CA1237750A - Brake release mechanism for vehicle towing - Google Patents

Brake release mechanism for vehicle towing

Info

Publication number
CA1237750A
CA1237750A CA000482946A CA482946A CA1237750A CA 1237750 A CA1237750 A CA 1237750A CA 000482946 A CA000482946 A CA 000482946A CA 482946 A CA482946 A CA 482946A CA 1237750 A CA1237750 A CA 1237750A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
brake
port
work
pressurized fluid
source
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000482946A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles E. Holzinger
David M. Fee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Caterpillar Inc
Original Assignee
Caterpillar Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/630,566 external-priority patent/US4576418A/en
Application filed by Caterpillar Inc filed Critical Caterpillar Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1237750A publication Critical patent/CA1237750A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure Brake Release Mechanism for Vehicle Towing Spring-applied, pressure-released brakes are useful, for example, in construction vehicles or other vehicles that require an automatic braking in the event of an engine failure. In order to tow the vehicle for service, the brakes must be released. Most brake release systems require an alternate pump and associated valves on each vehicle with the fluid from the alternate pump being controlled by the brake valve on the vehicle. The alternate pump on each vehicle add cost to the vehicle and the spool of the brake valve is a known path for fluid leakage thus requiring an alternate pump of a larger capacity than is actually needed. The present brake release mechanism provides an isolating mechanism that is effective to isolate a work port of a brake valve from a valving element in a housing. The isolating mechanism is adapted to connect with an alternate source of pressurized fluid and adapted to direct the pressurized fluid to a brake for release thereof. The isolating mechanism and the alternate source of pressurized fluid are adaptable to several vehicles thus eliminating the need of the alternate pump and associated valves on each vehicle.
Furthermore, the alternate source is smaller in capacity since the leakage in the brake valve during towing is eliminated.

Description

~3~7~

Descry on Broke R ease M_cilanism or Vie clue Technical elude This invention relates generally to a brake release mechanism for tOWillg a disabled vehicle having spring applied pressure released brakes and more particularly to a brake release mechanism that provides pressurized fluid to release the brakes during towing while bypassing the brake valve.

Background Art Brake release mechanisms are provided on vehicles having spring applied, pressure released brakes in order to release the brakes for towing in the event that the vehicle becomes disabled. Many of the well known brake release mechanisms are mounted directly on the vehicle, thus requiring various components For each vehicle. These components; such as, control valves, check valves, manual shutoff valves auxiliary hand pumps and associated lines add complexity and extra cost to each vehicle. Other brake release mechanisms that are not mounted directly on the vehicle are normally coupled to tune existing lines and uses the vehicle brake control valve to release the brakes. These mechanisms experience varying degrees of leakage due to the pressurized fluid from the auxiliary pump being directed through -the brake control valve.
Consequently, a larger source of pressurized auxiliary fluid is needed to maintain the brakes in the released condition while towing the vehicle.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

I' slicer of the Inventioll_ In one aspect of the present invention, a brake release mechanism is provided or use in a vehicle having a spring applied, pressure released brake, a primary swallowers of pressurized fluid, a reservoir and a broke valve Roy brake valve has a housing deFillirlg a bore, an inlet port connected to the source, a work port connected to the brake and a drain port collected to the reservoir. Each of the ports intersect the Gore at axially spaced locations. A
valving element is located in the bore and selectively movable between first anal second pOSitiOIlS. In the first position of the valving element, the work port is in open communication with the inlet port while being blocked from the drain port. In the secorld position of the valving element, the work port is blocked from the inlet port and in open communication with the drain port. A means is provided for isolating the work port from the valving element and the drain port and is adapted to connect an alternate source of pressurized fluid to the brake so that the brake may be released on failure of the primary source.
Provided is a mechanism that may be mounted on the brake valve which isolates the work port from the valvillg element and the drain port thus eliminating leakage of the alternate source of pressurized elude by bypassing the valving element. Furtherlnore, this mechanism is adaptable to the brake valve of various vehicles thus not recoloring an auxiliary plump and the various valves associated therewith be mounted on every vehicle.

Brief Dose option of the Drawings Figs. L end 2 are partial schematic and diagrarrlmatic representations of a brace control system for use on a vehicle having spring applied pressure release brazes; and Fly. 3 is a partial schematic and diagrammatic representation of the braze valve shown in Figs. 1 and
2 illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

lo Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring now to tune drools, a brake release mechanism 10 is shown for use in a brake control system lo of d veilicle (not sown) having spring applied pressure-released brakes 14,14'. As more specifically shown in Fits. 1 and 2, the braze control system 12 includes a source of pressurized 1uidl such as a pump 16, a reservoir 18, a brake control valve 20 and an operator input mechanism 22~ The brake valve 20 is connected to the spring applied brakes 14,14' 20 respectively my conduits 24,26. A drain conduit 28 connects the reservoir 18 to the brake valve 20.
Lowe brake valve 20 includes a housing 30 having first and second bores 32,34 defined therein.
First, second and third chambers 36,38,40 respectively surrounds the first bore 32 at axially spaced locations. Since tune second bore 34 is identical to the first bore 32, prime numbers are used to identify corresponding chambers 36',38',40'. An inlet port 42 is defined in the housing 30 and intersects the first chamber 36,36' of each of the first and second bores 32,34. drain port 44 is defiled ill the nuzzle 30 and collects the third chamber 40,4n' of each of the first and second bores 32,34 to tune drearily conduit 28.
A first worn port 46 is defined in the housing 30 and intersects the second chamber 38 of the first bore 32.

The conduit 24 is connected to the first work port 46.
A second work port 48 is defined in the housing 30 and intersects the second chamber 3B' of the second bore 34. The conduit 26 is connected to the second work port 48. As shown in Fig. I the first and second work ports 46,48 are oriented transversely to the respective first and second bores 32,34 and are respectively laterally offset. It is recognized that the first and second work ports 46,48 could be at different ankles lo with respect to the respective first and second bores 32,34 as long as they do not intersect either of the first and third chambers 36,36',40,40' of the first and second bores 32,34.
First and second valving elements, such as first and second spools 50,52 are respectively slide ably disposed in the first and second bores 32,34. Each of the spools 50,52 is movable between first and second positions. A spring 54 biases the first spool 50 to the first position while spring 56 biases the second spool 52 to its first position. As is well known in the art and clearly shown in Fig. 1, each of the spools 50,52 controls the fluid flow to and from the brakes 14,14'.
As shown in Fig. 2, first and second plugs 58,60 are respectively disposed in the end of the respective work ports 46,48 opposite the connection of the conduits 24/26.
A conduit 62 connects the pump 16 to the inlet port 42 of the brake valve 20. As is well known in -the art, a relief valve 64 is connected to the conduit 62 and adapted to control the maximum pressure level OX
the fluid from the pump 16.
The operator input mechanism 22 includes first and second pedals 66,66' each respectively connected to the respective spools 50,S2 by associated linkages 68,68'.

I

The spring-applied, pressure-released brakes 14 ~14~ each include an actuator 69 having a pressure chamber 70~ a spring chamber AL and a spring 72 located in the spring chamber 71.
As shown in Fix 3 / the plugs 58 ~60 have been removed and replaced with first and second sleeve members 73r74. Each of the sleeve members 73~74 has an axial passage 75 extending there through. The sleeve members 73/74 are each sealingly disposed in the respective work port 46~48~ Each of the sleeve member 73~74 has sufficient length to extend into and through the respective second chamber 38 ~38 i to effectively isolate the work ports 46~48 from the spools 50~52.
An alternate source of pressurized fluid, such 15 as a pump 76 draws fluid from a reservoir 78 and directs the pressurized fluid to the first and second sleeve members 73 ~74 through a conduit 80. The pump 76 may be a hand pump or driven by an electric motor (not shown) or any other suitable means A relief valve 82 20 is connected to the conduit 80 and controls the maximum pressure level of the fluid from the pump 76 in a well known manner.
The sleeve member 73/74 constitutes a means 84 for isolating the work port 46~48 from the valving 25 elemellt 50~52 and the drain port 44 and for connecting the alternate source 76 to the brake 14/14 .
It is recognized that a brake system having only one brake and one valving element would need only one sleeve member. Furthermore, the alternate source 30 73 of pressurized fluid could be connected to the brake conduit 24/26 without being directed through the sleeve member 80/82~ Consequently, the axial bore 75 of the sleeve member 80~82 would be plugged.

Industrial ~E~cabilitv During normal operation of a vehicle having spring-applied, pressure-released brakes, pressurized elude from the pump 16 is directed through the brake valve 20 to the pressure chambers 70,70/ of the brakes 14,14'~ Ire force from the pressurized fluid acts against the bias of the respective springs 72,72i to release the brakes rho apply the brakes -I.4,14', the operator depresses the pedals 66S66'~ either individually or simultaneously, thus moving the spools 50,52 from their frost position, at which the work ports 46,43 communicate with the inlet port 42 and is blocked from -the drain port 44, to the second position, at which the work ports 46,48 are blocked from the inlet port 42 and open to the drain port pa Between the first and second positions of the spools 50,52, the fluid flow to the brakes 14,14' is variable controlled. By venting the pressurized fluid from the pressure chambers 70,70' of the brakes 14,14', the force of the springs 72,72' apply the brakes 14,14'.
Upon failure of the pump 16 or if the engine of the vehicle stops running, the pressurized fluid in the pressure chambers 70,70' drops thus applying the brakes 14,14'. In order to move the vehicle, the brakes must be released The plugs 5'3,60 as shown in Fig. 2 are removed and the sleeve members 73,74 are inserted in the work ports 46,4i3 as shown in Fig. 3.
The alternate source 76 of pressurized fluid is connected to the sleeve members 73,74 by the conduit 80. The sleeve members 73,74 effectively isolates the spools 50~52 from the alternate source 76 thus eliminating leakage across the spools 50,52. The pressurized fluid Eros the alternate source 76 is directed to the pressure chambers 70,70' thus releasing the brakes 1.4~14' for towing. Due to the small volume I 7t7~3 of fluid needed to release the brakes :L4,14' without concern ablate leakage, the alternate source 76 is relatively small in size.
Once the vehicle has teen towed to its destination, the alternate source 76 is shut off and the corl(lult MU relived. Lowe slGcve Nile ens 73,74 are inert removed and replaced by the plus 58"60. The brake system is now ready for normal operation once the problelll is resolved Tile brace release mechanism set Eerily above provides an arrangement that does not require that an extra pump and associated valving be supplied on every vehicle. Ike service techniciarl would only need the two sleeve members 73,74, the conduit 80 and the lo alternate source 76 to tow several different vehicles without needirlg numerous special service items.
Furthermore, since the work ports are isolated from the spools, the normal leakage is eliminated thus allowing the use of a small alternate source.
Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a styled of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims (11)

Claims
1. In a brake release mechanism adapted for use in a vehicle having a spring-applied, pressure-released brake, a primary source of pressurized fluid, a reservoir, and a brake valve having a housing and a valving element, said housing having a bore defined in the housing, an inlet port connected to said source, a work port connected to said brake, and a drain port connected to said reservoir, each of said ports intersecting the bore at axially spaced locations, and said valving element being selectively movable in said bore between a first position at which said work port is in open communication with said inlet port while being blocked from said drain port and a second position at which said work port is blocked from said inlet port while being in open communication with said drain port, the improvement comprising:
means for isolating said work port from said valving element and said drain port, said isolating means being adaptable to connect an alternate source of pressurized fluid to said brake so that said brake is released upon failure of said primary source.
2. The brake release mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a chamber which surrounds a portion of said bore and connects with said work port, and said isolating means includes a sleeve member adapted for insertion into said work port so that communication between said work port and the valving element in the bore is blocked.
3. The brake release mechanism, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said sleeve member is connectable to said alternate source of pressurized fluid and defines an axial passage therethrough, said axial passage in said sleeve member connects said alternate source of pressurized fluid directly with said brake through said work port.
4. The brake release mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein said valving element is spring biased to the first position and movable to the second postion in response to a manual input mechanism.
5. The brake release mechanism, as set forth in claim 2, including a plug member adapted for insertion into one end of the work port when the primary source of pressurized fluid is operating.
6. In a brake release mechanism adapted for use in a vehicle having first and second spring-applied, pressure-released brakes, a primary source of pressurized fluid, a reservoir, and a brake valve having a housing and first and second valving elements, said housing having first and second bores defined in the housing, an inlet port connected to said source and intersecting each of said first and second bores, a drain port connected to said reservoir and intersecting each of said first and second bores axially spaced from the intersection of the inlet port, a first work port connected to the first brake and intersecting the first bore at a location between the intersection of the inlet and outlet ports, a second work port connected to the second brake and intersecting the second bore at a location between the intersection of the inlet and outlet ports, and said first and second valving elements each being selectively movable in the respective first and second bores between a first position at which said respective work ports are in open communication with said inlet port while being blocked from said drain port and a second position at which said respective work ports are blocked from said inlet port while being in open communication with said drain port, the improvement comprising:
an alternate source of pressurized fluid; and means for isolating each of said work ports from their respective valving elements and said drain port and for connecting the alternate source to said first and second brakes so that said brakes are released upon failure of said primary source.
7. The brake release mechanism, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said housing includes first and second chambers each surrounding a portion of the respective first and second bores and connecting with the respective work ports, and said isolating means includes first and second sleeve member adapted for insertion into the respective work ports so that communication between the respective work ports and the valving elements in each of the first and second bores are blocked.
8. The brake release mechanism, as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said first and second sleeve members are connected to said alternate source of pressurized fluid and each defines an axial passage therethrough, said axial passage in the respective sleeve members connect said alternate source directly with the respective brakes through the respective work ports.
9. In a brake release mechanism adapted for use in a vehicle having a spring-applied, pressure-released brake, a primary source of pressurized fluid, a reservoir, and a brake valve having a housing and a valving element, said housing having a bore defined in the housing, an inlet port connected to said source, a work port connected to said brake, and a drain port connected to said reservoir, each of said ports intersecting the bore at axially spaced locations, and said valving element being selectively movable in said bore between a first position at which said work port is in open communication with said inlet port while being blocked from said drain port and a second position at which said work port is blocked from said inlet port while being in open communication with said drain port, the improvement comprising:
an alternate source of pressurized fluid; and means for isolating said work port from said valving element and said drain port and for connecting the alternate source of pressurized fluid to said brake so that said brake is released upon failure of said primary source.
10. The brake release mechanism, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said housing includes a chamber which surrounds a portion of said bore and connects with said work port, and said isolating means includes a sleeve member adapted for insertion into said work port so that communication between said work port and the valving element in the bore is blocked.
11. The brake release mechanism, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said sleeve member is connected to said alternate source of pressurized fluid and defines an axial passage therethrough, said axial passage in said sleeve member connects said alternate source of pressurized fluid directly with said brake through said work port.
CA000482946A 1984-07-13 1985-05-31 Brake release mechanism for vehicle towing Expired CA1237750A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US630,566 1984-07-13
US06/630,566 US4576418A (en) 1984-07-13 1984-07-13 Brake release mechanism for vehicle towing
PCT/US1984/001466 WO1986000586A1 (en) 1984-07-13 1984-09-14 Brake release mechanism for vehicle towing
US84/01466 1984-09-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1237750A true CA1237750A (en) 1988-06-07

Family

ID=26770407

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000482946A Expired CA1237750A (en) 1984-07-13 1985-05-31 Brake release mechanism for vehicle towing

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1237750A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2249178A1 (en) * 2004-09-13 2006-03-16 Talleres Monrepos, S.L. Device for towing industrial vehicles (trucks), which is intended for the fifth wheel of a truck tractor

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2249178A1 (en) * 2004-09-13 2006-03-16 Talleres Monrepos, S.L. Device for towing industrial vehicles (trucks), which is intended for the fifth wheel of a truck tractor
WO2006040372A2 (en) * 2004-09-13 2006-04-20 Talleres Monrepos, S.L. Device for towing industrial vehicles (trucks), which is intended for the fifth wheel of a truck tractor
WO2006040372A3 (en) * 2004-09-13 2007-10-18 Talleres Monrepos S L Device for towing industrial vehicles (trucks), which is intended for the fifth wheel of a truck tractor

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