ARRANGEMENT FOR ASSISTING A PARKING BRAKE AND CORRESPONDING RETROFIT KIT, AND PARKING BRAKE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement (1) for assisting a parking brake (10), which parking brake (10) comprises a brake lever (12) which is supported in a carrier device (14) such that it is pivotable between a release position and a locking position and is able to be coupled to a braking system by means of a transmission means. The arrangement (1) comprises a lifting element (20) with an energy storage unit (22), which is operatively connected to the brake lever (12). The operative connection comprises a redirecting element (30) which is supported in a way pivotable about a pivot axis (32) and is arranged in such a way that the redirecting element couples the lifting element (20) to the brake lever (12).

Claims

1. Arrangement for assisting a parking brake, which parking brake comprises a brake lever which is pivotably supported in a carrier device between a release position and a locking position and is adapted to be coupled to a braking system by means of a transmission means, wherein the arrangement comprises a lifting element with an energy storage unit, wherein the lifting element is operatively connected to the brake lever, wherein the operative connection comprises a redirecting element which is supported in a way pivotable about a pivot axis and is arranged in such a way that the redirecting element couples the lifting element to the brake lever.

2. Arrangement for assisting a parking brake according to claim 1, wherein the redirecting element is in the form of a rocker pivotable about the pivot axis, comprising a first lever section connectible in an articulated way to the lifting element and a second lever section connectible to the brake lever.

3. Arrangement for assisting a parking brake according to claim 1, wherein the lifting element comprises a gas pressure spring.

4. Arrangement for assisting a parking brake according to claim 1, wherein the operative connection further comprises an adjusting element which is arranged between the brake lever and the redirecting element and is adjustable in its length.

5. Arrangement for assisting a parking brake according to claim 4, wherein the redirecting element is connectible to the brake lever by means of the adjusting element.

6. Arrangement for assisting a parking brake according to claim 1, wherein the lifting element is adapted to be arranged relative to the redirecting element so that, during a movement of the brake lever between the release position and the locking position, a line of action of force of the lifting element outside its dead center position has a varying distance from the pivot axis.

7. Arrangement for assisting a parking brake according to claim 6, wherein the distance is at a maximum when the brake lever is in a vicinity of the release position or the locking position.

8. Arrangement for assisting a parking brake according to claim 7, wherein the distance is so great that a torque generated thereby and acting on the redirecting element is sufficient to transfer the brake lever automatically into the release position or the locking position.

9. Retrofit kit for a parking brake, comprising the arrangement for assisting the parking brake according to claim 1, and further comprising holders for arranging the lifting element and the redirecting element relative to the brake lever.

10. Retrofit kit for a parking brake according to claim 9, wherein a first said holder is adapted to support in an articulated way one end of the lifting element and a second said holder is adapted to support the pivot axis of the redirecting element.

11. Retrofit kit for a parking brake according to claim 9, wherein a ball joint bearing is adapted for articulated mounting of the lifting element and/or the adjusting element.

12. A vehicle comprising a parking brake having the arrangement for assisting a parking brake according to claim 1, said vehicle being a passenger vehicle, agricultural vehicle, municipal vehicle or a trailer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be presented in the following with reference to drawings, which merely serve explanatory purposes and are not to be interpreted in a limiting way. Features of the invention disclosed through the drawings are to be considered individually and in any combination as belonging to the disclosure of the invention. Shown in the drawings are:

[0021] FIG. 1: a schematic perspective view of a parking brake with brake lever and carrier device including an assisting arrangement according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 2: a schematic, partially broken-up side view of the assisting arrangement with lifting element, redirecting element and adjusting element according to the first embodiment in a dead center position;

[0023] FIG. 3: a schematic partially broken-up side view of the assisting arrangement according to FIG. 2 in a position in which the brake lever of the parking brake is in a release position;

[0024] FIG. 4: a schematic partially broken-up side view of the assisting arrangement according to FIG. 2 in a position in which the brake lever of the parking brake is in a lock position;

[0025] FIG. 5: a perspective view of the lifting element of the assisting arrangement supported on a first holder and of the redirecting element with a second holder in a dead center position;

[0026] FIG. 6 a perspective view of the lifting element and the redirecting element of the assisting arrangement with their holders in a release position,

[0027] FIG. 7 a perspective view of the lifting element and the redirecting element of the assisting arrangement with their holders in a lock position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The parking brake 10 shown in FIG. 1 with an arrangement for assisting, which is hereinafter referred to in short as arrangement 1, comprises a manually operable brake lever 12 as a manually operable release device for actuating a braking device. The brake lever 12 is pivotable about an axis of rotation, which is supported in a carrier device 14.

[0029] Not shown is that the brake lever 12 is connected to an adjusting means designed as a brake cable and/or brake linkage in order to transmit a force from the brake lever 12 to a brake system. The brake system can be designed, for example, as a drum brake or disc brake in order to fix the wheels. Furthermore, a pawl is provided which is connected to the brake lever 12 and can be engaged with a catch segment. The pawl can be connected via a cable-shaped or rod-shaped connecting means to an actuator accommodated on the brake lever 12, which, in a pressed position, releases the pawl from engagement on the catch segment. In general, it is also provided that a brake cable is articulated at an articulation point, which cable is designed as a Bowden cable, which is connected to the wheel brakes to be activated by means of the brake linkage. In addition, further functional elements may be integrated in the entire braking system.

[0030] The arrangement 1 connectible to the parking brake 10 to assist the course of movement of the latter comprises a lifting element 20 which has an energy accumulator 22, for example by means of a gas pressure spring. The lifting element 20 is operatively connected at one end to a redirecting element 30, which can be pivoted in the form of a rocker about a central pivot axis 32. The pivot axis 32 is preferably arranged parallel to the axis of rotation about which the brake lever 12 is pivotable. The redirecting element 30 has a first lever section 34 for articulated connection to the lifting element 20 and a second lever section 36 for articulated connection to the brake lever 12.

[0031] The lifting element 20 is arranged relative to the redirecting element 30, for which a first holder 50 is provided. The first holder 50 can be arranged relative to the carrier device 14, for example be received on the carrier device 14 in a formed recess and be fixed in position. The lifting element 20 is connected at one end to the redirecting element 30 and by an opposite end is held in an articulated manner at the holder 50. Accordingly, a piston of the lifting element 20 moves along a line of force action 24, whereby this line of force action 24, starting from the first end of the lifting element 20 coupled to the movement of the brake lever 12, sweeps a segment of a circle.

[0032] The redirecting element 30 is held relative to the elements of the parking brake 10 and relative to the lifting element 20 by means of a second holder 52. The second holder 52 can also be fixed with respect to the carrier device 14.

[0033] An adjusting element 40 is arranged between the redirecting element 30 and the brake lever 12 to provide the effective connection, which adjusting element is connectible in an articulated manner to the brake lever 12, on the one hand, and in an articulated manner to the second lever 20 section 36 on the other hand. The adjusting element 40 may be designed as a length-adjustable element, for example as a threaded rod. The bearing of the adjusting element 40 on the brake lever 12 can comprise a ball joint bearing 60.

[0034] In a so-called dead center position, the line of action of force 24 runs almost horizontally through the center of the pivot axis 32, shown in FIG. 2. In this position, no torque acts on the pivot axis 32 of the redirecting element 30. The brake lever 12 is in a position which corresponds almost to the release position.

[0035] The release position of the brake lever 12 is shown in FIG. 3. The elements of the arrangement 1 for assisting the parking brake 10 are positioned in relation to one another in such a way that a small torque is generated at the pivot axis 32, due to a distance 26 between the pivot axis 32 and the line of action of force 24 in a perpendicular plane 5 through the pivot axis 32. This torque facilitates the movement of the brake lever 12 from the release position shown.

[0036] In FIG. 4, the brake lever 12 is shown in a lock position in which the wheels of one axle are locked. The line of action of force 24 of the lifting element 20 intersects the plane running perpendicularly through the pivot axis 32 at a large distance 26 from the latter. Accordingly, a high torque acts on the redirecting element 30 so that the movement of the brake lever 12 into the locking position is supported. In particular, the generated torque is so high that the movement of the brake lever 12 into the locking position is almost automatic.

[0037] In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the elements lifting element 20 and redirecting element 30 of the arrangement 1 for assisting the parking brake 10 are shown in a detailed perspective view in the dead center position (FIG. 5), in the release position (FIG. 6), and in the parking position (FIG. 7) for clarification. The distance 26 between the line of action of force 24 and the pivot axis 32, which varies depending on the position assumed, is illustrated. In particular, the elements lifting element 20 and redirecting element 30 together with the first holder 50 and the second holder 52 form a retrofit kit 100. This retrofit kit 100 can be used in different installation situations in order to provide support for a parking brake 10.

[0038] The first holder 50 and also the second holder 52 can be joined from several individual parts, in particular plugged in. The first bracket 50 and the second bracket 52 can be fixed stationary in relation to the existing parking brake 10 by means of corresponding screw connections.