DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of parking brakes of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
A parking brake lever system is configured to ensure that a parked vehicle stays in place, especially on hills and other slopes. A conventional parking brake system includes a parking brake lever and cables. The cables couple the parking brake lever to the vehicle brakes. The cables are guided over pulleys supported by a cross member of chassis. The cables stretch on pulling the parking brake which causes the vehicle brakes to prevent movement of the vehicle. However, in the conventional systems, the cables are directly connected to the rear wheel brakes without incorporating an intermediate component. This arrangement of the pulleys on the vehicle chassis increases stresses in the vehicle structure, as a result of operation of the brakes. This increases probability of failure of the parking brake system, which may lead to overall failure of the vehicle structure in case the vehicle is parked, thereby leaving the conventional parking brake system highly prone to accidents and mishaps. Further, failure of the parking brake system necessitates costly maintenance.
There is, therefore, felt a need for a parking brake system that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a parking brake system that reduces the amount of stress on the cross member of the chassis frame.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a parking brake system that prevents parking failure.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a parking brake system that has an improved service life.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a parking brake system that does not require costly maintenance.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicles and more particularly to parking brakes of a vehicle. A parking brake system of a vehicle comprising a parking brake lever, a first link attached to the chassis of the vehicle, a first cable attached between the parking brake lever and the first link, and at least one second cable attached between the brakes of the vehicle and a second link coupling the first link to brakes of the vehicle, the first link configured to rotate about a pivot when the first cable is pulled, thereby pulling the second cable.
The second link includes a connecting bracket and an adjuster rod wherein the adjuster rod configured to facilitate adjusting tension in the second cable.
The pivot comprises a bolt configured to rotate about a supporting bracket.
The first cable and the second cable are made of steel.
The first link is made of polymeric material or a metal.
The adjuster rod is configured with a tightening nut and a conical washer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The parking brake system of a vehicle, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1A and Figure 1B illustrate isometric views of a parking brake system of the present disclosure;
Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of a supporting bracket of the parking brake system of Figure 1A, disposed on floorboard of a vehicle;
Figure 2B illustrates a zoom-in view of the supporting bracket of the parking brake system of Figure 1A, disposed on floorboard of a vehicle;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric close up view of the parking brake system of Figure 1A;
Figure 4A and Figure 4B illustrate different isometric views of the parking brake system of Figure 2A, in connection with a cross member of chassis frame; and
Figure 5A and Figure 5B illustrate different isometric views of the second cable connected to a rear brake lever of the vehicle;
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Parking Brake system
105 – Parking brake lever
110 – First cable
115 – First Link
120 – Adjuster rod
125A, 125B – Second cables
130 – Supporting bracket
130a – Aperture
135 – Supporting bracket
140 – Pivot
145 – Welded bracket
150 – Connecting bracket
155 – Grommet
160 – Tightening Nut
165 – Rear brake pad
170 – Second link
200 – Floorboard
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages a parking brake system of a vehicle.
Referring to Figure 1A through Figure 5B, the parking brake system of a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as ‘system 100’) includes a parking brake lever (105), a first cable (110), a first link (115), a pair of second cables (125) and a second link (170). The parking brake system (100) is configured to actuate the brake pads (165) for preventing movement of the vehicle in a parked position.
The parking brake lever (105) is configured with an extended body having a free end to facilitate pulling of the parking brake lever (105) manually. A supporting bracket (130) is fixed on the floorboard (200) of the vehicle to facilitate pivotably mounting the parking brake lever (105) on the floorboard (200). In an embodiment, the parking brake lever (105) is pivotably mounted on the floorboard (200) between front seats of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the parking brake lever (105) is pivotably mounted adjoining the steering column of the vehicle.
The parking brake lever (105) is configured to receive the first cable (110) therein. The first cable (110) is configured to pass through an aperture (130a) formed in the supporting bracket (130) to an operative underside of the floorboard (200). The first cable (110) is further configured to engage with the first link (115). More specifically, the first cable (110) is configured to tangentially engage with the first link (115) and govern the motion of the first link (115). The first link (115) is rotatably supported beneath the floorboard (200).
The first link (115) is coupled to a cross member of the chassis frame of the vehicle by means of an elongated bracket (135). The elongated bracket (135) is configured to prevent the contact of the first link (115) with the cross member. As a result, contact of the first link (115) with the cross member is avoided and the stress which would have otherwise being exerted in the cross member due to braking for parking is reduced. A pivot (140) is provided to assemble the first link (115) with the elongated bracket (135). The pivot (140) is configured to ensure unrestricted rotational movement of the first link (115) when in operation.
The second link (170) comprises a connecting bracket (150) and an adjuster rod (120). The adjuster rod (120) is connected to the first link (115) by means of a welded bracket (145). The adjuster rod (120) is further coupled to the secondary cables (125A, 125B) by means of a connecting bracket (150). This facilitates displacement of the second cables (125) in response to displacement of the first cable, thereby inducing tension in the second cables (125A, 125B).
Each second cable (125A, 125B) is attached to a rear brake pad (165) that is connected to a rear wheel (not specifically shown in figures) of the vehicle, with the help of a plurality of pins (as shown in Figures 5A and 5B).
In a working embodiment (as shown in figure 4A), the user engages the parking brake lever (105) by pulling the free end of the parking brake lever (105), thereby causing the first cable (110) to be pulled along. Since the first cable (110) is engaged with the first link (115), the first link (115) rotates in a clockwise direction (with respect to figure 4A) about the pivot (140) on application of the pulling forces. The rotational motion of the first link (115) is converted to linear motion of the adjuster rod (120) causing the adjuster rod (120) getting pulled in a forward direction to adjust tension on the second cables (125). Due to the tension generated, the rear brake pads (165) are actuated so as to apply a drag force on the rear wheels to prevent the motion of the vehicle.
A grommet (155) is disposed below the supporting bracket (130) such that the grommet (155) is configured to allow the passage of the first cable (110) there through. The grommet (155) may further be configured to insulate the first cable (110) against mechanical shocks and corrosion.
A pair of self-lubricating sleeves (not specifically shown in figures) is provided between the first link (115) and the pivot (140). The self-lubricating sleeves are configured to enable easy rotation of the first link (115) throughout the service life of the vehicle.
In one embodiment, a tightening nut (160) is provided on an operative free end of the adjuster rod (120) to adjust the tension on the connecting bracket (150) and subsequently, adjust the tension on the second cables (125). A conical washer (not specifically shown in the figures) is disposed in between the tightening nut (160) and the welded bracket (145). The conical washer eliminates bending of the adjuster rod (120) due to rotation of the first link (115) about the pivot (140).
The first cable (110) and the second cable (125) facilitates elimination of possible stress concentration in any particular part of the parking brake system (100). As a result, probability of parking brake system failure of the vehicle is prevented, thereby avoiding mishaps and accidents. Further, the system (100) has an improved service life and does not require costly maintenance.
In an embodiment, the material used for manufacturing the first link (115) is nylon. In another embodiment, the material used for manufacturing the first link (115) is metal.
In yet another embodiment, the material used for manufacturing the first cable (110) and the second cables (125) is steel.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a parking brake system of a vehicle that:
• reduces the amount of stress on the cross member of the chassis frame;
• prevents parking failure;
• has improved service life; and
• does not require costly maintenance.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. 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 embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A parking brake system (100) of a vehicle comprising
a. a parking brake lever (105);
b. a first link (115) attached to the chassis of said vehicle;
c. a first cable (110) attached between said parking brake lever (105) and said first link (115);
d. a second link (170) coupling said first link (115) to brakes of the wheels of said vehicle; and
e. at least one second cable (125) attached between brakes of said vehicle and said second link (170),
said first link (115) configured to rotate about a pivot (140) when said first cable (110) is pulled by pulling said parking brake lever (105), thereby pulling said second cable (125) and causing said brakes to be applied on the wheels.
2. The parking brake system (100) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second link (170) includes a connecting bracket (150) and an adjuster rod (120) rod.
3. The parking brake system (100) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivot (140) is a bolt configured to rotate about a supporting bracket (135).
4. The parking brake system (100) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cable (110) and said second cable (125) are made of steel.
5. The parking brake system (100) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first link (115) is made of polymeric material or a metal.
6. The parking brake system (100) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjuster rod (120) is configured with a tightening nut and a conical washer.