EP1846284A1

EP1846284A1 - Braking device for a two-wheeled or a three-wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP1846284A1
Application number: EP05781247A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Grandy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-22
Filing date: 2005-10-24
Publication date: 2007-10-24
Also published as: WO2006042442A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a braking device for a two-wheeled or a three-wheeled vehicle provided with two brake handles, comprising a coupling module (1) for the synchronous activation of at least one front wheel brake and at least one rear wheel brake. Said coupling module (1) comprises a coupling housing (2) wherein a coupling stick (5) is arranged in a displaceable manner. Said coupling stick (5) is embodied in the form of a dual T or a H-profile, i.e. comprises a transversal bar (5a) which is arranged on the side of the brake handle (5a), a bridging stick (5c) and a transversal bar (5b) which is arranged on the side of the brake. Through holes are arranged on the brake handle side of the transversal bar (5a) for the smooth feeding through of brake cables (6a, 6b) which are arranged on the side of the brake handle, and the ends thereof are provided with cable clamps (7a, 7b). Said cable clamps (7a, 7b) are mounted in a displaceable manner between the brake handle-sided (5a) transversal bar and the brake-sided (5b) transversal bar. The ends of the brake-sided cable (11a, 11b) are secured to the brake-sided transversal bar (5b). The braking device can also be used in conjunction with other types of braking devices.

Description

Braking device for a two- or three-wheeler

The present invention relates to a brake device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Braking devices for two-wheelers, in which both front wheel and rear wheel can be braked synchronously with only one brake lever, are known in the art, although these systems are hardly encountered in the two-wheel market. Thus, for example, in DE-600'101'63 a balanced braking system is described in which the brakes for the rear wheel and the front wheel are connected to each other via a coupling mechanism. This clutch mechanism includes a pulley which connects the rear brake cable to the front brake cable. Unfortunately, in practice it has become apparent that for the installation of such a brake system in existing vehicles, the cable pulls have to be completely retracted and, in the event of a cable break, both brakes fail simultaneously - which is not permitted by the safety regulations and traffic regulations in most European countries. In addition, this system proves to be extremely complex in its construction, installation and maintenance, which of course also leads to increased susceptibility to interference and endangers safe functioning.

Another balanced braking system is known from US-5,431,255. In this brake device, the cables for the front wheel and the rear wheel are connected to each other by means of a clamp, which terminal is in turn connected to the two cable pulls for the two brake handles. Unfortunately, it turns out that upon actuation of this brake system with only one brake handle, the cable for the second brake handle affects the braking movement or inhibits or blocks.

In order to remedy this disadvantage, it has also been proposed in FR-2'689'083 to individually cushion the cable sheaths of the brake handle-side brake cables. Unfortunately, this system also requires increased assembly and

BestätigungskopϊΘ Maintenance work and is required for braking with such a braking system increased effort.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a braking device which does not have the disadvantages of the known systems and in particular ensures the requirements of a safe braking system. In particular, not the entire brake system should fail if a. Brake cable breaks. The synchronous brake device to be created should act safely and reliably on at least two brakes when actuated only one brake handle and should be mounted in a simple manner and maintenance-free. Furthermore, it should enable the braking device to be created, the brake pressure to be exerted on the wheels - in particular the front wheel and the rear wheel - to be set individually in a known manner. In addition to the present invention, a braking device to be created, which is suitable in a simple manner to retrofit existing brake systems in motorized or non-motorized two- or three-wheeled. This braking device should therefore be mountable in a simple manner, i. be mounted with commercially available components as possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a braking device having the features of claim 1, and in particular by a Bremsvor¬ direction, which two brake handles and. a coupling module comprises. This coupling module allows synchronous operation of at least two brakes with the help of one and / or other brake handle. The coupling module comprises a coupling housing in which a coupling piece is slidably mounted. The coupling piece is designed in the form of a double-T or H-profile, ie has a brake handle-side crossbar, a brake-side crossbar and an intermediate back piece. At the brake handle side crossbar bushings, in particular holes, are provided which ensure a smooth implementation of brake handle side brake cables. At the ends of the brake handle side brake cables cable clamps are fastened, which between the brake handle side and the brake side crossbar of the coupling are slidably mounted. The ends of the brake-side cables are attached to the brake-side crossbar.

Alternatively, may be provided between the Kabeiklemmen and the brake handle side part of the clutch housing, a return spring to the

Keep the cable clamps of the brake handle side brake cables in a rest position. It is understood that in this case the bushings for the brake handle side brake cable in the brake handle side crossbar are extended accordingly.

When using the braking device according to the invention on a tricycle, three ends of brake-side cables can be attached to the brake-side crossbar of the coupling piece, of which one cable interacts with the front brake and two cables each interact with the left or right rear brake. Thus, two rear brakes synchronously with the front brake can be actuated, which respectively the braking comfort. improves the braking behavior. Similarly, tricycles having two front wheels and one rear wheel may be equipped. It does not matter whether these vehicles are unmotorized, provided with an electric drive or otherwise motorized.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling module is made of a stainless material, in particular aluminum. However, it is understood that one or the other components of the coupling module can be made of a wear-resistant plastic, in particular, self-lubricating materials can be used. In a further preferred embodiment, the coupling housing is sealed watertight with a lid.

In a particular embodiment, the double T resp. H-profile-shaped coupling piece divided along its direction of symmetry plane in two U-shaped, independently operable Kupplungs¬ piece halves. These two U-shaped coupling piece halves are fixed to each other by means of at least one locking element connectable. The two U-shaped coupling piece halves are simply provided with groove-like recesses arranged adjacently to one another, into which a locking element can be inserted, such that the two U-shaped coupling piece halves are wedged together. This embodiment makes it possible to decouple the brakes of vehicles equipped according to the invention for special driving techniques, ie to neutralize the clutch module without having to remove it.

The advantages of the braking device according to the invention are obvious to the person skilled in the art and can be seen in particular in the simple cable routing, the easy adjustability, the high safety, the easy retrofitting, the increased comfort, the stable braking behavior and the compactness.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of the figures and with reference to an embodiment. Show it:

1 shows a spatial and schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a clutch module of the inventive braking device.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the coupling module according to FIG. 1 in a basic position; FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the coupling module according to FIG. 1 upon actuation of a brake handle; FIG. and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the coupling module according to FIG. 1 upon actuation of both brake handles.

The coupling module 1 illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1 comprises a coupling housing 2 with a metallic U-profile, with a brake-grip-side part, also referred to below as first end piece 3, and with a brake-side part, also referred to below as the second end piece 4. in the Inside this U-profile is mounted a coupling piece 5 in the form of a double-T profile friction and safely guided. This coupling piece 5 has a first brake handle side crossbar 5a and a second, brake side crossbar 5b, which crossbars are connected via a bridge piece 5c with each other. The coupling piece 5 is preferably made of a stainless steel or aluminum, but may also be made of any other suitable material, in particular of a wear-resistant plastic. The brake handle side brake cables 6a, 6b are guided through holes in the first end piece 3 and holes in the brake handle side crossbar 5a and are firmly connected to cable clamps 7a, 7b. The said holes are dimensioned so that commercially available brake cables with a diameter of 1.2 mm to 2.0 mm can be moved without friction in it. The e brake cables 6a, 6b run through first cable guide sleeves 9a, 9b to the respective brake handles and are there in a known manner, for example by means of a commercially available seal, attached. Alternatively, 3 commercially available adjustment respectively adjusting screws 8a, 8b may be provided on the outside of the end piece. In an analogous manner, the brake-side brake cables 11 a, 11 b are attached to the second, brake-side crossbar 5 b, preferably by means of a simple locking screw. It is understood that this U-profile with a suitable cover (not shown), in particular waterproof can be closed and the coupling module 1 can be designed in the desired manner. This cover may be snapped or fastened with screws to the end pieces 3, 4. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling module 1 is attached to the steering wheel.

FIG. 2 shows the inventive coupling module 1 in its basic position. In this case, the second, brake-side transverse bar 5b of the coupling piece 5 rests against the second end piece 4, although it is understood that the coupling piece 5 in the basic position does not necessarily need to abut against the second end piece 4. The cable clamps 7a, 7b are preferably in abutment with the first transverse bar 5a of the coupling piece 5, but can also be tensioned against the first end piece 3 by means of spring elements (not shown). It is understood that the Dimensioning and shaping of the coupling module 1 and in particular of the coupling piece 5 in the field of ordinary technical action is. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling housing 2 has an overall length of 84 mm and a total width of 25 mm. The total length of the coupling piece 5 is 39 mm in this embodiment, wherein the bridge piece 5c has a thickness of 7 mm. In order to achieve the best possible transmission of force between the cable clamps 7a, 7b and the brake lever side crossbar 5a, the interacting abutment surfaces are complementarily shaped and may well be rounded.

Upon actuation of the left brake handle, as shown in Fig. 3, the corresponding cable clamp 7b is pulled to the brake lever side and takes the coupling piece 5 with. The cable clamp 7a connected to the brake cable 6a of the right-hand brake handle remains stationary in its basic position. By the displacement of the coupling piece 5 within the clutch housing 2, the brake-side brake cables 1 1 a, 1 1 b for the front wheel respectively rear-wheel brakes are simultaneously tensioned and operate these brakes synchronously. Moreover, the clamping pressure for the actuation of the brake lever with the aid of the adjustment resp. Adjusting screws 8a, 8b are adjusted. In the alternative, 7b, and the ^{"brake-handle-side} part 3 may be between the cable clamps 7a, the clutch housing 2 at least one Federele¬ ment (not shown) may be provided to hold the non-actuated bremsgriffsei- term brake cable 6a in a basic position. For this purpose the opening may the individual Passages in the brake handle side crossbar 5a be extended so that, for example, a coil spring can be performed.

The inventive coupling piece 5 also allows, as shown in Fig. 4, the simultaneous operation of the left and right brake handle. Both cable clamps 7a, 7b simultaneously engage the brake handle side crossbar 5a and pull the coupling piece 5 with the attached brake cables 11 a, 1 1 b in the direction of the brake handles, ie tension the respective front and rear brakes. This mode of operation allows the brakes to be tensioned with a minimum clamping pressure. This figure does It is also clear that with a brake-side cable break, one of the brakes continues to engage in accordance with the regulations without the need for another brake handle.

Further developments of the exemplary embodiment described above with reference to the figures are within the scope of expert action. In particular, the person skilled in the art will select suitable materials and an appealing design without having to be inventive. Thus, the coupling module according to the invention can be dimensioned such that components which are as manageable as possible are usable or, depending on the intended use, can be equipped with additional components. It is understood that the inventive coupling housing can be made of one piece, in particular an injection molded part or a milled component can be. For example, when using the inventive coupling module on tricycles, three brake cables can be fastened to the brake-side crossbeam.

It is understood that the braking device according to the invention can be used independently of additional or different braking systems, in particular the braking device according to the invention can be used in combination with a coaster brake or foot brake. The design of the individual brakes does not matter. Thus, the braking device according to the invention can be used, for example, in combination with shoe brakes, disc brakes, drum brakes, etc.

The braking device according to the invention proves to be particularly safe, since in the event of failure of a brake assembly during braking, the second brake assembly is simultaneously in operation and ensures safe braking. Likewise, even with a brake lever-side cable break the second brake lever can be easily actuated to actuate the brakes in accordance with the invention. In summary, the braking device according to the invention proves to be particularly safe and comfortable, because it allows, during the one-handed driving in the required traffic signs, both simultaneously with the other hand To apply brakes. It does not matter whether the brakes are operated with the left or right hand.

Claims

claims

1. Braking device for a two- or three-wheeler with two brake handles comprising a clutch module for synchronous actuation of at least one front wheel and at least one rear brake by means of one and / or other brake handle, which coupling module (1) has a clutch housing (2) in which a coupling piece (5) is arranged displaceably mounted ver¬, characterized in that this coupling piece (5) in the form of a double-T or H-profile with a bridge piece (5c) and a brake handle side crossbar (5a) and a brake side crossbar ( 5b), wherein bushings, in particular bores, are provided on the brake handle side transverse bar (5a) for the smooth passage of brake handle side brake cables (6a, 6b) and the ends of these brake handle side brake cables (6a, 6b) are secured to cable clamps (7a, 7b) are attached, which

Kabelke Mmen (7a, 7b) between the brake handle side (5a) and brem¬ senseitigen (5b) crossbar (5a, 5b) are slidably mounted and wherein the ends of the brake-side cables (1 1 a, 1 1 b) on bremsenseiti¬ gen crossbeam (5b) are attached.

2. Braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one return spring is provided, in particular between the cable clamps (7a, 7b) and the brake handle side part of the clutch housing (2), around the cable clamps (7a, 7b) of the brake handle side brake cables ( 6a, 6b) in a basic position.

3. Braking device according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that on the brake-side transverse bar (5a) three ends of brake-side cables can be fastened to operate two rear-wheel brakes synchronously with a front brake.

4. Braking device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the brake-side transverse bar (5a) three Ends of brake-side cables can be fastened in order to operate two Vorderrad¬ brakes synchronously with a rear wheel brake can.

5. Braking device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling piece (5) is divided along its direction of movement in the direction of symmetry symmetry plane in two U-shaped, inde pendently operable coupling halves, which by means of at least one locking element are firmly connected to each other.

6. Braking device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the coupling module (1) comprises components made of a wear-resistant plastic.

7. Braking device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the coupling housing (2) closable bar with a lid, preferably watertight closable, is.

8. Braking device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coupling module (1) comprises adjusting screws (8a, 8b) for individually adjusting the applicable brake pressure.

9. Coupling module for use in a braking device according to claim 1, characterized in that this has a coupling piece (5) in the form of a double-T or H-profile.

10. Use of the braking device according to claim 1 in combination with a different type of braking device, in particular with a Rücktritt¬ brake.