Claims:We claim:
1. An equalizer (100) for a parking brake assembly (200) of a vehicle, the equalizer (100) comprising:
a hub (1), pivotably connectable to a support member (201) in the vehicle;
a first link (2), radially extending from a portion of the hub (1), wherein the first link (2) is connectable to a parking brake lever (202) through a first connecting member; and
a pair of second links (4), extending from the hub (1) and are radially offset from the first link (2), each link of the pair of second links (4) is connectable to a braking mechanism (203) of a wheel (204) of the vehicle, through a second connecting member (5),
wherein, at least one of the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) is defined with a plurality of provisions to connect the first connecting member and the second connecting member (5) respectively at variable positions, for adjusting distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever (202) to the braking mechanism (203).

2. The equalizer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) are defined with the plurality of provisions.

3. The equalizer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the pair of second links (4) is configured to extend from opposing sides of the hub (1) and along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first link (2).

4. The equalizer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the pair of second links (4) is configured to extend from opposing sides of the hub (1) and along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first link (2).

5. The equalizer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hub (1), the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) are integrally formed.

6. The equalizer (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a plane of the first link (2) and the plane of the pair of second links (4) define an angle ranging from 20 to 920.

7. The equalizer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein varying connecting position of the first connecting member with the first link (2) and the second connecting member (5) with each of the pair of second links about the plurality of provisions, varies a lever ratio of the equalizer (100) for distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever (202).

8. A parking brake assembly (200) for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a parking brake lever (202);
a braking mechanism (203), coupled to each wheel (204) of the vehicle; and
an equalizer (100) disposed between the parking brake lever (202) and the braking mechanism (203), wherein the equalizer (100) comprises:
a hub (1), pivotably connectable to a support member (201) in the vehicle;
a first link (2), radially extending from a portion of the hub (1), wherein the first link (2) is connectable to the parking brake lever (202) through a first connecting member; and
a pair of second links (4), extending from the hub (1) and are radially offset from the first link (2), each link of the pair of second links (4) is connectable to the braking mechanism (203), through a second connecting member (5),
wherein, at least one of the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) is defined with a plurality of provisions to connect the first connecting member and the second connecting respectively at variable positions, for adjusting distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever (202) to the braking mechanism (203).

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) are defined with the plurality of provisions.

10. A vehicle comprising a parking brake assembly (200) as claimed in claim 8.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure, in general, relates automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a parking brake assembly. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an equalizer for varying distribution of forces in the parking brake assembly of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Parking brakes are generally equipped in the vehicles as a safety mechanism for emergency and to maintain the vehicle under motionless state, when the vehicle is not under the influence of an operator for maneuvering the vehicle. The parking brakes are also employed to prevent roll back of the vehicle, when positioned on a gradient surface.

As the parking brakes are employed as emergency braking system in the vehicle, it is necessary to have such system as a fail-proof and ensure that such a braking system is equipped for swift response, when operated by the operator. Further, a braking mechanism included in the parking brake assembly may also be associated with service brake assemblies [or also referred to as primary brake assemblies] of the vehicle. The braking mechanism may be at least one of a drum-brake type mechanism, a disc-brake type mechanism, and the like, where such braking mechanisms may be configured to retard and/or halt vehicular movement upon actuation of the parking brake assembly.

The parking brake system, in general, may include a parking brake lever, configured to be operable between an operational position and a rest position, by a driver. To actuate the parking brake assembly, the parking brake lever may be pulled/displaced from the rest position by applying force at one end of the parking brake lever by the driver, to reach the operational position. Upon traveling a defined distance from the rest position, the parking brake lever may reach the operational position, where plurality of cables associated with the parking brake lever may be configured to impart braking force on the braking mechanism, in order to retard or bring the vehicle to halt. Further, the braking force imparted by the plurality of cables may be dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, distance to be travelled by the parking brake lever to reach the operating position, tension in each of the plurality of cables, and the like.

Conventionally, the distance to be traveled by the parking brake lever from the rest position and the operational position for imparting the braking force is dependent on the type of brake mechanism employed in the vehicle. That is, a threshold displacement limit of the parking brake lever for the braking assembly having the drum-brake type may vary from that of the braking assembly having the disc-brake type. Such a variation may render the parking brake assembly non-compatible for retrofitting in the vehicles employing other type of braking mechanisms. Also, the parking brake lever may require extensive modification in order to be vary and/or minimize distance to be traveled to reach the operating condition in order to be compatible for each of the brake mechanisms that may be employable in 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 an equalizer for a parking brake assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The equalizer includes a hub, which is pivotably connectable to a support member in the vehicle. A first link is radially extending from a portion of the hub, where the first link is connectable to a parking brake lever through a first connecting member. Further, a pair of secondary links extends from the hub and are radially offset from the first link, where each link of the pair of second links is connectable to a braking mechanism of a wheel of the vehicle, through a second connecting member. At least one of the first link and the pair of second links is defined with a plurality of provisions to connect the first connecting member and the second connecting respectively at variable positions, for adjusting distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever to the braking mechanism.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first link and the pair of second links are defined with the plurality of provisions.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the pair of second links is configured to extend from opposing sides of the hub and along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first link.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the pair of second links is configured to extend from opposing sides of the hub and along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first link.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hub, the first link and the pair of second links are integrally formed to constitute the equalizer as a unitary structure. Further, a plane of the first link and the plane of the pair of second links define an angle ranging from 20 to 920.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, by varying connecting position of the first connecting member with the first link and the second connecting member with each of the pair of second links about the plurality of provisions, varies a lever ratio of the equalizer for distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a parking brake assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a parking brake lever and a braking mechanism, coupled to each wheel of the vehicle. An equalizer disposed between the parking brake lever and the braking mechanism. The equalizer includes a hub, which is pivotably connectable to a support member in the vehicle. A first link is radially extending from a portion of the hub, where the first link is connectable to the parking brake lever through a first connecting member. Further, a pair of secondary links extends from the hub and are radially offset from the first link, where each link of the pair of second links is connectable to a braking mechanism of a wheel of the vehicle, through a second connecting member. At least one of the first link and the pair of second links is defined with a plurality of provisions to connect the first connecting member and the second connecting respectively at variable positions, for adjusting distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever to the braking mechanism.

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 parking brake assembly having an equalizer for distribution of forces to braking mechanism of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a schematic representation of an equalizer for the parking brake assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates schematic view of the parking brake assembly of Figure 1 in operation condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figures 4a and 4b illustrate schematic representations of the equalizer for the parking brake assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figures 5a and 5b illustrate schematic representations of the equalizer of Figures 4a and 4b in operation condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the 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 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 parking brake assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a parking brake lever and a braking mechanism, coupled to each wheel of the vehicle. An equalizer disposed between the parking brake lever and the braking mechanism. The equalizer includes a hub, which is pivotably connectable to a support member in the vehicle. A first link is radially extending from a portion of the hub, where the first link is connectable to a parking brake lever through a first connecting member. Further, a pair of secondary links extends from the hub and radially offset from the first link, where each link of the pair of second links is connectable to a braking mechanism of a wheel of the vehicle, through a second connecting member. At least one of the first link and the pair of second links is defined with a plurality of provisions to connect the first connecting member and the second connecting respectively at variable positions, for adjusting distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever to the braking mechanism. Thus, configuration of the parking brake assembly including the equalizer having the plurality of slots for adjusting distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever allows such parking brake assembly to be compatible for each braking mechanism that may be employable in the vehicle.

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 may be used in any vehicle including but not liming to passenger car, heavy vehicles, light duty vehicles or any other vehicle. However, the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a parking brake assembly (200) for a vehicle [not shown in figures]. The parking brake assembly (200) may be operated in complementary to a service brake assembly [not shown in figures], where the parking brake assembly (200) may be associated with a braking mechanism (203) of at least a pair of wheels of the vehicle. The braking mechanism (203) may be including, but not limited to, a drum brake mechanism, a disc brake mechanism, and the like. Further, the parking brake assembly (200) may be operated when the service brake assembly may not be engaged by a driver [or interchangeably referred to as an operator or user]. The parking brake assembly (200) may be configured to halt vehicular movement in conditions including, but not limited to, when the vehicle is parked on a gradient surface or in parked position, when the vehicle is moving in traffic, when the driver is not available for applying the service brake assembly, and the like. In an embodiment, a braking force [or simply referred to as “force”] may be applied at one end of the parking brake assembly (200) by the driver, while a resultant retarding action may be imparted at other end [which may be away from the one end] of the parking brake assembly (200) having the braking mechanism (203) associated with the at least two wheels of the vehicle.

Further referring to Figure 1, the parking brake assembly (200) may include a parking brake lever (202), which may be provisioned in a vicinity of the driver in a driver cabin [not shown in figures] of the vehicle. The parking brake lever (202) may include a driver end, which may be disposed on a cabin floor of the vehicle, to be operable by the driver. In an embodiment, the parking brake lever (202) may be adapted to pivot about a fulcrum (9), where the fulcrum (9) may be located in at least one of within the driver cabin, an engine bay, under the driver cabin floor, and the like. The parking brake assembly (200) may be adaptably operable by pivoting about the fulcrum (9) in order to impart braking force on wheels of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the parking brake lever (202) may be connected the wheels of the vehicle via a plurality of connecting members, where each of the plurality of connecting members may adapted to include either rigid structure or fluid [or flexible] structure. That is, the plurality of connecting members may be at least one of cables or links based on nature of requirement in the parking brake assembly (200). Additionally, at least one connecting member of the plurality of connecting members may be configured to extend from the parking brake lever (202) and may be coupled to the braking mechanism (203) of at least one wheel (204) of the vehicle, that may be configured to be influenced by the parking brake assembly (200), upon actuation of the parking brake lever (202).

In the illustrative embodiment, the parking brake assembly (200) may include an equalizer (100) [also best seen in Figures 2a and 2b]. The equalizer (100) may be positioned downstream of the parking brake lever (202), where one end of the equalizer (100) may be connected to an end of the parking brake lever (202) proximal to the fulcrum (9), via a first connecting member (3). Further, other end of the equalizer (100) may be connected with at least a pair of wheels (204) of vehicle, via a pair of second connecting members (5). In an embodiment, the equalizer (100) may be configured distribute to braking force from the parking brake lever (202) to the braking mechanism (203), via the plurality of connecting members, by means of adaptably displacing and/or pivoting about a point.

Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b, the equalizer (100) may include a hub (1), where the hub (1) may act as a central body of the equalizer (100) and about which the equalizer (100) may be configured to displace and/or pivot. The hub (1) may be profiled to resemble at least one of a cube, a cuboid, a frusto-cone, and the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the hub (1) is configured to resemble a cylindrical profile, having a defined diameter and length. The hub (1) may include a central cavity (7), where the central cavity (7) may be configured to receive a pin (8), associated with a support member (201) of the vehicle, to secure the hub (1), and in-turn the equalizer (100). The support member (201) may be including but not limited to, a flange, a chassis, a frame, a sub-frame, and the like, which may be a part of the vehicle. Further, the equalizer (100) may include a first link (2) and a pair of second links (4), where each of the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) are configured to radially extend from a portion of perimeter of the hub (1). The hub (1), the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) may be integrally formed to provide unitary structure to the equalizer (100). Also, each link of the pair of second links (4) may extend to be radially off-set from the first link (2). In an embodiment, each of the pair of second links (4) may be configured to extend from opposing sides of the hub (1) and along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first link (2), as best seen in Figure 2b.

Again referring to Figures 2a and 2b, at least one of the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) of the equalizer (100) may be defined with a plurality of provisions to aid in connection with the parking brake lever (202) and the braking mechanism (203). The plurality of provisions may be including, but not limited to, slots, cavities, holes, and the like. In the illustrative embodiment, each of the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) are defined with the plurality of provisions such that, the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) may be configured to receive and accommodate the first connecting member (3) and the second connecting member (5) respectively at variable positions. The first connecting member (3) and the second connecting member (5) may be attached to the plurality of provisions by connecting means including, but not limited to, fastening, riveting, clamping, and the like. Further, position of connection of the first connecting member (3) and the second connecting member (5) with the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4), respectively, may define a lever ratio of the equalizer (100). The lever ratio may determine quantity of braking force that may be received from the parking brake lever (202) and then distributed by the equalizer (100) to the braking mechanism (203) of the at least two wheels of the vehicle. The lever ratio may be defined as a ratio of distance (R) between the first connecting member (3) accommodated in the first link (2) to the distance (r1 and r2) between the second connecting member (5) accommodated in each link of the pair of second links (4), where the distance may be measured from a center of the hub (1). In an embodiment, by varying the lever ratio, that is, provision in which the first connecting member (3) and the second connecting member (5) may be connected, factors such as, but not limited to, sagging, stiffness, distance to be traveled by the parking brake lever (202), and the like may be varied, in order to distribute and transfer adequate quantity of braking force to the braking mechanism (203).

Further, upon operating the parking brake lever (202) to an operating condition (OP), as shown in Figure 3, the first connecting member (3) connected at the end of the parking brake lever (202) [which may be proximal to the fulcrum (9)] may be adapted to displace the first link (2) of the equalizer (100) [for example, linearly pull the first link (2) towards the fulcrum (9) of the parking brake lever (202)]. The displacement of the first link (2) may result in pivotal movement of the hub (1), whereby pivoting each link of the pair of second links (4) in opposing directions. The second connecting member (5) connected to each of the pair of second links (4) may be configured to correspondingly operate an actuating means associated with the braking mechanism (203) of the wheels (204) of the vehicle. The actuating means may be including, but not limited to, a piston connecting rod, an operating lever, a resilient member, and the like. The actuating means may be configured to operate the braking mechanism (203) of the wheels of the vehicle, thereby operating the vehicle to halt. Additionally, due to pivotal movement of the equalizer (100), a threshold travel distance required for the parking brake lever (202) may be compensated, while force required to be applied at the end of the parking brake lever (202) may be marginally increased. The parking brake lever (202) upon operating to the operational position (OP) may transmit the braking force on the equalizer (100). The equalizer (100) may be then configured to equally distribute [for example, bifurcate] the braking force applied on the parking brake lever (202) by the driver, whereby equal quantity of forces may be provided to each wheel (204) associated with the parking brake assembly (200).

In an embodiment, each of the pair of second links (4) may be configured to extend from the hub (1) and along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first link (2), where both the second links (4) may be adapted to extend in the same direction as that of the first link (2), as best seen in figures 4a and 4b. Further, the first link (2) and each link of the pair of second links (4) define a planar angle in the range of 20 to 920 , where the pair of second links (4) may be configured to define profiles including but not limited to, “Y”, ‘T”, “W”, “M”, and the like.

Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, the equalizer (100) may, in similar sense to Figures 1 and 3, respectively, may be connected between the parking brake lever (202) and the braking mechanism (203) of the wheels (204) of the vehicle. The first link (2) may be centrally extended from the hub (1) [best seen in Figure 4a] and may be connected to the parking brake lever (202) via the first connecting member (3). Upon operating the parking brake lever (202), the first link (2) may pivot about the hub (1) and may displace towards the parking brake lever (202). While the pair of second links (4) being parallel to the first link (2), may also be compelled to displace towards the parking brake assembly (200), whereby pulling the actuation means of the braking mechanism (203) via the second connecting member (5). As the first link (2) and each of the pair of second links (4) include a planar angle, the degree of pulling by the first link (2) may vary from that of the pair of second links (4), while selectively positioning the first connecting member (3) and the second connecting member (5) may allow varying the lever ratio. Also, as the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) may be parallelly positioned, distance to be travelled by the parking brake lever (202) may have to be increased. While the parking brake lever (202) may configured to be further displaced, the braking force transmitted by the parking brake lever (202) may be undividedly transmitted to the actuation means of the wheels of the vehicle. In an embodiment, in order to apply adequate force on the actuation means, the distance to be travelled by the parking brake lever (202) may be doubled. Due to such additional travel distance and parallel positioning of the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4), the braking force may be undivided amongst the second connecting members connected to the pair of second links (4).

In an embodiment, the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) (4) may be defined with varying heights of the hub (1) such that, the plurality of provisions defined in the first link (2) may be parallelly off-set from a plane having the plurality of slots in the pair of second links, as best seen in Figures 2a and 2b.

In an embodiment, the hub (1), the first link (2) and the pair of second links (4) of the equalizer (100) may be made of homogenous material or heterogeneous material. The equalizer (100) may be made from materials including, but not limited to, metal, alloys, polymers, graphene, and the like.

In an embodiment, the equalizer (100) allows adjusting the distribution of force applied by the parking brake lever (202) to the braking mechanism (203), by varying position at which the first connecting member and the second connecting member (5) is connected to the equalizer (100).

In an embodiment, the equalizer (100) allows varying travel length of the parking brake lever (202) to undividedly transmit braking force to the braking mechanism (203) of the vehicle.

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
Hub 1
First link 2
First connecting member
3
Pair of second links
4
Second connecting member
5
Plurality of provisions
6
Central cavity 7
Pin 8
Fulcrum 9
Equalizer 100
Parking brake assembly 200
Support member
201

Parking brake lever 202
Braking mechanism 203
Wheel 204