Description:TITLE OF THE INVENTION: BRAKING FORCE DELIVERING APPARATUS FOR A LOCOMOTORY DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is generally related to locomotory devices. Particularly, the present disclosure is related to: a braking force delivering apparatus for a locomotory device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the conventional wheel-end hose routing, as illustrated in Figure 1a, both steering and suspension deflections are accommodated on a single flexible hose (1) (for example, a rubber hose). One end of the single flexible hose (1) is fixed on a frame (4) (i.e. a sprung portion of the locomotory device), while the other end is attached to a brake chamber port (5) (i.e. an unsprung portion of the locomotory device). The single flexible hose (1) bends freely between the two fixed points, adjusting to the relative movements of the sprung and unsprung portions of the locomotory device, arising from steering and suspension motions.
However, such technologies suffer from at least the following drawbacks, including but not limited to: requires additional space for accommodating both steering and suspension deflections; fouling of hoses with interface components of the tyres steering and suspension during articulation conditions; wear and tear potentially lead to brake failure; and reduced durability and flexibility.
As illustrated in Figure 1b, the aforementioned limitations become evident when such technologies are used in routing for locomotory devices with a semi-low floor frame (2) and a parking brake actuator (7) on a steerable axle with an air suspension (3). Fouling (6) of the flexible hose with the tyre is possible during steering conditions due to the limited space available for hose articulation.
There is, therefore, a need in the art, for: a braking force delivering apparatus for a locomotory device, which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Braking force delivering apparatus for a locomotory device, is disclosed. Said apparatus broadly comprises: a steering flexible hoses; a suspension flexible hoses; a rigid hose; an at least a kingpin; a beam of axle; an intermediate hose; and a mounting point.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the intermediate hose is optional, and is used to bridge the gap between the suspension flexible hoses and the steering flexible hoses.
The apparatus adopts a split hose technique, where the steering flexible hoses and the suspension flexible hoses perform their respective functions independently.
In an embodiment, the steering flexible hoses and the suspension flexible hoses are made of rubber.
The disclosed apparatus offers at least the following advantages: said hoses are configured for specific motions (steering and suspension), allowing accurate prediction and efficient space utilization; mounting the steering flexible hoses near the at least one kingpin (or equivalent), minimizes the required flexible hose length; achieving both static and dynamic conditions in constrained wheel ends; easy serviceability; enhanced durability and flexibility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1a and Figure 1b illustrate a conventional wheel and hose routing of a locomotory device, of a braking force delivering apparatus for a locomotory device;
Figure 2 illustrates a braking force delivering apparatus for the front steerable axle of a semi low flow passenger carrying locomotory device with pedestal type air suspension, a pneumatic drum brake with a spring brake actuator for parking, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 3a, Figure 3b, and Figure 3c illustrate results of nominal sap, the left-hand steer, and the right-hand steer analyses, of a braking force delivering apparatus for a locomotory device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “comprise” and “include”, and variations, such as “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including”, may imply the inclusion of an element (or elements) not specifically recited. Further, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied, in various other forms, as well.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “apparatus” is to be construed as: “a set of technical components (also referred to as “members”) that are communicatively and/or operably associated with each other, and function together, as part of a mechanism, to achieve a desired technical result”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “communication”, “couple”, and their variations (such as communicatively), is to be construed as being inclusive of: one-way communication (or coupling); and two-way communication (or coupling), as the case may be, irrespective of the directions of arrows, in the drawings.
Throughout this specification, where applicable, the use of the phrase “at least” is to be construed in association with the suffix “one” i.e. it is to be read along with the suffix “one”, as “at least one”, which is used in the meaning of “one or more”. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the phrase “at least one” is a standard term that is used, in Patent Specifications, to denote any component of a disclosure, which may be present (or disposed) in a single quantity, or more than a single quantity.
Throughout this specification, where applicable, the use of the phrase “at least one” is to be construed in association with a succeeding component name.
Throughout this specification, the phrases “at least a”, “at least an”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the disclosure of a range is to be construed as being inclusive of: the lower limit of the range; and the upper limit of the range.
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “LH” and “RH” is to be construed as: “a driver’s left-hand side” and “a driver’s right-hand side”, respectively.
Throughout this specification, the use of the phrase “locomotory device”, and its variations, is to be construed as: “any load carrying or passenger vehicle with space constraint in wheel well area; and/or the like.
Throughout this specification, the words “the” and “said” are used interchangeably.
Also, it is to be noted that embodiments may be described as a method. Although the operations, in a method, are described as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel, concurrently, or simultaneously. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A method may be terminated, when its operations are completed, but may also have additional steps.
A braking force delivering apparatus, for a locomotory device (also referred to as “apparatus”), is disclosed. As illustrated in Figure 2, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, said apparatus broadly comprises: steering flexible hoses (8); suspension flexible hoses (9); a rigid hose (10); an at least a kingpin (11); a beam of axle (12); an intermediate hose (13); and a frame mounting point (14).
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, said steering flexible hoses (8) are disposed (or fixed, or installed, or attached) across the at least one kingpin (11) and attached to the beam of axle (12) (or equivalent) at one end and to the rotatory part of a wheel end at another end.
The beam of axle (12) side of the steering flexible hoses (8) is connected to intermediate hose (13), and the rotatory part of the wheel end side is connected to the rigid hose (10), which is subsequently connected with a brake force producing device (e.g. spring brake actuator).
Said suspension flexible hoses (9) are connected (or fixed, or installed, or attached) between a suspended part of the locomotory device (i.e. the frame mounting point (14)) and an unsuspended part of the locomotory device (i.e. the beam of axle (12) through the intermediate hose (13). Said suspension flexible hoses (9) are configured to accommodate suspension motion.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the intermediate hose (13) is optional, and is used to bridge the gap between the suspension flexible hoses (9) and the steering flexible hoses (8).
The apparatus adopts with a split hose technique, where the steering flexible hoses (8) and the suspension flexible hoses (9) are connected through the rigid hose (10), and the intermediate hose (13).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, said intermediate hose (13) is configured to connect the steering flexible hoses (8) to the suspension flexible hoses (9).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the steering flexible hoses (8) and the suspension flexible hoses (9) are made of rubber.
Length of rubber hoses for the steering flexible hoses (8) and the suspension flexible hoses (9) are configured to accommodate required movement for all articulation conditions and may vary depending on the specific application.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in Figure 3b, RH wheel end hoses are configured to accommodate the relative motion between the frame and a tyre. By splitting the routing between the steer condition hose and the bump condition hose, the travel paths of the hoses are separated, allowing for better control and preventing fouling.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the split hose configuration was tested on the locomotory device by installing the steering flexible hoses (8), the suspension flexible hoses (9), the rigid hoses (10), and the intermediate hose (11) with the necessary pivot and fixed points. The locomotory device was lifted to simulate the rebound condition at the wheel ends, as this is a critical condition for the locomotory device. No kink or fouling of the hoses was observed, as illustrated in Figure 3a, Figure 3b and Figure 3c.
The disclosed apparatus offers at least the following advantages: said hoses are configured for specific motions (steering and suspension), allowing accurate prediction and efficient space utilization; mounting the steering flexible hoses near the at least one kingpin (11; or equivalent), minimizes the required flexible hose length; achieving both static and dynamic conditions in constrained wheel ends; easy serviceability; enhanced durability and flexibility.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure may be made by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations and improvements should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 – Single Flexible Hose
2 – Semi-Low Floor Frame
3 – At Least One Air Suspension
4 – Frame
5 – Brake Chamber Port
6 – Parking Brake Hoses
7 – At Least One Front Parking Brake
8 – Steering Flexible Hoses
9 – Suspension Flexible Hoses
10 – Rigid Hose
11 – At Least One Kingpin
12 – Beam of Axle
13 – Intermediate Hose
14 –Mounting Point , Claims:1. A braking force delivering apparatus for a locomotory device, comprising:
steering flexible hoses (8) that are disposed across an at least a kingpin (11) and attached to a beam of axle (12) at one end and to the rotatory part of a wheel end at another end, with: beam of axle (12) side of the steering flexible hoses (8) is connected to intermediate hose (13), and the rotatory part of the wheel end side is connected to the rigid hose (10), which is subsequently connected with a brake force producing device; and
suspension flexible hoses (9) that are connected between a suspended part of the locomotory device and an intermediate hose (13), through an unsuspended part of the locomotory device, with: said steering flexible hoses (8) and said suspension flexible hoses (9) are connected through said rigid hose (10), and said intermediate hose (13).
2. The braking force delivering apparatus for a locomotory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the steering flexible hoses (8) and the suspension flexible hoses (9) are made of rubber.