FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)
TITLE OF INVENTION VEHICLE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM AND METHOD
APPLICANT Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a vehicle
air brake system, and more specifically to a brake system enabled to release the parking brake by utilizing a reserved pressurized air in one of a compartment of an air tank.
BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicle Service brakes are one of the important components of any
vehicle as they are used for reducing the speed of the vehicle or to bring the vehicle to halt condition when they are in running condition. In addition to the service brakes, vehicle parking brakes are also important components of the vehicle as they help to maintain the same position of the vehicle when in parked condition. The parking brakes are vital in cases when the vehicle is to be parked on roads or pathways having a slope or improper terrain, further avoiding the rolling of vehicles.
[003] A wide variety of vehicles are implemented with air brake technology
because of its advantages over the other braking technologies and the use of pressure air for other auxiliary components of the vehicles. Further, the air braking technology is very effective in commercial vehicles due to heavy braking effect and better control.
[004] Referring Figure 1, a block diagram of a conventional air braking system
100 for a vehicle is illustrated. The conventional system 100 comprises a compressor 102 which is enabled to fill an air tank 104 with compressed air up to a predefined pressure limit. The pressurized air is further utilised for application of service brakes, parking brakes and for functioning of one or more auxiliary systems of vehicle which need pressurised air for their respective operation. The pressurized air is sent through an air supply circuit 106 from the air tank and to service brake components 108, parking brake components 110 and the auxiliary components 112.

[005] In the conventional system 100, when the vehicle is halted or switched
off, and the parking brake control valve (not shown is figures) is pulled, all the pressurized air is expelled from the parking brake diaphragm 114 for application of the brakes to overcome vehicle roll over. During parked condition, the pressurized air within the air tank is used by auxiliary components 108 for their respective functioning which may decrease the air pressure value in the air tank. When the vehicle is switched on and the parking brake control valve is pressed, the parking brake diaphragm 114 is required to be inflated by transferring the pressurized air from the air tank 104 to the parking brake diaphragm 114. The passenger of the vehicle has to wait for a considerable amount of time and keep the vehicle engine in idling condition to build up the pressure within the air tank 104 by running the compressor 102, as a predefined pressure value is required for releasing the parking brake 110. Once the predefined air pressure value is attained, the parking brake is released by the inflation of the diaphragm 114. In an example, the predefined pressure value may be 8 bar or 116 psi, but the predefined pressure value depends on the capacity of parking brakes.
[006] Every time, when the vehicle is halted and the parking brake is applied,
the system 100 has to consume fuel to keep the engine running in idling condition to release the parking brake by gathering the predetermined air pressure value in the air tank 104. Such gathering of air pressure value in the air tank 104 impacts primarily on the vehicle fuel efficiency and further to the passengers’ time and the total travel time.
[007] Therefore, there is an utmost requirement to have a vehicle air brake
architecture which is capable to overcome or eliminate the limitations present in the conventional air braking technology.
SUMMARY
[008] Before the present system is described, it is to be understood that this
application is not limited to the particular machine or device, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present

disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a vehicle exhaust pipe system, and the aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[009] In an embodiment, a vehicle air brake system is disclosed. The system
may comprise an air tank having a first compartment and a second compartment split by a splitter. The system may further comprise a compressor enabled to supply compressed air to the air tank. The system may further comprise a pressure release valve placed on the splitter enabled to exchange air between the first compartment and the second compartment. The system may further comprise a pressure sensor placed within the first compartment enabled to measure the air pressure value present within the first compartment. The system may further comprise a pressure sensor placed within the second compartment enabled to measure the air pressure value present within the second compartment. The system may further comprise an air supply circuit enabled to supply air from the second compartment to one or more service brake components and one or more parking brake components. The system may further comprise a control unit enabled to operate the pressure release valve based on the pressure values present in the first compartment and the second compartment, the application state of the parking brake and a vehicle operative state.
[0010] In another embodiment, a method of releasing a parking brake of a vehicle is disclosed. The method may comprise the step of maintaining air pressure within a first compartment of an air tank at or above a predefined air pressure value. The method may further comprise the step of maintaining a pressure release valve in closed condition. The method may further comprise the step of confirming the vehicle operative state in on state. The method may further comprise the step of confirming the application of parking brake of the vehicle.

The method may further comprise the step of measuring the pressure value present in a second compartment and confirming the presence of air pressure in the second compartment at or above a predefined required value. The method may further comprise the step of confirming the presence of combined pressure value present in the first compartment and second compartment at or above the predefined required value. The method may further comprise the step of opening the pressure release valve to transfer the air with the predefined pressure value maintained in the first compartment to the second compartment having the air with a predefined required value. The method may further comprise the step of attaining, an air pressure within the air tank at or above the predefined value to release the air from the second compartment one or more components of parking brakes.
BRIEFDESCRIPTIONOFTHE DRAWINGS [0011] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and device disclosed in the document and the drawing. The detailed description is described with reference to the following accompanying figures.
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a conventional air braking system 100 for a vehicle is illustrated.
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a vehicle air brake system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a method for releasing the parking brake, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] The figures depict various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures illustrated

herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILEDDESCRIPTIONOFINVENTION
[0016] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any devices and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, devices and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0017] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0018] Referring now to Figure 2, a block diagram of a vehicle air brake system 200 is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] In an embodiment, the system 200 comprises an air tank 202 which is further split into a first compartment 204 and a second compartment 206. The air tank 202 is split by a splitter 208 present in the air tank 202 which may be joined or fitted. The splitter 208 is provisioned to provide a complete airtight partition so that the pressurized air from either of first compartment 204 and second compartment 206 is not passed or leaked from each other.

[0020] In another embodiment, the splitter 208 is mounted with a pressure release valve 212 which is enabled to transfer pressurized air between first compartment 204 and second compartment 206 only when the pressure release valve 212 is set in opened state. When the pressure release valve 212 is in closed state, no air is transferred even if there is a high pressure difference present between the first compartment 204 and the second compartment 206. A compressor 210 is enabled to fill the first compartment 204 with pressurized air via a first line 228 and the second compartment 206 via a second line 230. A pressure sensor 214 is placed within the first compartment 204 to measure the air pressure value within the first compartment 204. A pressure sensor 216 is placed within the second compartment 206 to measure the air pressure value within the second compartment 206.
[0021] The second compartment 206 is further connected via an air supply circuit 218 to one or more service brake components 220, one or more service brake components 222 and one or more auxiliary components 226 which require pressurized air for their respective operation. In yet another embodiment, the service brake component may comprise a service brake diaphragm 232 and the parking brake component may comprise a parking brake diaphragm 234. In yet another embodiment, the auxiliary components 226 may comprise the gear transmission unit enabled to transmit the gears. The pressurized air functions as an energy storage medium for the working of service brakes, parking brakes, and auxiliary sub-systems.
[0022] In yet another embodiment, the system comprises a control unit 224 which is connected to pressure sensor 214, pressure sensor 216, pressure release valve 212, vehicle operation switch 236 and the parking brake switch 238. The control unit 224 is enabled to receive the air pressure value present in the first compartment 204 from the pressure sensor 214. The control unit 224 is enabled to receive the air pressure value present in the second compartment 206 from the pressure sensor 216. The control unit 224 is enabled to send signals to operate the pressure release valve 212 and change the pressure release valve 212 position

between open and closed position. The vehicle operation switch 236 is enabled to send signals of the operating state of the vehicle from the vehicle operation switch 236 which may provide the state of the vehicle in On state or Off state. In case of a vehicle powered by internal combustion engines, the operating state may relate to Ignition On state for On state and Ignition Off state for Off state. In case of a vehicle powered by electric motor and battery, electric vehicle, the operating state may relate to Powered On state for On state and Powered Off state for Off State. The control unit 224 is further enabled to receive operative state of the parking brake from the parking brake switch, wherein the operative state may relate to either one of applied state of released state.
[0023] In yet another embodiment, the control unit 224 may comprise an input-output interface 240, a processor 242 and a memory 244. The input-output interface 240 is enabled to send and receive signals to the components with which the control unit 224 is connected. The processor 242 is enabled to analyze the data and process the decision for opening and closing the pressure release valve 212 based on pressure value, vehicle operating state and the parking brake operative state. The processor 242 is enabled to decide the operating signal for opening and closing of the pressure release valve 212 based on the one or more modules stored in the memory 244 of the control unit 224.
[0024] In an embodiment, when the compressor 210 is filling the air in the air tank 202 for the first time, the pressure control valve 212 is maintained in closed position. The air is filled until an air pressure with a predefined pressure value is developed in the first compartment 204 and the second compartment 206. In an example, the predefined air pressure may be 8 bar or 116 psi. The predefined air pressure value is not restricted to 8 bar and is subjected to change based on the capacity of the service brake components 222 and the service brake components 220, especially the service brake diaphragm 232 and parking brake diaphragm 234. As the air pressure is getting accumulated in the second compartment 206 for the first time, the parking brake is released due to the expansion of the diaphragm of the parking brake enabling the vehicle to commute. After complete release of

parking brakes, the vehicle is made ready for further commutation and travel by maintaining the pressure within the first compartment 204 and the second compartment 206 at or above the predefined pressure value.
[0025] In an embodiment, during vehicle commutation on roads or drivable terrains by passenger, when the vehicle is halted for some time, or the vehicle is switched to off state and the parking brake is in applied state for application of parking brakes, all air present in the parking brake diaphragm 234 is allowed to expel which causes the application of parking brakes.
[0026] When the vehicle is switched to On state and the parking brake switch is in pressed for releasing the parking brake, the air from the second compartment 206 is transferred from the air supply circuit 218 to the parking brake diaphragm 234 for releasing the parking brake. The air transfer may reduce the pressure within the second compartment 206 below the predefined value. During the transfer of air, the pressure release valve 212 is kept closed and the pressure within the first compartment 204 is maintained at the same pressure when it was filled during the first time. To maintain the parking brakes in released condition, a constant air pressure supply is required from the second compartment 206 via the air supply circuit 218 to keep the parking brake released and therefore the second compartment 206 has to be filled with compressed air with pressure value above the predefined air pressure value.
[0027] The compressor 210 is run to fill the second compartment 206 with compressed air to reach the air pressure to a predefined required value. The predefined required value is lower than the predefined value. In an example, if the predefined value is 8 bar or 116 psi, then the predefined required value can be set as 6.5 bar or 94 psi. It is to be understood that the predefined required value is not limited to 6.6 bar or 94 psi and is subjected to change as per the service brake and parking brake architecture. Once the air pressure in the second compartment 206 reaches to the predefined required value, and the average air pressure values of the first compartment 204 and the second compartment 206 reaches to the predefined required value, the control unit 224 is enabled to send a signal to the pressure

release valve 212 to open so that the pressurized air in the first compartment 204 is transferred to the second compartment 206 up to a certain extent to maintain equilibrium in pressure values. The pressure in the second compartment 206 is increased as high-pressure air is transfer from the first compartment 204 leading to the total increase in the pressure of air tank 202. The compressor 210 can be further run for a lesser amount of time to retain the air pressure with the air tank 202 with the predefined air pressure value.
[0028] This increase of pressure in the second compartment 206 by the transfer of reserved air pressure from the second air tank 202 will help in quick releasing of the parking brakes and avoid the extra running of compressor 210 to fill the air tank 202 up to the predefined air pressure value.
[0029] Referring now to Figure 3, a method (300) for releasing the parking brake is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] At step 302, the operating condition of the vehicle is checked and confirmed in On state and if the vehicle is found to be in Off state, then air pressure valve is maintained in closed state which is followed in step 314.
[0031] At step 304, once the vehicle is confirmed in On state, the operative state of the vehicle parking brake switch is checked. If the vehicle parking brake is not applied, then air pressure valve is maintained in closed state which is followed in step 314.
[0032] At step 306, if the vehicle parking brake switch is in applied condition, then the air pressure value is checked in the second compartment 206. If the pressure in the second compartment 206 is below the predefined required value, then air pressure valve is maintained in closed state which is followed in step 314.
[0033] At step 308, if the pressure in the second compartment 206 is below the predefined required value, then the combined pressure value of the first compartment 204 and the second compartment 206 is checked. If the combined pressure value of the first compartment 204 and the second compartment 206 is

below the predefined required value, then air pressure valve is maintained in closed state which is followed in step 314.
[0034] At step 310, if the combined pressure value of the first compartment 204 and the second compartment 206 is above the predefined required value, then the air pressure valve is opened at step 312.
[0035] At step 314, once the air pressure valve is opened then the air pressure value is attained quickly to reached till the predefined air pressure value and the parking brake is released.
[0036] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following.
Equivalents
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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."
[0039] Although implementations for a collapsible support to luggage floor carpet have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are

disclosed as examples of implementation for the collapsible flaps to luggage floor carpet.
[0040] Following is a list of elements and reference numerals used to explain various embodiments of the present subject matter.

Reference Numeral Element Description
100 Conventional air braking system
102 Compressor
104 Air Tank
106 Air Supply Circuit
108 Service Brake Components
110 Parking Brake Components
112 Auxiliary Components
114 Parking Brake Diaphragm
200 Vehicle Air Brake System
202 Air tank
204 First compartment
206 Second compartment
208 Splitter
210 Compressor
212 Pressure release valve

214 Pressure sensor
216 Pressure sensor
218 Air supply circuit
220 Service brake components
222 Parking brake components
224 Control unit
226 Auxiliary components
228 First line
230 Second line
232 Service brake diaphragm
234 Parking brake diaphragm
236 Vehicle operation switch
238 parking brake switch
240 Input-output interface
242 Processor
244 Memory

WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle air brake system (200) comprising:
an air tank (202) having a first compartment (204) and a second compartment (206) split by a splitter (208);
a compressor (210) enabled to supply compressed air to the air tank (202),
a pressure release valve (212) placed on the splitter (208) enabled to exchange air between the first compartment (204) and the second compartment (206);
a pressure sensor (214) placed within the first compartment (204) enabled to measure the air pressure value present within the first compartment (204);
a pressure sensor (216) placed within the second compartment (206) enabled to measure the air pressure value present within the second compartment (206);
an air supply circuit (218) enabled to supply air from the second compartment (206) to one or more service brake components (220) and one or more parking brake components (222);
a control unit (224) enabled to operate the pressure release valve (218) based on the pressure values present in the first compartment (204) and the second compartment (206), the application state of the parking brake and a vehicle operative state.
2. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compressor (210) is enabled to supply compressed air, when the vehicle is in ON state, to the first compartment (204) via a first line (228) and to the second compartment (206) via a second line (230).
3. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, the air supply circuit (218 is further enabled to supply air to one or more auxiliary components (226).

4. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, the control unit (224) is communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor (214) and pressure sensor (216) to receive real time pressure value of the air present within the first compartment (204) and second compartment (206).
5. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure release valve (212) is closed when the operating condition of vehicle is in Off state.
6. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first compartment 204 is maintained with a predefined pressure value of air pressure, by maintaining the pressure release valve (212) in closed state, when the operative state of the vehicle is in Off state and when the parking brake is applied.
7. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, the pressure release valve (212) is opened when the vehicle operative state is in on state, the parking brake is not applied, the pressure value within the first compartment is reached or present up to a predefined required value, and the combined pressure value of the first compartment (204 and second compartment (206) is reached or present up.
8. A method (300) of releasing a parking brake of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
maintaining air pressure within a first compartment (204) of an air tank (202) at or above a predefined air pressure value;
maintaining a pressure release valve (212) in closed condition;

confirming the vehicle operative state in on state;
confirming the application of parking brake of the vehicle;
measuring the pressure value present in a second compartment (206) and confirming the presence of air pressure in the second compartment (206) at or above a predefined required value;
confirming the presence of combined pressure value present in the first compartment (204) and second compartment (206) at or above the predefined required value;
opening the pressure release valve (212) to transfer the air with the predefined pressure value maintained in the first compartment (204 to the second compartment (206) having the air with a predefined required value;
attaining, an air pressure within the air tank (224) at or above the predefined value to release the air from the second compartment one or more components of parking brakes (222).
9. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein the closing and opening of the pressure release valve is controlled by a control unit (224).
10. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein conformance the vehicle operative state is checked by the signals received from vehicle operation switch (238) to the control unit (224).
11. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein conformance the vehicle parking state is checked by the signals received from vehicle parking switch (236) to the control unit (224).
12. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein
the pressure value of the first compartment (204) is sent from pressure sensor (214) to the control unit (224); and

the pressure value of the second compartment (206) is sent from the pressure sensor (216) to the control unit (224).