Description:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“ELECTRICALLY EQUIPPED REAR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE”

VE Commercial Vehicle Ltd.
of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd, 102, Industrial Area
No. 1 Pithampur-454775, Dist. Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of Invention
[001] The invention relates to parking brakes. It more particularly relates to rear wheel parking brakes provided in commercial vehicles that can be electrically actuated.
Background of the Invention
[002] The conventional pneumatic rear wheel parking brake actuation system as provided in commercial vehicles is completely manually operated. The limitation of such conventional system is that it does not engage automatically when the system air pressure decreases for any reason. Furthermore, if driver forgets to engage the parking brake and turns off the vehicle such a conventional pneumatic braking system does not automatically engage and become operational by itself. This adds to the safety risk of vehicle rolling off by itself if it is parked over a slope, with very little chance of the vehicle operator regaining control over the vehicle after the rolling off has started.
[003] Known systems that try to resolve this problem employ electronic components that substantially add to the cost of the overall system. Given that we have a price sensitive market the implementation of the known system gets ruled out due to economic reasons. Additionally, even if someone opts for such systems, maintenance and serviceability issues are experienced as there are very few places where electronic components can be services in addition to the mechanical components of the system. Therefore, there is need for an electrically equipped parking brake system for commercial vehicles, that is cost effective to implement and maintain.
[004] It is another objective of the present invention to provide an electrically equipped parking brake system for commercial vehicles which enhances vehicle safety by resolving the problem of vehicle roll off.
[005] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an electrically equipped parking brake system for commercial vehicles which is capable of getting applied automatically when system air pressure in the pneumatic system decreases below a threshold level.
[006] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an electrically equipped parking brake system for commercial vehicles which can get applied automatically in case the driver leaves the vehicle without applying the parking brake.
Summary of the Invention
[007] An embodiment of the invention achieving the stated objective, that is the Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle, comprises of a brake pedal, a non-return valve, a solenoid valve, an air processing unit, a pneumatic relay valve, a spring brake actuator, an electrical switch, and an LV battery. In the Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle, the brake pedal is linked with the non-return valve through a pneumatic line. The non-return valve is linked with the solenoid valve through a pneumatic line. The solenoid valve is linked with the pneumatic relay valve through a pneumatic line. The brake pedal is linked to the air processing unit though a pneumatic line. The air processing unit is in turn connected to the pneumatic relay valve through another pneumatic line. The pneumatic relay valve is in turn linked with the spring brake actuator through another pneumatic line. The pneumatic relay valve is linked to the spring brake actuator though a pneumatic line. The LV battery is linked to the electrical switch via an electrical harness.
Brief Description of Drawings
[008] The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings that contain references numerals for indicating its various parts. The description of the present invention would therefore be better understood with reference to accompanying diagrams, wherein
[009] Figure 1 discloses the block diagram of the system as per the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0010] Referring to the figure 1, Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle (100), comprises of, a brake pedal (1), a non-return valve (2), a solenoid valve (3), an air processing unit (4), a pneumatic relay valve (5), a spring brake actuator (6), an electrical switch (7), and an LV battery (8).
[0011] The brake pedal (1) is linked with the non-return valve (2) through a pneumatic line. The non-return valve (2) is linked with the solenoid valve (3) through a pneumatic line. The solenoid valve (3) is linked with the pneumatic relay valve (5) through a pneumatic line. The solenoid valve (3) is of the normally closed type. The brake pedal (1) is linked to the air processing unit (4) though a pneumatic line. The air processing unit (4) is in turn connected to the pneumatic relay valve (5) through another pneumatic line.
[0012] The pneumatic relay valve (5) is in turn linked with the spring brake actuator (6) through another pneumatic line. The pneumatic relay valve (5) is linked to the spring brake actuator (5) though a pneumatic line. The LV battery (8) is linked to the electrical switch (7) via an electrical harness. The air processing unit (4) is connected to a source of pressurised air. The electrical switch is in turn connected to the solenoid valve (3) via another electrical harness.
[0013] When the vehicle operator wants to engage the electrically equipped rear parking brake system for commercial vehicle (100), the vehicle operator must turn of the vehicle’s power switch (ignition switch) to cause deactivation of the solenoid valve (3). As the solenoid valve (3) is a normally closed valve type, its deactivation opens said solenoid valve (3) thereby enabling the pressurised air to be released from its exhaust port. The delivery port of the pneumatic valve (linked to the solenoid valve (3))is closed during this release, allowing the pressurized air in the pneumatic relay valve (5) to be released from the pneumatic relay valve’s (5) exhaust port. The release of pressurized air automatically applies the parking brake of the commercial vehicle.
[0014] For disengaging the electrically equipped rear parking brake system for commercial vehicle (100), the vehicle operator must first turn on the vehicle (the ignition switch). The vehicle operator must then press the brake pedal (1), thereby allowing the pressurized air to flow to the non-return valve (2) and then to the solenoid valve (3). While the brake pedal (1) is still pressed, the vehicle operator must then activate the solenoid valve (3) by pressing the electrical switch (7). The signal so received by the solenoid valve (3) would then cause the solenoid valve (3) (normally closed type) to open and let the pressurized air flow to past it and then to the delivery port of the pneumatic relay valve (5). This would cause the inlet valves of the pneumatic relay valve (5) to be opened and pressurised air would then flow from the air processing unit (4) to the spring brake actuator (6) thereby disengaging the parking brake. When the electrically equipped rear parking brake system for commercial vehicle (100) is disengaged the vehicle operator can then cease the application of force on the brake pedal (1).
[0015] Novel and inventive features of the invention: -
1. The parking brake can only be released when the service brake is applied, ensuring that the driver has full control over disengaging it.
2. The park brake system will automatically engage when the system pressure decreases.
3. If the driver forgets to engage the parking brake and turns off the vehicle, the parking brake will be automatically applied.
[0016] Technical advantages offered by the invention i.e., Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle (100) are-
- It is cost effective to implement and maintain.
- It enhances vehicle safety by resolving the problem of vehicle roll off.
- It is capable of getting applied automatically when system air pressure in the pneumatic system decreases below a threshold level.
- It can get applied automatically in case the driver leaves the vehicle without applying the parking brake.
[0017] The disclosed invention i.e. the Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle (100) achieves all the set-out objectives.
[0018] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the present invention has been herein described in terms of its preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, can be practiced with modifications within the scope of the invention herein described.
, Claims:We Claim,
1. An Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle (100) comprising,
• a brake pedal (1),
• a non-return valve (2),
• a solenoid valve (3),
• an air processing unit (4),
• a pneumatic relay valve (5),
• a spring brake actuator (6),
• an electrical switch (7),
• an LV battery (8)
wherein,
- the brake pedal (1) is linked with the non-return valve (2) through a pneumatic line;
- the non-return valve (2) is linked with the solenoid valve (3) through a pneumatic line;
- the solenoid valve (3) is linked with the pneumatic relay valve (5) through a pneumatic line;
- the brake pedal (1) is linked to the air processing unit (4) though a pneumatic line, the air processing unit (4) is in turn connected to the pneumatic relay valve (5) through another pneumatic line;
- the pneumatic relay valve (5) is in turn linked with the spring brake actuator (6) through another pneumatic line;
- the pneumatic relay valve (5) is linked to the spring brake actuator (5) though a pneumatic line; and
- the LV battery (8) is linked to the electrical switch (7) via an electrical harness.
2. The Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the air processing unit (4) is connected to a source of pressurised air.
3. The Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical switch is in turn connected to the solenoid valve (3) via another electrical harness.
4. The Electrically Equipped Rear Parking Brake System for Commercial Vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the solenoid valve (3) is of the normally closed type.

Dated 27th day of December 2024

VIDIT CHOUBEY
(IN P/A 5566)
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT(S)

To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, at Mumbai