Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the technical field of braking systems in vehicles. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a simple, compact, and efficient combined braking assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed present disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Existing braking mechanisms in two-wheelers use calipers, brake pads, or brake shoes on the corresponding vehicles to slow down or come to a halt. Friction between the brake pads and the wheels creates resistance against the motion of the wheels of the vehicle and prevents the wheels from moving or continuing to move.
[0004] Typically, a hydraulic actuator or a set of cable actuators are used to actuate brake pads to engage with the wheels of two-wheeler vehicles. In brakes using cable actuators, each of the friction braking surfaces is actuated by an independent cable. For instance, a first cable may actuate friction braking surfaces of a front wheel while a second cable may actuate friction braking surfaces of a second wheel.
[0005] In many situations, drivers may only be able to engage one of the many cables for braking, thereby unevenly braking the wheels of the vehicle. This poses a significant risk to the drivers as uneven braking of the wheels may cause slippages and lead to accidents. For instance, only actuating brakes on the rear wheels of a two-wheeled vehicle may cause the vehicle to drift and lose control. Existing braking systems do not actuate all wheels of the vehicle using a single cable.
[0006] Additionally, existing solutions do not allow brakes to be activated simultaneously, or one after the other with a predetermined time delay. Further, existing solutions also do not distribute load torque between each wheel of the vehicle when the cable actuators are tensioned. Distributing torque loads may be important as they enhance stability and extend the lifespans of the friction-braking surfaces.
[0007] In addition, in many situations, drivers may only be able to engage one of the many cables for braking non-returning of the brake lever back to its original position after actuation, thereby posing a significant risk to the drivers as failed brake levers can lead to accidents.
[0008] Moreover, existing solutions not provide an efficient idealistic load distribution between the front brake and the back brake. Further, the problem of the equalizer return-back mechanism, where the equalizer does not return back to its original position after actuation due substantial wearing out of brake shoes is not addressed by existing solutions.
[0009] There is, therefore, a requirement in the art to overcome the above-mentioned problems by providing a simple, compact, and efficient solution for developing an efficient combined assembly for vehicles.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0010] A general object of the present disclosure is to overcome the problems associated with existing combined braking assembly, by providing a simple, compact, and efficient solution for providing a combined assembly for two-wheelers.
[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a return-back mechanism for the brake lever to minimize the backlash.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide combined braking assembly that distributes load between rear brake and front brake at a desired ratio, and with a desired time delay.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a combined braking assembly with minimal moving child parts to reduce maintenance overheads.
[0014] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a combined braking system with structurally stronger child parts for efficient functioning and longer durability.

SUMMARY
[0015] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the technical field of braking systems in vehicles. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a simple, compact, and efficient combined braking assembly for two-wheelers.
[0016] According to an aspect, a combined braking assembly includes a brake lever and a housing. The housing is attached to the brake lever. The assembly further includes a gliding plate. The gliding plate may be configured within the housing to move between a first position to a second position along the length of the housing.
[0017] The assembly includes one or more first elastic elements may be configured within the housing to bias the gliding plate to be in the first position. The assembly may include a connector. The connector is configured to connect the gliding plate and the brake lever. The assembly further includes a movable arm pivotably connected to the gliding plate to pivot about a pivoting portion on the gliding plate. The movable arm may be enabled for pivotal movement between a resting position and a deployed position along a predefined range.
[0018] The assembly includes a first cable may be configured between the second end of the gliding plate and the first wheel. The assembly also includes a second cable may be configured between the movable arm and a second wheel. When the brake lever may be pulled, the gliding plate is moved from the first position to the second position by the connector configured between the gliding plate and the brake lever such that the first cable is tensioned, and the movable arm may be moved from the resting position to the deployed position of the pivotable range to cause the second cable to be tensioned, thereby actuating the first and the second brake assembly corresponding to the first wheel and second wheel.
[0019] In some embodiments, the assembly may include one or more guiding pipes configured to guide the gliding plate to move along the length of the one or more guiding pipes.
[0020] In some embodiments, the first cable may be configured to linearly extend from the gliding plate to the first wheel in a bend-free trajectory. Further, the second cable may be configured to linearly extend from the moveable arm and the second wheel in a bend-free trajectory.
[0021] In some embodiments, the pivoting of the moveable arm about the pivoting portion from the resting position to the deployed position of the pivotable range may cause a time delay between tensioning of the second cable with the first cable, thereby distributing torque load in a predetermined ratio between said first cable and said second cable respectively.
[0022] In some embodiments, the pivoting portion may be contoured to limit the pivotable range of the moveable arm such that the time delay between tensioning of the first cable and the second cable is within a range of about 0.15 seconds to about 0.25 seconds.
[0023] In some embodiments, the he pivoting portion may be contoured to limit the pivotable range of the moveable arm such that the ratio of loads distributed between the first cable and the second cable may be within a range of about 50:50 to about 44:56.
[0024] In some embodiments, the guiding plate may include a first extrusion such that the connector may be configured on the distal end of the first extrusion. The connector may be configured within a bellow.
[0025] In some embodiments, the guiding plate may include a second extrusion such that the pivoting portion may be configured on the distal end of the second extrusion with the moveable arm extending therefrom.
[0026] In some embodiments, the assembly may include a second elastic element configured to bias the moveable arm in the resting position.
[0027] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a proposed combined braking assembly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 2A illustrates a detailed schematic view of the combined braking assembly when a gliding plate thereof is in a first position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 2B illustrates a detailed schematic view of the combined braking assembly when the gliding plate is in a second position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0033] As used herein, “substantially” means largely or considerably, but not necessarily wholly, or sufficiently to work for the intended purpose. The term “substantially” thus allows for minor, insignificant variations from an absolute or perfect state, dimension, measurement, result, or the like as would be expected by a person of ordinary skill in the art, but that do not appreciably affect overall performance.
[0034] As used herein, “about” means approximately or nearly, and in the context of a numerical value or range set forth means ±10% of the numeric value.
[0035] Throughout the present disclosure, “attachment means” include, but not be limited to, welds, screws, nails, rivets, adhesives, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, hook and slot fasteners, interlocking elements, friction-grip releasable fasteners, fastening straps, and the like.
[0036] Embodiments explained herein relate to the technical field of braking systems in vehicles. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a simple, compact, and efficient combined braking assembly for a vehicle.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, a combined braking assembly 100 implemented in a vehicle is shown. In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may be configured for actuating brake assembly of one or more wheels of the vehicle simultaneously. In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may be connected to a brake lever 102, and may be actuated on engagement of the brake lever 102. The brake lever 102 may be engaged on rotation thereof along an opposable structure, such as handle bars of the vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the brake levers 102 may be made of materials including, but not limited to, steel, stainless steel, titanium or high-strength carbon fiber materials, and the like. In an embodiment, the vehicle may be indicative of any one of including, but not limited to, a unicycle, bicycle, tricycle, quadricycles, motorbikes, gyrocars, segways, cars, and the like. In an embodiment, the vehicle may have one or more brake assembly for associated with each of wheels, such as first and second wheels 118-1, 118-2 (collectively referred to as the wheels 118) thereof for braking.
[0038] In an embodiment, the brake assembly of each wheel may have one or more friction braking surfaces that use friction to create mechanical resistance to the motion of the wheels such that said wheels 118 are slowed down or brought to a halt. In an embodiment, the friction braking surfaces may be indicative of including, but not limited to, caliper, brake pads, brake shoes, and the like.
[0039] In an embodiment, the brake assembly may be actuated by cables, such as the first and second cables 116-1, 116-2 (collectively referred to as cables 116) corresponding to the first and second wheels 118-1, 118-2 respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the cables 116 may be made of any one or combination of including, but not limited to, stainless steel, steel, and the like. In an example, a rider/user of a motorbike may be able to actuate brakes of both the front and the rear wheels by pivoting any one of the brake levers 102, and tensioning the corresponding cable 130. While the foregoing disclosure predominantly describes the assembly 100 in the context of two-wheeled vehicles having a front wheel, such as the second wheel 118-2, and a rear wheel, such as the first wheel 118-1, it may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the assembly 100 may be suitably adapted for use and applications in any vehicle using braking mechanisms actuated by cables.
[0040] Referring to FIGs. 2A and 2B, a combined braking assembly 100 for the vehicle is disclosed. In an embodiment, the assembly 100 may include a housing 104 that accommodates a gliding plate 106, one or more first elastic elements 108, a connector 110 that connects the guiding plate 106 to the brake lever 102, a movable arm 112 rotatable/pivotable about a pivoting portion 114 on the guiding plate 106. The assembly 100 may further include a first cable 116-1 that connects the gliding plate 106 to the first wheel 118-1, and a second cable 116-2 that connects the movable arm 112, and indirectly the gliding plate 106, to the second wheel 118-2.
[0041] In some embodiments, the housing 104 may include an opening that allows the gliding plate 106 to be connected to the brake lever 102 through the connector 110. The guiding plate 106 may be moved between a first portion and a second position, as shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B respectively, along the length of the housing 106. In some embodiments, the gliding plate 106 may include a first side and a second side, the first and second sides being opposing to each other. The connector 110 may be connected to the gliding plate 106 on the first side. In some embodiments, a first extrusion 105 may extend from the first side of the gliding plate 106. In such embodiments, the connector 110 may be coupled to the gliding plate 106 via the first extrusion. In some embodiments, the connector 110 may be protected by a bellow 122 configured between the brake lever 102 and the housing 104, and around the connector 110. In some embodiments, the bellow 122 may be a flexible element made of any one or combination of including, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, elastomers, polymers, and the like. In some embodiments, the bellow 122 may prevent contaminants including, but not limited to, dust, dirt, particulate matter, oils, water, liquids, and the like, from entering into the assembly 100, thereby reducing need for regular maintenance and cleaning.
[0042] In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may include one or more guiding pipes 120. In such embodiments, the one or more guiding pipes 120 may be configured to guide the gliding plate 106 to move along the length of the one or more guiding pipes 120. In some embodiments, the guiding pipes 120 may be configured to pass through the gliding plate 106. The guiding pipes 120 may be lubricated to allow the gliding plate 106 to move smoothly along the length of the guiding pipes 120. In an embodiment, the guiding pipes 112 may be fastened to the housing 110 using any one of the attachment means. In some embodiments, the length of the guiding pipes 120 may correspond to the length of the housing 104. In some embodiments, the first elastic elements 108 may be configured over the guiding pipes 120 to bias the gliding plate 106 to be in the first position.
[0043] In some embodiments, the movable arm 112 may be pivotably connected to the gliding plate 106. In some embodiments, the movable arm 112 may be pivotable at a pivoting portion 114 on the gliding plate 106. In an embodiment, the moveable arm 112 may have a substantially rectangular contour. In other embodiments, the moveable arm 112 may have a rectilinear contour. The contours and dimensions of the moveable arm 112 may be suitably adapted based on user requirements, and manner of configuration with the gliding plate 106.
[0044] In some embodiments, the gliding plate 106 may include a second extrusion 107. The second extrusion 107 may extend from the second side of the gliding plate 106. In such embodiments, the pivoting portion 114 may be configured at a distal end of the second extrusion 107. The movable arm 112 may be configured to pivot about the pivoting portion 114 on the second side of the gliding plate 106. In some embodiments, the movable arm 112 may be configured to move between a resting position and a deployed position of a predefined range. In some embodiments, the pivoting portion 114 may have any one or combination of including, but not limited to, slots, grooves, internal contours, abutments, protrusions, and the like, that obstruct or prevent the movable arm 112 from being moved beyond the predefined range.
[0045] The pivoting of the moveable arm 112 about the pivoting portion 114 from the first side to the second side of the pivotable range can cause a time delay between tensioning of the second cable 116-2 with the first cable 116-1, thereby distributing torque load in a predetermined ratio between said first cable 116-1 and said second cable 116-2 respectively. In some embodiments, the pivoting portion 114 can be contoured to limit the pivotable range of the moveable arm 112 such that the time delay between tensioning of the first cable 116-1 and the second cable 116-2 may be within a range of about 0.15 seconds to about 0.25 seconds. In some embodiments, the pivoting portion 114 can be contoured to limit the pivotable range of the moveable arm 112 such that the ratio of loads distributed between the first cable 116-1 and the second cable 116-2 may be within a range of about 50:50 to about 44:56. In such examples, the assembly 100 may provide improved stability during braking. The time delay and the load distribution may be suitably modified by adjusting the pivotable range. The angle between the resting position and the deployed position may be increased or decreased to correspondingly increase or decrease the time delay and the load distribution between the first and the second cables 116-1, 116-2.
[0046] In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may include a second elastic element 124 that may be configured to bias the moveable arm 112 to the resting position. In an embodiment, the first elastic elements and second elastic elements can be any one or combination of including, but not limited to, coil springs, torsion springs, leaf springs, flexible elements such as rubber, and the like.
[0047] In some embodiments, the first cable 116-1 may be attached to the gliding plate 106 on the second side on one end, and to a first brake assembly associated with a first wheel 118-1 on the other. Similarly, the second cable 116-2 may be attached to the movable arm 112 on one end, and to a second brake assembly associated with the second wheel 118-2 on the other. In some embodiments, the first cable 116-1 may be configured to linearly extend from the second end of the gliding plate 106 to the first wheels 118-1 in a bend-free trajectory. In some embodiments, the second cable 116-2 can be configured to linearly extend between the moveable arm 112 and the second wheel 118-2 in a bend-free trajectory. By providing a substantially linear path/arrangement or bend-free trajectory for the cables 116, the cables 116 may be prevented from coming into contact with any portion of the housing 104, thereby preventing any contact point from engaging with, bending, and wearing out the cables 116 during normal operation of the assembly 100. Such linear arrangements may extend the lifespan of the cables 116.
[0048] In some embodiments, the gliding plate 106 may be configured within the housing 104 to move between the first position to the second position along the length of the housing 104. The gliding plate 106 may be moved by engaging or disengaging the brake lever 102. The mechanical force required to engage the brake lever 102 may be communicated through connector 110. In some embodiments, the gliding plate 106 may be in the first position when the brake lever 102 is disengaged, and the gliding plate 106 may be brought to the second position when the brake lever 102 is engaged.
[0049] In some embodiments, the first elastic elements 108 may be configured within the housing 104 from the first side of the gliding plate 106 to bias the gliding plate 106 to be in the first position. The elastic resilience of the first elastic elements 108 may be suitably selected to allow the brake lever 012 to return to its original position when the user releases the brake lever 102 for disengagement thereof. In some embodiments, the first elastic element 108 may also absorb backlashed from the cables 116, and prevent the backlash from being transmitted to the brake lever 102. In some embodiments, the first elastic element 108 may provide the user with identical feel during engagement thereof during the entire lifespan of the assembly. In an example, the cables 116 may wear out, thin and length during use, and the friction braking surface may also wear out and thin over time, which may generate a slack in the cables 116. The slack may reduce the force required to engage the brake lever 102, and subsequently actuate the brake assemblies with the desired force. The first elastic elements 108 of the present disclosure may allow the user to have the same feel while engaging and disengaging the brake lever 102 even when the cables 116 wear out and thin during aging, or the friction braking surface. In such examples, since the elastic resilience of the first elastic elements 108 remains constant throughout the lifespan of the assembly 100, the force required to engage the brake lever 102, and actuate the brake assemblies, remains constant, thereby providing a consistent feel to the users.
[0050] In some embodiments, the brake lever 102 may be pulled to initiate the braking operation such that the gliding plate 106 through the connector 110 moves from the first position to the second position such that the first cable 116-1 is tensioned. The brake lever 102 may cause the gliding plate 106, via the connector 110, to slide towards the first position. In such embodiments, the gliding plate 106 may tension the first cable 116-1 to actuate the first brake assembly of the first wheel 118-1. Further, in such embodiments, the moveable arm 112 may pivot freely until about the pivoting portion 114 until said moveable arm 112 engages with contours of the pivoting portion 114 whereafter said moveable arm 112 tensions the second cable 116-2 to actuate the second brake assembly of the second wheel 118-2. In such embodiments, the movable arm 112 may be moved from the resting position to the deployed position end of the pivotable range, as shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B respectively, to cause the second cable 116-2 to be tensioned. As a result, the brake assemblies of the wheels 118 can be actuated to bring the vehicle to a halt by impeding the motion of the wheels 118. In some embodiments, the time delay between the actuation of the first and the second wheels 118-1, 118-2 may prevent the vehicle from slipping, and/or tipping over.
[0051] The combined braking assembly of the present disclosure may allow brake assemblies of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle simultaneously, through engagement a single brake lever. The assembly may also provide desired time delays and load distributions to prevent the vehicle from slipping and/or tipping over. Furthermore, the substantially linear arrangement of cables may prevent the cables from coming into contact with any portion of the housing of the assembly, thereby preventing the cables from rubbing and wearing out from such contacts. The lifespan of the assembly, hence, may be increased to such arrangements. First elastic elements may also be configured to provide users with consistent feel and responsiveness from the brake lever throughout the lifespan of the assembly. Further, the overheads for maintaining the assembly may be significantly reduced by having minimal child moving parts.
[0052] Therefore, the present disclosure solves the problems with the prior art.
[0053] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0054] The present disclosure provides a simple, compact, and efficient solution for providing a front brake and rear brake combined system for two-wheelers.
[0055] The present disclosure provides a return-back mechanism for the brake lever to minimize the backlash.
[0056] The present disclosure provides a combined braking assembly that distributes load between rear brake and front brake at a desired ratio, and with a desired time delay.
[0057] The present disclosure provides a combined braking assembly with minimal moving child parts to reduce maintenance overheads of vehicle.
, Claims:1. A combined braking assembly for a vehicle, the assembly (100) comprising:
a brake lever (102);
a housing (104) attached to the brake lever (102);
a gliding plate (106) configured within the housing (104) to move between a first position to a second position along the length of the housing (104);
a connector (110) that connects the gliding plate (106) with the brake lever (102);
a movable arm (112) pivotably connected to the gliding plate (106) to pivot about a pivoting portion (114) on the gliding plate (106), the movable arm (112) being pivotable between a resting position and a deployed position along a predefined pivotable range;
a first cable (116-1) configured to connect the gliding plate (106) to a first brake assembly associated with a first wheel (118-1); and
a second cable (116-2) configured to connect the movable arm (112) to a second brake assembly associated with a second wheel (118-2), wherein when the brake lever (102) is pulled, the gliding plate (106) is moved from the first position to the second position by the connector (110) configured between the gliding plate (106) and the brake lever (102) such that the first cable (116-1) is tensioned, and the movable arm (112) is moved from the resting position to the deployed position of the pivotable range to cause the second cable (116-2) to be tensioned, thereby actuating the first and the second brake assembly corresponding to the first wheel (118-1) and second wheel (118-2).
2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more guiding pipes (120) configured to guide the gliding plate (106) to move along the length of the one or more guiding pipes (120).
3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more first elastic elements (108) configured within the housing (104) to bias the gliding plate (106) to be in the first position.
4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cable (116-1) is configured to linearly extend from the gliding plate (106) to the first wheels (118-1) in a bend-free trajectory, wherein the second cable (116-2) is configured to linearly extend from the moveable arm (112) to the second wheel (118-2) in a bend-free trajectory.
5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivoting of the moveable arm (112) about the pivoting portion (114) between the resting position and the deployed position of the pivotable range causes a time delay between tensioning of the first cable (116-1) and the second cable (116-2), and distribute torque load in a predetermined ratio between said first cable (116-1) and said second cable (116-2) respectively.
6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pivoting portion (114) is contoured to limit the pivotable range of the moveable arm (112) such that the time delay between tensioning of the first cable (116-1) and the second cable (116-2) is within a range of about 0.15 seconds to about 0.25 seconds.
7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pivoting portion (114) is contoured to limit the pivotable range of the moveable arm (112) such that the ratio of loads distributed between the first cable (116-1) and the second cable (116-2) is within a range of about 50:50 to about 44:56.
8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gliding plate (106) comprises a first extrusion (105) extending from the gliding plate (106), wherein the connector (110) is configured on a distal end of the first extrusion (105), and wherein the connector (110) is configured within a bellow (122).
9. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding plate (106) comprises a second extrusion (107) extending from the gliding plate (106), and wherein the pivoting portion (114) is configured on a distal end of the second extrusion (107) with the moveable arm (112) extending therefrom.
10. The assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1, comprising a second elastic element (124) configured to bias the moveable arm (112) to the resting position.