TWI865535B - Disc brake caliper for a human powered vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a disc brake caliper (10) for a human powered vehicle comprising a caliper body (12) mountable to the human powered vehicle, the caliper body (12) including a mounting surface (14) arranged at a mounting side (16) of the caliper body (12) facing the human powered vehicle, a first mounting hole (18) defining a first mounting axis (18a) and provided to the mounting surface (14) for mounting the caliper body (12) to the human powered vehicle via a first mounting member (20); and a hose fitting hole (56) for attaching a hydraulic hose (100); and a first piston (26) moveably provided to the caliper body (12) along a first piston axis (26a) non-parallel to the first mounting axis (18a) in response to a hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose (100), wherein the hose fitting hole (16) is provided at the mounting side (16) of the caliper body (12) offset from the mounting surface (14) in the direction of the first piston axis (26a) and defines a fitting axis (16a) extending, as seen in a direction of the first piston axis (26a), substantially perpendicularly to the mounting surface (14).

Description

Disc brake calipers for human-powered vehicles

The present invention relates to a disc brake caliper for use with a human powered vehicle. In this context, the term "human powered vehicle" covers any vehicle that is primarily powered by human power, including but not limited to bicycles, electric assisted bicycles and electric bicycles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hydraulically operated disc brake caliper, and in particular the connection of a hydraulic hose to a disc brake caliper.

Disc brake calipers for human-powered vehicles are generally known. In such disc brake calipers, a hydraulic hose is connected to a hose fitting hole formed in a cylindrical boss portion, which is formed integrally with the caliper body.

Even though such disc brake calipers are already known, there is a continuing need to improve disc brake calipers with respect to ease of installability and maintenance of the connection of the hydraulic hose to the caliper body. Also, there is a desire to allow for a clean arrangement of the hydraulic hose at the human-powered vehicle to provide a neat appearance.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to propose a disc brake caliper which provides ease of installability and maintenance and allows for a clean arrangement of hydraulic hoses at a human-powered vehicle.

According to a first aspect, a disc brake caliper for a human-powered vehicle comprises a caliper body and a first piston. The caliper body can be mounted on a human-powered vehicle. The caliper body comprises a mounting surface disposed at a mounting side of the caliper body facing the human-powered vehicle, a first mounting hole defining a first mounting axis and disposed on the mounting surface for mounting the caliper body on the human-powered vehicle via a first mounting member, and a hose fitting hole for attaching a hydraulic hose. The first piston is movably disposed on the caliper body along a first piston axis that is not parallel to the first mounting axis in response to a hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose. The hose assembly hole is disposed at the mounting side of the caliper body and is offset from the mounting surface in the direction of the first piston axis, and the hose assembly hole defines the assembly axis, which extends substantially vertically to the mounting surface when viewed in the direction of the first piston axis.

With the disc brake caliper of the first aspect, the hydraulic hose can be arranged along a structural element of a human-powered vehicle, such as a frame. In one example, the hydraulic hose can be arranged along a chain stay or a front fork of a human-powered vehicle. The hydraulic hose can even be internally rooted in the structural element. Thus, a clean arrangement of the hydraulic hose at the human-powered vehicle is achieved to provide a neat appearance. In addition, the connection of the hydraulic hose to the caliper body is easily accessible for initial assembly and maintenance.

According to the second aspect, the disc brake caliper according to the first aspect is constructed so that the caliper body also includes a mounting surface, wherein the mounting surface is arranged at the mounting side and offset from the mounting surface, and the hose mounting hole is provided on the mounting surface.

By utilizing the second aspect, the possibility of simple arrangement of the hydraulic hose and the neat appearance of the human-powered vehicle are further improved.

According to a third aspect, a disc brake caliper for a human-powered vehicle includes a caliper body and a first piston. The caliper body can be mounted on a human-powered vehicle. The caliper body includes a mounting surface disposed on a mounting side of the caliper body facing the human-powered vehicle, an assembly surface disposed on the mounting side and offset from the mounting surface, a first mounting hole defining a first mounting axis and disposed on the mounting surface, and a hose assembly hole for attaching a hydraulic hose. The first mounting hole is disposed on the mounting surface for mounting the caliper body on the human-powered vehicle via a first mounting member. The hose assembly hole defines an assembly axis and is disposed on the assembly surface. The first piston is movably disposed on the caliper body along a first piston axis that is not parallel to the first mounting axis in response to the hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose.

With the disc brake caliper of the third aspect, the hydraulic hose can be arranged along a structural element of a human-powered vehicle, such as a frame. In one example, the hydraulic hose can be arranged along a chain stay or a front fork of a human-powered vehicle. The hydraulic hose can even be internally rooted in the structural element. Thus, a clean arrangement of the hydraulic hose at the human-powered vehicle is achieved to provide a neat appearance. In addition, the connection of the hydraulic hose to the caliper body is easily accessible for initial assembly and maintenance.

According to a fourth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to third aspects is constructed so that the hose mounting hole is closer to the center plane of the human-powered vehicle than the mounting surface when the caliper body is mounted on the human-powered vehicle.

By utilizing the fourth aspect, the neat appearance of the rickshaw can be even further enhanced, as the hydraulic hose is concealed by the clamp body and/or the rickshaw (particularly structural elements such as the frame).

According to a fifth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is constructed so that the first mounting hole includes a threaded hole for receiving a bolt as a first mounting member.

By utilizing the fifth aspect, the caliper body is easily mountable to a human-powered vehicle and thus easily maintainable.

According to the sixth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is constructed so that the caliper body also includes a second mounting hole, which defines a second mounting axis and is arranged on the mounting surface to be used to mount the caliper body on the human-powered vehicle via a second mounting member.

By utilizing the sixth aspect, ease of mountability is maintained by utilizing improved fixation of the caliper body to the human-powered vehicle. Accordingly, reliable operation of the disc brake with less maintenance requirements is achieved.

According to the seventh aspect, the disc brake caliper according to the sixth aspect is constructed so that the second mounting hole includes a threaded hole for receiving a bolt as a second mounting member.

By utilizing the seventh aspect, the caliper body is easily mountable to a human-powered vehicle, and thus easily maintainable.

According to the eighth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to either the sixth or seventh aspect is constructed so that the second mounting axis is parallel to the first mounting axis.

With the eighth aspect, the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole can be manufactured without changing the orientation of the workpiece (the caliper body). This allows for ease of manufacturing and therefore allows for cost-effective production of the disc brake caliper.

According to the ninth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to the eighth aspect is constructed so that the mounting surface includes a first portion and a second portion separated from the first portion. The first mounting hole and the second mounting hole are respectively provided in the first portion and the second portion.

With the ninth aspect, a space is formed between the first portion having the first mounting hole and the second portion having the second mounting hole. Therefore, less material is used and a lighter structure of the disc brake rotor can be obtained.

According to the tenth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to ninth aspects is constructed so that the hose fitting hole is arranged so that the fitting axis does not intersect with the first mounting axis when viewed in any direction.

By utilizing the tenth aspect, ease of manufacturing can be achieved during orientation of the assembly axis.

According to the eleventh aspect, the disc brake caliper according to the tenth aspect is constructed so that the hose fitting hole is arranged so that the fitting axis is parallel to the first mounting axis.

Utilizing the eleventh aspect, the first mounting hole, the optional second mounting hole, and the assembly hole can be manufactured without changing the orientation of the workpiece (the caliper body). As a result, all holes can be manufactured simultaneously. This allows for ease of manufacturing and, therefore, cost-effective production of disc brake calipers.

According to the twelfth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is constructed so that the hose fitting hole includes a threaded hole, and the threaded hole is constructed to receive a fitting member for attaching the hydraulic hose to the hose fitting hole.

Utilizing the twelfth aspect, the use of threaded holes allows for easy and reliable connection of the hydraulic hose to the clamp body.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to the twelfth aspect is constructed so that the assembly member is a huqin joint assembly bolt, which is used to pass through the huqin joint at one end of the hydraulic hose and has a fluid channel constructed to be fluidically connected with the hose assembly hole.

Utilizing the thirteenth aspect, the use of the huqin joint assembly allows easy adjustment of the direction of the hydraulic hose. In particular, one end of the hydraulic hose having the huqin joint can be rotated around a rotation axis that is aligned with the assembly axis. Thus, the direction in which the hydraulic hose leaves the caliper body can be adjusted.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects is constructed so that the caliper body further includes a receiving slot, the receiving slot is constructed to receive the disc rotor of the human-powered vehicle, wherein the receiving slot is configured between the mounting surface and the hose assembly hole.

With the fourteenth aspect, due to the configuration of the hose assembly hole and the provision of the receiving slot constructed to receive the disc rotor, the hydraulic hose is concealed by the disc rotor, the clamp body and/or the human-powered vehicle (particularly its structural elements, such as the frame). Therefore, a neater appearance of the human-powered vehicle can be achieved.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects further comprises a second piston which is movably disposed on the caliper body along a second piston axis which is not parallel to the first mounting axis in response to the hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose.

Utilizing the fifteenth aspect, therefore, the opposing pistons can be moved respectively toward the disc rotor to provide improved braking force.

According to the sixteenth aspect, the disc brake caliper according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects is constructed so that the second piston axis is coaxial with the first piston axis.

By utilizing the sixteenth aspect, a small and compact disc brake caliper that is easy and cost-effective to manufacture can be achieved.

An additional aspect relates to a disc brake comprising a disc brake caliper according to the first to sixteenth aspects, a hydraulic hose and a disc rotor. Additionally, the disc stage may include an operating device such as an operating lever for operating the disc brake.

A further aspect concerns human powered vehicles incorporating disc brakes, such as bicycles.

6: Line

10: Disc brake caliper

12: Clamp body

12a: Part 1

12b: Part 2

14: Mounting surface

14a: Part 1

14b: Part 2

16: Installation side

18: First mounting hole

18a: First mounting axis

18b: threaded hole

18c: First installation opening

20: Bolts

22: Second mounting hole

22a: Second mounting axis

22b: threaded hole

22c: Second installation opening

24: Bolts

26: First piston

26a: First piston axis

26b: Outer surface

26c: Inner surface

26d: External surface

28: First piston cylinder

28a: Inner wall

28b: Bottom

28c: Groove

30: First piston ring

32: First hydraulic chamber

34: Space

36: First brake block

36a: The first support plate

36b: First brake shoe

38: Second piston

38a: Second piston axis

38b: Peripheral surface

38c: Inner surface

38d: External surface

40: Second piston cylinder

40a: Inner wall

40b: bottom

40c: Groove

40d: Cover

42: Second piston ring

44: Second hydraulic chamber

46: Second brake block

46a: Second support plate

46b: Second brake shoe

48: Block spacer

50: Sales

52: Clamp

53: Receiving slot

54: Mounting surface

56: Hose assembly hole

56a: Assembly axis

56b: Hose assembly opening

58:Threaded hole

60: Huqin joint assembly bolts

60a: Head

60b: Smaller diameter part

60c: thread end

60d: with bottom hole

60e: Noodles

60f: Opening

62: Hydraulic piping system

62a: Pipeline

62b: Pipeline

62c: Pipeline

62d: Pipeline

62e: Pipeline

62f: Pipeline

64: First bolt

66: Second bolt

100: Hydraulic hose

102:Huqin joint

106: Disc rotor

104: Open mouth

1000: Frame

1001: Chainstay

1002: Frame mounting surface

1002a: Part 1

1002b: Part 2

1003a:Through hole

1003b:Through hole

1004: Center plane

P: plane

A more complete understanding of the present invention and its many attendant advantages will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by referring to the following detailed description and considering it in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[FIG. 1] is a three-dimensional view of a disc brake caliper according to an embodiment of the present invention; [FIG. 2] is another three-dimensional view of the disc brake caliper of FIG. 1; [FIG. 3] is a three-dimensional side view of the disc brake caliper in FIG. 1 when viewed in the direction of the first piston axis and from the inner side of the center plane of the disc brake caliper facing the human-powered vehicle; [FIG. 4] is a three-dimensional side view of the disc brake caliper in FIG. 1 when viewed in the direction of the first piston axis and from the inner side of the center plane of the disc brake caliper facing the human-powered vehicle. 1 ; [FIG. 5]: is an exploded view of the disc brake caliper of FIG. 1 ; [FIG. 6]: is a cross-sectional view of the disc brake caliper of FIG. 1 along line 6-6 in FIG. 3 ; [FIG. 7]: is a three-dimensional view of the disc brake caliper separated from the human-powered vehicle when viewed from the mounting side; and [FIG. 8]: is another three-dimensional rear view of the disc brake caliper of FIG. 1 .

The embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art of bicycles from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiments is provided for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention as defined by the scope of the attached patent application.

In this article, the following description describes a disc brake caliper mounted on a frame 1000 of a bicycle (as an example of a human-powered vehicle). However, it is to be understood that the disc brake caliper can be mounted on any other human-powered vehicle. In addition, this example shows the disc brake caliper 10 mounted on a chain stay 1001 of the frame 1000, and therefore, it is part of a rear disc brake. However, the disc brake caliper 10 can also be mounted on another structural element of the frame 1000, such as a front fork rotatably arranged on the frame 1000, and be part of a front disc brake.

If the terms "front, rear, top, bottom, left and right" are mentioned below, these terms refer to the state where the disc brake caliper is installed on a human-powered vehicle (especially the frame of a bicycle) with the rider of the vehicle sitting and facing the handlebars (front).

The disc brake caliper 10 includes a caliper body 12. The caliper body 12 is divided into a first part (first half) 12a and a second part (second half) 12b (see FIG. 5).

The clamp body 12 can be mounted on a human-powered vehicle, which in this example is a chain stay 1001 of a bicycle frame 1000. For this purpose, the clamp body 12 includes a mounting surface 14, which is arranged at a mounting side 16 of the clamp body 12 facing the human-powered vehicle (see FIG. 7). In one example, the mounting surface 14 can be arranged on a first portion 12a of the clamp body 12 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 7).

The first mounting hole 18 defines a first mounting axis 18a. The first mounting hole 18 is disposed on the mounting surface 14 for mounting the caliper body 12 on the human-powered vehicle via a first mounting member (see FIGS. 5 and 7 ). The first mounting hole 18 defines a first mounting opening 18c in the mounting surface 14. The first mounting member may be a bolt 20. The first mounting hole 18 includes a threaded hole 18b for receiving the bolt 20 as the first mounting member.

The second mounting hole 22 defines a second mounting axis 22a. The second mounting hole 22 is disposed on the mounting surface 14 for mounting the caliper body 12 on the human-powered vehicle via a second mounting member (see FIG. 5 ). The second mounting hole 22 defines a second mounting opening 22c in the mounting surface 14. The second mounting member may be a bolt 24. The second mounting hole 22 includes a threaded hole 22b for receiving the bolt 24 as the second mounting member.

The mounting surface 14 includes a first portion 14a and a second portion 14b, wherein the second portion 14b is separated from the first portion 14a (see FIG. 7 ). Therefore, the first portion 14a and the second portion 14b are separated, and a space 34 is formed between the first portion 14a and the second portion 14b (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 ).

In particular, the first mounting hole 18 and the second mounting hole 22 are respectively disposed in the first portion 14a and the second portion 14b.

In this example, the mounting surface 14 (the first portion 14a and the second portion 14b) faces the frame mounting surface 1002 (see FIGS. 1 and 5 ) on the upper side of the chain stay 1001 of the frame 1000. In addition, the frame mounting surface 1002 is divided into a first portion 1002a and a second portion 1002b corresponding to the first portion 14a and the second portion 14b of the mounting surface 14 of the caliper body 12. In order to install the disc brake caliper 10 on a human-powered vehicle, the bolt 20 as the first mounting member and the bolt 24 as the second mounting member are inserted from below into the through holes 1003a and 1003b in the rear chainstay 1001 of the frame 1000, and are screwed into the threaded hole 18b of the first mounting hole 18 and the threaded hole 22b of the second mounting hole 22. When tightened, the bolts 20 and 24, the first part 14a and the second part 14b of the mounting surface 14 come into contact with the frame mounting surface 1002, especially the first part 1002a and the second part 1002b (see Figure 5). As a result, the disc brake caliper 10 can be reliably fixed to the human-powered vehicle.

As will be best seen from FIG. 3 , the first mounting axis 18a and the second mounting axis 22a extend perpendicularly to the mounting surface 14, in particular the surfaces of the first portion 14a and the second portion 14b, respectively. Also, the second mounting axis 22a is parallel to the first mounting axis 18a. Also, the surface of the first portion 14a and the surface of the second portion 14b may be parallel.

In addition, the disc brake caliper 10 includes a first piston 26, which is movably disposed in the caliper body 12 along a first piston axis 26a that is non-parallel to the first mounting axis 18a in response to hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose 100 (see Figures 5 and 6). In the illustrated embodiment, the first piston axis 26a is perpendicular to the first mounting axis 18a, and thus perpendicular to the second mounting axis 22a, and the assembly axis 56a described later. The disc brake caliper 10, more particularly the second portion 12b of the caliper body 12, may include a first piston cylinder 28. The first piston 26 is accommodated in the first piston cylinder 28 and is movable along the first piston axis 26a in the first piston cylinder 28. The first piston ring 30 is disposed in a groove 28c between the inner peripheral wall 28a (shell of the cylinder) of the first piston cylinder 28 and the outer peripheral surface 26b of the first piston 26. Therefore, the first hydraulic chamber 32 is defined between the inner surface 26c of the first piston 26 and the bottom 28b of the first piston cylinder 28 (see FIG. 6).

The outer surface 26d of the first piston 26 opposite to the inner surface 26c contacts the first brake block 36 having a first supporting platen 36a. The first supporting platen 36a supports the first brake shoe 36b.

In addition, the disc brake caliper 10 includes a second piston 38, which is movably disposed on the caliper body 12 along a second piston axis 38a that is not parallel to the first mounting axis 18a in response to the hydraulic flow of the hydraulic hose 100. The second piston axis 38a is coaxial with the first piston axis 26a.

The disc brake caliper 10, more particularly the first portion 12a of the caliper body 12, may include a second piston cylinder 40. The second piston 38 is accommodated in the second piston cylinder 40 and is movable along the second piston axis 38a in the second piston cylinder 40. The second piston ring 42 is disposed between the inner peripheral wall 40a (the shell of the cylinder) of the second piston cylinder 40 and the outer peripheral surface 38b of the second piston 38. Therefore, the second hydraulic chamber 44 is defined between the inner surface 38c of the second piston 38 and the bottom 40b of the second piston cylinder 40 (see FIG. 6). The bottom 40b is formed by a cover 40d, which is removably fixed to the first portion 12a of the caliper body 12.

The outer surface 38d of the second piston 38, which is opposite to the inner surface 38c, contacts the second brake block 46 having a second support pressure plate 46a. The second support pressure plate 46a supports the second brake shoe 46b.

The block spacer 48 is disposed between the first brake block 36 and the second brake block 46 that are in contact with the first support pressure plate 36a and the second support pressure plate 46a. The block spacer 48 is an elastic spring member that forces the first brake block 36 and the second brake block 46 to move away from each other.

For ease of maintenance, particularly replacement of the brake blocks, the first brake block 36, the block spacer 48, and the second brake block 46 are releasably secured to the caliper body 12 by a pin 50. As best seen in FIG. 5, the pin 50 passes through the first portion 12a of the caliper body 12, the second support plate 46a, the block spacer 48, the first support plate 36a, and the second portion 12b of the caliper body 12. The pin 50 is secured in place by a clip 52. Upon removal of the clip 52, the pin 50 can be removed and the first brake block 36 and the second brake block 46 can be replaced.

In addition, the caliper body 12 further includes a receiving groove 53, which is constructed to receive a disc rotor 106 of a disc brake of a human-powered vehicle (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 8). The receiving groove 53 is formed between the first portion 12a and the second portion 12b of the caliper body 12. The first brake block 36 and the second brake block 46 are arranged in the receiving groove 53, and the disc rotor 106 is disposed between the first brake shoe 36b and the second brake shoe 46b (see FIG. 8).

In addition to the mounting surface 14, the caliper body 12 also includes a mounting surface 54, which is configured on the mounting side 16 offset from the mounting surface 14.

Furthermore, the clamp body 12 includes a hose assembly hole 56 for attaching the hydraulic hose 100. The hose assembly hole 56 defines an assembly axis 56a. In addition, the hose assembly hole 56 defines a hose assembly opening 56b in the assembly surface 54.

In addition, the hose fitting hole 56 is provided on the fitting surface 54. Therefore, the hose fitting hole 56 is provided at the mounting side 16 of the caliper body 12 and is offset from the mounting surface 14 in the direction of the first piston axis 26a.

In particular, the mounting surface is arranged at the first portion 12a of the clamp body 12, and the fitting surface 54 and the hose fitting hole 56 are arranged at the second portion 12b of the clamp body 12. Therefore, the receiving groove 53 is located between the mounting surface 14 and the hose fitting hole 56.

The assembly axis 56a extends substantially perpendicularly to the mounting surface 14 when viewed in the direction of the first piston axis 26a (see FIG. 3 ). The term “substantially” in this context encompasses a ±5° deviation from the vertical orientation.

Furthermore, the mounting axis 56a and the plane P (see FIGS. 6 and 8 ) passing through the center of the receiving slot 53 do not intersect. In this context, the mounting surface 14 and/or the mounting surface 54 may be configured to be perpendicular to the plane P.

Furthermore, the hose mounting hole 56 is arranged so that the mounting axis 56a does not intersect with the first mounting axis 18a when viewed from any direction. In one configuration, the hose mounting hole 56 is arranged so that the mounting axis 56a is parallel to the first mounting axis 18a (see FIG. 8 ).

In addition, the hose assembly hole 56 is closer to the center plane 1004 of the rickshaw than the mounting surface 14 when the caliper body 12 is mounted on the rickshaw (see FIG. 8 ). In other words, the hose assembly hole 56 is disposed on the inner side of the caliper body 12 facing the center plane 1004 of the rickshaw.

The hose mounting hole 56 also includes a threaded hole 58, which is configured to receive a mounting member for attaching the hydraulic hose 100 to the hose mounting hole 56. The mounting member is a banjo mounting bolt 60, which is used to pass through a banjo 102 at one end of the hydraulic hose 100 and has a fluid passage configured to be fluidly connected to the hose mounting hole 56.

As previously described, the hydraulic hose 100 has a huqin joint 102 at one of its both ends. The huqin joint 102 is a ring-shaped member having an opening 104 in its inner peripheral surface. The huqin joint fitting bolt 60 passes through the huqin joint 102. As a result, the huqin joint 102 can be rotated around the huqin joint fitting bolt 60 with the fitting axis 56a as the rotation axis. Therefore, by rotating the hydraulic hose 100 around the fitting axis 56a at its end including the huqin joint 102, the longitudinal orientation of the hydraulic hose 100 can be changed.

The huqin joint mounting bolt 60 has a smaller diameter portion 60b between the head portion 60a and the threaded end portion 60c (see FIG. 6 ). The smaller diameter portion 60b has a smaller diameter than the threaded end portion 60c and/or the head portion 60a. The threaded end portion 60c is received and fixed in the threaded hole 58. The smaller diameter portion 60b is connected to the opening 104 located in the inner peripheral surface of the huqin joint 102.

Furthermore, the huqin joint mounting bolt 60 has a bottomed hole 60d, which extends from the surface 60e to the smaller diameter portion 60b at the threaded end 60c. In addition, the smaller diameter portion 60b has an opening 60f in its outer peripheral surface that communicates with the bottomed hole 60d.

Therefore, the hydraulic fluid can flow from the hydraulic hose 100 through the opening in the inner peripheral surface of the huqin joint 102 in the space between the inner peripheral surface of the huqin joint 102 and the outer peripheral surface of the smaller diameter portion 60b. The hydraulic fluid can also flow from this space through the opening 60f to the bottom hole 60d and finally to the hose assembly hole 56.

Furthermore, the disc brake caliper 10 includes a hydraulic conduit system 62 formed in the caliper body 12 for fluidly connecting the hose fitting hole 56 and thus the hydraulic hose 100 to the first hydraulic chamber 32 and the second hydraulic chamber 44. The hydraulic conduit system 62 includes a plurality of conduits 62a to 62f and is best seen in FIG. 6 . In this regard, the conduit 62d is integrated into a first bolt 64 for attaching the first portion 12a of the caliper body 12 to the second portion 12b. A second bolt 66 not including such a conduit may additionally be provided to secure the first portion 12a and the second portion 12b to each other.

When the disc brake is operated using, for example, a brake lever, hydraulic fluid is forced through the huqin joint through the hydraulic hose 100 (see above) into the hose fitting hole 56. The fluid then flows through the pipe 62a into the first hydraulic chamber 32 and through the pipes 62b to 62f into the second hydraulic chamber 44.

As a result, the first piston 26 and the second piston 38 are moved toward each other along the first piston axis 26a and the second piston axis 38a in response to the hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose 100 through the hydraulic pipeline system 62. Thereby, the first brake shoe 36b and the second brake shoe 46b are pressed against the disc rotor 106 to provide braking force.

Modification example

As previously indicated, the present invention is described with respect to a disc brake caliper mounted on a chain stay 1001 of a bicycle frame 1000. However, the disc brake caliper may also be mounted on a front fork of a bicycle frame 1000, in particular on the rear side of the front fork.

In the above embodiments, the disc brake caliper 10 is mounted directly to the human-powered vehicle, in particular the frame 1000. However, it is also clear that an adapter or base member is provided between the caliper body 12 and the human-powered vehicle, so that the disc brake caliper 10 is directly mounted to the human-powered vehicle. More particularly, the caliper body 12 can be mounted to the adapter or base member, and the base member can then be mounted to the human-powered vehicle, such as the frame 1000. More details in this regard and how such a base member can be constructed can be obtained from US 9,347,505 B2, the contents of which (particularly regarding the base member) are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The above embodiments have been described using two oppositely movable pistons (first piston 26 and second piston 38) as a so-called fixed caliper. However, it is also possible to implement the disc brake caliper using only one movable piston as a so-called floating caliper.

12: Clamp body

12a: Part 1

12b: Part 2

53: Receiving slot

54: Mounting surface

60: Huqin joint assembly bolts

100: Hydraulic hose

102:Huqin joint

1003a:Through hole

1003b:Through hole

Claims (16)

A disc brake caliper for a human-powered vehicle comprises: a caliper body which can be mounted on the human-powered vehicle, the caliper body comprising a mounting surface which is arranged at a mounting side of the caliper body facing the human-powered vehicle, a first mounting hole which defines a first mounting axis and is arranged on the mounting surface for mounting the caliper body on the human-powered vehicle via a first mounting member, and a hose mounting hole for attaching a hydraulic hose; and a first piston movably disposed on the caliper body in response to hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose and along a first piston axis that is non-parallel to the first mounting axis, wherein the hose mounting hole is disposed at the mounting side of the caliper body and is offset from the mounting surface in the direction of the first piston axis and defines a mounting axis that extends substantially perpendicularly to the mounting surface when viewed in the direction of the first piston axis. A disc brake caliper for a human-powered vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the caliper body further includes a mounting surface, wherein the mounting surface is arranged at the mounting side and offset from the mounting surface, and the hose mounting hole is arranged on the mounting surface. A disc brake caliper for a human-powered vehicle comprises: a caliper body which can be mounted on the human-powered vehicle, the caliper body comprising a mounting surface which is arranged at a mounting side of the caliper body facing the human-powered vehicle, a mounting surface which is arranged at the mounting side and offset from the mounting surface, a first mounting hole which defines a first mounting axis and is disposed on the mounting surface. a first surface for mounting the caliper body on the human-powered vehicle via a first mounting member, and a hose mounting hole for attaching a hydraulic hose, the hose mounting hole defining a mounting axis and disposed on the mounting surface; and a first piston movably disposed on the caliper body along a first piston axis that is not parallel to the first mounting axis in response to hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose. A disc brake caliper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hose mounting hole is closer to the center plane of the human-powered vehicle than the mounting surface when the caliper body is mounted on the human-powered vehicle. A disc brake caliper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first mounting hole includes a threaded hole for receiving a bolt as the first mounting member. A disc brake caliper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the caliper body further includes a second mounting hole, the second mounting hole defining a second mounting axis and being disposed on the mounting surface for mounting the caliper body on the human-powered vehicle via a second mounting member. A disc brake caliper as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second mounting hole includes a threaded hole for receiving a bolt serving as the second mounting member. A disc brake caliper as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second mounting axis is parallel to the first mounting axis. A disc brake caliper as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mounting surface includes a first portion and a second portion separated from the first portion, and the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole are respectively disposed in the first portion and the second portion. A disc brake caliper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hose mounting hole is arranged so that the mounting axis does not intersect with the first mounting axis when viewed from any direction. A disc brake caliper as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hose mounting hole is arranged so that the mounting axis is parallel to the first mounting axis. A disc brake caliper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hose mounting hole includes a threaded hole configured to receive a mounting member for attaching the hydraulic hose to the hose mounting hole. The disc brake caliper of claim 12, wherein the mounting member is a huqin joint mounting bolt for passing through the huqin joint at one end of the hydraulic hose and having a fluid passage constructed to be fluidically connected to the hose mounting hole. A disc brake caliper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the caliper body further includes a receiving slot, the receiving slot being constructed to receive the disc rotor of the human-powered vehicle, and the receiving slot being arranged between the mounting surface and the hose mounting hole. The disc brake caliper of any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprises: A second piston, which is movably disposed on the caliper body along a second piston axis that is not parallel to the first mounting axis in response to the hydraulic flow from the hydraulic hose. A disc brake caliper as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second piston axis is coaxial with the first piston axis.

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