The present disclosure relates to braking system for a vehicle. The embodiments disclose a cable or linkage operated brake system of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Brake systems are a crucial part in automobiles, machinery and locomotives. Brake systems vary from vehicle to vehicle and use different means to stop a moving vehicle in its track. Many of the road vehicles such as cars, buses and trucks utilize friction breaking to stop the moving vehicle when required.

Many of the vehicles such as but not limiting to passenger cars, utilizes hydraulic brake systems to stop the vehicle. Previously in the 18th and 19th century the brake systems were simple in design and brake force was directly linked to the amount of pedal force applied.

In modern times, brake systems have evolved and the vehicles are equipped with precise braking and safety. Some of the brake systems equipped in road vehicles are of hydraulic brake system, disc and drum brake systems, electromagnetic brake and the like.

Many of the vehicles such as but not limiting to passenger cars, good carriers and commercial vehicles are installed with parking brakes for stopping the automobile in a particular gradient or to prevent the vehicle from accidentally moving when parked. Also, parking brake is a safety feature and is a mandatory in many automobile manufacturing industries to equip parking brake in vehicles. Parking brakes equipped in the vehicles are for the stopping the vehicle when in a halt condition or to prevent accidental movement. Parking brakes are also useful to prevent the vehicle from reversing when the vehicle is parked on a gradient.

The parking brake or braking system provided in the vehicles is generally of cable or linkage operated brake systems. Many of the vehicles are provided with mechanical or electronic parking brake system for parking or holding a vehicle on a gradient or when the vehicle is in parked or stopped condition In mechanical parking brake systems, a effort will be applied at parking brake lever end and this effort is magnified by fixed lever ratio or variable lever ratio of parking brake lever which is transmitted through parking brake equalizer mechanism or cross pulling mechanism to the rear brake assembly for parking.

Conventional parking brake equalizer mechanism divides the tension (T) generated by the actuation of the parking brake lever into two parts. The tension (T) is divided by the parking brake equalizer into tension (T/2) and is transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle. Conventional parking brake equalizer mechanism has a load efficiency of 50% and travel efficiency of 100%.

Since the parking brake is generally applied to the rear wheels of the automobile and the brake force applied directly depends on the amount of force applied on the brake lever by the user, extra or strenuous force has to be applied by the user on the parking break lever.

In light of foregoing discussion, there is a need to develop a brake system which is sophisticated to the user and to overcome the limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is braking system (100) for a vehicle, comprising: at least one first brake cable (1), having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the at least one first brake cable (1) being removably connected to a brake lever (3); an intermediate unit (22) having an intermediate connecting member (24) and an at least one intermediate cable (26), the second end portion of the at least one first brake cable (1) being connected to the intermediate connecting member (24) through an tension adjustment unit (8), opposite end of the at least one intermediate cable (26) being connected to a first support bracket (4); and, a set of second pulley wheels (29, 30) connected to the intermediate unit (22) through at least one intermediate cable (26), such that, tension force (T/2) on the least one intermediate cable (26) exerts tension force (T) on each of the set of second pulley wheels (29, 30), the second pulley wheel (29) being connected to one end of a rear brake cable (6), and the second pulley wheel (30) being removably connected to the one end of the rear brake cable (7), other end of the rear brake cables (6, 7) are removably connected to brakes of the vehicle.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the invention described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the brake system of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a top view of an alternative embodiment of the brake system of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLSOURE
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Braking system in vehicles is one of the most important aspect of a vehicle. The brakes equipped in vehicles range from cable or linkage brakes to complex hydraulic braking means with the help of electronics to control and distribute the braking force. In modern day vehicles, variety of safety equipment’s such as Anti-lock brake system (ABS), Electronic brake force distribution (EBD), hydraulic booster brake system etc. are used to improve the stopping power of the vehicle with minimal effort from the user. Almost all the vehicles manufactured are equipped with parking brake systems which use cable or linkage type braking system. When the vehicle is in a parked position or stopped on a gradient, the user needs to use the parking brake so as to prevent the vehicle from accidentally moving without the control of the user. The amount of brake force applied on the parking brakes directly depends on the amount of force applied on the brake lever by the user. The brake lever for applying the parking brake consists of plurality of notches wherein, actuation of the brake lever locks onto any one of the notches. The more the force applied on the brake lever, higher is the level of notch through which the brake gets engaged. For applying the parking brake for a vehicle stopped on a gradient, the force applied by the user has to be high on the brake lever. Hence, there is a need to develop a cable or linkage type braking system which uses minimum effort from the user for applying parking brake to the vehicle.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates top view of one embodiment of the brake system (100). The brake system (100) as shown in Figure 1 comprises the first support bracket (4) and the second support bracket (11) are spaced apart from each other and fixed to the vehicle floor (not shown). The first support bracket (4) and the second support bracket (11) are bolted or welded on the vehicle floor. The first support bracket (4) and the second support bracket (11) has provisions for accommodating first brake cable (1), pair of second cables (6, 7), first brake cable connector (9), second brake cable connectors (10) and a tension adjustment unit (8). In an embodiment, the tension adjustment unit (8) may be configured with an adjustment nut for adjusting the tension on the first pulley.

The first support bracket (4) houses the first brake cable connector (9). The second support bracket (11) houses pair of second brake cable connectors (10). A first brake cable (1) having two ends is provided in the system (100), wherein first end of the first brake cable (1) is removably connected to the brake lever (3). Second end of the first brake cable (1) is removably connected to the intermediate unit (22) through and a tension adjustment unit (8).
The intermediate unit (22) in this particular embodiment having an intermediate connecting member (24) and at least one intermediate cable (26). Intermediate connecting member (24) in this embodiment is a pulley, as best shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in the figure 1, the intermediate connecting member (24) is removably connected to connecting bracket (28). The connecting bracket (28) is fastened at ends to the axis of the intermediate connecting member (24). The first brake cable (1) having two ends is provided in the system (100), wherein first end of the first brake cable (1) is removably connected to the brake lever (3), and second end of the first brake cable (1) is removably connected to the tension adjustment unit (8). The first support bracket (4) houses the first brake cable connectors (9) wherein, first brake cables (1) passes through the first brake cable connectors (9).

The first brake cable (1) pass through hole at ends of the connecting bracket (28) and fixes on to the tension adjustment unit (8). In an embodiment, the tension adjustment unit (8) may be configured with an adjustment nut for adjusting the tension on the intermediate connecting member (24).

Further as shown in the figure 1 the second pulley wheels (29, 30) is removably connected to second break cable (6, 7). The second support bracket (11) houses the second brake cable connectors (10) wherein, each pair of second brake cables (6, 7) passes through the second brake cable connectors (10). The pair of second brake cables (6, 7) passes through the second brake connector (10) and attaches on to the rear brakes of the vehicle.

Intermediate cable (26) passes through the circumference of the intermediate connecting member (24) and the second pulley wheels (29, 30) and opposite end of the intermediate connecting member (24) is removably connected to first support bracket (4).

When the brake lever of the vehicle is actuated by the user, the first brake cable (1) removably connected to the tension adjustment unit (8) generates tension force (T) on the first brake cable (1) which dispenses the tension force (T) to the intermediate connecting member (24) which generates the tension force (T/2) to the intermediate cable (26). As intermediate cable (26) passes through the circumference of the second pulley wheels (29, 30) which generates the tension force (T) to each second pulley wheels (29, 30). Second pulley wheels (29, 30) removably connected to each pair of second brake cables (6, 7) receives the dispensed tension forces (T) linearly on to the each cable of second brake cables (6, 7). The tension forces (T) intervening on the each pair of second brake cables (6, 7) due to the actuation of the brake lever (9), applies the suitable pressure for braking the rear wheels of the vehicle. In this embodiment the intermediate connecting member (24) acts as an equalizer to dispense the force on it equally to the second brake cables (6, 7).

Since, the first brake cable (1) is removably connected at either ends, the force required to actuate the brake lever for braking is reduced. The tension force (T) intervening on the first brake cable (1) is dispensed linearly to the intermediate connecting member (24) and in turn to the each pair of second brake cables (6, 7) through the intermediate cable (26) and second pulley wheels (29, 30) for braking.

Figure 2 is an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates top view of the brake system (100). The intermediate unit (22) in this particular embodiment having an intermediate connecting member (24) and at least one intermediate cable (26). Intermediate connecting member (24) in this embodiment is an equalizer.

As shown in the figure 2 the intermediate connecting member (24) is removably connected to intermediate cable (26) and the first brake cable (1). The first brake cable (1) having two ends is provided in the system (100), wherein first end of the first brake cable (1) is removably connected to the brake lever (3), and second end of the first brake cable (1) is removably connected to the tension adjustment unit (8). The first support bracket (4) houses the first brake cable connectors (9) wherein, first brake cables (1) passes through the first brake cable connectors (9).

The first brake cable (1) pass through hole of the intermediate connecting member (24) and fixes on to the tension adjustment unit (8). In an embodiment, the tension adjustment unit (8) may be configured with an adjustment nut for adjusting the tension on the intermediate connecting member (24).

Further as shown in the figure 2, the second pulley wheels (29, 30) are removably connected to second break cable (6, 7). The second support bracket (11) houses the second brake cable connectors (10) wherein, each pair of second brake cables (6, 7) passes through the second brake cable connectors (10). The pair of second brake cables (6, 7) passes through the second brake connector (10) and attaches on to the rear brakes of the vehicle.

In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the intermediate cable (26) is split in two parts, such that each of the two parts passes through the circumference of the respective second pulley wheels (29, 30). One end of both parts of the intermediate cable (26) is removably connected to first support bracket (4) and second end is removably connected to intermediate connecting member (24).

When the brake lever of the vehicle is actuated by the user, the first brake cable (1) removably connected to the tension adjustment unit (8) generates tension force (T) on the first brake cable (1) which dispenses the tension force (T) to the intermediate connecting member (24) which generates the tension force (T/2) to the intermediate cable (26). As intermediate cable (26) passes through the circumference of the second pulley wheels (29, 30) which generates the tension force (T) to each second pulley wheels (29, 30). Second pulley wheels (29, 30) removably connected to each pair of second brake cables (6, 7) receives the dispensed tension forces (T) linearly on to the each cable of second brake cables (6, 7). The tension forces (T) intervening on the each pair of second brake cables (6, 7) due to the actuation of the brake lever (9), applies the suitable pressure for braking the rear wheels of the vehicle. In this embodiment the intermediate connecting member (24) acts as an equalizer to dispense the force on it equally to the second brake cables (6, 7).

Since, the first brake cable (1) is removably connected at either ends, the force required to actuate the brake lever for braking is reduced. The tension force (T) intervening on the first brake cable (1) is dispensed linearly to the intermediate connecting member (24) and in turn to the each pair of second brake cables (6, 7) through the intermediate cable (26) and second pulley wheels (29, 30) for braking.

It is to be noted that the person skilled in the art may use the same configuration of the braking system in other applications such as machines, industrial equipment’s like cranes, lifts, trolleys and the like not limiting to vehicles and automobiles.

ADVANTAGES:
Usage of pulley mechanism in the braking system reduces the effort of the user on the brake lever. With minimum amount of effort from the user, the amount of brake force applied is magnified due to the pulley wheels.

The magnified tension force (2T) developed on the first pulley wheel dispenses the tension forces equally to the cables for braking.

EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERAL

1 First brake cable
3 Brake lever
4 First support bracket
6, 7 Second brake cables
8 Tension adjustment unit
9 First brake cable connector
10 Second brake cable connector
11 Second support bracket
12, 28 Connecting bracket
13, 29, 30 Second pulley wheel
15 Support bracket
16, 17 Slots
18, 19 Side walls
20 Fasteners
22 Intermediate unit
24 Intermediate connecting member
26 Intermediate cable
T Tension force
T/2 Divided tension force
100 Braking system

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A braking system (100) for a vehicle, comprising:
at least one first brake cable (1), having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the at least one first brake cable (1) being removably connected to a brake lever (3);
an intermediate unit (22) having an intermediate connecting member (24) and an at least one intermediate cable (26), the second end portion of the at least one first brake cable (1) being connected to the intermediate connecting member (24) through an tension adjustment unit (8), opposite end of the at least one intermediate cable (26) being connected to a first support bracket (4); and,
a set of second pulley wheels (29, 30) connected to the intermediate unit (22) through at least one intermediate cable (26), such that, tension force (T/2) on the least one intermediate cable (26) exerts tension force (T) on each of the set of second pulley wheels (29, 30), the second pulley wheel (29) being connected to one end of a rear brake cable (6), and the second pulley wheel (30) being removably connected to the one end of the rear brake cable (7), other end of the rear brake cables (6, 7) are removably connected to brakes of the vehicle.

2. The braking system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate connecting member (24) is one of a pulley and an equalizer.

3. The braking system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one intermediate cable (26) being connected to the set of second pulley wheels through brake connectors.

Dated this 8th day of December, 2014

P.H.D. Rangappa
Of K&S Partners
Attorney for the Applicant