Claims:We claim:
1. A system (100) for assisting actuation of a parking brake assembly (200) of a vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
a sensor (1), coupled to a parking brake lever (2), the sensor (1) is configured to determine displacement of the parking brake lever (2) between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP);
an electro-magnetic actuator (3) coupled to an equalizer (4) of the parking brake assembly (200); and
a control unit (5) communicatively coupled to the sensor (1) and the electro-magnetic actuator (3), wherein the control unit (5) is configured to:
receive a signal corresponding to actuation of the parking brake lever (2) from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP), from the sensor (1); and
operate the electro-magnetic actuator (3) to displace the equalizer (4) for applying brakes on the wheels of the vehicle, based on the signal.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first position (FP) of the parking brake lever (2) corresponds to rest position of the parking brake lever (2).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second position (SP) of the parking brake lever (2) corresponds to actuated position of the parking brake lever (2).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electro-magnetic actuator (3) is configured to push the equalizer (4) towards the parking brake lever (2), to assist the operation of the parking brake assembly (200).

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, where the control unit (5) is commutatively coupled with a body control module (6) of the vehicle.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body control module (6) is configured to generate a trigger signal when the vehicle is on gradient, the parking brake lever (2) is in the first position (FP) and the vehicle starts to roll.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to operate the electro-magnetic actuator (3) to displace the equalizer (4) for applying brakes on the wheels of the vehicle, based on the trigger signal received from the body control module (6).

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the body control module (6) is configured to determine the roll condition of the vehicle based on a signal received from a tonner ring (7), positioned in a wheel assembly of the vehicle.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (1) is at least one of a Linear Variable Differential Transducer [LVDT], a proximity sensor (1) and a hall effect sensor (1).

10. A parking brake assembly (200), comprising:
a parking brake lever (2);
an equalizer (4), coupled to the parking brake lever (2) at one end and to wheels of the vehicle at an other end, through cables (8); and
a system (100) for assisting actuation of the parking brake assembly (200), comprising:
a sensor (1), coupled to the parking brake lever (2), the sensor (1) is configured to determine displacement of the parking brake lever (2) between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP);
an electro-magnetic actuator (3) coupled to the equalizer (4) of the parking brake assembly (200); and
a control unit (5) communicatively coupled to the sensor (1) and the electro-magnetic actuator (3), wherein the control unit (5) is configured to:
receive a signal corresponding to actuation of the parking brake lever (2) from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP), from the sensor (1); and
operate the electro-magnetic actuator (3) to displace the equalizer (4) for applying brakes on the wheels of the vehicle, based on the signal.

11. The parking brake assembly (200) as claimed in claim 10, where the control unit (5) is commutatively coupled with a body control module (6) of the vehicle.

12. The parking brake assembly (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the body control module (6) is configured to generate a trigger signal when the vehicle is on gradient, the parking brake lever (2) is in the first position (FP) and the vehicle starts to roll.

13. The parking brake assembly (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control unit (5) is configured to operate the electro-magnetic actuator (3) to displace the equalizer (4) for applying brake on the wheels of the vehicle, based on the trigger signal received from the body control module (6).

14. The parking brake assembly (200) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the body control module (6) is configured to determine the roll condition of the vehicle based on a signal received from a tonner ring (7), positioned in a wheel assembly of the vehicle.

15. A vehicle comprising a system (100) for assisting actuation of a parking brake assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure, in general, relates to the filed of automobile engineering. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a parking brake assembly. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system for assisting actuation of the parking brake assembly of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Parking brakes, in general, are provisioned in a vehicle for securely maintaining the vehicle under motionless state, during parked condition of the vehicle or when the driver is not be available to apply the primary brakes on the wheels to maintain the vehicle under motionless state. Further, the parking brakes are generally employed as a secondary or auxiliary breaking system, as such brakes are operational when the driver is not be available or as the same can be applied under emergency condition of the vehicle upon failure of the primary brake system. In this regard, the parking brakes have been made mandatory by automobile manufacturing regulatory conventions.

Additionally, as the parking brakes may be employed as emergency braking system in the vehicle, it is necessary to have such system as a fail-proof to increase safety of commuters in the vehicle. Due to such necessity for maintaining the safety in the vehicle, components of the parking brake system may have to be prone to incidental failures during operation of the vehicle. To regulate failure of components in the parking brake system, conventionally, kinetic and/or string tension based equipment may be employed in the parking brake system to render the same free from electronic or electrical failures.

The parking brake system, in general, may include a parking brake lever, configured to be operated by the user between an operational position and a rest position. To actuate the parking brake lever to the operational position, the user may have to pull/displace the parking brake lever from the rest position by applying force at one end of the parking brake lever. The parking brake lever, being provisioned with biasing member, it may require additional force to be applied by the user to actuate into the operational position. Due to such configuration of the parking brake lever, the user may be hindered from operating the parking brake lever during emergency condition.

Conventionally, the parking brake lever is equipped with supplementary devices such as rheostats, where such devices are configured to assist in suppressing forces exerted by the biasing members for actuation of the parking brake. Such supplementary devices, however, may also reduce the force being transmitted by the parking brake lever to the wheels of the vehicle whereby, increasing possible chances of transmitting inadequate force to the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle may be prone to movement due to inadequate barking force that may be acting on the wheels of the vehicle.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a system and assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the system and the assembly 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 a system for assisting actuation of a parking brake assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a sensor, coupled to a parking brake lever. The sensor is configured to determine displacement of the parking brake lever between a first position and a second position. Further, the system includes an electro-magnetic actuator, which is coupled to an equalizer of the parking brake assembly. The system also includes a control unit, where the control unit is communicatively coupled to the sensor and the electro-magnetic actuator. The control unit is configured to receive a signal corresponding to actuation of the parking brake lever from the first position to the second position, from the sensor. The control unit further operates the electro-magnetic actuator to displace the equalizer for applying brakes on the wheels of the vehicle, based on the signal.

In an embodiment, the first position of the parking brake lever corresponds to rest position of the parking brake lever, whereas the second position of the parking brake lever corresponds to actuated position of the parking brake lever.

In an embodiment, the electro-magnetic actuator is configured to push the equalizer towards the parking brake lever, to assist the operation of the parking brake assembly. Further, the control unit is commutatively coupled with a body control module of the vehicle, where the body control module is configured to generate a trigger signal when the vehicle is on gradient, the parking brake lever is in the first position and the vehicle starts to roll. The control unit is configured to operate the electro-magnetic actuator to displace the equalizer for applying brake on the wheels of the vehicle, based on the trigger signal received from the body control module.

In an embodiment, the body control module is configured to determine the roll condition of the vehicle based on a signal received from a tonner ring, positioned in a wheel assembly of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the sensor is at least one of a Linear Variable Differential Transducer [LVDT], a proximity sensor and a hall effect sensor.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a parking brake assembly is disclosed. The parking braked assembly includes a parking brake lever and an equalizer, coupled to the parking brake lever at one end and to wheels of the vehicle at an other end, through cables. Further, the parking brake assembly includes a system for assisting actuation of the parking brake assembly, where the system includes a sensor, coupled to the parking brake lever. The sensor is configured to determine displacement of the parking brake lever between a first position and a second position. Further, the system includes an electro-magnetic actuator, which is coupled to an equalizer of the parking brake assembly. The system also includes a control unit, where the control unit is communicatively coupled to the sensor and the electro-magnetic actuator. The control unit is configured to receive a signal corresponding to actuation of the parking brake lever from the first position to the second position, from the sensor. The control unit further operates the electro-magnetic actuator to displace the equalizer for applying brakes on the wheels of the vehicle, based on the signal.

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 schematic layout of a system for assisting actuation of a parking brake assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates perspective view of a parking brake lever of the parking brake assembly coupled to a sensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates perspective view of an equalizer of the parking brake assembly coupled to an electro-magnetic actuator, in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a control unit coupled to the sensor and the electro-magnetic actuator of the system of Figure 1.
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a body control module coupled to the control unit of Figure 4.
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 system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, assembly, mechanism, system, method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or mechanism.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a system for assisting actuation of the parking brake assembly, where the system includes a sensor, coupled to the parking brake lever. The sensor is configured to determine displacement of the parking brake lever between a first position and a second position. Further, the system includes an electro-magnetic actuator, which is coupled to an equalizer of the parking brake assembly. The system further includes a control unit, where the control unit is communicatively coupled to the sensor and the electro-magnetic actuator. The control unit is configured to receive a signal corresponding to actuation of the parking brake lever from the first position to the second position, from the sensor. The control unit operates the electro-magnetic actuator to displace the equalizer for applying brakes on the wheels of the vehicle, based on the signal. Such configuration of the system, the efforts required for a user to actuate the parking brake lever may be reduced thereby, allowing the user to operate the parking brake assembly during emergency.

The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the system and the method as disclosed in the present disclosure can be used in any vehicle including but not liming to passenger car, heavy vehicles, light duty vehicles or any other vehicle.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a system (100) for assisting actuation of a parking brake assembly (200) in a vehicle [not shown in figures]. The system (100) may be incorporated in the vehicle to operate in conjunction with the parking brake assembly (200), where the system (100) may be configured to reduce efforts required for operation of the parking brakes assembly. Further, upon action of the parking braking assembly in conjunction with the system (100), a predetermined amount of braking force may be transmitted to wheels of the vehicle, via cables (8) or links, to lock the wheel so the vehicle.

Further, the braking force may be applied by operating a parking brake lever (2) by a user. The system (100) may include a sensor (1), that may be coupled to the parking brake lever (2), as best seen in Figure 2. The sensor (1) may be positioned and connected proximal to one end of the parking brake, where the one end of the parking brake may be pivotably connected at a focal point for actuation by the user. Other end of the parking brake lever (2) may be operated by the user between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) about the focal point, for actuation of the parking brake. The sensor (1) may be configured to determine displacement [that is, change in relative position of the other end] of the parking brake lever (2). In the illustrative embodiment, the sensor (1) is configured to determine linear component of gradual angular displacement of the parking brake lever (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP). That is, the sensor (1) may be configured to determine at least one of change in angular position or resolution of the angular position along vertical and/or horizontal direction of the parking brake lever (2) during actuation between the first position (FP) to the second position (SP), about the focal point to apply brakes on the wheels of the vehicle. This actuation of the parking brake lever may subject the cables (8) connected at one end of the parking brake lever (2) under tension whereby, generating the braking force required to be applied on the wheels of vehicle.

In an embodiment, the braking force generated by displacement of the parking brake lever (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP), via the cable, may be transmitted to an equalizer (4) of the parking brake assembly (200), as shown in Figure 3. The equalizer (4) may be configured to distribute the braking force generated by the parking brake lever (2) to each wheel of the vehicle. Further, the equalizer (4) may be coupled to an electro-magnetic actuator (3) of the system (100). The electro-magnetic actuator (3) may be configured to selectively displace the equalizer (4) to minimize efforts required by the user in operating the parking brake lever (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP). In the illustrative embodiment, the electro-magnetic actuator (3) may be configured to displace the equalizer (4) in conjunction with displacement of the parking brake lever (2), in order to reduce efforts of the user. Upon displacing the parking brake lever (2) from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP), the electro-magnetic actuator (3) is configured to linearly displace the equalizer (4). The direction of displacement of the equalizer (4) may be dependent on various parameters including, but not limited to, position of the equalizer (4) relative to the parking brake lever (2) and the electro-magnetic actuator (3), tension in the cables (8) due to braking force generated by the parking brake lever (2), and the like.

In the illustrative embodiment, reduction in distance between the equalizer (4) and the parking brake lever (2) may reduce efforts required to be applied on the parking brake lever (2) for displacement from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP). Further, as the equalizer (4) is positioned between the electro-magnetic actuator (3) and the parking brake lever (2), the equalizer (4) is pushed [or linearly displaced] rear-ward, that is, towards the parking brake lever (2), during operation of the parking brake lever (2) from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP). Due to such rear-ward displacement of the equalizer (4), length of the cable (8) extending between the parking brake lever (2) and the equalizer (4) may be either contracted or wound within at least one of the electro-magnetic actuator (3) or the parking brake lever (2). For example, if the force required to be applied by the user on the parking brake lever (2) to operate from the first position to the second position, without assistance from the electro-magnetic actuator (3) [that is, by not displacing the equalizer (4)], may be about 40kg then, due to displacement of the equalizer (4) by the electro-magnetic actuator (3) in a range of about 5mm to 50mm may reduce the force required to about 20kg to about 25kg.

Referring now to Figure 4, which illustrates the system (100) having a control unit (5) that is communicatively coupled to the sensor (1) and the electro-magnetic actuator (3). The control unit (5) may be configured to receive signals from the sensor (1) corresponding to actuation and/or displacement of the parking brake lever (2) from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP). In an embodiment, the signals generated by the sensor (1) may relate to either angular displacement of the parking brake lever (2) or may relate to a component [such as a vertical and/or horizontal resolution of the displacement] of the angular displacement of the parking brake lever (2). Further, the control unit (5) may process such signals from the sensor (1) and may suitably generate an operating signal to the electro-magnetic actuator (3). The electro-magnetic actuator (3), upon receiving the operating signal from the control unit (5), may be configured to displace the equalizer (4) for applying brakes on the wheels of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the electro-magnetic actuator (3) may be including, but not limited to, a solenoid-plunger arrangement, a stepper motor arrangement, a servo motor arrangement, and the like, where a plunger or a shaft of such arrangement may push the equalizer (4) towards the parking brake lever (2). Due to such displacement of the equalizer (4), force required to be exerted on an end of the parking brake lever (2) for displacement from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP) may be compensated and thereby, allowing the user to effortlessly operate the parking brake lever (2) from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP). That is, the control unit (5) may be configured minimize efforts of the user and assist in actuation of the parking brake assembly (200) to the user for applying brakes on the wheels of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the control unit (5) may also be communicatively coupled with a body control module (6) of the vehicle, where the body control module (6) may be associated with the parking brake assembly (200), as best seen in Figure 5. The body control module (6) may enable the control unit (5) to operate the electro-magnetic actuator (3) for displacing the equalizer (4) and apply brakes on the wheels of the vehicle, without receiving signals from the sensor (1) regarding change in position of the parking brake lever (2). Such configuration of the body control module (6) and the control unit (5) may be operational when the vehicle may be standstill on a gradient surface [also simply referred to as “gradient”]. For example, when the vehicle is parked on moving on the gradient surface such as, but not limited to, on an uphill terrain, and the parking brake lever (2) may inadvertently not be actuated by the user, then the vehicle may experience a roll back along the gradient surface. The body control module (6) may be configured to generate a trigger signal to the control unit (5), when the parking brake lever (2) being in the first position (FP) [that is, parking brake in non-operational condition] and the vehicle on the gradient surface may start to roll back. In the illustrative embodiment, the body control module (6) is configured to determine the roll back [or also referred to as roll condition] of the vehicle based on a signal received from a tonner ring (7). The tonner ring (7) may be associated with a wheel assembly of the vehicle or may be associated with an anti-lock braking system (100) [ABS system (100)] provisioned to the wheel assembly of the vehicle. Further, based on the trigger signal received from the body control module (6), the control unit (5) may operate the electro-magnetic actuator (3) to displace the equalizer (4) for applying brake on the wheels of the vehicle. Due to such configuration of the body control module (6) and the control unit (5), involuntary movement of the vehicle may be managed and mitigated.

In an embodiment, the sensor (1) may be including, but not limited to, a Linear Variable Differential Transducer [LVDT], a proximity sensor, a hall effect sensor and any other sensor that may be configured to detect relative displacement of the parking brake lever (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP). Also, the sensor (1) may be configured to generate signal such as, but not limited to, electric signal, electronic signal and the like, to the control unit (5).

In an embodiment, the control unit (5) may be a centralised control unit of the vehicle or may be a dedicated control unit to the system associated with the centralised control unit of the vehicle. The control unit (5) also be associated with other control units including, but not limited to, Transmission Control Unit, brake control unit, steering control unit and the like. The control unit (5) may include specialized processing units such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processing unit may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, other line of processors, and the like.

In an embodiment, the body control module (6) may be coupled to a plurality of auxiliary sensors [not shown in figures] for determining various parameters of the vehicle. The plurality of auxiliary sensors may be including, but not limited to, gyroscopic sensors, accelerometer, crankshaft rpm sensor, and the like. Further, the body control module (6) may detect parameters such as, engine condition, gradient surface angle, primary brake pedal position, and the like. The body control module (6) may also include at least one of such parameters to generate the trigger signal to the control unit (5).

In an embodiment, the first position of the parking brake lever corresponds to rest position of the parking brake lever. Whereas, the second position (SP) of the parking brake lever (2) corresponds to actuated position of the parking brake lever (2).

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.

Detailed description:

Particulars Numeral
Sensor 1
Parking brake lever 2
Electro-magnetic actuator 3
Equalizer 4
Control unit 5
Body control module 6
Tonner ring 7
Cables 8
System 100
Parking brake assembly 200