Antilock mechanism for motorcycle brakes

• US 5,417,482 A
• Filed: 12/22/1992
• Issued: 05/23/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kayaba Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Kayaba Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Hanawa, Nobumichi, Kashima, Mitsuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberleitner, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Young, Lee W.
• Application Number:
  US07/995,183
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 303/100, 303/111, 303/97, 303/105, 303/112, 188/72.2, 188/344, 188/346
• US Class Current: 303/112
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1875 comprising sensors of the type providing an electrical output signal representing the load on the vehicle suspension
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/261 specially adapted for use in motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/266 using valves or actuators with external control means B60T8/261 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/3225 Systems specially adapted for single-track vehicles, e.g. motorcycles B60T8/3235 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/52 Torque sensing, i.e. wherein the braking action is controlled by forces producing or tending to produce a twisting or rotating motion on a braked rotating member

Abstract

In a motorcycle provided with a brake, a link supporting brake caliper is fitted to a wheel axle such that it is free to oscillate, an oil chamber being provided which enlarges or contracts according to the oscillation of this link, and which is connected to a pressure passage supplying oil pressure to the brake caliper. An electromagnetic valve is provided for opening and shutting this pressure passage, and a mechanism for detecting a pre-lock condition of the wheel. By shutting the electromagnetic valve when a pre-lock condition is detected, oil pressure supply to the brake caliper is shut off, and rise of braking pressure is prevented. If the pre-lock condition persists after the oil pressure has been shut off, the oil chamber is enlarged by varying the oscillation angle of the link so as decrease the braking pressure and prevent the wheel from locking.

Claims

1. An antilock mechanism for a motorcycle brake comprising:

a brake disc rotating together with a wheel about an axle, said axle being supported by a motorcycle frame via a support member;

a brake calliper which, applies a braking force to the brake disc depending on a supplied oil pressure;

a master cylinder which generates oil pressure;

operating means for operating said master cylinder;

a pressure passage connecting said master cylinder to said brake calliper;

a link supporting said brake calliper connected to said axle such that said link is free to oscillate;

an oil chamber connected to said pressure passage, said chamber enlarging and contracting according to the oscillation of said link;

an electromagnetic valve operable to close said pressure passage;

a pressure adjusting chamber connected to said pressure passage, said pressure adjusting chamber having a piston driven by a solenoid to adjust the pressure in said pressure passage;

a sensor means for detecting the pressure of said pressure passage;

detecting means for detecting the braking action resulting from the application of said braking force by said brake calliper on said brake disc;

judging means for judging whether the ratio of the pressure detected by said sensor means and the braking action detected by the detecting means is within a predetermined range; and

means for closing said electromagnetic valve when said judging means determines that said ratio is outside of said predetermined range.

2. An antilock mechanism for a motorcycle brake comprising:

a brake disc rotating together with a wheel about an axle, said axle being supported by a motorcycle frame via a support member;

a brake calliper which applies a braking force to the brake disc depending on a supplied oil pressure;

a master cylinder which generates oil pressure;

operating means for operating said master cylinder;

a pressure passage connecting said master cylinder to said brake calliper;

a link supporting said brake calliper connected to said axle such that said link is free to oscillate;

an oil chamber connected to said pressure passage, said chamber enlarging and contracting according to the oscillation of said link;

an electromagnetic valve operable to close said pressure passage;

a controller for regulating the pressure in said pressure passage driven by a solenoid;

a sensor means for detecting the pressure of said pressure passage;

detecting means for detecting the braking action resulting from the application of said braking force by said brake calliper on said brake disc;

judging means for judging whether the ratio of the pressure detected by said sensor means and the braking action detected by the detecting means is within a predetermined range; and

means for closing said electromagnetic valve when said judging means determines that said ratio is outside of said predetermined range.