DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relates to braking system of a vehicle. Particularly but not exclusively relates to a parking brake assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
It is generally desirable that a parking brake be actuated when a vehicle is parked, in order to minimize the damage from a possible collision. The application of the parking brake is required particularly upon stopping the vehicle on a slope, so that the vehicle is prevented from rolling down the slope even when the foot brake is released. The parking brakes are also used under emergency situations like avoiding an accident, for high speed cornering …etc. These uses of the parking brake make it a vital component in a vehicle, especially due to the safety aspects involved.

In conventional parking brake system, ball and ramp unit is employed in the brake system of the vehicle. The ball and ramp unit converts turning movement of the lever and the tensile force of the brake cable into clamping force for applying brakes. The ball and ramp unit comprises a screw piston, which is configured to reciprocate when turning movement is provided. Upon actuation of the parking brake lever, the turning movement of the parking brake lever is transferred to the screw piston by the brake cable, which is utilised for clamping disc of wheel. The rotation of the piston causes the brake pads to clamp the disc, thereby engaging parking brakes.

However, in ball-in-ramp units only the inner cable of the brake cable is utilized while applying the parking brake. This adds on to the amount of force that the user has to apply to the brake lever for engaging the brake suitably. Consequently, this increases the effort the user for applying the parking brakes. Also, there are chances that the user may miss-time the application of brake due to additional effort required for engaging the parking brake. Any miss-time occurring in braking may lead to physical damage to the vehicles and to the passengers in the vehicle. Further, in cases of any mechanical failures in ball and ramp unit the replacement or repair of the components is tedious due to complexity in design of the ball-in-ramp unit. In cases where there is failure of the entire ball-in-ramp unit, the replacement cost is very high.

To mitigate the aforesaid problem, there exists various methods and one way is by providing reaction plates in the caliper body of the parking brake system. The reaction plate applies additional reaction force in the parking brake assembly to reduce the amount of force exerted for applying brakes. However, these parking brake assemblies employing reaction plates include rolling bodies. The rolling bodies in the parking brake assembly make the assembly more cumbersome and complex and may non-economical.

In the light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need to develop a parking brake system which is simple and operation, at the same time overcome the limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through 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 an embodiment of the present disclosure, a parking brake assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a reaction plate connected to an outer cable of a brake cable at one side and a caliper housing body at its other side. The reaction plate and the caliper housing body are configured with a plurality of guiding holes at a leading and trailing side of the parking brake assembly. A plurality of studs are configured to pass through the plurality of guiding holes and connected to a first brake pad at a piston side of the caliper housing body and the reaction plate. The assembly also comprises an inner cable of the brake cable configured to connect with the caliper housing body. Upon actuation of a parking brake lever, the inner cable displaces the caliper housing body relative to the reaction plate to simultaneously actuate the first brake pad and a second brake pad for applying parking brake.

In an embodiment, the plurality of guiding holes guides the plurality of studs during linear displacement of the plurality of studs when a parking brake lever is actuated to apply parking brake.

In an embodiment, the holes in the reaction plate match with the holes in the caliper housing body.

In an embodiment, the inner cable extends between the reaction plate and the caliper housing body, and is surrounded with a spring to facilitate relative motion of the caliper housing body with the reaction plate.

In an embodiment, a carrier assembly is configured to house the first brake pad and the second brake pad, wherein the second brake pad is slidably mounted in the carrier assembly.

In an embodiment, the caliper housing body is slidably connected to the carrier assembly through sliding pins.

In an embodiment, the reaction plate is configured with a provision to allow the inner cable to be connected to the caliper housing body.

In an embodiment, a pulley is mounted onto the caliper body to amplify the force exerted on the caliper housing body to apply parking brake when the parking brake lever is engaged.

In an embodiment, one end of the inner cable is connected to the parking brake lever and other end of the inner cable encircles the pulley and connects with the reaction plate (4).

In an embodiment, the spring is surrounding each of the plurality of studs when the pulley is mounted to the caliper housing body.

In an embodiment, the parking brake assembly comprises at least one disc disposed between the first brake pad and the second brake pad, wherein upon actuation of the parking brake lever the inner cable displaces the caliper housing body relative to the reaction plate to simultaneously actuate the first brake pad and the second brake pad with the at least one disc to clamp the at least one disc for applying parking brake.

In an embodiment, a method for assembling a parking brake assembly is provided. The method comprises acts of firstly connecting a reaction plate to an outer cable of a brake cable at one side and a caliper housing body at its other side. The reaction plate and the caliper housing body are configured with a plurality of guiding holes at a leading and trailing side of the parking brake assembly. Secondly, configuring a plurality of studs to pass through the plurality of guiding holes and connect to a first brake pad at a piston side of the caliper housing body and the reaction plate. Lastly, the inner cable of the brake cable is connected with the caliper housing body. Upon actuation of a parking brake lever, the inner cable displaces the caliper housing body relative to the reaction plate to actuate simultaneously the first brake pad and a second brake pad for applying parking brake.

In an embodiment, the caliper housing body is slidably mounted onto the carrier assembly by a sliding pin.

In an embodiment, a spring surrounds the inner cable extending from the reaction plate and the caliper housing body to facilitate relative motion of caliper housing body with the reaction plate.

In an embodiment, a pulley is mounted to the caliper housing body to amplify the force exerted on the caliper housing body to apply parking brake.

In an embodiment, one end of the inner cable is connected to the parking brake lever and other end of the inner cable encircles the pulley and connects with the reaction plate.

In an embodiment, a method for applying parking brake by a parking brake assembly is provided. The method comprises acts of actuating the parking brake lever to displace the caliper housing body by the inner cable relative to the reaction plate to actuate simultaneously the first brake pad and a second brake pad for applying parking brake.

In an embodiment, the inner cable exerts a force equivalent to force of actuation of parking brake lever on the caliper housing body.

In an embodiment, the outer cable exerts a reaction force equivalent to force of actuation of the parking brake lever on the reaction plate to relatively move the caliper housing body with the reaction plate to apply brakes.

In an embodiment, the inner cable exerts a force equivalent to twice the force of actuation of parking brake lever on the pulley mounted to the caliper housing body.

In an embodiment, the outer cable exerts a reaction force twice the force of actuation of the parking brake lever on the reaction plate to relatively move the caliper housing body with the reaction plate mounted with the pulley to apply parking brake.

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 side view of a parking brake assembly connected to a parking brake lever in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates sectional view of a parking brake lever in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates partial sectional view of the caliper assembly shown in figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates partial sectional view of the caliper assembly shown in figure 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates sectional view of parking brake assembly shown in figure 1 in dis-engaged condition.

Figure 6 illustrates sectional view of parking brake assembly shown in figure 5 in engaged condition.

Figure 7 illustrates sectional view of parking brake assembly shown in figure 1 in dis-engaged condition in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 8 illustrates sectional view of the parking brake assembly shown in figure 7 in engaged condition.

Figure 9 illustrates sectional view of the parking brake assembly provided to rear axle of the vehicle connected to a parking brake lever shown in figure 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 10 illustrates sectional view of the parking brake assembly provided to rear axle of the vehicle connected to a parking brake lever shown in figure 7 in accordance with another embodiment of the present 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 structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

It is to be noted at this point that all of the above described components, whether alone or in any combination, are claimed as being essential to the disclosure, in particular the details depicted in the drawings and reference numerals in the drawings are as given below.

Table of referral numerals
Referral Numerals Description
1 First brake pad
2 Second brake pad
3 Disc of wheel
4 Reaction plate
4a Provision in reaction plate
4b Guiding holes in reaction plate
5 Parking brake lever
6 Sliding pin
7 Pulley
8 Spring
9 Stud
100 Parking brake assembly
101 Carrier assembly
102 Caliper housing body
102a Guiding holes in caliper housing body
102b Caliper housing finger of caliper housing body
103 Brake cable
103a Outer cable of the brake cable
103b Inner cable of the brake cable
104 Braking system of the vehicle

To overcome the limitations stated in background, a parking brake assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a reaction plate, with one side connected to an outer cable of a brake cable and the other side connected to a caliper housing body. The reaction plate is connected to the caliper housing body by a spring. The reaction plate and the caliper housing body are configured with a plurality of guiding holes at leading and trailing sides. In the plurality of guiding holes, a plurality of studs is configured. Each of the plurality of guiding holes acts as a guideway to the plurality of stud, to facilitate sliding movement in the plurality of guiding holes. The plurality of stud connects a first brake pad at piston side of the caliper housing body and the reaction plate. Therefore, any displacement to the reaction plate will proportionally displace the first brake pad. Further, the brake cable also comprises an inner cable connected one end to a parking brake lever and the other end to the caliper housing body. The inner cable and the outer cable are concentric to each other. The inner cable connected to the caliper housing body extends from the reaction plate up to the caliper housing body. The inner cable extends from the reaction plate through a provision in the reaction plate. The spring connecting the reaction plate and the caliper housing body surrounds the inner cable extending from the reaction plate and the caliper housing body. The spring facilitates relative displacement or movement between the reaction plate and the caliper housing body. The relative displacement of the reaction plate and the caliper housing body enables to simultaneously actuate the first brake pad and the second brake pad with at least one disc of wheel, for applying parking brakes.

The caliper housing body is mounted slidably on a carrier assembly by a sliding pin and carrier assembly fixed to an axle of the vehicle. The carrier assembly is configured with a first brake pad and the second brake pad. The second brake pad is slidably mounted in the carrier assembly and is connected to a caliper housing finger of the caliper housing body to operate the second brake pad. Thus, operating the caliper housing body will operate the caliper housing finger and hence the second brake pad. The sliding arrangement enables the caliper housing body to slide in the carrier assembly. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the provision for caliper housing body to slide in the carrier assembly is up to a predetermined distance. Upon attaining the said distance, a caliper housing finger is operated by the caliper housing body, to engage the second brake pad with the at least one disc of the wheel. The predetermined distance is selected such that displacement of the second brake pad matches with the first brake pad. Thereby, enable simultaneous actuation of the first brake pad and the second brake pad, to engage with the at least one disc of the wheel for engaging parking brakes. Further, the carrier assembly is mounted onto the axle of the vehicle for support.

Upon actuation of a parking brake lever, the force from the parking brake lever is transferred to the caliper housing body via the inner cable. At this stage, due to the relative friction between the outer cable and inner cable of the brake cable, the outer cable tries to prevent movement of the inner cable. Due to this constraint in outer cable, a reaction force is developed which is applied on the reaction plate. The amount of reaction force developed is of exact value as that of force transferred to the inner cable. This force distribution between the caliper housing body and the reaction plate enables relative displacement between caliper housing body and the reaction plate. That is, the force transferred from the inner cable displaces the caliper housing body and the reaction force developed in the outer cable displaces the reaction plate in a direction opposite to that of caliper housing body. Thus enable simultaneous actuation of the first brake pad and the second brake pad to apply parking brake. The first brake pad and the second brake pad engage with at least one disc of wheel of the vehicle for applying parking brakes.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pulley is mounted to the caliper housing body. The pulley is connected to the parking brake lever by the inner cable of the brake cable. The inner cable encircles the pulley and connects to the reaction plate. The pulley amplifies the force and the reaction force acting on the caliper housing body and reaction plate. The spring surrounds the stud provided in each of the plurality of guiding holes, to connect reaction plate and the caliper housing body and aid relative motion between them.

Upon actuation of the parking brake lever, the force from the parking brake lever is transferred to the pulley mounted to the caliper housing body. As the inner cable is encircling the pulley the total tension developed in the inner cable is twice the force applied to the parking brake lever. Similarly, a reaction force twice that of the force applied to the parking brake lever is developed in the outer cable. Thus, an amplified force is now applied on the caliper housing body and an amplified reaction force acts on the reaction plate. Therefore, enable simultaneous actuation of the first brake pad and the second brake pad, with an amplified force. Thereby, inherently reducing the amount of force required to apply parking brakes.

Reference will now be made to figures which are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, referral numerals are used to refer to the same or like parts.

Figure 1 in one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrates a parking brake assembly (100) for a vehicle (not shown) connected to a parking brake lever (5). The parking brake assembly (100) comprises a parking brake lever (5), a reaction plate (4), a caliper housing body (102) and a carrier assembly (101).

The parking brake lever (5) [shown in figure 2] comprises a ratchet mechanism to lock in engaged position [EP] and in dis-engaged position [DEP]. The parking brake lever (5) is connected to one end of an inner cable (103b) of a brake cable (103). In an embodiment, the inner cable (103b) is fastened to the parking brake lever (5). The inner cable (103b) transfers the force from the parking brake lever (5) to the parking brake assembly (100). An outer cable (103a) is connected at a distance below the pivot point of the parking brake lever (5). The inner cable (103b) and the outer cable (103a) of the brake cable (103) are concentric with each other and are in frictional contact. The force (F) transferred from the parking brake lever (5) depends on the lever ratio (r). The lever ratio (r) is the ratio of length of the lever from the pivot point [represented as ‘a’] to that of the length of the connection of inner cable (103b) from the pivot point [represented as ‘b’] (shown in Figure 2).

Mathematically, lever ratio (r) is defined as

r = a/b

Therefore, the force transmitted from the parking brake lever (5) via the inner cable (103b) is product of force (f) and lever ratio (r) i.e. f*r.

In an embodiment, the parking brake lever (5) is selected from group comprising but not limiting to levers, push button type and the like which serves the purpose of operating the brake cable (103) for engaging parking brake.

The reaction plate (4) [shown in figure 5] is connected one end to the parking brake lever (5) by free end of the outer cable (103a) and the other end to a caliper housing body (102). In one embodiment, the reaction plate (4) is fastened to the outer cable (103a). The reaction plate (4) comprises a provision (4a), through which the inner cable (103b) extends from the reaction plate (4) up to the caliper housing body (102). Further, the reaction plate (4) is connected to the caliper housing body (102) by a spring (8). The spring (8) surrounds the inner cable (103b) and facilitates relative motion between the reaction plate (4) and the caliper housing body (102). A plurality of guiding holes (4b and 102a) is provisioned to the reaction plate (4) and the caliper housing body (102). A plurality of studs (9) is configured in the plurality of guiding holes (4b and 102a). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, two of guiding holes are provisioned on the reaction plate (4) and caliper housing body (102). Thus, there are two studs (9) provided to connect the reaction plate (4) to the first brake pad (1), each stud (9) in each of the guiding hole. The plurality of stud (9) is fastened to a first brake pad (1) at one end and to the reaction plate (4) at the other end. Each of the plurality of guiding holes (4b and 102a) acts as a guideway for the stud (9) for sliding movement. Thus, any displacement to the reaction plate (4) proportionately displaces the first brake pad (1).

The caliper housing body (102) is slidably mounted to a carrier assembly (101) by a sliding pin (6). The carrier assembly (101) is configured with the first brake pad (1) and a second brake pad (2). The second brake pad (2) is slidably mounted in the carrier assembly (101) and connected to a caliper housing finger (102b) of the caliper housing body (101) [as shown in figure 3]. Thus, operating the caliper housing body (102) will operate the caliper housing finger (102b) and hence the second brake pad (2). The carrier assembly (101) is supported on the axle of the vehicle. The caliper housing body (102) is configured to slide in the carrier assembly (101). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the caliper housing body (102) is slidable in the carrier assembly (101) up to a predetermined distance. Upon attaining the predetermined distance, the caliper housing finger (101) is displaced along with the caliper housing finger (102b) to engage the second brake pad (2) with at least one disc (3) of a wheel of the vehicle. The predetermined distance is considered so that there will be simultaneous engagement of the first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2) with the at least one disc (3) of the vehicle.

Upon actuating the parking brake lever (5), the force (f*r) is transmitted from the parking brake lever (5) to the inner cable (103b). Due to the frictional contact between the outer cable (103a) and the inner cable (103b), the efficiency factor (?) is also considered. Thus the force transmitted from the parking brake lever (5) to the caliper housing body (102) will be (f*r* ?). At the same time, due to the frictional contact between the outer cable (103a) and inner cable (103b), the outer cable (103a) constraints movement of the inner cable (103b). Thereby, a reaction force is developed in the outer cable (103a) equivalent to the force exerted on the caliper housing body (102) i.e. (f*r* ?), but in the opposite direction. Further, the reaction force (f*r* ?) from the reaction plate (4) gets divided to (f*r* ?/2) for each of the two studs (9) connected to the reaction plate (4). In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the reaction force (f*r* ?) from the reaction plate (4) gets divided into (f*r* ?/4) if there are four studs (9) connected to the reaction plate (4) and the first brake pad (1). Therefore, the reaction force distribution to the studs (9) depends on the number of studs (9) connected. Similarly, for the second brake pad (2) the force distribution depends on the number for supporting members fixing the second brake pad (2) with the carrier assembly (101). This force distribution between the enables relative motion between the caliper housing body (102) and the reaction plate (4). That is, the force transferred form the inner cable (103b) displaces the caliper housing body (102) and the reaction force on the outer cable (103a) displaces the reaction plate (4) in the direction opposite to the direction of displacement of caliper housing body (102). Thereby, engaging simultaneously the first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2) apply parking brake. The first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2) engage with the at least one disc (3) to apply parking brake [as shown in figure 6].

Further, a braking system (104) is configured in the caliper housing body (102). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the braking system (104) is selected from group consisting of hydraulic and pneumatic braking system. Upon actuating the braking system (104) by a foot pedal, fluid is drawn into the chamber (104a) via valves (104c). The fluid pushes the piston (104b) and hence the first brake pad (1). The movement of first brake pad (1) proportionally displaces the reaction plate (4), which in turn will pull the caliper housing body (102). Thus simultaneously engaging the first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2) to the at least one disc (3), thereby applying brakes.

In an embodiment, the parking brake assembly (100) is mounted to rear axle of the vehicle [as shown in figure 9]. In another embodiment, the parking brake assembly (100) is mounted to front and rear axles of the vehicle. In further embodiment, the parking brake assembly (100) is mounted to all the axles of a multi-axle vehicle.

Figures 7 and 8 in another exemplary embodiment of the parking brake assembly (100). In an embodiment, a pulley (7) is mounted to the caliper housing body (102). The pulley (7) is fastened coaxially to the axis of the caliper holding body (102). The inner cable (103b) connects the parking brake lever (5) and the caliper holding body (102). The inner cable (103b) is encircled on pulley (7) and is fixed to the reaction plate (4). The pulley (7) is mounted on the caliper housing body (102) to amplify the force exerted on the caliper housing body (102). In an embodiment, the parking brake assembly (100) is mounted to rear axle of the vehicle [as shown in figure 10]. In another embodiment, the second brake pad (2) is connected to the caliper housing body (102) by the caliper housing finger (102b) [as shown in figure 4].

Upon actuation of the of the parking brake lever (5), the inner cable (103b) transfers force (f*r* ?) to the pulley (7). However, since the inner cable (103b) encircles the pulley and is fixed to the reaction plate (4), the tension in pulley (7) doubles. The tension in pulley (7) increases due to additional tension force acting on the pulley from the inner cable (103b) fixed to the reaction plate (4). Thus the total force operating the caliper housing body (102) is [2*(f*r* ?)]. The same reaction force is developed at the outer cable (103a) i.e. [2*(f*r* ?)]. This amplified force operates the reaction plate (4) and the caliper housing body (102) and hence the first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2). Thus, simultaneously engaging the first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2) to the at least one disc (3), thereby applying brakes. Therefore, force to be operated is reduced to apply the brakes.

Further, as the force available at the caliper housing body (102) is [2*(f*r* ?)], the force applied for two contact surfaces of the second brake pad is (2) *(f*r* ?). Similarly, each stud (9) of the two studs connecting the reaction plate (4) and the first brake pad (1) is (f*r* ?).

Advantages

In one embodiment, the parking brake assembly is simple in design, operation and is retrofittable.

In one embodiment, reaction force on outer cable of the parking brake cable is also used to actuate pad mechanically so parking brake effort at parking brake lever end is reduced for parking the vehicle on gradient.

In one embodiment, the first brake pad at piston side is always in contact with piston, thereby reducing drag.

In one embodiment, the parking brake assembly reduces parking brake effort as the force loss is less.

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.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A parking brake assembly (100), comprising
a reaction plate (4) connected to an outer cable (103a) of a brake cable (103) at one side and a caliper housing body (102) at its other side, wherein the reaction plate (4) and the caliper housing body (102) are configured with a plurality of guiding holes (4b and 102a) at a leading and trailing side of the parking brake assembly (100);
a plurality of studs (9) configured to pass through the plurality of guiding holes (4b and 102a) and connected to a first brake pad (1) at a piston side of the caliper housing body (102) and the reaction plate (4), and
an inner cable (103b) of the brake cable (103) configured to connect with the caliper housing body (102),
wherein upon actuation of a parking brake lever (5), the inner cable (103b) displaces the caliper housing body (102) relative to the reaction plate (4) to simultaneously actuate the first brake pad (1) and a second brake pad (2) for applying parking brake.

2. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of guiding holes guides the plurality of studs (9) during linear displacement of the plurality of studs (9) when a parking brake lever (5) is actuated to apply parking brake.

3. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding holes (4b) made in the reaction plate (4) match with the guiding holes (102a) made on the caliper housing body (102).

4. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner cable (103b) extends between the reaction plate (4) and the caliper housing body (102), and is surrounded with a spring (8) to facilitate relative motion of the caliper housing body (102) with the reaction plate (4).

5. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second brake pad (2) is slidably mounted in a carrier assembly (101).

6. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the carrier assembly (101) is configured to house the first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2).

7. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the caliper housing body (102) is slidably connected to the carrier assembly (101) through sliding pins (6).

8. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reaction plate (4) is configured with a provision (4a) to allow the inner cable (103b) to be connected to the caliper housing body (102).

9. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a pulley (7) mounted onto the caliper housing body (102) to amplify the force exerted on the caliper housing body (102) to apply parking brake when the parking brake lever (5) is engaged.

10. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein one end of the inner cable (103b) is connected to the parking brake lever (5) and other end of the inner cable (103b) encircles the pulley (7) and connect with the reaction plate (4).

11. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the spring (8) is surrounding each of the plurality of studs (9) when the pulley (7) is mounted to the caliper housing body (102).

12. The parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one disc (3) disposed between the first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2), wherein upon actuation of the parking brake lever (5) the inner cable (103b) displaces the caliper housing body (102) relative to the reaction plate (4) to simultaneously actuate the first brake pad (1) and the second brake pad (2) with the at least one disc (3) to clamp the at least one disc (3) for applying parking brake.

13. A method of assembling a parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising acts of:
connecting a reaction plate (4) to an outer cable (103a) of a brake cable (103) at one side and a caliper housing body (102) at its other side, wherein the reaction plate (4) and the caliper housing body (102) are configured with a plurality of guiding holes (4b and 102a) at a leading and trailing side of the parking brake assembly (100);
configuring a plurality of studs (9) to pass through the plurality of guiding holes (4b and 102a) and connect to a first brake pad (1) at a piston side of the caliper housing body (102) and the reaction plate (4), and
connecting an inner cable (103b) of the brake cable (103) to connect with the caliper housing body (102),
wherein upon actuation of a parking brake lever (5), the inner cable (103b) displaces the caliper housing body (102) relative to the reaction plate (4) to actuate simultaneously the first brake pad (1) and a second brake pad (2) for applying parking brake.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 comprises act of mounting slidably the caliper housing body (102) onto the carrier assembly (101) by a sliding pin (6).

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 comprises act of mounting a spring (8) to surround the inner cable (103b) extending from the reaction plate (4) and the caliper housing body (102) to facilitate relative motion of caliper housing body (102) with the reaction plate (4).

16. The method as claimed in claim 13 comprises act of mounting a pulley (7) to the caliper housing body (102) to amplify the force exerted on the caliper housing body (102) to apply parking brake.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16 comprises act of connecting one end of the inner cable (103b) to the parking brake lever (5) and other end of the inner cable (103b) encircles the pulley (7) and connect with the reaction plate (4).

18. A method for applying parking brake by a parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, said method comprises act of:
actuating the parking brake lever (5) to displace the caliper housing body (102) by the inner cable (103b) relative to the reaction plate (4) to actuate simultaneously the first brake pad (1) and a second brake pad (2) for applying parking brake.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the inner cable (103b) exerts a force equivalent to force of actuation of parking brake lever (5) on the caliper housing body (102).

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the outer cable (103a) exerts a reaction force equivalent to force of actuation of the parking brake lever (5) on the reaction plate (4) to relatively move the caliper housing body (102) with the reaction plate (4) to apply brakes.

21. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the inner cable (103b) exerts a force equivalent to twice the force of actuation of parking brake lever (5) on the pulley (7) mounted to the caliper housing body (102).

22. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the outer cable (103a) exerts a reaction force twice the force of actuation of the parking brake lever (5) on the reaction plate (4) to relatively move the caliper housing body (102) with the reaction plate (4) mounted with the pulley (7) to apply parking brake.

23. A vehicle comprising a parking brake assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1.