DESC:BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to a brake valve, and more particularly, to a brake valve for off-road vehicles for providing same output pressure to each wheel of off-road vehicles to improve braking effectiveness.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Most common problem in a brake system is to apply even brake to all wheels of a vehicle so that all wheels will decelerate or lock at a same time. It is very necessary for stability of the vehicle while braking, for achieving this input and output pressure should be same in the brake valve which is connected to brake assembly.
[0003] Normally, hydraulic brake valves split two-input into four-output, i.e. distributing the applied pressure into four different pressure. These types of valves won’t give the output pressure as same as the input pressure at the time of continuous operating. Existing solutions include a spool actuation type brake valve with 2 input and 4 output to distribute the pressure to all the wheels, but as a option of using single input and single output is not possible.
[0004] Other solutions include a ball valve type that includes a separate valve for each input and that input pressure is applied to the wheels. Ball valve type distributes even pressure to all the wheels but it requires more space to provide one or more input valves as same as the number of wheels.
[0005] Accordingly, there remains a need for a more effective brake valve for mitigating and overcoming drawbacks associated with current braking systems.
SUMMARY
[0006] An embodiment herein provides a brake valve for an off-road vehicle. The brake value includes one or more brake cylinders, a valve block and a lever. The one or more brake cylinders are associated with one or more wheels of the off-road vehicle to provide braking. The valve block provides output pressure to the one or more wheels of the off-road vehicle with input pressure. The valve block includes a valve input port and a valve output port. The lever actuates to lock the valve output port of the valve block in at least one of a first position or a second position. When in operation, the lever is configured to automatically shift the position of the valve output port of the valve block to provide output pressure to the one or more brake cylinders that are associated with the one or more wheels as same as input pressure on the valve block to provide even braking on the off-road vehicle.
[0007] In some embodiments, the lever is configured to automatically shift the position of the valve block by sensing a pedal latch.
[0008] In some embodiments, the brake valve includes an electric switch solenoid that enables the automatic actuation from any of (i) the first position to the second position, or (ii) the second position to the first position, of the valve block.
[0009] In some embodiments, when the lever is shifted to the first position, the brake valve is configured to perform rear wheel braking in the off-road vehicle by applying the output pressure as same as the input pressure in the valve block.
[0010] In some embodiments, when the lever is shifted to the second position, the brake valve is configured to perform four-wheel braking in the off-road vehicle by applying the output pressure as same as the input pressure in the valve block.
[0011] In some embodiments, the brake valve includes one or more fluid lines that distributes fluid from the valve block to the one or more brake cylinders that are associated with the one or more wheels of the off-road vehicle.
[0012] In some embodiments, the valve block includes a six-way two-position valve.
[0013] In some embodiments, the valve block includes at least one of two-input and four-output position, two-input and two-output position, and one-input and one-output.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first position includes the two-input and two-output position of the valve block, and the second position includes the two-input and four-output position of the valve block.
[0015] In an aspect, a method of providing even braking in an off-road vehicle is provided. The method includes automatically locking a valve output port in at least one of a first position or a second position using a lever. The method includes functioning at least one of (i) two-output to rear wheels braking in the off-road vehicle with output pressure as same as input pressure, or (ii) one-output to braking in the off-road vehicle with the output pressure as same as the input pressure, when the lever is in the first position. The method includes functioning a four-wheel braking in the off-road vehicle with the output pressure as same as the input pressure when the lever is in the second position.
[0016] The brake valve provides output pressure as same as the input pressure which improves the effectiveness of braking in the off-road vehicle. The automatic shifting of the valve output port position provides easy operations and provides improved braking on rear wheels and on four wheels. The brake valve engages the two-wheel braking and the four-wheel braking easily.
[0017] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a brake valve for improving a brake effective in off-road vehicles according to some embodiments herein;
[0020] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a circuit diagram of the brake valve of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein; and
[0021] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for improving the brake effective of the off-road vehicles with the brake valve according to some embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed 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.
[0023] As mentioned, there remains a need for a brake valve for off-road vehicles to provide same output pressure to a brake cylinder which is connected to wheels of the off-road vehicles to improve a braking effectiveness with easy engauging of two-wheels brake and four-wheels brake. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram 100 of a brake valve for improving a brake effectiveness in off-road vehicles according to some embodiments herein. The block diagram 100 includes an off-road vehicle 102, one or more brake cylinders 104A-N, a valve block 106, a lever 108, and one or more fluid lines 110A-N. The one or more brake cylinders 104A-N may be associated with one or more wheels of the off-road vehicle 102. The off-road vehicle 102 may include four brake cylinders that are associated with four wheels of the off-road vehicle 102. In some embodiments, the one or more brake cylinders 104A-N are associated with a wheel shaft of the one or more wheels. The one or more fluid lines 110A-N may include four fluid lines. The brake valve may include one or more brake cylinders associated with one or more braking wheels of the off-road vehicle 102. The valve block 106 may be a six-way two-position valve to provide same output pressure to the one or more brake cylinders 104A-N.
[0025] The valve block 106 includes (i) two-input and four-output position, (ii) two-input and two-output position, and (iii) also in position two if one-input and one-output. The lever 108 actuates parts to lock a valve output port in the valve block 106. The lever 108 may be operated to lock the valve output port in at least one of a first position or a second position. In some embodiments, the first position of the lever 108 can be the two-input and two-output position of the valve block 106. In some embodiments, the second position of the lever 108 can be the two-input and four-output position of the valve block 106.
[0026] The lever 108 is configured to automatically shift the position of the valve output port of the valve block 106 to provide the output pressure to the one or more brake cylinders 104A-N that are associated with the one or more wheels as same as input pressure on the valve block 106 to provide even braking on the off-road vehicle 102. The lever 108 may be operated by a manual lever actuation for shifting from the first position to the second position and vice versa. In some embodiments, the lever 108 includes an electric switch solenoid for automatic actuation from the first position to the second position and vice versa. The brake valve may include one or more seals to arrest the pressure leak in the valve block 106. The one or more fluid lines 110A-N may be a fluid distribution line that distributes the fluid from the valve block 106 to the one or more brake cylinders 104A-N which is connected to the one or more wheels of the off-road vehicle 102. The one or more brake cylinders 104A-N apply pressure on one or more wheel shafts for braking function.
[0027] When the lever 108 locks the valve output port in the second position, the input pressure applied by the pedals of the off-road vehicle 102 applies the output pressure as same as the input pressure of the valve block 106 to the one or more brake cylinders 104A-N to improve the braking effectiveness of the off-road vehicle 102.
[0028] When the lever 108 is in the second position, the brake valve functions four-wheel braking in the off-road vehicle 102 with the output pressure as same as the input pressure of valve block 106. When the lever 108 is in the first position, the brake valve functions two-output to rear wheels braking in the off-road vehicle 102 with the output pressure as same as the input pressure. The positions of the lever 108 may be automatically switched from the first position to the second position and vice versa, by sensing the pedal latch.
[0029] In some embodiments, when the lever 108 is in the second position, the brake valve functions one output with the output pressure as same as input pressure, when one input pressure is applied. In some embodiments, the brake valve can be adapted to the vehicles having two pedals for brake i.e. backhoe, wheel loader, tractor, and the like. In some embodiments, the rear wheels braking and the four-wheel braking can be easily engaged with the lever 108 that can be operated by at least one of manual control or auto-sensing pedal travel.
[0030] In some embodiments, the valve output port includes a solenoid valve that is configured to provide any of one output, two output, or four output for providing output pressure to the one or more brake cylinders 104A-N. The solenoid valve may include one or more springs that provide tension, one or more stoppers for observing the tension, one or more guide pins, and one or more stopper pins. The solenoid valve may be operated when the input pressure is applied, with the pedals, where a first input is applied on a first pedal and a second input is applied on a second pedal. When the input pressure is applied on any of the first input or the second input of the solenoid valve, at least one of a first stopper pin or a second stopper pin may restrict the fluid distribution that enables at least one of a second stopper pin or a first stopper pin to open the fluid flow due to oil pressure, for the fluid distribution enabling two-wheel braking. When the input pressure is applied on both the first input and the second input of the solenoid valve, the first stopper pin and the second stopper pin may restrict the fluid distribution that enables at least one of a second stopper pin or a first stopper pin to open the fluid flow due to oil pressure, for the fluid distribution enabling four-wheel braking.
[0031] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate circuit diagrams 200 and 210 of the brake valve of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein. The circuit diagrams 200 and 210 include four hydraulic cylinders 202A-N, two pedals 204A-N, the valve block 106, four cylinders 206A-N, and the one or more fluid lines 110A-N. The valve block 106 includes a six-way two-position valve. In some embodiments, the brake valve includes one or more hydraulic cylinders, one or more pedals, and one or more cylinders. When the two pedals 204A-N are pressed, fluid in the four hydraulic cylinders 202A-N pass to the valve block 106 with the input pressure, and the valve output port that is locked on the first position by actuating the lever 108, applies output pressure as same as the input pressure to the two-output to four cylinders 206A-N, as shown in the circuit diagram 200 of the FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, the two-output to the four cylinders 206A-N can be the rear wheels brake of the off-road vehicle 102. In some embodiments, if the pressure is applied on (i) a pedal 204A, the fluid line 110A receives the input pressure, (ii) a pedal 204N, the fluid line 110B receives the input pressure, and (iii) the pedal 204A and the pedal 204N, the fluid line 110A and the fluid line 110N receives the input pressure.
[0032] When the two pedals 204A-N are pressed, the fluid in the four hydraulic cylinders 202A-N pass to the valve block 106 with the input pressure, and the valve output port that on the second position with the lever 108, applies output pressure as same as the input pressure to the four-output to the four cylinders 206A-N through the fluid lines 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110N, as shown in the circuit diagram 210 of the FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, the four-output to the four cylinders 206A-N can be the four wheels braking of the off-road vehicle 102.
[0033] In some embodiments, when at least one of the pedal 204A, or the pedal 204N is pressed, the fluid from at least one of the four hydraulic cylinders 202A-N pass to the valve block 106 with the input pressure, that applies the output pressure as same as the input pressure to at least two of the four cylinders 206A-N through the fluid lines 110C and 110D, as shown in circuit diagram 210 of the FIG. 2B. When the pedal 204A is pressed, the fluid in the hydraulic cylinder 202A may pass to the valve block 106 and applies output pressure to the cylinders 206A and 206B.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for improving the brake effectiveness of the off-road vehicles with the brake valve according to some embodiments herein. At step 302, a valve output port is locked by actuating the lever 108 in at least one of the first position or the second position. At step 304, the at least one of (i) two-output to rear wheels braking in the off-road vehicle 102 with the output pressure as same as the input pressure on two input or (ii) one-output to braking in the off-road vehicle 102 with the output pressure as same as the input pressure on one input, is functioned when the lever 108 is in the first position. At step 306, the four-wheel braking in the off-road vehicle 102 with the output pressure as same as the input pressure is functioned when the lever 108 is in the second position.
[0035] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will 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 appended claims.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A brake valve for an off-road vehicle (102), wherein the brake value comprises,
one or more brake cylinders (104A-N) that are associated with one or more wheels of the off-road vehicle (102) to provide braking;
a valve block (106) that provides output pressure to the one or more wheels of the off-road vehicle (102) with input pressure, wherein the valve block (106) comprises a valve input port and a valve output port;
a lever (108) that actuates to lock the valve output port of the valve block (106) in at least one of a first position or a second position,
wherein, characterized in that, when in operation, the lever (108) is configured to automatically shift the position of the valve output port of the valve block (106) to provide output pressure to the one or more brake cylinders (104A-N) that are associated with the one or more wheels as same as input pressure on the valve block (106) to provide even braking on the off-road vehicle (102).

2. The brake valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever (108) is configured to automatically shift the position of the valve block (106) by sensing a pedal latch.

3. The brake valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake valve comprises an electric switch solenoid that enables automatic actuation from any of (i) the first position to the second position, or (ii) the second position to the first position, of the valve block (106).

4. The brake valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the lever (108) is shifted to the first position, the brake valve is configured to perform rear wheel braking in the off-road vehicle (102) by applying the output pressure as same as the input pressure in the valve block (106).

5. The brake valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the lever (108) is shifted to the second position, the brake valve is configured to perform four-wheel braking in the off-road vehicle (102) by applying the output pressure as same as the input pressure in the valve block (106).

6. The brake valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake valve comprises a plurality of fluid lines (110A-N) that distributes fluid from the valve block (106) to the one or more brake cylinders (104A-N) that are associated with the one or more wheels of the off-road vehicle (102).

7. The brake valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve block (106) comprises a six-way two-position valve.

8. The brake valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve block (106) comprises at least one of two-input and four-output position, two-input and two-output position, and one-input and one-output.

9. The brake valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first position comprises the two-input and two-output position of the valve block (106), wherein the second position comprises the two-input and four-output position of the valve block (106).

10. A method of providing even braking in an off-road vehicle (102), wherein the method comprises,
automatically locking, using a lever (108), a valve output port in at least one of a first position or a second position;
functioning at least one of (i) two-output to rear wheels braking in the off-road vehicle with output pressure as same as input pressure, or (ii) one-output to braking in the off-road vehicle (102) with the output pressure as same as the input pressure, when the lever (108) is in the first position; and
functioning a four-wheel braking in the off-road vehicle (102) with the output pressure as same as the input pressure when the lever (108) is in the second position.