Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] A vehicle, generally a two wheeled vehicle or a three wheeled vehicle is equipped with drum brakes. Drum brakes are a brake system with brake drums (rotor) which rotate with the wheels. Inside each drum are brake shoes coated with brake linings (friction material). With this system, friction is generated by pressing the brake shoes against the inside surfaces of the drums. This friction converts kinetic energy into thermal energy. Drum rotation helps to press the shoes and the lining against the drum with more force, offering superior braking force in comparison with disc brakes. On the other hand, it is very important to design the components so that the heat from the thermal energy is dissipated efficiently into the atmosphere.
[0003] With time, the Drum brakes fade, the liner coating wears off, if they are repeatedly applied in a short time as they get heated, and until they cool, they lose their efficiency. The changing of the Brake shoes is the most common service required for drum brakes. As the shoe wears, the brake pedal travel increases due to an increased shoe-drum clearance. The increased shoe drum clearance is adjusted regularly by tightening an adjuster nut that takes up the increased slack and reduces the shoe-drum clearance which has to be done on a regular basis. The failure to adjust the nut can lead to excessive pedal or lever travel and in turn, result in poor brake force application or none at all, under extreme shoe wear. This can be fatal as well.
[0004] Current vehicles have conventional brakes systems subjected to wear on frictional materials during braking, resulting in increase in ineffective stroke of control actuator/s. Over the period of continuous usage under similar conditions, it leads to poor ergonomics, difficulties in usage of control actuator, poor performance, and major concern in road safety. It may also end up with brake failures. Hence it needs proper adjustment at least once in a while. These adjustments are being carried by at service centres during due service or sometimes based on rate of increase in wear, or sometimes based on sensitive requirements for customers. However, these problems are rectified by service action, the customers undergo all these issues gradually increased and hence they struggle and suffer very severely for adequate durations until taking corrective actions. Moreover, these issues have repeated recurrence due to inherence wearing out of frictional contact working surfaces. Further, these problems are more aggravated due to permanent set, or plastic deformation of any parts involved in brake transmission parts, and brake systems. For example, brake control cable elongation, or outer cable (sheath) compression, or brake rod / transmission link bending, or any brake system parts deformation or permanent set over the period of service usage. The same phenomenon is applicable to hand operated, or foot operated, or brake control cable transmission or link type control or any combination of the above.
[0005] Further, the similar problems occur in case of frictional clutches whichever are used in engine or prime mover and transmission interface.
[0006] Known arts in this area suggests brake wear compensators that compensates by reducing excessive clearance generated by Brake shoe wear, is independent of the amount of brake force applied and can be mounted directly onto the brake cam. For removal of the excessive clearance, mechanically indexes and retains pre-set orientation relative to the Brake panel. Also, uses stored potential energy to index, independent elements for structural load transfer and memorizing location, and discrete indexing to remove excessive clearance generated by Brake shoe wear.
[0007] Other known arts in this field suggests an automatic mechanical wear adjuster for drum brake system where transmission clutch controlling systems are applied.
[0008] Following are the drawbacks of the known arts such as more electric power consumption is required to operate the controlling of the large number of mechatronic parts as well as electronically controlled system, complication in assembly, large size of the parts resulting in increased weight, more initial cost, maintenance and serviceability issues and prone to electronic-failures. The above said prior arts are neither cost-effective, nor compact nor lighter weight for the lighter vehicles like 2 and 3-wheeled vehicles.
[0009] The above disadvantages have been overcome with the current invention.
[00010] The present invention is an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle that works by decreasing the extra clearance which is formed between the brake shoes and the drum brakes. For reducing the extra clearance, the system and the associated method has been designed in such a way that during forward actuation, elastic member such as spring can be used to expand the forward actuating members which results in reducing the gap between brake shoes and drum. On the other hand, during return actuation, other elastic member can come into picture and helps to pull the forward and return actuating members to their original position thus causing increase in the gap between brake shoes and drum.
SUMMARY
[00011] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[00012] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides an automatic adjuster assembly (100) for a brake device of a vehicle which comprises a brake drum inside which a pair of brake shoes are present. The pair of brake shoes are being coated with outer liner. The Automatic adjuster assembly also has a brake cam lever, a brake cam, a forward actuating member which has a proximate clutch and a first mating portion, return actuating member which has a drive clutch and a second mating portion, elastic members such as first spring member and a second spring member being disposed against the forward actuating member and the second actuating member, and a face cam to transfer rotary actuating force from brake cam to the pair of brake shoes for achieving abutting of the pair of brake shoes with the brake drum.
[00013] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure also discloses a method for forward actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle wherein said method comprises of the steps of actuating rotational movement of a brake cam (110) in an anti-clockwise direction; pulling a proximate clutch (111) of a front actuation member towards a face cam (117) with the help of a first spring (115); and filling the gap between the proximate clutch (111) and the face cam (117) resulting in compensating extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum. The face cam and the brake shoes being connected through known mechanisms.
[00014] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure also discloses a method for return actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle wherein said method comprises of the steps of rotating a brake cam (110) in a clockwise direction; pulling a second mating portion (114) of the return actuation member away from a drive clutch (113) with the help of compression of second spring (116); and compressing the first spring (115) to bring back the forward actuating member to its original place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00015] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein
[00016] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front view of an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle;
[00017] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a section view of cam lever and brake panel around cam shaft of an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle;
[00018] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates controlling operation of an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle;
[00019] Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates a method for forward actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle;
[00020] Fig. 5 exemplarily illustrates method for return actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle;
[00021] Fig. 6 exemplarily illustrates rotation of a brake cam (110) in an anti clockwise direction;
[00022] Fig. 7 exemplarily illustrates pulling a proximate clutch (111) of a front actuation member towards a face cam (117) with the help of a first spring (115);
[00023] Fig. 8 exemplarily illustrates filling the gap between the proximate clutch (111) and the face cam (117) resulting in compensating extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum;
[00024] Fig. 9 exemplarily illustrates rotation of a brake cam (110) in a clockwise direction;
[00025] Fig. 10 exemplarily illustrates pulling a second mating portion (114) of the return actuation member away from a drive clutch (113) with the help of compression of second spring (116);
[00026] Fig. 11 exemplarily illustrates compressing the first spring (115) to bring back the forward actuating member to its original place;
[00027] Fig. 12 exemplarily illustrates leaving the gap between the proximate clutch (111) and the face cam (117) resulting in having extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00028] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.
[00029] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[00030] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[00031] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00032] The present invention is illustrated with an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle and explained in reference to brake device. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention is not limited to a brake device and certain features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be used with various types of vehicles. In an embodiment, the drum brake device comprises of a pair of brake shoes located inside drum wheel. The pair of brake shoes are coated with an outer liner. In another embodiment, the automatic adjuster assembly comprises of a forward actuating member and a return actuating member capable of operating during forward actuation and return actuation.
[00033] It is an object of the present subject matter to provide an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle and a method for controlling the operation of the automatic adjuster assembly during forward actuation and return actuation.
[00034] To this end, the automatic adjuster assembly is configured to operate during forward actuation by compensating the extra clearance between the pair of brake shoes and drum wheel. To achieve this, forward actuating members are being designed and incorporated inside the automatic adjuster assembly.
[00035] In addition, the present subject matter controls the operation of automatic adjuster assembly during return actuation as well. To achieve this, return actuating members are being designed and incorporated inside the automatic adjuster assembly.
[00036] It is an object of the present subject matter to compensate the extra clearance between the pair of brake shoes and drum wheel during braking in order to avoid free play.
[00037] With time, the Drum brakes fade if they are repeatedly applied in a short time as they get heated, and until they cool, they lose their efficiency. The outer lining of the brake shoes gets deteriorated with time, due to which the gap between the brake shoes and drum wheel gets increased and user might feel free play which results in accidents and can be fatal too. Thus, the changing of the Brake shoes is the most common service required for drum brakes. As the shoe wears, the brake pedal travel increases due to an increased shoe-drum clearance.
[00038] In order to compensate the extra clearance caused between the brake shoes and the drum wheel, the present subject matter provides an automatic adjuster assembly which comprises a forward actuating member, return actuating member, elastic members such as spring and a face cam wherein during braking, the operation of forward actuating member begins by rotating the brake cam in an anti-clockwise direction followed by pulling the proximate clutch of the front actuating member towards the face cam with the help of an elastic member such as first spring in this case. This results in filling the gap between the proximate clutch and the face cam which results in compensating the extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum. After braking, the operation of return actuating member begins by rotating a brake cam (110) in a clockwise direction followed by pulling a second mating portion (114) of the return actuation member away from a drive clutch (113) with the help of compression of second spring (116) followed by compressing the first spring (115) to bring back the forward actuating member to its original place results in leaving the gap between the proximate clutch (111) and the face cam (117) resulting in having extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum.
[00039] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front view of an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle. The vehicle can be either be two wheeled vehicle or three wheeled vehicles. Fig. 1 exemplarily shows the components of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for a brake device of a vehicle. Drum brakes consists of a pair of brake shoes (not shown), outer lining around the pair of brake shoes (not shown), drum wheel (not shown). Automatic adjuster assembly (100) for a brake device of a vehicle as shown in Fig. 1 shows the components such as a brake cam (110) which may be a rod like structure accommodating the other components of automatic adjuster assembly around it. Fig. 1 also shows the forward actuating member which further comprises a proximate clutch (111) and a first mating portion (112). Automatic adjuster assembly as shown in Fig. 1 also shows the return actuating member which has a drive clutch (113) and second mating portion (114). Elastic members such as spring is also shown which has been refereed as a first spring (115) which is bigger as compared to other spring which is referred as second spring member (116). Both the springs are required for operating the forward actuation and return actuation of the brake system.
[00040] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a section view of an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle. A brake cam lever (109) and a face cam (117) has been shown as per Fig. 2. The face cam being disposed to the left of proximate clutch if seeing from the side of drive clutch. The face cam plays an important role in forward actuation and return actuation while operating the brake system. Face cam has been designed in such a way that it becomes a ramp for the movement of the proximate clutch while rotating around the brake cam.
[00041] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates controlling operation of an automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle. Comparing Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 clearly shows the slight change in the position of proximate clutch as the forward actuation has begun. The complete method of operation has been explained in the flow chart which is in Fig. 4
[00042] Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart showing a method for forward actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle. The method has 3 steps as shown in Fig. 4 where first step is the rotation of a brake cam in an anticlockwise direction as mentioned in Fig. 4 as Step 401. During forward actuation, the brake cam and the actuating members rotates in an anticlockwise direction. Second step mentioned as Step 402 shows the pulling a proximate clutch (111) of a front actuation member towards a face cam (117) with the help of a first spring (115). During forward actuation, pulling of the proximate clutch towards the face cam occurs due to compression of a first spring which is bigger in size. The first spring tends to pull the forward actuating member towards the face cam in order to fill the gap between the face cam and the proximate clutch of the forward actuating member. Third step mentioned as Step 403 shows the filling of the gap between the proximate clutch (111) and the face cam (117) resulting in compensating extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum. This explains the method for forward actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle.
[00043] Fig. 5 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart showing a method for return actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle. The method herein describes the three steps mentioned as Step 501, Step 502, and Step 503. Step 501 is the first step showing the rotation of a brake cam (110) in a clockwise direction. During return actuation, immediately after braking, the brake cam and the actuating members rotates in a clockwise direction. Second step as mentioned in Step 502 shows the pulling a second mating portion (114) of the return actuation member away from a drive clutch (113) with the help of compression of second spring (116). In this step, the second spring which is smaller in size as compared to first spring comes into picture to pull the second mating portion. The second spring is located between the first and second mating portions of the forward actuating member and return actuating member respectively. Third step as shown in Step 503 shows the compression of the first spring (115) to bring back the forward actuating member to its original place. During return actuation, both the first spring and second spring member works in order to operate the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle.
[00044] Fig. 6 exemplarily illustrates rotation of a brake cam (110) in an anti-clockwise direction. During forward actuation, the brake cam and the actuating members rotates in an anticlockwise direction.
[00045] Fig. 7 exemplarily illustrates pulling a proximate clutch (111) of a front actuation member towards a face cam (117) with the help of a first spring (115).
[00046] Fig. 8 exemplarily illustrates filling the gap between the proximate clutch (111) and the face cam (117) resulting in compensating extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum.
[00047] Fig. 9 exemplarily illustrates rotation of a brake cam (110) in a clockwise direction. During return actuation, immediately after braking, the brake cam and the actuating members rotates in a clockwise direction.
[00048] Fig. 10 exemplarily illustrates pulling a second mating portion (114) of the return actuation member away from a drive clutch (113) with the help of compression of second spring (116).
[00049] Fig. 11 exemplarily illustrates compressing the first spring (115) to bring back the forward actuating member to its original place.
[00050] Fig. 12 exemplarily illustrates leaving the gap between the proximate clutch (111) and the face cam (117) resulting in having extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum.
[00051] In an embodiment, the forward actuating member may have a proximate clutch and a first mating portion, where the teeth like structure have been carved out in the first mating portion and in the proximate clutch such that during mating, these teeth like structure embed into each other. It can be said that the first mating portion and the proximate clutch has been shaped in a serrated manner.
[00052] In other embodiment, the return actuating member may have a drive clutch and a second mating portion, where the teeth like structure have been carved out in the second mating portion and in the drive clutch such that during mating, these teeth like structure embed into each other. It can be said that the second mating portion and the drive clutch has been shaped in a serrated manner.
[00053] In one embodiment, the forward actuating member has been secured angularly and axially concentric to the brake cam.
[00054] In one embodiment, the return actuating member being secured angularly and concentric to the brake cam.
[00055] In other embodiment, the proximate clutch (111) of the forward actuating member having two faces where first face of two faces of the proximate clutch (111) mates with the first mating portion (112) of the forward actuating member.
[00056] In another embodiment, the proximate clutch (111) of the forward actuating member having two faces where second face of the proximate clutch (111) of the forward actuating member has a curved structure being configured to meet the face cam (117).
[00057] In one embodiment, the face cam (117) being disposed to left side of the proximate clutch (111) when seeing from side of the drive clutch (113).
[00058] In one embodiment, during forward actuation, the proximate clutch (111) of the forward actuation member and the brake cam (110) rotates in anti-clockwise direction adjusts around the face cam (117).
[00059] In other embodiment, during return actuation, the proximate clutch (111) of the front actuation member and the brake cam (110) rotates in clockwise direction adjusts around the face cam (117).
[00060] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate the components, method, structure and its arrangement that have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed subject matter, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.
[00061] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
[00062] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1. 100- An automatic adjuster assembly for a brake device of a vehicle
2. 109- A brake cam lever
3. 110- A brake cam
4. 111- A proximate clutch
5. 112- First mating portion of the forward actuating member
6. 113- A Drive Clutch
7. 114- Second mating portion of the Return Actuating Member
8. 115- A first spring member
9. 116- A second spring member
10. 117- A face cam

, Claims:We Claim:

1. An automatic adjuster assembly (100) for a brake device of a vehicle comprises:
a brake drum;
a pair of brake shoes, the pair of brake shoes being coated with outer liner;
a brake cam lever (109);
a brake cam (110);
wherein,
a forward actuating member;
a return actuating member;
a first spring member (115), the first spring member being pre compressed elastic member being disposed against the forward actuating member and the return actuating member;
a second spring member (116), the second spring being elastic member being disposed around the forward actuating member and the return actuating member; and
a face cam (117), the face cam (117) to transfer rotary actuating force from brake cam to the pair of brake shoes for achieving abutting of the pair of brake shoes with the brake drum.

2. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward actuating member comprises a proximate clutch (111) and a first mating portion (112).
3. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the return actuating member comprises a drive clutch (113) and a second mating portion (114).
4. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mating portion (112) of the forward actuating member and the second mating portion (114) of the return actuating member being serrated.
5. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward actuating member being secured angularly and axially concentric to the brake cam (110).
6. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein return actuating member being secured angularly and concentric to the brake cam (110).
7. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximate clutch (111) of the forward actuating member having two faces.
8. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first face of two faces of the proximate clutch (111) mates with the first mating portion (112) of the forward actuating member.
9. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second face of the proximate clutch (111) of the forward actuating member has a curved structure being configured to meet the face cam (117).
10. The automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the face cam (117) being disposed to left side of the proximate clutch (111) when seeing from side of the drive clutch (113).
11. A method for forward actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle comprises;
actuating rotary motion of a brake cam (110) in an anti-clockwise direction;
actuating linear motion of a proximate clutch (111) of a front actuation member towards a face cam (117) with the help of a first spring (115); and
compensating for clearance between the proximate clutch (111) and the face cam (117) resulting in compensating extra clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum.
12. The method for forward actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 11 wherein the proximate clutch (111) of the forward actuation member and the brake cam (110) rotating anti clockwise direction adjusts around the face cam (117).
13. A method for return actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle comprises;
actuating rotary motion of a brake cam (110) in a clockwise direction;
pulling a second mating portion (114) of the return actuation member away from a drive clutch (113) with the help of compression of second spring (116); and
compressing the first spring (115) to bring back the forward actuating member to its original place.
14. The method for return actuation of the automatic adjuster assembly (100) for the brake device of the motor vehicle as claimed in claim 13 wherein the proximate clutch (111) of the front actuation member and the brake cam (110) rotating clockwise direction adjusts around the face cam (117).