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Title:
INTERLOCKING BRAKE DEVICE OF INTEGRAL CABLED BRAKE AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE FOR MOTOCYCLE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/152837
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle is provided in which it is possible to maintain a function of the interlocking brake device that operates a rear brake and a front brake after the rear brake is operated and it is possible to suppress interference with a part fixed to the handlebar such as a switch case, in the process of the rotational operation of a brake lever. A rotating shaft LI of a piston arm 4 is set in a position on aside of the vehicle further forward than a master cylinder 3, an abutting section 4b abutting a rear brake cable arm 2 is formed in the position on the opposite side to the master cylinder 3 across a rotating shaft LI, and a rear brake cable arm 2 is rotated about the abutting section 4b as a fulcrum by a rotational operation of a brake lever 1 and then pulls a rear brake cable K, and if an operational load exerted on a pressing section 4a by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 is a predetermined level or more, the rear brake cable arm 2 rotates the piston arm 4 about the abutting section 4b as a force point and displaces a piston 3a of the master cylinder 3 with the pressing section 4a and then is capable of operating a front brake Bf.

Inventors:
TSUTSUI MASAYUKI (TH)
YORISHIGE AKIKO (TH)
UEDA SEIJI (TH)
WECHPIPATPOL WASINEE (TH)
PROMMA PAKPUM (TH)
Application Number:
PCT/TH2014/000020
Publication Date:
October 08, 2015
Filing Date:
March 31, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
HONDA MOTOR CO LTD (JP)
TSUTSUI MASAYUKI (TH)
YORISHIGE AKIKO (TH)
UEDA SEIJI (TH)
WECHPIPATPOL WASINEE (TH)
PROMMA PAKPUM (TH)
International Classes:
B62K23/06; B62L3/02
Foreign References:
JP2014043131A2014-03-13
JPH09263281A1997-10-07
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
NAGADATTA, Sivanas (18/4 Soi Amnuey Wat Suthisarn Road,,Samsennok, Huay Kwang, Bangkok, TH)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. An interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle, comprising:

a brake lever that is mounted on a handlebar of a motorcycle and is capable of operating a rear brake and a front brake by rotational operation;

a rear brake cable arm that is capable of operating the rear brake by pulling a rear brake cable interlocking with the brake lever;

a master cylinder that is capable of operating the front brake by generating a hydraulic pressure by operating a piston; and

a piston arm that rotates interlocking with the rear brake cable arm and has a pressing section pressing the piston of the master cylinder and generates the hydraulic pressure by displacing the piston by pressing the pressing section, and is capable of operating the front brake, wherein a rotating shaft of the piston arm is set in a position on aside of the vehicle further forward than the master cylinder, an abutting section abutting the rear brake cable arm is formed in a position on the opposite side to the master cylinder across the rotating shaft, and the rear brake cable arm is rotated about the abutting section as a fulcrum by a rotational operation of the brake lever and pulls the rear brake cable, and if an operational load exerted on the pressing section by the rotational operation of the brake lever is a predetermined level or more, the rear brake cable arm rotates the piston arm about the abutting section as a force point and displaces the piston of the master cylinder with the pressing section, and then is capable of operating the front brake.

2. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1,

wherein the piston arm is rotatable about a rotating shaft of the brake lever.

3. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 ,

wherein the rear brake cable arm has a connection section connected to the brake lever and the abutting section of the piston arm is formed on a straight line connecting the connection section and the rotating shaft of the brake lever or in the vicinity thereof.

4. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 3,

wherein the rear brake cable arm has a joint section connected to the rear brake cable and the joint section, the rotating shaft of the brake lever and the connection section of the brake lever are substantially formed in a straight line.

5. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 4,

wherein the rear brake cable arm has a curved section surrounding a periphery of the rotating shaft of the brake lever.

6. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 ,

wherein the rear brake cable arm has a joint section connected to the rear brake cable and the joint section allows the rear brake cable to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to an axial direction of the handlebar.

7. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 ,

wherein the piston arm is formed in an arc shape in a portion between the abutting section and the pressing section.

8. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1,

wherein the master cylinder includes biasing means for biasing the piston to an initial position and if the operational load exerted on the pressing section by the rotational operation of the brake lever is a biasing force of the biasing means or more, the piston arm is capable of being rotated about the abutting section as the force point.

9. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 ,

wherein the piston arm is configured such that the rotating shaft, the abutting section and the pressing section are respectively formed at positions of vertices of a substantial triangle. 10. The interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 ,

wherein the pressing section of the piston arm is formed of a leading end section of an adjust bolt capable of advancing to or retracting from the piston of the master cylinder.

Description:
INTERLOCKING BRAKE DEVICE OF INTEGRAL CABLED BRAKE AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE FOR MOTORCYCLE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an interlocking brake device that is used for a motorcycle and, particularly, to an interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle that can operate a rear brake and a front brake after the rear brake is operated, in a process of a rotational operation of a brake lever.

Background Art

A handlebar is mounted on an upper end of a steering shaft of a motorcycle, particularly, of a scooter and a brake lever which performs a brake operation by being pulled on a side of a handle grip while a handle grip is gripped by a driver is rotatably mounted on the handlebar in the vicinity of the handle grip mounted on each of both ends of the handlebar. Generally, the brake levers are configured of a front brake lever on the right side for operating a front brake and a rear brake lever on the left side for operating a rear brake. Then, the motorcycle is prevalent in which the front brake is configured of a hydraulic disk brake that is capable of being operated by a master cylinder and the rear brake is configured of a mechanical drum brake that is capable of being operated through a brake cable.

In the related art, as disclosed in PATENT LITERATURE 1, an interlocking brake device is proposed in which a rear brake is exclusively operated in an initial operation stage and a front brake is capable of being operated in addition to the rear brake if a predetermined stage is exceeded in a process for operating a rear brake lever. Particularly, the interlocking brake device of the related art is configured in which if the rear brake lever is rotationally operated, an operational force thereof is transmitted to an abutting piece of a knocker member and a connecting shaft rotates about a pressing section as a fulcrum, and then a rear brake cable is pulled by rotating an arm member fixed to a knocker member and the connecting shaft.

Then, if the rear brake lever is further rotationally operated, when an operational load exerted on the pressing section is greater than a biasing force of a return spring in the master cylinder, the knocker member presses and moves a piston of a master cylinder using the connecting shaft as the fulcrum, and the front brake is operated by a hydraulic pressure that is generated. Therefore, the front brake is operated in addition to the rear brake and it is possible to obtain a braking force by both of the rear brake and the front brake. Citation List

Patent Literature

PATENT LITERATURE 1 : Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-220748

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

However, the interlocking brake device of the related art described above has the following problems.

That is, since a joint section of the rear brake cable and a rear brake cable arm is positioned on the front side (front side with respect to a vehicle) of the master cylinder, it is necessary to rotate the arm member about the connecting shaft as the fulcrum for pulling the rear brake cable and it is necessary to rotate the knocker member about the connecting shaft as the fulcrum for moving the piston of the master cylinder. Therefore, the connecting shaft protrudes to a position in the vicinity of the handlebar.

However, since a switch case having switches capable of operating various electric parts installed in the vehicle is mounted in the vicinity of the handlebar in which the rear brake lever is disposed, there is a concern that the connecting shaft may interfere with the switch case.

Therefore, significantly changing the size and shape of the switch case is inevitable to avoid interference with the connecting shaft, specialized parts are necessary and then manufacturing cost increases, and in order to consider the avoidance of interference with the connecting shaft, a disadvantage appears that a degree of freedom of design of the switch case is decreased.

Further, in the interlocking brake device of the related art, since a force point of the knocker member is present between a fulcrum of a connecting shaft (33) and a pressing section (32a) that becomes a functional point, it is necessary to secure rigidity of the knocker member because a direction of a reaction force applied to the pressing section from the master cylinder and a direction of the force point from a lever (13) are the opposite directions in a longitudinal direction of the knocker member and there is a concern that weights of parts and an entire device become heavy.

The invention is made in view of such a situation and an object of the invention is to provide an interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle in which it is possible to suppress interference with a part such as a switch case fixed to a handlebar, to increase a degree of freedom of design, and to make weights of the parts and an entire device light while maintaining functions of the interlocking brake device, which operates a rear brake and a front brake after the rear brake is operated, in a process of a rotational operation of a brake lever. Solution to Problem

The invention described in claim 1 is an interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle, including: a brake lever that is mounted on a handlebar of a motorcycle and is capable of operating a rear brake and a front brake by rotational operation; a rear brake cable arm that is capable of operating the rear brake by pulling a rear brake cable interlocking with the brake lever; a master cylinder that is capable of operating the front brake by generating a hydraulic pressure by operating a piston; and a piston arm that rotates interlocking with the rear brake cable arm and has a pressing section pressing the piston of the master cylinder and generates the hydraulic pressure by displacing the piston by pressing the pressing section, and is capable of operating the front brake, in which a rotating shaft of the piston arm is set in a position on a side of the vehicle further forward than the master cylinder, an abutting section abutting the rear brake cable arm is formed in a position on the opposite side to the master cylinder across the rotating shaft, and the rear brake cable arm is rotated about the abutting section as a fulcrum by a rotational operation of the brake lever and pulls the rear brake cable, and if an operational load exerted on the pressing section by the rotational operation of the brake lever is a predetermined level or more, the rear brake cable arm rotates the piston arm about the abutting section as a force point and displaces the piston of the master cylinder with the pressing section, and then is capable of operating the front brake.

The invention described in claim 2 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1, in which the piston arm is rotatable about a rotating shaft of the brake lever.

The invention described in claim 3 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 , in which the rear brake cable arm has a connection section connected to the brake lever and the abutting section of the piston arm is formed on a straight line connecting the connection section and the rotating shaft of the brake lever or in the vicinity thereof.

The invention described in claim 4 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 3, in which the rear brake cable arm has a joint section connected to the rear brake cable, and the joint section, the rotating shaft of the brake lever and the connection section of the brake lever are substantially formed in a straight line.

The invention described in claim 5 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 4, in which the rear brake cable arm has a curved section surrounding a periphery of the rotating shaft of the brake lever.

The invention described in claim 6 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1, in which the rear brake cable arm has a joint section connected to the rear brake cable and the joint section allows the rear brake cable to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to an axial direction of the handlebar.

The invention described in claim 7 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 , in which the piston arm is formed in an arc shape in a portion between the abutting section and the pressing section.

The invention described in claim 8 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1, in which the master cylinder includes biasing means for biasing the piston to an initial position and if the operational load exerted on the pressing section by the rotational operation of the brake lever is a biasing force of the biasing means or more, the piston arm is capable of being rotated about the abutting section as the force point.

The invention described in claim 9 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 , in which the piston arm is configured such that the rotating shaft, the abutting section and the pressing section are respectively formed at positions of vertices of a substantial triangle.

The invention described in claim 10 is the interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to claim 1 , in which the pressing section of the piston arm is formed of a leading end section of an adjust bolt capable of advancing to or retracting from the piston of the master cylinder.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the invention of claim 1, the rotating shaft of the piston arm is set in the position on the side of the vehicle further forward than the master cylinder, the abutting section abutting the rear brake cable arm is formed in the position on the opposite side to the master cylinder across the rotating shaft, and the rear brake cable arm is rotated about the abutting section as the fulcrum by the rotational operation of the brake lever and pulls the rear brake cable, and if the operational load exerted on the pressing section by the rotational operation of the brake lever is the predetermined level or more, the rear brake cable arm rotates the piston arm about the abutting section as the force point and displaces the piston of the master cylinder with the pressing section, and then is capable of operating the front brake. Thus, a portion protruding to the vicinity of the handlebar is not required. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the function of the interlocking brake device that operates the rear brake and the front brake after the rear brake is operated and it is possible to suppress interference with a part fixed to the handlebar such as a switch case, in the process of the rotational operation of the brake lever. It is possible to increase a degree of freedom of design and to make weights of the parts and an entire device light.

According to the invention of claim 2, the piston arm is rotatable about the rotating shaft of the brake lever. Thus, it is possible to share the rotating shaft of the brake lever and the rotating shaft of the piston arm. Therefore, it is possible to reliably receive the load of the force point applied to the piston arm and a reaction force of the functional point, and it is possible to achieve making of the entire device lightweight by using the rotating shaft of the brake lever of which rigidity is highly formed.

According to the invention of claim 3, the rear brake cable arm has the connection section connected to the brake lever and the abutting section of the piston arm is formed on the straight line connecting the connection section and the rotating shaft of the brake lever or in the vicinity thereof. Thus, it is possible to dispose the abutting section of the piston arm in a position on the side of the vehicle further forward than the master cylinder and it is possible to set a lever ratio pressing the piston of the master cylinder to be high. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the braking force by the front brake and it is possible to improve a degree of freedom in setting of the braking force.

According to the invention of claim 4, the rear brake cable arm has the joint section connected to the rear brake cable and the joint section, the rotating shaft of the brake lever and the connection section of the brake lever are substantially formed in the straight line. Thus, when the rear brake cable arm performs a stroke, it is possible to prevent the joint section connected to the rear brake cable from protruding to the front side of the vehicle and it is possible to achieve miniaturization of the entire device.

According to the invention of claim 5, the rear brake cable arm has the curved section surrounding the periphery of the rotating shaft of the brake lever. Thus, it is possible to prevent a protrusion portion from being directed toward the front side of the vehicle in the rear brake cable arm and it is possible to achieve further miniaturization of the entire device. According to the invention of claim 6, the rear brake cable arm has the joint section connected to the rear brake cable and the joint section allows the rear brake cable to extend in the direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the handlebar. Thus, it is possible to prevent the rear brake cable from being exposed in the axial direction of the handlebar and it is possible to improve the design of the appearance, and it is possible to emphasize the master cylinder.

According to the invention of claim 7, the piston arm is formed in the arc shape in the portion between the abutting section and the pressing section. Thus, it is possible to efficiently transmit the operational load applied to the abutting section to the pressing section while ensuring the rigidity of the piston arm.

According to the invention of claim 8, the master cylinder includes the biasing means for biasing the piston to the initial position and if the operational load exerted on the pressing section by the rotational operation of the brake lever is the biasing force of the biasing means or more, the piston arm is capable of being rotated about the abutting section as the force point. Thus, it is possible to receive the operational load using the biasing means of the master cylinder if the operational load exerted on the pressing section is less than the predetermined level, and it is possible to eliminate the need for separate means.

According to the invention of claim 9, the piston arm is configured such that the rotating shaft, the abutting section and the pressing section are respectively formed at positions of the vertices of a substantial triangle. Thus, it is possible to easily secure the rigidity of the piston arm and it is possible to easily achieve making it lightweight and miniaturization thereof.

According to the invention of claim 10, the pressing section of the piston arm is formed of the leading end section of the adjust bolt capable of advancing to or retracting from the piston of the master cylinder. Thus, it is possible to adjust a manufacturing tolerance of the brake lever, the rear brake cable arm and the piston arm and it is possible to secure desired brake

characteristics.

Brief Description of Drawings

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating an interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle viewed from a lower side.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating a state before a brake lever is rotationally operated in the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of line V-V in Fig. 4.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of line VI- VI in Fig. 4.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a bottom view illustrating the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating a state where a rear brake is operated in a rotational operation process of the brake lever in the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a plan view illustrating a state where the rear brake and a front brake are operated in the rotational operation process of the brake lever in the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating an entirety of a brake system of a vehicle to which the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle is applied.

[Fig. 11 ] Fig. 11 is a front view illustrating a front brake of another embodiment to which the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle is applied.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a side view illustrating a front brake of another embodiment to which the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle is applied.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a front brake force and a rear brake force in the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a plan view illustrating an interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to another embodiment of the invention.

[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of line XV-XV in Fig. 14.

[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a plan view of an interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to still another embodiment of the invention.

Description of Embodiments

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Since an interlocking brake device of an integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for a motorcycle according to the embodiment can operate both a rear brake and a front brake after the rear brake is operated, in a rotational operation process of a brake lever, as illustrated in Fig. 10, the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle is applied to a motorcycle (scooter) including a front brake Bf, a rear brake Br, and a handlebar H to which a gripping grip GL and a throttle grip GR are mounted, a brake lever 1 (a rear brake lever) mounted on a side of the gripping grip GL of the handlebar H, and a brake lever 10 (a front brake lever) mounted on a side of the throttle grip GR of the handlebar H.

The front brake Bf is formed of a hydraulic disk brake and is configured to obtain a braking force operating by generating a hydraulic pressure in a master cylinder 11 mounted near the throttle grip GR by rotationally operating the brake lever 10. Further, in the front brake Bf, a pair of input ports (7a, 7b) are formed with respect to a caliper 6 thereof and one input port 7a is connected to the master cylinder 11 on the right side through a first hydraulic conduit 8, and the other input port 7b is connected to a master cylinder 3 (described below) on the left side through a second hydraulic conduit 9.

As illustrated in the same view, the caliper 6 according to the embodiment has three pistons p capable of operating a brake pad and, for example, the first hydraulic conduit 8 is connected to the pistons p on the left and right, and the second hydraulic conduit 9 is connected to the piston p of the center. Therefore, when the hydraulic pressure is generated in the master cylinder 11 on the right side by rotationally operating the brake lever 10, the pistons p on the left and right are operated so that it is possible to obtain the braking force, and when the hydraulic pressure is generated in the master cylinder 3 on the left side by rotationally operating the brake lever 1, the piston p of the center is operated so that it is possible to obtain the braking force.

Meanwhile, the rear brake Br is configured of a mechanical drum brake and is connected to the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle according to the embodiment through a rear brake cable K. Then, when rotationally operating the brake lever 1 , the rear brake cable K is pulled and the rear brake Br is operated so that it is possible to obtain the braking force. Thus, when rotationally operating the brake lever 1 , in a rotational operation process thereof, it is possible to operate the rear brake Br through the rear brake cable K and it is possible to operate the front brake Bf through the second hydraulic conduit 9.

Here, the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle according to the embodiment is disposed in a leading end section (in the vicinity of the gripping grip GL) of the handlebar H on the left side and, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, is configured by including the brake lever 1 , a rear brake cable arm 2, the master cylinder 3, and a piston arm 4. Moreover, a symbol B in the view is a mounting bracket for fixing configuration parts of the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle to the handlebar H, a symbol b is a boss for mounting a rearview mirror to the handlebar H, and a reference numeral 5 in the view is a brake switch for lighting a brake lamp (not illustrated) of a vehicle when rotationally operating the brake lever 1.

The brake lever 1 is mounted on the handlebar H of the motorcycle via the mounting bracket B and the rear brake Br and the front brake Bf may be operated by rotational operation thereof. Particularly, the brake lever 1 is configured so as to rotate about a rotating shaft LI (pivot shaft) formed in the mounting bracket B and a driver rotationally operates the brake lever 1 by pulling the brake lever 1 on the side of the driver while gripping the gripping grip GL so that the rear brake Br or the front brake Bf may be operated.

The rear brake cable arm 2 may operate the rear brake Br by pulling the rear brake cable

K interlocking with the brake lever 1 and is rotatably connected to the brake lever 1 with a connection section L2. Further, a joint section 2c to which a leading end section Ka of the rear brake cable K is connected is formed on a base end side (the opposite side to the connection section L2) of the rear brake cable arm 2. Therefore, when the brake lever 1 is rotationally operated about the rotating shaft LI , the rear brake cable arm 2 rotates and the rear brake cable K is pulled so that it is possible to operate the rear brake Br.

The master cylinder 3 is configured by having a storage space S that stores hydraulic fluid, a piston 3a that is capable of advancing into or retracting from the storage space S, a return spring 3b (biasing means) that biases the piston 3a to an initial position, and a reservoir tank 3c that communicates with the storage space S. The master cylinder 3 may operate the front brake Bf by generating a hydraulic pressure inside the storage space S by operating (moving to the right side in Fig. 4) the piston 3 a.

The piston arm 4 rotates interlocking with the rear brake cable arm 2 and has a pressing section 4a pressing the piston 3a of the master cylinder 3, and the piston 3a is displaced (moved to the right side in Fig. 4) by being pressed by the pressing section 4a so that the hydraulic pressure is generated inside the storage space S and the front brake Bf may be operated. Further, the piston arm 4 according to the embodiment is rotatable about the rotating shaft LI of the brake lever 1, and a protrusion section 2a capable of abutting an abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4 is formed between a connection portion of the rear brake cable arm 2 with the connection section L2 and the joint section 2c.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 4, in the piston arm 4 according to the embodiment, a portion (portion from the abutting section 4b to the pressing section 4a) between the abutting section 4b and the pressing section 4a is formed in an arc shape. Therefore, when the rear brake cable arm 2 interlocks according to the rotational operation of the brake lever 1, the protrusion section 2a presses the abutting section 4b so that an operational load with respect to the brake lever 1 may be efficiently transmitted to the pressing section 4a of the piston arm 4. Further, in the piston arm 4 according to the embodiment, the rotating shaft LI, the abutting section 4b and the pressing section 4a are respectively formed at positions of vertices of a substantial triangle.

Then, when the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 is a biasing force of the return spring 3b (biasing means for biasing the piston 3 a to the initial position) or more (predetermined level or more), the piston arm 4 may be rotated about the abutting section 4b as a force point. That is, if the operational load exerted from the protrusion section 2a to the pressing section 4a is less than the biasing force of the return spring 3b, the piston arm 4 and the piston 3 a do not move and, if the operational load exerted from the protrusion section 2a to the pressing section 4a is the biasing force of the return spring 3b or more (a predetermined level or more), the piston arm 4 rotates about the rotating shaft LI and the pressing section 4a moves the piston 3 a resisting the biasing force of the return spring 3b, and the front brake Bf may be operated, in a process of the rotational operation of the brake lever 1.

Here, the piston arm 4 according to the embodiment is configured so that the rotating shaft LI is set in a position on the side of the vehicle further forward than the master cylinder 3, the abutting section 4b abutting the rear brake cable arm 2 (the protrusion section 2a) is formed in a position on the opposite side to the master cylinder 3 across the rotating shaft LI , the rear brake cable arm 2 is rotated about the abutting section 4b as the fulcrum by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 and then pulls the rear brake cable K, and if the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 is a

predetermined level or more (particularly, as described above, the biasing force of the return spring 3b) or more, the rear brake cable arm 2 rotates the piston arm 4 about the abutting section

4b as the force point and displaces the piston 3 a of the master cylinder 3 with the pressing section 4a and then is capable of operating the front brake Bf with the rear brake Br.

That is, if the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a is a predetermined level or less in the process of the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 , in a state where the piston arm 4 stops, the rear brake cable arm 2 rotates about an abutting point of the abutting section 4b with the protrusion section 2a as the fulcrum while moving the fulcrum and then the rear brake cable K is pulled. If the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 is further advanced and the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a is a predetermined level or more, the abutting section 4b functions as a force point that receives a force from the rear brake cable arm 2 and rotates about the rotating shaft LI while the rotation of the rear brake cable arm 2 is continuously performed and the rear brake cable K is pulled. Thus, the pressing section 4a generates the hydraulic pressure by displacing the piston 3 a of the master cylinder 3. Here, when rotating the brake lever 1 , the rotational force allows the rear brake cable arm 2 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction (see Fig. 4) through the connection section L2 and the rear brake cable arm 2 rotates in the counter-clockwise direction (see Fig. 4) as the rotation fulcrum while the protrusion section 2a slightly slides (to the right side) on the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4.

Further, the rear brake cable arm 2 according to the embodiment has the connection section L2 connected to the brake lever 1 and the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4 is formed on or in the vicinity of a straight line Lc (see Fig. 9) connecting the connection section L2 and the rotating shaft LI of the brake lever 1. Therefore, it is possible to dispose the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4 in a position on the side of the vehicle further forward than the master cylinder 3 and it is possible to set a lever ratio pressing the piston 3 a of the master cylinder 3 to be high. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the braking force by the front brake Bf and it is possible to improve a degree of freedom in setting of the braking force.

Further, the rear brake cable arm 2 according to the embodiment has the joint section 2c connected to the rear brake cable K. The joint section 2c, the rotating shaft LI of the brake lever 1 and the connection section L2 of the brake lever 1 are substantially formed in a straight line (see the straight line Lc in Fig. 9). Therefore, as illustrated in Fig. 9, when the rear brake cable arm 2 performs a stroke, it is possible to prevent the joint section 2c connected to the rear brake cable K from protruding to the front side of the vehicle and it is possible to achieve

miniaturization of an entire device.

Particularly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the rear brake cable arm 2 according to the embodiment has a curved section 2b surrounding a periphery of the rotating shaft LI of the brake lever 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a protrusion portion from being directed toward the front side of the vehicle in the rear brake cable arm 2 and it is possible to achieve further miniaturization of an entire device. Furthermore, since the joint section 2c of the rear brake cable arm 2 according to the embodiment allows the rear brake cable K to extend toward a direction (Lb in Fig. 9)

substantially orthogonal to an axial direction (La in Fig. 9) of the handlebar H, it is possible to prevent the rear brake cable K from being exposed in the axial direction of the handlebar H and since presence of the master cylinder 3 is emphasized, it is possible to improve the design of the appearance and impression of the hydraulic brake.

Next, an operation of the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle according to the embodiment is described.

Before the brake lever 1 is operated, the brake lever 1, the rear brake cable arm 2, the piston 3 a of the master cylinder 3, and the piston arm 4 are respectively in initial positions as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 8, if the brake lever 1 is rotationally operated about the rotating shaft LI, the rear brake cable arm 2 swings about the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4 as the fulcrum and the rear brake cable K connected to the joint section 2c is pulled.

At this time, the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4 functions as the fulcrum for rotating the rear brake cable arm 2, but since the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a is smaller than the biasing force of the return spring 3b of the master cylinder 3, the piston arm 4 is held in a state of being stopped and the hydraulic pressure is not generated in the master cylinder 3. Therefore, only the rear brake Br is operated by pulling of the rear brake cable K. Moreover, a rear brake switch 5 (normally-closed contact) is ON due to the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 and a brake lamp of the vehicle is lighted.

Thereafter, if the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a is the biasing force or more of the return spring 3b of the master cylinder 3 due to further rotational operation of the brake lever 1 , as illustrated in Fig. 9, the abutting section 4b is pressed by the protrusion section 2a and the piston arm 4 rotates about the rotating shaft LI , and the pressing section 4a of the piston arm 4 moves the piston 3 a resisting the biasing force of the return spring 3b. Therefore, the operation of the front brake Bf is performed by the hydraulic pressure generated by the master cylinder 3 in addition to the operation of the rear brake Br by the pulling of the rear brake cable K.

Further, even after the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a is the biasing force or more of the return spring 3b of the master cylinder 3, since the operational load that is increased by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 is also exerted on the rear brake cable arm 2, the braking force of the rear brake Br increases. At this time, it is possible to set distribution characteristics of the braking forces of the front brake Bf and the rear brake Br as illustrated by symbols a and b in Fig. 13. Therefore, it is possible for the distribution

characteristics of the braking forces of the front brake Bf and the rear brake Br to approximate to ideal distribution characteristics illustrated by a symbol a in Fig. 13 and it is possible to achieve both of simplification of the brake operation and optimization of the brake characteristics.

According to the embodiment described above, the rotating shaft LI of the piston arm 4 is set in the position on the side of the vehicle further forward than the master cylinder 3, the abutting section 4b abutting the rear brake cable arm 2 is formed in the position on the opposite side to the master cylinder 3 across the rotating shaft LI, the rear brake cable arm 2 is rotated about the abutting section 4b as the fulcrum by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 and then pulls the rear brake cable K, and if the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 is a predetermined level or more, the rear brake cable arm 2 rotates the piston arm 4 about the abutting section 4b as the force point and displaces the piston 3 a of the master cylinder 3 with the pressing section 4a, and then is capable of operating the front brake Bf. Therefore, a portion protruding to the vicinity of the handlebar H is not required.

Therefore, it is possible to maintain the function of the interlocking brake device that operates the rear brake Br and the front brake Bf after the rear brake Br is operated and it is possible to suppress interference with a part fixed to the handlebar H such as a switch case A (see Figs. 1 to 3), in the process of the rotational operation of the brake lever 1. Moreover, the switch case A is always mounted on the vicinity of the gripping grip GL in the handlebar H and has switches (a dimmer switch Aa and a horn switch Ab are illustrated in the view) capable of operating various electrical parts installed in the vehicle in a rear surface section thereof. A concave section Ac is provided in the rear surface section (front side of the vehicle) and it is devised to be capable of disposing the piston arm or a rearview mirror boss close thereto.

Further, since the piston arm 4 according to the embodiment is rotatable about the rotating shaft LI of the brake lever 1 , it is possible to share the rotating shaft of the brake lever 1 and the rotating shaft of the piston arm. Therefore, it is possible to reliably receive the load of the force point applied to the piston arm 4 and a reaction force of a functional point by using the rotating shaft of the brake lever 1 having high rigidity, and it is possible to achieve making of the entire device lightweight. Particularly, in the piston arm 4 according to the embodiment, since the portion between the abutting section 4b and the pressing section 4a is formed in the arc shape, it is possible to efficiently transmit the operational load applied to the abutting section 4b to the pressing section 4a while ensuring the rigidity of the piston arm 4.

Further, since the master cylinder 3 according to the embodiment includes the return spring 3b (biasing means) that biases the piston 3 a to the initial position and if the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 is the biasing force or more of the return spring 3b, the piston arm 4 may be rotated about the abutting section 4b as the force point, if the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a is less than a predetermined level, it is possible to receive the operational load using the return spring 3b of the master cylinder 3, and it is possible to eliminate the need for separate means.

Moreover, in the piston arm 4 according to the embodiment, since the rotating shaft LI, the abutting section 4b and the pressing section 4a are respectively formed at positions of vertices of a substantial triangle, it is possible to easily secure the rigidity of the piston arm 4 and it is possible to easily achieve making it lightweight and miniaturization thereof compared to the related art in which the direction of the reaction force applied from the piston 3a of the master cylinder 3 and the direction in which the operational load is applied by the rotational operation of the brake lever 1 act in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction.

Moreover, in the embodiment, when rotationally operating the brake lever 1 , since the rear brake cable arm 2 is configured to pull the rear brake cable K directly interlocking with the rear brake cable arm 2, the rear brake cable arm 2 is sufficient for the part interposed between the brake lever 1 and the rear brake cable K and it is possible to improve direct operation feeling of the rear brake Br.

The embodiment is described above, but the invention is not limited to the description and, for example, a front brake Bf including an inexpensive caliper formed of two opposing pistons as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 may be used instead of the caliper 6 of the front brake Bf including three pistons. In the front brake Bf , a main piston 15 is disposed inside a main caliper body 12 and a sub-caliper body 13 is movably mounted on the main piston 15 through a slide pin

14. Further, a sub-piston 16 is disposed inside the sub-caliper body 13 and a bifurcated pressing section 17 of the sub-caliper body 13 is formed on the side of the main caliper body 12.

Then, if the hydraulic pressure is generated in the master cylinder 11 on the right side by rotationally operating the brake lever 10 (see Fig. 10), the hydraulic pressure operates in a hydraulic chamber Sa on the side of the main piston 15, a brake pad Pa is pressed against a brake rotor (not illustrated), a main caliper body 12 is moved to the left side in Fig. 11 along a main caliper slide pin 18 by the reaction force, and a brake pad Pb on the right side in the view is pressed against the brake rotor by the bifurcated pressing section 19 of the main caliper body 12. Meanwhile, if the hydraulic pressure is generated in the master cylinder 3 by rotationally operating the brake lever 1, the hydraulic pressure operates in a hydraulic chamber Sb on the side of the sub-piston 16, a brake pad Pa is pressed against a brake rotor, a sub-caliper body 13 is moved to the right side in the view along the slide pin 14 by the reaction force thereof, and a brake pad Pa on the left side in the view is pressed against the brake rotor from both sides of the main piston 15 by the bifurcated pressing section 17. Since the main piston 15 has a diameter greater than that of the sub-piston 16, the braking force when operating the front brake lever is great and the braking force operating as the interlocking brake is capable of being set as small as desired and it is possible to provide an inexpensive and compact front brake.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, a pressing section 4a of a piston arm 4 may be formed of a leading end section of an adjust bolt capable of advancing to or retracting from a piston 3 a of a master cylinder 3. As described above, if the pressing section 4a is formed of the leading end section of the adjust bolt, it is possible to adjust a manufacturing tolerance of each of the brake lever 1, the rear brake cable arm 2 and the piston arm 4 and it is possible to secure desired brake characteristics.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figs. 16, the leading end section Ka of the rear brake cable K, the rotating shaft LI, the connection section L2, the protrusion section 2a of the rear brake cable arm 2, and the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4 may have a layout that is in a substantially straight line. Also, in this case, similar to the embodiment described above, when rotatably operating the brake lever 1 about the rotating shaft LI , the rear brake cable arm 2 swings about the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 2 as the fulcrum and the rear brake cable K connected to the joint section 2c is pulled.

At this time, the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4 functions as the fulcrum for rotating the rear brake cable arm 2, but since the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a is smaller than the biasing force of the return spring 3b of the master cylinder 3, the piston arm 4 is held in a state of being stopped and the hydraulic pressure is not generated in the master cylinder 3. Therefore, only the rear brake Br is operated by pulling of the rear brake cable K.

Thereafter, if the operational load exerted on the pressing section 4a is the biasing force or more of the return spring 3b of the master cylinder 3 due to further rotational operation of the brake lever 1 , as illustrated in a two-dot chain line in the same view, the abutting section 4b is pressed by the protrusion section 2a and the piston arm 4 rotates about the rotating shaft LI , and the pressing section 4a of the piston arm 4 moves the piston 3 a resisting the biasing force of the return spring 3b. Therefore, the operation of the front brake Bf is performed by the hydraulic pressure generated by the master cylinder 3 in addition to the operation of the rear brake Br by the pulling of the rear brake cable K.

As described above, if the leading end section Ka of the rear brake cable K, the rotating shaft LI, the connection section L2, the protrusion section 2a of the rear brake cable arm 2, and the abutting section 4b of the piston arm 4 have the layout that is in a substantially straight line, it is possible to easily calculate setting of a ratio at the time of operation and it is possible to provide the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle having a high degree of freedom of design while facilitating characteristics setting. Industrial Applicability

If there is the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle, in which the rotating shaft of the piston arm is set in the position on the side of the vehicle further forward than the master cylinder, the abutting section abutting the rear brake cable arm is formed in the position on the opposite side to the master cylinder across the rotating shaft, and the rear brake cable arm is rotated about the abutting section as the fulcrum by the rotational operation of the brake lever and then pulls the rear brake cable, and if the operational load exerted on the pressing section by the rotational operation of the brake lever is a predetermined level or more, the rear brake cable arm rotates the piston arm about the abutting section as the force point and displaces the piston of the master cylinder with the pressing section, and then is capable of operating the front brake, and the interlocking brake device of the integral cabled brake and hydraulic brake for the motorcycle can be applied to a motorcycle having different appearance or to a motorcycle to which other functions are added.

Reference Signs List

1 : brake lever

2: rear brake cable arm

3: master cylinder

4: piston arm

4a: pressing section

4b: abutting section

5: rear brake switch

6: caliper

7a, 7b: input port 8: first hydraulic conduit 9: second hydraulic conduit 10: brake lever

11: master cylinder

12: main caliper body 13: sub-caliper body

14: slide pin

15: main piston

16: sub-piston

17: bifurcated pressing section

H: handlebar

K: rear brake cable

Bf, Bf: front brake

Br: rear brake