Abstract:
A brake device and a brake system using the same are provided. The brake device mainly has a housing having one end oppositely connected to a top lid. A synchronization assembly accommodated with the housing has first and second end surfaces, through which active and passive brake cable sets penetrate. An active limiter is connected to the second end surface of the active brake cable set, and the passive brake cable set is connected to at least one passive limiter, at least one elastic member and at least one brake assembly. A rear wheel is firstly braked and then a front wheel is braked according to a ratio between the corresponding elastic members through the movements of the active and passive brake cable sets, the elastic member and the single synchronization assembly. Meanwhile, the overall size and the manufacturing cost of the brake device can be effectively and saved, respectively.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a brake device and a brake system using the same, and more particularly to a brake device capable of effectively enhancing the brake security, reducing the size, saving the manufacturing cost, linking-up front and rear brakes and adjusting the brake ratios of the front and rear brakes, and a brake system using the same. 
         [0003]    (2) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    At present, the typical brake structure is mainly implemented using a single-sided brake handle in conjunction with a single brake, wherein a brake cable is provided to connect the brake handle to the corresponding brake. For example, the left-side brake handle is connected to the brake of the rear wheel through one brake cable, while the right-side brake handle is connected to the brake of the front wheel through another brake cable. In addition, the brakes are fixedly disposed on the bicycle. Because the operators may have different operation practices, the consistent disposing method is not suitable for all the users. 
         [0005]    In another brake structure, a single brake handle is connected the brake of the front wheel and the brake of the rear wheel through two brake cables so that the manipulator can manipulate the single brake handle to lock the brakes. Thus, the front wheel and the rear wheel tend to be instantaneously locked, and the manipulator may be hurt. So, the security thereof encounters the significant problem. 
         [0006]    First, the coefficient of security is low. Second, the braking cannot be performed according to the predetermined ratio. Third, the large assembled size is required. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    To overcome the prior art drawbacks, a main object of the invention is to provide a brake device for firstly braking the rear wheel and then the front wheel when the brakes are synchronously enabled, and a brake system using the brake device. 
         [0008]    Another object of the invention is to provide a brake device capable of dispersing the braking forces according to a predetermined ratio, and a brake system using the brake device. 
         [0009]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a brake device with the effectively reduced size, and a brake system using the brake device. 
         [0010]    Yet still another object of the invention is to provide a brake device capable of effectively enhancing the security, and a brake system using the brake system. 
         [0011]    To achieve the above-identified objects, the invention provides a brake device mainly including a housing, a top lid and a synchronization assembly. The housing has an open end, a closed end and a chamber. The open end communicates with the chamber and is connected to the top lid. Each of the top lid and the closed end has at least one opening. The synchronization assembly is accommodated within the chamber. The synchronization assembly has a first end surface, a second end surface, and at least one first through hole and at least one second through hole formed between the first end surface and the second end surface. At least one active brake cable set is disposed in the first through hole and the opening of the top lid. The active brake cable set has at least one active brake cable penetrating through the opening of the top lid and the first through hole. A passive brake cable set is disposed in the second through hole and the opening of the closed end. The passive brake cable set has first and second passive brake cables, which respectively penetrate through the opening of the closed end and the second through hole. First and second elastic members are disposed at positions of the first end surface and connected to the first and second passive brake cables. Distal end positions of the first and second passive brake cables respectively penetrating through the second through hole are connected to first and second passive limiters. 
         [0012]    To achieve the above-identified objects, the invention further provides a brake system including a brake device, a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly. The brake device has a housing. The housing has an open end, a closed end and a chamber. The open end communicates with the chamber. A top lid is disposed at the open end. Each of the top lid and the closed end has at least one opening. A synchronization assembly is disposed within the chamber. The synchronization assembly has a first end surface, a second end surface and at least one first through hole and at least one second through hole formed between the first end surface and the second end surface. An active brake cable set has at least one active brake cable penetrating through the opening of the top lid and the first through hole. A passive brake cable set has first and second passive brake cables, which respectively penetrate the opening of the closed end and the second through hole. The first brake assembly has a first elastic member and a first fixture limiter. The first elastic member and the first fixture limiter are connected to a distal end of a first passive brake cable. The second brake assembly has a second elastic member and a second fixture limiter. The second elastic member and the second fixture limiter are connected to the distal end of the second passive brake cable. 
         [0013]    To achieve the above-identified objects, the invention additionally provides a brake system including a brake device, a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly. The brake device has a housing. The housing has an open end, a closed end and a chamber. The open end communicates with the chamber. A top lid is disposed at the open end. Each of the top lid and the closed end has at least one opening. A synchronization assembly is disposed within the chamber and has a first end surface, a second end surface, and at least one first through hole and at least one second through hole formed between the first end surface and the second end surface. An active brake cable set has at least one active brake cable penetrating through the opening of the top lid and the first through hole. A passive brake cable set has first and second passive brake cables, which respectively penetrate through the opening of the closed end and the second through hole and are respectively connected to the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. When a first elastic member is disposed at the position of the first end surface and at the position of the first passive brake cable, the second brake assembly is provided with a second elastic member and a second fixture limiter, which are connected to a distal end of the second passive brake cable. In contract, when the second elastic member is disposed at the position of the second passive brake cable and the position of the first end surface, the first brake assembly is provided with a first elastic member and a first fixture limiter, which are connected to the distal end of the first passive brake cable. 
         [0014]    The front and rear wheels may be braked through the movements of the active brake cable, the passive brake cable, the elastic member and the synchronization assembly, and the rear wheel may be firstly braked and then the front wheel is braked according to the ratio between the elastic members. Meanwhile, the overall size of the brake device can be effectively reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the brake device can be effectively saved. 
         [0015]    Further aspects, objects, and desirable features of the invention will be better understood from the detailed description and drawings that follow in which various embodiments of the disclosed invention are illustrated by way of examples. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a pictorially exploded view showing a brake device of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a pictorially assembled view showing the brake device of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a schematically cross-sectional view showing the brake device of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a schematically cross-sectional view showing the brake device of the invention at another angle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a first schematically cross-sectional operation view showing the brake device of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a first schematically cross-sectional operation view showing the brake device of the invention at another angle. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a second schematically cross-sectional operation view showing the brake device of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a second schematically cross-sectional operation view showing the brake device of the invention at another angle. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration showing the implementation of the brake system of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration showing another implementation of the brake assembly of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration showing another brake assembly of the invention at another angle. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration showing still another implementation of the brake device of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , a brake device A of the invention includes a housing  1 , a top lid  2  and a synchronization assembly  3 . Two ends of the housing  1  respectively have an open end  11  and a closed end  12 . The open end  11  is oppositely connected to the top lid  2 . The top lid  2  has at least one opening. In this embodiment, a first opening  21  and a second opening  22  are formed on the top lid  2 . The first opening  21  and the second opening  22  axially penetrate through the top lid  2 , and the closed end  12  has a third opening  121  and a fourth opening  122 , which axially penetrate through the closed end  12 . The closed end  12  further has a first adjusting portion  123  and a second adjusting portion  124 . The first adjusting portion  123  has a first internal thread hole communicating with the third opening  121 . The second adjusting portion  124  has a second internal thread hole communicating with the fourth opening  122 . Also, the housing  1  has a chamber  13  communicating with the open end  11 . 
         [0029]    The synchronization assembly  3  accommodated within the chamber  13  has a first end surface  31  and a second end surface  32 . At least one first through hole  33  and at least one second through hole  34  are formed between the first end surface  31  and the second end surface  32 . The first through hole  33  and the second through hole  34  axially penetrate through the synchronization assembly  3 , and at least one active brake cable set  4  is disposed in the first through hole  33  and the first opening  21  and the second opening  22  of the top lid  2 . The active brake cable set  4  penetrates through the first opening  21  and the second opening  22  of the top lid  2  and the first through hole  33 . The distal end position of the active brake cable set  4  penetrating through the first through hole  33  is connected to an active limiter  41 . The active limiter  41  corresponds to the position of the second end surface  32  of the synchronization assembly  3 . In addition, a passive brake cable set  5  is disposed at the positions of the second through hole  34  and the third opening  121  and the fourth opening  122  of the closed end  12 . The passive brake cable set  5  has a first passive brake cable  51  and a second passive brake cable  52 . The first passive brake cable  51  penetrates through the third opening  121  and the second through hole  34 . The distal end position of the first passive brake cable  51  penetrating through the second through hole  34  is connected to a first passive limiter  511 . A first elastic member  512  is disposed between the first passive limiter  511  and the first end surface  31  of the synchronization assembly  3 . The second passive brake cable  52  penetrates through the fourth opening  122  and the second through hole  34 . The distal end position of the second passive brake cable  52  penetrating through the second through hole  34  is connected to a second passive limiter  521 . A second elastic member  522  is disposed between the second passive limiter  521  and the first end surface  31  of the synchronization assembly  3 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , the active brake cable set  4  according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is connected to at least one brake lever  6 , and the first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52  of the passive brake cable set  5  may be connected to at least one brake assembly  7 . In this embodiment, the active brake cable set  4  includes a first active brake cable  42  and a second active brake cable  43 . The first active brake cable  42  is connected to the brake lever  6  on the left side of the bicycle, the second active brake cable  43  is connected to the brake lever  6  on the right side of the bicycle, the first passive brake cable  51  is connected to the brake assembly  7  on the front wheel of the bicycle, and the second passive brake cable  52  is connected to the brake assembly  7  on the rear wheel of the bicycle. 
         [0031]    When the left-side brake lever  6  is forced by the manipulator, the left-side brake lever  6  pulls the first active brake cable  42  to move the first active brake cable  42  in the first opening  21  and the first through hole  33 , and to make the active limiter  41  on its one end attach to the second end surface  32 , so that the synchronization assembly  3  is moved in the chamber  13 . On the contrary, when the right-side brake lever  6  is forced by the manipulator, the right-side brake lever  6  pulls the second active brake cable  43  to move the second active brake cable  43  in the second opening  22  and the first through hole  33 , and to make the active limiter  41  on its one end attach to the second end surface  32 , so that the synchronization assembly  3  is moved in the chamber  13 . Thus, when the manipulator manipulates either the left-side brake lever  6  or the right-side brake lever  6 , the synchronization assembly  3  can be moved. 
         [0032]    The movement of the synchronization assembly  3  simultaneously pulls the first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52  to concurrently operate the brake assembly  7  of the front wheel and the brake assembly  7  of the rear wheel. The synchronization assembly  3  simultaneously presses the first elastic member  512  and the second elastic member  522  on the first end surface  31 . The first passive limiter  511  and the second passive limiter  521  restrict the positions of the first elastic member  512  and the second elastic member  522  and the length of the first elastic member  512  is selected to be shorter than the length of the second elastic member  522 . So, when the first active brake cable  42  is forced to move the synchronization assembly  3 , the synchronization assembly  3  pulls the first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52  concurrently. However, the applied force makes the synchronization assembly  3  firstly press the second elastic member  522 , and the second passive brake cable  52  connected to the second elastic member  522  and the second passive limiter  521  are moved, owing to the synchronization assembly  3 , to firstly pull the brake assembly  7  of the rear wheel connected to the second passive brake cable  52 . Similarly, the first elastic member  512  may be selected to have the short length but the pounds more than those of the second elastic member  522 . The brake assembly  7  of the rear wheel can be firstly braked and then the brake assembly  7  of the front wheel can be braked according to the predetermined ratio between the first elastic member  512  and the second elastic member  522  so that the brake security can be achieved. Thus, in this embodiment, the first elastic member  512  and the second elastic member  522  have different lengths and different pounds so that the synchronization assembly  3  can transfer different action forces to the first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52 . 
         [0033]    Also, when the left-side brake lever  6  is continuously forced by the manipulator, the synchronization assembly  3  continuously presses the second elastic member  522  until the synchronization assembly  3  presses the first elastic member  512 . Thus, the first elastic member  512  and the first passive limiter  511  pull the brake assembly  7  of the front wheel connected to the first passive brake cable  51  because of the movement of the synchronization assembly  3  so that the first passive brake cable  51  brakes the brake assembly  7  of the front wheel. Thus, the brake assembly  7  of the rear wheel can be firstly braked and then the brake assembly  7  of the front wheel can be braked according to the predetermined ratio between the first elastic member  512  and the second elastic member  522  so that the brake security can be achieved. Also, adjusting elements for adjusting the tightness of each of the first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52  may be respectively disposed in the first adjusting portion  123  and the second adjusting portion  124 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , a brake system B of the invention includes a brake device A, a first brake assembly  8  and a second brake assembly  9 . The brake device A mainly has a housing  1 , the housing  1  has an open end  11 , a closed end  12  and a chamber  13 . A top lid  2  is disposed at the position of the open end  11 . The top lid  2  has a first opening  21  and a second opening  22 . The closed end  12  has a third opening  121  and a fourth opening  122 . A synchronization assembly  3  is disposed within the chamber  13 . The synchronization assembly  3  has a first end surface  31  and a second end surface  32 . At least one first through hole  33  and at least one second through hole  34  are formed between the first end surface  31  and the second end surface  32 . At least one active brake cable set  4  is disposed at the positions of the first through hole  33  and the first opening  21  and the second opening  22  of the top lid  2 . The active brake cable set  4  penetrates through the first opening  21  and the second opening  22  of the top lid  2  and the first through hole  33 . An active limiter  41  is connected to the distal end position of the active brake cable set  4  penetrating through the first through hole  33 . A passive brake cable set  5  is disposed at the positions of the second through hole  34  and the third opening  121  and the fourth opening  122  of the closed end  12 . The passive brake cable set  5  has a first passive brake cable  51  and a second passive brake cable  52 . The first passive brake cable  51  penetrates through the third opening  121  and the second through hole  34 . The distal end position of the first passive brake cable  51  penetrating through the second through hole  34  is connected to a first passive limiter  511 . The second passive brake cable  52  penetrates through the fourth opening  122  and the second through hole  34 . The distal end position of the second passive brake cable  52  penetrating through the second through hole  34  is connected to a second passive limiter  521 . 
         [0035]    The first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52  are respectively connected to the first brake assembly  8  of the front wheel and the second brake assembly  9  of the rear wheel. The first brake assembly  8  has a first elastic member  81  and a first fixture limiter  82 . The first elastic member  81  and the first fixture limiter  82  are connected to the distal end of the first passive brake cable  51 . Also, the first brake assembly  8  has a first fixed jaw  83 , a first movable jaw  84 , and a pin  85 , disposed between the first fixed jaw  83  and the first movable jaw  84 , for pivotally connecting the first fixed jaw  83  to the first movable jaw  84 . The first movable jaw  84  has a movable arm  841 , and the first passive brake cable  51  penetrates through the movable arm  841 . The first fixture limiter  82  is disposed at the distal end of the first passive brake cable  51  penetrating through the movable arm  841 . The first elastic member  81  is provided between the first fixture limiter  82  and the movable arm  841 . Also, the second brake assembly  9  has a second elastic member  91  and a second fixture limiter  92 . The second elastic member  91  and the second fixture limiter  92  are connected to the distal end of the second passive brake cable  52 . The second brake assembly  9  has a second fixed jaw  93 , a second movable jaw  94  and a pin  95 , disposed between the second fixed jaw  93  and the second movable jaw  94 , for pivotally connecting the second fixed jaw  93  and the second movable jaw  94 . The second movable jaw  94  has a movable arm  941 , and the second passive brake cable  52  penetrates through the movable arm  941 . The second fixture limiter  92  is disposed at the distal end of the second passive brake cable  52  penetrating through the movable arm  941 , and the second elastic member  91  is disposed between the second fixture limiter  92  and the movable arm  941 . 
         [0036]    The first brake assembly  8  is connected to the front wheel of the bicycle, while the second brake assembly  9  is connected to the rear wheel of the bicycle. When the first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52  are pulled by the left-side brake lever  6  or the right-side brake lever  6  (see  FIG. 5 ), the movable arms  841  and  941  are concurrently pulled so that clipping operations are generated between the first fixed jaw  83  and the second fixed jaw  93  and between the first movable jaw  84  and the second movable jaw  94 . At this time, the first elastic member  81  and the second elastic member  91  are respectively disposed at the distal end positions of the first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52  and connected to the movable arms  841  and  941  and the fixture limiters  82  and  92 , respectively. The first elastic member  81  and the second elastic member  91  may have different lengths and different pounds. Thus, the first passive brake cable  51  and the second passive brake cable  52  can firstly brake the second brake assembly  9  of the rear wheel and then the first brake assembly  8  of the front wheel according to the ratio in order to enhance the brake security, to effectively reduce the size of the brake device A and to effectively decrease the manufacturing cost of the brake device A. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a disk-type brake assembly  10  is connected to the first passive brake cable  51  and the front wheel of the bicycle, and the disk-type brake assembly  10  has a third elastic member  101  and a third fixture limiter  102 . The length and pounds of the third elastic member  101  may be selected according to the requirements. A disk-type fixed jaw  103  and a disk-type movable jaw  104  of the disk-type brake assembly  10  are pivotally connected together through a pin  105 . When the first passive brake cable  51  is pulled, a movable arm  1041  is simultaneously pulled, and the clipping operation is generated between the disk-type fixed jaw  103  and the disk-type movable jaw  104 . According to the ratio between the third elastic member  101  and the corresponding elastic member of the rear wheel, the rear wheel can be firstly braked and then the front wheel is braked so that the brake security can be enhanced. As shown in  FIG. 12 , a tensile elastic member  411  may be disposed between the active limiter  41  and the closed end  12  so that, when the left-side brake lever  6  or the right-side brake lever  6  is forced by the manipulator, the brake lever  6  on the other side can be kept in the stable state without shaking through the tensile elastic member  411 . 
         [0038]    Thus, the invention has the following advantages. First, the coefficient of security is high. Second, the structure is simple. Third, the manufacturing and assembling costs are low. Fourth, the assembled size is reduced. 
         [0039]    New characteristics and advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Changes in methods, shapes, structures or devices may be made in details without exceeding the scope of the invention by those who are skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.