I herewith present you the patent that will revolutionise the global way of driving, especially with regard to braking, which will definitely save the lives of many people.
Description
These findings describe a device for vehicle control, with particular regard to the control of the acceleration system and the brakes.
As is well known, the controls of a motorcycle are arranged in such a way that it is impossible for drivers to take their hands off the handlebar while driving.
The handlebar includes a twist control on the right hand side that is linked to the injection system via a flexible cable and with which one controls the addition of the petrol used (throttle).
Furthermore, the handlebar includes a lever on the right that operates the front brakes, and a left-hand lever that operates the clutch.
In addition to this, there is a series of buttons: for the horn, the warning lights, the light switch, and the starter button to turn on the engine.
Traditional motorbikes also have some controls integrated into the pedals which include a lever for the back brake, usually on the left, and a foot lever for changing gears.
For motorcycles with automatic gearshift or variators, and almost all motor scooters, the left hand lever on the handlebar for the clutch is not necessary and could be replaced by a lever to operate the back brake.
All motorcycles, scooters, quads etc. nevertheless are equipped with two separate controls that differ in their main function for the driver: a twist control on the handlebar to accelerate and a main brake lever.
This implies that in order to brake, the drivers must first turn the handlebar device for the gas to switch it off, and then operate the brake lever with the same hand.
This fact requires in a certain skill and, especially in an emergency, a somewhat delayed reaction when the gas handle is set to off and the brake lever is used.
This delayed action and use of the brake lever is caused by the time that is necessary to take the hand off the rotating gas switch on the handlebar and to move it to the brake lever.
Some motorcyclists actually keep one or two fingers on the brake lever while driving normally, just to be ready to brake immediately in an emergency. This, however, is a very uncomfortable and tiring position for the hand and arm, if not actually an impossible endeavour if the lever and gas device are not sufficiently well positioned.
The main objective of this undertaking was to realise a new type of main brake control that solves the problems described above.
Within the framework of this task, one aim is to realise a brake device that may also be useful for various types of vehicle controls and in fact for any type of vehicle.
A second aim is the realisation of a control device for brakes that may be useful also for non-motorised vehicles.
Another aim is to realise a device that, due to its technical specifications, can offer the highest possible level of reliability and safety.
Furthermore, one aim is to develop a device that may be produced by using elements and materials easily available on the market; and one that is, economically speaking, competitive.
These and other aims which will be described in more detail in the following, are reached by a control device for vehicles, particularly for the control of the acceleration and braking system. It is equipped with a twist control that operates a device on the handlebar or steering wheel and is connected to an additional part that houses one end of a cable linked to the braking system of the vehicle in such a way that twisting the handle forward will have an effect on the vehicle's brakes.
The same part also is used for the acceleration system of the vehicle.
Other characteristics and advantages of this product will become more obvious in the course of an analysis of the description in the form of one possible device realisation. It is indeed only one of several possible realisations that is illustrated to some extent in the attached sketches, of which:
- illustration 1 is a side view, in cross-section, of the device as described in this document;
- illustration 2 provides a similar view to the first one but shows the device during the braking process;
- illustration 3 provides a similar view to the first ones but shows the device during the acceleration process;
- illustration 4 is a front view of the steering wheel of an automobile equipped with a control device as described in this document;
- illustration 5 is a schematic view of a handlebar equipped with a control device as described in this document.
With reference to the numbers found in the above-mentioned illustrations, the control device as described above is always labelled with the number 1, includes a twist control labelled 2, is connected to an additional part 3, houses one end of a cable linked to the acceleration system 4 and is linked to the engine injection system, labelled in the illustrations with the number 5.
The twist control no. 2 in this documentation is connected to another additional part 6 which houses the end of a cable linked to the brake 7, the hydraulic pump 8 or to any other braking system the vehicle is equipped with.
The function of the control device 1 for the purpose of this documentation is as follows.
Moving the twist control 2 in the traditional manner, which is to say turning it clockwise as shown in illustration 3, activates a controlled traction of the acceleration cable 4 which makes the vehicle accelerate. To slow down, the handle must be turned in the opposite direction, "cutting the gas", as Italian motorists often say.
With the device described in this documentation, continuing the turn, or twist of the handle and turning beyond the dead point that corresponds to the "off" position of the twist control will commence a controlled traction of the brake control cable 7.
It is thus possible to control the brake very precisely, and the reaction time is much shorter and almost completely eliminated.
Another advantage of the control device as described here is that braking is practically done intuitively as soon as one closes the gas and, more importantly, demands only one action for cutting the gas and braking the vehicle, in contrast to the traditional systems in which the gas control and the brake are activated by completely separate devices which are furthermore very different in the actions they demand from the driver.
The control device as described here can be attached to the handlebar 9 of a motorcycle, scooter, tricycle and quads etc, or to the steering wheel 10 of a car.
The control device as described here can also be used to advantage on the braking system of a bicycle.
Practical tests showed that the device that was developed is suitable to fulfil the tasks and satisfy the objectives stated at the beginning.
Thus, a new type of brake control has been realised that can be handled intuitively and quickly, reducing the reaction time considerably in comparison to traditional lever or pedal controls.
Obviously the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be adapted to all kinds of needs.
Finally, the dream comes true: driving with only one hand.
Claims
- Control device for vehicles, particularly for control of the brake system, featuring a twist control linked to a control panel such as the handlebar or the steering wheel, and equipped with an additional part that houses the end of a cable connected to the brake system of the vehicle. The link is such that turning the twist control forward activates the vehicle's brake system.
- Control device according to the specifications at no. 1, with the added feature of the same twist control being used for the acceleration system of the vehicle.
- Control device according to the specifications at no. 1, featuring a first added part that houses the end of a cable linked to the vehicle's petrol injection system, and a second part housing the end of a cable linked to the brakes at the hydraulic pump, or at any other brake system of the vehicle.
- Control device according to the specifications at no. 1, that can be attached to the steering wheel of a car.
- Control device according to the specifications at no. 1, that can be attached to the handlebar of a bicycle or another non-motorised vehicle.
