general brake pump of
the interlocking brake system according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating part of
operation of a drum brake of the interlocking brake system according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating part of
operation of the drum brake and a disk brake according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating part of an
interlocking brake system according to a second embodiment of the present
invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating part of an
interlocking brake system according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
References are made to FIG 1, a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating part of an interlocking brake system according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG 2, a cross-sectional view
illustrating a general brake pump of the interlocking brake system. The
interlocking brake system, equipped to a motorcycle, comprises a first
brake operating device 1, a second brake operating device 2, a drum brake
mechanism 4, a general brake pump 3, a brake caliper 84, a first brake cable
51, a second brake cable 61, and an oil cup 81.
According to the present invention, the first and second brake
operating devices 1, 2 are arranged on a frame 9, wherein the first brake
operating device 1 consists of a first support 12 and a first brake lever 11
pivotally connected with the first support 12; and wherein the second brake
operating device 2 consists of a second support 22 and a second brake lever
21 pivotally connected with the second support 22. The drum brake
mechanism 4 consists of a drum brake base 42, and of a brake arm 41 and a
protruding portion 421 both arranged on the drum brake base 42. The
protruding portion 421 is provided with a first hole portion 422 and a
second hole portion 423. When the brake arm 41 pivots, the drum brake
mechanism 4 generates a braking force.

As shown in FIG. 2, the general brake pump 3 includes a cylinder
body 31, a rocker arm 32, a plunger 34, an oil chamber 35, an oil inlet 36, an
oil outlet 37, a one-way packing cup 341, a resilient element 38, and an oil
seal 312. The rocker arm 32 is, at one end, pivotally connected with the
cylinder body 31 at a pivot point 33; whereas is, at the other end, connected
with a first end 342 of the plunger 34. The oil chamber 35 is located
between a second end 343 of the plunger 34 and the cylinder body 31. The
oil inlet 36 of the general brake pump 3 and the oil cup 81 are connected
with each other through a brake oil tube 82, and that an inlet channel 361 is
formed between the oil inlet 36 and the plunger 34. The oil outlet 37 of the
general brake pump 3 is communicated with both the oil chamber 35 and a
brake oil tube 83, where the brake oil tube 83 is connected with the brake
caliper 84.
According to the present invention, the one-way packing cup 341 of
the general brake pump 3 is arranged on the plunger 34, and is located
between the inlet channel 361 and the oil chamber 35. The one-way
packing cup 341 is arranged in such a direction that limits the brake oil in
the inlet channel 361 to flow in one-direction toward the oil chamber 35,
rather than flow from the oil chamber 35 back to the inlet channel 361.
Further, according to the present invention, the resilient element 38
is sleeved to the plunger 34, and is located between the second end 343 of
the plunger 34 and inner wall of the cylinder body 31 so as to provide the
plunger 34 a recovery force. According to the present invention, the
resilient element 38 relates to a spring, and that the oil seal 312 is sleeved to

the plunger 34 such that the oil seal 312 can prevent the brake oil in the inlet
chamber 361 from flowing to exterior of the cylinder body 31.
As shown in FIG 1, the first brake cable 51 is sleeved with a first
sleeve 52 and a second sleeve 53, where one end of the first brake cable 51
is connected with the second brake lever 21, while the other end of the first
brake cable 51 is connected with the brake arm 41 of the drum brake
mechanism 4 through a screw rod 54 and an adjusting nut 55. The rocker
arm 32 is provided with a hole portion 321, while the cylinder body 31 is
also provided with a hole portion 311 such that the first sleeve 52 and the
second sleeve 53 can pass therethrough, respectively. Besides, the first
sleeve 52 is sleeved between the second support 22 and the general brake
pump 3, whereas the second sleeve 53 between the general brake pump 3
and the first hole portion 422 of the drum brake mechanism 4.
According to the present invention, the second brake cable 61 is
sleeved with a third sleeve 62, where one end of the second brake cable 61
is connected with the first brake lever 11, while the other end of the second
brake cable 61 is connected with the brake arm 41 of the drum brake
mechanism 4 through a screw rod 63 and an adjusting nut 64. Besides, the
third sleeve 62 is sleeved between the second support 22 and the second
hole portion 423 of the drum brake mechanism 4.
Referring to FIG 3, a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating
part of operation of a drum brake of the interlocking brake system
according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the second brake
cable 61 is sleeved to the third sleeve 62, where two ends of the second

brake cable 61 are connected with the first brake lever 11 and the brake arm
41 of the drum brake mechanism 4, respectively. When the first brake lever
11 of the first brake operating device 1 is pressed down and pulled, the
second brake cable 61 can draw the brake arm 41 of the drum brake
mechanism 4 directly, so that the drum brake mechanism 4 can generate a
braking force. In addition, when the first brake lever 11 is released, the
brake arm 41 recovers to its original position such that the drum brake
mechanism 4 stops generating any baking force.
Now referring to Fig. 4, a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating part of operation of the drum brake and a disk brake according to
the first embodiment of the present invention, the first brake cable 51 is
sleeved both to the first sleeve 52 and the second sleeve 53, where the first
brake cable 51 has its two ends connected with the second brake lever 21
and the brake arm 41 of the drum brake mechanism 4, respectively. When
the second brake lever 21 of the second brake operating device 2 is pressed
down and pulled, not only the first brake cable 51 can draw directly the
brake arm 41 of the drum brake mechanism 4 so as to make the drum brake
mechanism 4 generating a braking force; but also the first sleeve 52 and the
second sleeve 53 can exert force simultaneously on the general brake pump
3. This will make the rocker arm 32 of the general brake pump 3 turn
clockwise, pushing the plunger 34 slide rightward. Under such
circumstances, the plunger 34 delivers the brake oil in the oil chamber 35 to
the brake caliper 84 through the brake oil tube 83, making the brake caliper
84 generate a braking force. In other words, when the second brake lever 21

of the second brake operating device 2 is pressed down and pulled, both the
drum brake mechanism 4 and the brake caliper 84 can generate a braking
force. Besides, when the second brake lever 21 is released, the brake arm
41 recovers to its original position, making the drum brake mechanism 4
stop generating a braking force. Further, the resilient element 38 provides a
recovery force to push the plunger 34 to slide leftward to the original
position, making the brake caliper 84 stop generating a braking force.
Given the above, it is understood that the first brake operating
device 1, according to the first embodiment of the present invention,
provides the drum brake mechanism 4 for generating a braking force;
whereas the second brake operating device 2 provides, simultaneously, the
drum brake mechanism 4 and the brake caliper 84, both generating a
braking force. As such, this embodiment has merits on having a brake
system interlocking the disk brake and the drum brake simultaneously, and
is superior to the known art disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. 1370877 in
requiring fewer components and in reducing cost.
Now referring to FIG 5, a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating part of an interlocking brake system according to a second
embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment is similar to
the first embodiment, except that in the second embodiment, one brake
cable solely operates the disk brake, while the other brake cable operates the
disk brake system and the drum brake system simultaneously. However, in
the first embodiment, one brake cable solely operates the drum brake
mechanism, while the other brake cable operates the disk brake system and

the drum brake system simultaneously,
The interlocking brake system, according to the second embodiment
of the present invention, comprises a first brake operating device 1, a
second brake operating device 2, a drum brake mechanism 40, a general
brake pump 7, a brake caliper 84, a first brake cable 91, a second brake
cable 93, and the oil cup 81. The first brake operating device 1 and the
second brake operating device 2, according to the second embodiment of
the present invention, are identical to those of the first embodiment in terms
of structural arrangement. In the second embodiment, the drum brake
mechanism 40 consists of a drum brake base 420, and of a brake arm 410
and a protruding portion 430 both arranged on the drum brake base 420.
The protruding portion 430 is provided with a first hole portion 440. The
general brake pump 7, according to the second embodiment, is similar to
the general brake pump 3 of the first embodiment in terms of structure, with
however differences therebetween that in the second embodiment, a
cylinder body 71 and a rocker arm 72 somewhat differ from the cylinder
body 31 and the rocker arm 32 of the first embodiment as far as shape is
concerned. As to other components between the first and second
embodiments, whether in terms of structure or interconnecting relations of
components, they are all the same in the first and second embodiments.
As shown in FIG 5, in the second embodiment, the first brake cable
91 is sleeved with a first sleeve 92, where two ends of the first brake cable
91 is connected with the second brake lever 21 and the cylinder body 71 of
the general brake pump 7, respectively. The first sleeve 92 is sleeved

between the second support 22 and the rocker arm 72 of the general brake
pump 7. Besides, the second brake cable 93 is sleeved with a second sleeve
94 and a third sleeve 95, where two ends of the second brake cable 93 is
connected with the first brake lever 11 and the brake arm 410, respectively.
The second sleeve 94 is sleeved between the second support 22 and the
general brake pump 7. The third sleeve 95 is sleeved between the general
brake pump 7 and a hole portion 440 of the drum brake mechanism 40.
In the second embodiment, the interlocking brake system is
operated in such a manner, similar to that of the first embodiment, that when
the first brake lever 11 of the first brake operating device 1 is pressed down
and pulled, the second brake cable 93 can draw the brake arm 410 of the
drum brake mechanism 40 directly, so that the drum brake mechanism 40
generates a braking force. In addition, the second sleeve 94 and the third
sleeve 95 will exert force, simultaneously, on the general brake pump 7.
Namely, the rocker arm 72 of the general brake pump 7 will rotate
clockwise so as to slide the plunger 34 rightward such that the plunger 34
pushes the brake oil from the oil chamber 35 to the brake caliper 84 through
the brake oil tube 83, making the brake caliper 84 generate a braking force.
In addition, when the first brake lever 11 is released, the brake arm 410
recovers to its original position such that the drum brake mechanism 40
stops generating a baking force. Further, the resilient element 38 of the
general brake pump 7 provides a recovery force to push the plunger 34 to
slide leftward to the original position, making the brake caliper 84 stop
generating a braking force.

In the second embodiment, when the second brake lever 21 of the
second brake operating device 2 is pressed down and pulled, the first sleeve
92 can exert force on the general brake pump 7 directly. This will make the
rocker arm 72 of the general brake pump 7 turn clockwise, pushing the
plunger 3.4 slide rightward. Under such circumstances, the plunger 34
pushes the brake oil in the oil chamber 35 to the brake caliper 84 through the
brake oil tube 83, making the brake caliper 84 generate a braking force. At
this moment, the brake arm 410 of the drum brake mechanism 40 will not be
affected. In other words, the drum brake mechanism 40 will not generate
any braking force. Besides, when the second brake lever 21 is released, the
resilient element 38 of the general brake pump 7 provides a recovery force
to push the plunger 34 to slide leftward to the original position, making the
brake caliper 84 stop generating a braking force.
In view of the above, it is understood that in the second embodiment,
the first brake cable 91 can solely control the brake caliper 84, namely can
only operate the disk brake system, while the second brake cable 93 can
operate the disk brake system and the drum brake system simultaneously.
Now referring to FIG 6, a schematic cross-sectional view
illustrating part of an interlocking brake system according to a third
embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment is similar to the
second embodiment in terms of structure, except that in the third
embodiment, two ends of a first brake cable 96 is connected with the second
brake lever 21 and the rocker arm 72 of the general brake pump 7,
respectively, and that a first sleeve 97 is sleeved between the second support

22 and the cylinder body 71 of the general brake pump 7; whereas, in the
second embodiment, two ends of the first brake cable 91 is connected with
the second brake lever 21 and the cylinder body 71 of the general brake
pump 7, respectively, and that the first sleeve 92 is sleeved between the
second support 22 and the rocker arm 72 of the general brake pump 7. As to
other components between the second and third embodiments, whether in
terms of structure or interconnecting relations of components, they are all
the same in the second and third embodiments.
The third embodiment has a similar operational principle as the
second embodiment that the first brake cable 96 can solely control the brake
caliper 84 so as to generate a braking force, namely can only operate the
disk brake system, while the second brake cable 93 can operate the disk
brake system and the drum brake system simultaneously.
From the above description, it is noted that all the three
embodiments of the present invention are characterized in that one brake
operating device can solely provide a drum or disk brake system so as to
generate a braking force; whereas the other brake operating device can
provide, simultaneously, a disk brake mechanism and a brake caliper, both
generating a braking force. As such, the present invention has merits on
having a brake system interlocking the disk brake and the drum brake
simultaneously, and that the present invention is superior to the known art
disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. 1370877 in requiring fewer components and
in reducing cost.
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its

preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible
modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope
of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An interlocking brake system, comprising:
a first brake operating device, including a first support and a first
brake lever pivotally connected with the first support;
a second brake operating device, including a second support and a
second brake lever pivotally connected with the second support;
a drum brake mechanism, including a drum brake base, and a brake
arm and a protruding portion both arranged on the drum brake base, and the
protruding portion being provided with a first hole portion and a second
hole portion;
a general brake pump, including a cylinder body, a rocker arm
pivotally connected with the cylinder body, a plunger, and an oil chamber,
wherein the rocker arm is, at one end, pivotally connected with a first end of
the plunger, and the oil chamber is located between a second end of the
plunger and the cylinder body;
a brake caliper, communicated with the oil chamber of the general
brake pump through a brake oil tube;
a first brake cable, sleeved with a first sleeve and a second sleeve,
wherein two ends of the first brake cable are connected with the second
brake lever and the brake arm, respectively, and the first sleeve is sleeved
between a second support and the general brake pump, whereas the second
sleeve is sleeved between the general brake pump and the first hole portion
of the protruding portion; and
a second brake cable, sleeved with a third sleeve, wherein two ends

of the second brake cable are connected with the first brake lever and the
brake arm, respectively, and the third sleeve is sleeved between the second
support and the second hole portion of the protruding portion.
2. An interlocking brake system, comprising:
a first brake operating device, including a first support and a first
brake lever pivotally connected with the first support;
a second brake operating device, including a second support and a
second brake lever pivotally connected with the second support;
a drum brake mechanism, including a drum brake base, and a brake
arm and a protruding portion both arranged on the drum brake base, and the
protruding portion being provided with at least one hole portion;
a general brake pump, including a cylinder body, a rocker arm
pivotally connected with the cylinder body, a plunger, and an oil chamber,
wherein the rocker arm is pivotally connected with a first end of the plunger,
and the oil chamber is located between a second end of the plunger and the
cylinder body;
a first brake cable, sleeved with a first sleeve, wherein two ends of
the first brake cable are connected with the second brake lever and the
general brake pump, respectively, and the first sleeve is sleeved between the
second support and the general brake pump; and
a second brake cable, sleeved with a second sleeve and a third sleeve,
wherein two ends of the second brake cable are connected with the first
brake lever and the brake arm, respectively, and the second sleeve is sleeved
between the second support and the general brake pump, and the third

sleeve sleeved between the general brake pump and the at least one hole
portion of the protruding portion.
3. The interlocking brake system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2,
wherein the general brake pump further includes an oil outlet
communicated with both the oil chamber and the brake oil tube.
4. The interlocking brake system as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the general brake pump further includes an oil inlet communicated with an
oil cup, and an inlet channel is formed between the oil inlet and the plunger.
5. The interlocking brake system as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the general brake pump further includes a one-way packing cup arranged on
the plunger and located between the inlet channel and the oil chamber for
limiting brake oil in the inlet channel to flow in one-direction toward the oil
chamber.
6. The interlocking brake system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2,
wherein the general brake pump further includes a resilient element sleeved
to the plunger and located between the second end of the plunger and inner
wall of the cylinder body for providing the plunger a recovery force.
7. The interlocking brake system as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the general brake pump further includes an oil seal sleeved to the plunger
for preventing the brake oil in the inlet chamber from flowing to exterior of
the cylinder body.
8. The interlocking brake system as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the two ends of the first brake cable are connected with the second brake
lever and the cylinder body of the general brake pump, and the first sleeve is

sleeved between the second support and the rocker arm of the general brake
pump.
9. The interlocking brake system as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the two ends of the first brake cable are connected with the second brake
lever and the rocker arm of the general brake pump, and the first sleeve is
sleeved between the second support and the cylinder body of the general
brake pump.