Claims:Claims
We claim:
1. An assembly for quick disengagement of parking brake mechanism in locomotive vehicles, the assembly (100) comprises:
a. a human-machine interface (101) for applying a pre-defined manual load for the purpose of disengaging the wheels of a locomotive vehicle with the body of the locomotive vehicle, wherein the manual load applied on the human-machine interface (101) is transferred to a bracket assembly (102) through a lever (103);
b. a hook spring (104) which is affixed to the bracket assembly (102) on one end and to the lever (103) on the opposite end, wherein the hook spring (104) maintains the original position of the lever (103) when the assembly (100) is disengaged;
c. a split mechanism base plate (105) which comprises a rivet (106) for connecting an inner cable (107) which is connected at one end to the bracket assembly (102) to a split plate (108) which splits a single input force transferred through the inner cable (107) into at least a dual output force;
d. an outer cable (109) which is connected to the split mechanism base plate (105) for transmitting the dual output force obtained at the output of the split plate (108) to an abutment (110), wherein the abutment (110) is connected to the braking unit of the locomotive vehicle which enables disengagement of the locomotive body from the wheels of the locomotive.

2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket assembly (102) acts as a mating part between the lever (103) and the floor of the locomotive vehicle.

3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever (103) is rotatably connected to the bracket assembly (102) using one or more bolts.

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the split plate (108) provided on the split mechanism base plate (105) splits a pre-defined magnitude of the input force into at least dual output force which is obtained to disengage the wheels of the locomotive vehicle from the body of the locomotive vehicle during repair or maintenance related activities.
, Description:PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
[0001] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical field of the invention
[0002] The present invention discloses an assembly for quick disengagement of parking brake mechanism in locomotive vehicles. The present invention in particular relates to an assembly for the disengagement of parking brake mechanisms in locomotive vehicles with reduced effort and time of disengaging the parking brake.
Background of the invention
[0003] Present-day parking brake disengagement mechanisms involve the actuation of bulky mechanisms that require a significant amount of force to be exerted for the mechanism to be operated. The bulky mechanisms are prone to getting jammed, preventing the parking brake to be engaged or disengaged when required. During emergency usage, this jamming may lead to serious incidents with a high probability of damage to machinery and humans. Complex mechanism design is the reason that parking brake disengagement mechanisms are difficult to operate, along with usage of heavy and outdated materials such as cast iron and heavy rivets.
[0004] Further, due to present-day parking brake disengagement mechanisms being bulky and complex to navigate, maintenance and repair of these mechanisms is a significant time investment. The mechanisms are complex to disassemble and work on, and often require specialized machinery to dismantle the mechanisms, machinery that has little use outside of dismantling of these mechanisms. Since the mechanisms are complex and bulky, a significant number of components are involved in its assembly. This high number of parts additionally increases the cost of present-day parking brake disengagement mechanisms. The high number of parts also leads to present-day parking brake disengagement mechanisms requiring more maintenance to keep them functional, as a higher number of parts correlates with a higher probability of parts malfunctioning that may require maintenance or repair.
[0005] Additionally, present-day parking brake disengagements mechanisms are housed at the juncture between a driving compartment and a driven compartment. This juncture is situated on the outside of both the driving and driven compartments, and thus the actuation of such mechanisms requires an operator to step outside the compartments first. This is not desirable ergonomically as it requires the operator to move a significant distance and expend energy to disengage parking brake mechanisms. In locomotive vehicles, the operator may have to walk a significant distance to and from the juncture to disengage the parking brake mechanism. In addition to consuming energy, the operator exiting the locomotive compartment may encounter risks as locomotives often traverse regions that are unsafe and dangerous for humans, such as forests, mountains, and so on. As much as possible, it is preferable for the operator to operate their locomotive vehicle from within the safe confines of the interior of the locomotive vehicle.
[0006] The patent application RU169913U1 titled “Parking brake of rail vehicle” discloses a utility model that relates to rail vehicles and relates to transmission mechanisms by means of which the parking brakes of locomotives, motor carriages and special rolling stock are manually actuated. The parking brake of a rail vehicle comprises a steering wheel associated with a drive mechanism for operating and releasing the parking brake, a brake linkage comprising a brake cylinder and providing brake pads to the wheels of the rail vehicle, the drive mechanism for operating and releasing the parking brake is made in the form of a winch connected via a cable through a guide roller with a brake linkage of a rail vehicle. The parking brake of a rail vehicle increases the reliability of braking of a rail vehicle on slopes during the implementation of a standardized manual force from the helm to the brake linkage. The effectiveness of the parking brake does not depend on the clearance between the wheel and the brake shoe or on the free travel of the elements of the drive mechanism and the brake linkage. The simplified design of the parking brake allows its use on all rail vehicles, without exception.
[0007] The patent application CN201350911Y titled “Locomotive parking brake auxiliary relief device” discloses a locomotive parking brake auxiliary relief device applied to locomotives, which comprises a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism is connected with an air source outlet of an electric pneumatic valve, and an air source inlet of the electric pneumatic valve is connected with a one-way valve and a parking air reservoir. The locomotive parking brake auxiliary relief device is characterized in that the air source inlet of the electric pneumatic valve is connected with a one-way valve, and the one-way valve is connected with a manual cock connected with a train pipe. Compared with the prior art, the locomotive parking brake auxiliary relief device has the advantages that air sources are supplied under any state, rods are pulled without manual operation, and the locomotives are convenient to be parked, braked and relieved.
[0008] Hence, there exists a need for an easily operable and simplified mechanism for the disengagement of parking brake assemblies of locomotive vehicles.
Summary of the invention
[0009] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior arts by providing an assembly for quick disengagement of parking brake mechanism in locomotive vehicles, wherein the assembly comprises a human-machine interface for applying a pre-defined manual load for the purpose of disengaging the wheels of a locomotive vehicle with the body of the locomotive vehicle, wherein the manual load applied on the human-machine interface is transferred to a bracket assembly through a lever. Further, a hook spring is affixed to the bracket assembly on one end and to the lever on the opposite end, wherein the hook spring maintains the original position of the lever when the assembly is disengaged.

[0010] A split mechanism base plate in the assembly comprises a rivet for connecting an inner cable which is connected at one end to the bracket assembly to a split plate which splits a single input force transferred through the inner cable into at least a dual output force. Additionally, an outer cable is connected to the split mechanism base plate for transmitting the dual output force obtained at the output of the split plate to an abutment, wherein the abutment is connected to the braking unit of the locomotive vehicle which enables disengagement of the locomotive body from the wheels of the locomotive.

[0011] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks which are encountered in the present-day parking brake disengagement mechanisms. The present invention discloses an assembly that is comprised of relatively fewer moving parts, which has numerous benefits. The assembly requires less maintenance and repair over the course of its life as it comprises fewer parts that may potentially malfunction. Further, since the number of parts is lesser, the assembly is easier to repair in the any event of malfunction and is also cheaper to assemble as a result of fewer moving parts. The assembly is also constructed from mechanically robust materials that increase the duration of the lifecycle of the assembly and lower operating costs of the assembly.
Brief description of the drawings:
[0012] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0013] FIG 1 illustrates an isometric view of an assembly for quick disengagement of parking brake mechanism in locomotive vehicles.
Detailed description of the invention:
[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and contemplation of the invention.
[0015] The present invention provides an assembly for quick disengagement of parking brake mechanism in locomotive vehicles. The assembly comprises a human-machine interface for applying a pre-defined manual load for the purpose of disengaging the wheels of a locomotive vehicle with the body of the locomotive vehicle. A split mechanism base plate in the assembly comprises a rivet for connecting an inner cable to a split plate which splits a single input force transferred through the inner cable into at least a dual output force. Additionally, an outer cable is connected to the split mechanism base plate for transmitting the dual output force obtained at the output of the split plate to an abutment, wherein the abutment is connected to the braking unit of the locomotive vehicle which enables the disengagement of the locomotive body from the wheels of the locomotive.

[0016] FIG 1 illustrates an isometric view of an assembly for quick disengagement of parking brake mechanisms in locomotive vehicles, wherein the assembly (100) comprises a human-machine interface (101) such as a knob for applying a pre-defined manual load for the purpose of disengaging the wheels of a locomotive vehicle with the body of the locomotive vehicle. The manual load applied on the human-machine interface (101) is transferred to a bracket assembly (102) through a lever (103), wherein the lever (103) is rotatably connected to the bracket assembly (102) using one or more bolts. The bracket assembly (102) acts as a mating part between the lever (103) and the floor of the locomotive vehicle. In one embodiment, the handle of the lever (103) is constructed using a rubber-based or similar material that deforms to allow for a comfortable grip. In another embodiment, the bracket assembly (102) may comprise a stopper which locks the lever (103) in a pre-defined position when it is not in use.
[0017] Further, a hook spring (104) is affixed to the bracket assembly (102) on one end and to the lever (103) on the opposite end, wherein the hook spring (104) maintains the original position of the lever (103) when the assembly (100) is disengaged. The assembly (100) further comprises split mechanism base plate (105) which comprises a rivet (106) for connecting an inner cable (107) which is connected at one end to the bracket assembly (102), to a split plate (108) which splits a single input force transferred through the inner cable (107) into at least a dual output force, wherein the split plate (108) provided on the split mechanism base plate (105) splits a pre-defined magnitude of the input force into at least dual output force which is obtained to disengage the wheels of the locomotive vehicle from the body of the locomotive vehicle during repair or maintenance related activities. Further, the assembly (100) comprises an outer cable (109) which is connected to the split mechanism base plate (105) for transmitting the dual output force obtained at the output of the split plate (108) to an abutment (110), wherein the abutment (110) is connected to the braking unit of the locomotive vehicle which enables disengagement of the locomotive body from the wheels of the locomotive.
[0018] Therefore, to facilitate successful disengagement, an operator is required to actuate the lever (103) by the rotating the lever (103) through a pre-defined angle. The rotation motion of the lever (103) is conveyed to the bracket assembly (102) through the inner cable (107), which is connected to the lever (103). The rotation motion of the lever (103) is converted to translatory motion of the inner cable (107) as the motion of the inner cable (107) is constrained to occur only in one direction. The inner cable (107) transmits the force exerted by the lever (103) to the split plate (108), wherein the split plate (108) divides the force exerted by the inner cable (107) equally between at least one pair of outer cables (109). The outer cable (109) is connected to the braking unit of the locomotive vehicle through the abutment (110).
[0019] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks which are encountered in the present-day parking brake mechanisms. The present invention comprises an assembly (100) constructed from a relatively fewer number of components that are also durable and robust, improving the lifecycle of the assembly (100). The fewer number of parts also leads to a reduction in maintenance and repair costs of the assembly (100). Further, the assembly (100) enables the disengagement of the driven compartment from the driving compartment of the locomotive vehicle thereby allowing different parts of the locomotive vehicle to be dismantled when undergoing maintenance and repair work. Additionally, the disengagement of the assembly (100) is relatively quick and easy as a result of the operator requiring to perform only one movement to disengage the braking pads of the locomotive vehicle. The operator also is not required to exit the interior of the locomotive vehicle to operate the assembly (100), improving safety of the operator and further reducing the effort the operator must exert to operate the assembly (100).
Reference numbers:
Components Reference Numbers
Assembly 100
Human-Machine Interface 101
Bracket Assembly 102
Lever 103
Hook Spring 104
Split Mechanism Base Plate 105
Rivet 106
Inner Cable 107
Split Plate 108
Outer Cable 109
Abutment 110