DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to parking brakes in automobiles. In particular, the present invention relates to a parking brake actuation mechanism which requires substantially less effort for its operation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a parking brake actuation mechanism which provides maximum output without any operator’s fatigue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In automobiles, the parking brake or hand brake or emergency brake is configured as a latching brake, which normally keeps the vehicle in a stationary condition. It is also employed for preventing the vehicle from rolling further if the driver desires to operate both the clutch and throttle pedals together by using the feet. Automobile hand brakes usually consist of a cable directly connecting the brake mechanism to the parking brake lever or foot pedal at the driver’s end. The parking brake mechanism is often a hand-operated lever (as the name hand brake suggests) disposed on the vehicle floor on either side of the driver, or a pull handle located below and adjacent the steering wheel column or can even be a (foot-operated) pedal located away from the clutch, accelerator and brake pedals.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

Presently available mechanical parking brake requires considerable effort for the operation thereof. An ergonomic issue with the existing parking brake is that it also requires more angle for tilting the parking lever, which causes fatigue of the driver. Most of the conventional parking brake levers rotate about a single pivot point.

In order to enable the user to easily access and actuate the parking brake lever, the path followed by the parking level handle must be clear or unobstructed by other vehicle components. Therefore, the passenger compartment is required to be designed around the parking brake lever.
For example, the parking brake lever is often positioned between the driver’s seat and the front passenger seat depending on varying human factors. The central console needs to be designed to accommodate the parking brake lever throughout within the range of driver’s motion.

Therefore, parking brake lever path limits the design of a central console. For example, by restricting the design of and/or omitting the cup holders, armrest, shifter, or other components or modules in the central console. For this reason, the existing parking brake levers are inefficient from a packaging perspective and restrict the vehicle designer’s capability to design a compact integrated central console equipped with all the features and functionality desired by the consumers and/or vehicle users.

In addition, to adapt to such varying human factors, the conventional parking brake lever is designed to be actuated by pulling the parking brake lever from a substantially horizontal position to an inclined position. As the lever position becomes more inclined, the tension in the system increases. Furthermore, a seated user loses substantial leverage as the lever approaches a more inclined position. Thus, it is often difficult for some users to fully engage the parking brake while remaining seated.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a parking brake actuation mechanism to increase brake actuation for effortless parking of vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a parking brake actuation mechanism by decreasing the parking brake lever pull angle to reduce effort.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a parking brake actuation mechanism, which reduces operator fatigue due to reduced effort required.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a parking brake actuation mechanism, which eliminates ergonomic issues related to tilting of the parking lever.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a parking brake actuation mechanism, which provides maximum output with less brake lever angle.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a parking lever actuation mechanism for an automobile, the mechanism comprising a plurality of linkages for effectively connecting the parking lever to the parking brake cables for reducing the effort required by the operator to actuate the parking brake.

Typically, the mechanism comprises at least three linkages disposed between the parking lever and the primary cable connected to the sliding brake equalizer for actuating the parking brakes via the respective parking brake cables.

Typically, the mechanism comprises:

• a lever handle;

• a profiled bracket assembly fixed to the lever handle;

• a guide plate assembly fixed to the profiled bracket assembly;

• a first linkage pivotably connected to the profiled bracket assembly;

• a second linkage pivotably fixed under the guide plate assembly and the first linkage;

• a third linkage pivotably connected to the second linkage and the primary cable of the parking brake of the automobile;

wherein three linkages provide an increased brake-pull output with a reduced degree of rotation of the parking brake lever for lowering operator’s fatigue during the parking brake actuation in automobiles.

Typically, the profiled bracket assembly comprises:

• a profiled plate fitted with brackets under the rear-end thereof and on either side thereof and a profiled extension configured at the front end thereof;

• a first pivot portion provided substantially at the center of the profiled plate configured for turning the parking lever handle up and down to actuate the parking lever and a second pivot portion provided substantially at the front lower end of the profiled plate;

• a mounting plate fixed on the extension of the profiled plate; and

• a plurality of fasteners for fixing the guide plate assembly and the profiled bracket assembly and the linkages thereto.

Typically, the profiled extension configured at the front end thereof is L-shaped, preferably configured bent towards right side thereof for fixing the rear end of the mounting plate thereon.

Typically, the guide plate assembly comprises:

• a guide plate having a respective hole for tightening a plurality of fasteners to attach the guide plate to the brackets under the rear-end of the profiled bracket and to attach the same under the mounting plate fixed at the front-end of the profiled bracket; and

• an L-shaped bracket fitted under the guide plate front end for pivotably connecting the first linkage thereto;

wherein a recess is configured for the passage of the front end of the profiled bracket to actuate the linkages by turning the parking lever about the first pivot portion configured at the center of the profiled plate thereof.

Typically, the first linkage comprises an elongated plate having a hole provided at either end thereof for pivotably attachment thereof to the second pivot portion at the front lower end of the profiled plate and to the second linkage respectively.

Typically, the second linkage comprises a short plate having three holes, the first hole for pivotably attachment thereof to the bracket under the guide plate, the second hole substantially at the middle portion thereof for pivotable attachment of the first linkage thereto and the third hole for pivotable attachment of the third linkage thereto.

Typically, the third linkage comprises an elongated plate having a hole provided at either end thereof for pivotably attachment thereof to the second linkage disposed at the rear end and to the primary cable disposed at the front end thereof respectively.

Typically, the three linkages are attached on one side of the parking lever, preferably on the right side thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figure 1 shows a conventional parking brake mechanism for an automobile.

Figure 2a shows an improved parking brake mechanism for an automobile and configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2b shows a detailed view of the parking brake actuation mechanism of Fig. 2a.

Figure 2c shows a further enlarged partial view of parking brake actuation mechanism of Fig. 2b.

Figure 2d shows an exploded view of parking brake actuation mechanism of Fig. 2b.

Figure 3 shows a graph for comparing the parking brake lever angle of the conventional and the parking brake mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1 shows a conventional parking brake mechanism 10 for an automobile. It consists of a pull-press hand grip or lever handle 12, a primary cable 14, a sliding brake equalizer 16 connecting the pair of brakes 22, 24 via primary cables 18, 20.

Figure 2a shows an improved parking brake mechanism 100 (in box) for an automobile and configured in accordance with the present invention. It consists of a pull-press hand grip or lever handle 112, a primary cable 114, a sliding brake equalizer 116 connecting the pair of brakes 122, 124 via parking brake cables 118, 120 and a parking brake actuation mechanism 130 further described with reference to Fig. 2b.

Figure 2b shows a detailed view of the parking brake actuation mechanism 130 depicting a lever handle 112 connected via the parking brake actuation mechanism 130 to the parking brake cables 118, 120 which in turn are connected to the respective parking brakes 122, 124 of Fig. 2a. The parking brake actuation mechanism consists of a lever handle 112 fixed on a profiled parking lever 113 which can pivot about a pivot point 115. The parking lever 113 is fitted with a bracket 130 and a mounting plate 135 for fixing a guide plate having a rear end 132, a profiled recess 133 and a front end 134. The guide plate is fitted on another mounting plate 135 for facilitating the actuation of the parking brakes 122, 124 via linkages 136, 138 and linkage 140 connected to the primary cable 114 which in turn is connected to the sliding brake equalizer 116 to actuate the respective parking brake cables 118, 120.

Figure 2c shows a further enlarged partial view of the parking brake actuation mechanism 130 shown in Fig. 2b for better understanding of the operation of the linkages 136, 138, 140 thereof. One end of the first link 136 is fixed at the front end of the parking lever 113 and the other end thereof is pivotably connected to the second lever 138 substantially at the middle thereof. One end of the second lever 138 is fixed on an L-shaped bracket 137 fixed under the guide plate 135 and the other end of the second lever 138 is connected to the third linkage 140 connected to the primary cable 114 (not shown) attached to the sliding brake equalizer 116 for actuating the parking brakes 122, 124 via the respective parking brake cables 118, 120. Here, it is visible that the parking lever 113 is fitted with a bracket 130 and a mounting plate 135 is fixed thereto for fixing the guide plate 135 having a rear end 132, a profiled recess 133 and a front end 134. The guide plate 135 facilitates in effectively pulling the parking brake via linkages 136, 138 and through the respective parking brake cables 118, 120.

Figure 2d shows an exploded view of overall parking brake actuation mechanism of Fig. 2b. The bracket 130 includes a pivot 115 and an embossed seat for fixing the first linkage 136 therein. The bracket 130 includes an L-shaped extension 129 for fixing the mounting plate 131 thereunder. The mounting plate 131 is used for fixing the guide plate 135 thereunder. An L-shaped bracket 137 is fixed under the guide plate for pivotably mounting the second lever 138 on which three (3) holes are provided, first for fixing the second lever 138 on the L-shaped bracket 137, second or middle hole for pivotably attaching the first linkage 136 thereon and the third hole for pivotably attaching the third linkage 140 thereon. Suitable fasteners like nut-bolts or pin and locking clip are used for connecting the linkages and for attaching the plates and brackets as discussed above.

Figure 3 shows a graph for comparing the parking brake lever angle of the conventional parking brake mechanism 10 and the parking brake mechanism 100 configured in accordance with the present invention. The graph depicts the values for the parking brake lever angle (in degrees) on X axis and for the brake pull output (in mm) on Y axis. Thus, it compares the conventional and innovative last run: brake actuation in terms of brake lever angle. Here, the blue dotted line represents the parking brake mechanism 100, which requires less parking brake lever angle to achieve the desired brake pull output as compared with the conventional parking brake mechanism 10 represented by the red solid line. In particular, it is visible from the two graphs that the conventional parking brake lever requires turning by an angle of about 410 for a brake pull output of about 23.5 mm, whereas the parking brake actuation mechanism 100 configured in accordance with the present invention requires turning by only 350 for a brake pull output of about 24 mm, which substantially reduces the operator’s fatigue.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION

On actuating the lever handle 112 of the parking brake actuation mechanism, the primary cable 114 is pulled via the first connecting link 136 providing the first mechanical advantage to pull the second connecting link 138, which in turn provides the second mechanical advantage to the parking brake actuation with substantially lesser turning angle of the lever handle 112.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The parking brake mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages:

• Increases brake actuation for effortless parking of vehicle.

• Decreases the parking brake lever pull angle, thereby reduces operator’s effort therefor.
• Reduces operator’s fatigue due to reduced effort required.

• Provides maximum output with lesser brake lever angle.

• Facilitates ease of parking brake operation.

The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which this embodiment may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice this invention. The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration.

Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on the specific features of the preferred embodiment described here, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention.

These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail.
The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.

Also, any reference herein to the terms ‘left’ or ‘right, ‘up’ or ‘down, or ‘top’ or ‘bottom’, ‘above’ or ‘under’ are used as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel.

Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail. When referring to the figures, like parts are numbered the same in all of the figures. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A parking lever actuation mechanism for an automobile, the mechanism comprising a plurality of linkages for effectively connecting the parking lever to the parking brake cables for reducing the effort required by the operator to actuate the parking brake.

2. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises at least three linkages disposed between the parking lever and the primary cable connected to the sliding brake equalizer for actuating the parking brakes via the respective parking brake cables.

3. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises:

• a lever handle;

• a profiled bracket assembly fixed to the lever handle;

• a guide plate assembly fixed to the profiled bracket assembly;

• a first linkage pivotably connected to the profiled bracket assembly;

• a second linkage pivotably fixed under the guide plate assembly and the first linkage;

• a third linkage pivotably connected to the second linkage and the primary cable of the parking brake of the automobile;

wherein three linkages provide an increased brake-pull output with a reduced degree of rotation of the parking brake lever for lowering operator’s fatigue during the parking brake actuation in automobiles.

4. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the profiled bracket assembly comprises:

• a profiled plate fitted with brackets under the rear-end thereof and on either side thereof and a profiled extension configured at the front end thereof;

• a first pivot portion provided substantially at the center of the profiled plate configured for turning the parking lever handle up and down to actuate the parking lever and a second pivot portion provided substantially at the front lower end of the profiled plate;

• a mounting plate fixed on the extension of the profiled plate; and

• a plurality of fasteners for fixing the guide plate assembly and the profiled bracket assembly and the linkages thereto.

5. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the profiled extension configured at the front end thereof is L-shaped, preferably configured bent towards right side thereof for fixing the rear end of the mounting plate thereon.

6. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the guide plate assembly comprises:

• a guide plate having a respective hole for tightening a plurality of fasteners to attach the guide plate to the brackets under the rear-end of the profiled bracket and to attach the same under the mounting plate fixed at the front-end of the profiled bracket; and

• an L-shaped bracket fitted under the guide plate front end for pivotably connecting the first linkage thereto;

wherein a recess is configured for the passage of the front end of the profiled bracket to actuate the linkages by turning the parking lever about the first pivot portion configured at the center of the profiled plate thereof.

7. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first linkage comprises an elongated plate having a hole provided at either end thereof for pivotably attachment thereof to the second pivot portion at the front lower end of the profiled plate and to the second linkage respectively.

8. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second linkage comprises a short plate having three holes, the first hole for pivotably attachment thereof to the bracket under the guide plate, the second hole substantially at the middle portion thereof for pivotable attachment of the first linkage thereto and the third hole for pivotable attachment of the third linkage thereto.

9. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the third linkage comprises an elongated plate having a hole provided at either end thereof for pivotably attachment thereof to the second linkage disposed at the rear end and to the primary cable disposed at the front end thereof respectively.

10. Parking lever actuation mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the three linkages are attached on one side of the parking lever, preferably on the right side thereof.

Dated: this day of 22nd August 2016. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT