AU758998B2 - Door activated safety park brake - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Standard Patent DOOR ACTIVATED SAFETY PARK BRAKE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 113Australia

MT

Documents received un C 0 2001

(D

Batch No: This invention relates to vehicle safety and improvements in devices for automatic activation of the park or maxi brakes of a vehicle.

A number of injuries and deaths occur each year to operators or innocent parties, also damage to property or other vehicles by runaway vehicles.

Resulting from the operator leaving the vehicle without manually applying the park or maxi brakes due to fatigue, lack of concentration, distraction or simply by accident, the vehicle has actually rolled knocking down the operator or innocent party causing death or injurury to them or damage to property.

The present devices are especially applicable for medium to heavy 1 u vehicles fitted with air brakes, as a precaution whenever an operator leaves the S"•-.vehicle, the park or maxi brakes will be applied automatically if not manually I applied.

It is an object of this invention to automatically apply the park or maxi brakes of a vehicle equipped with air brakes whenever the operator attempts to ,ooo, leave the vehicle with out having manually applied the park or maxi brakes.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus or device for automatically setting the brakes in the on position when ever the operator opens the door and moves off the seat (or vice versa) to leave the vehicle without S"having applied the park or maxi brakes, the apparatus comprises of means associated with and activated by door opening movements and seat movements, the operators side door and operators seat are coupled to the braking system of the vehicle to apply the brakes there of whenever the operator leaves the vehicle without having applied the park or maxi brakes from inside the vehicle.

According to one form of the present invention in operation the vehicle park or maxi brake system is automatically activated by door opening movements and seat movements when a 12 or 24 volt power source from the vehicle battery through a circuit breaker to an electric control relay that is in communication with the door switch, seat switch, pressure switch, warning buzzer, timer and solenoid valve.

If the door of the vehicle is opened and the operator moves off the seat when the park or maxi brakes have not been applied manually, the pressure switch contacts are closed also the seat switch contacts are closed and the door switch contacts close going to ground completing the negative circuit, this activates the warning buzzer, and the timer which delays for a set time the signal to the solenoid poppett valve that shuts off and exhausts the air supply from the internal control valve causing the button to pop out and automatic application of the park or maxi brakes occur.

Another form of this present invention is that the operator can open the ooeoo door of the vehicle and the park or maxi brakes will not be applied, or he can move off the seat and the park or maxi brakes will not be applied. If the operator •opens the door and moves off the seat (or vise versa) by performing both actions the park or maxi brakes will be automatically applied.

Also another form of the present invention is that it will not only apply the park or maxi brakes on a rigid tray truck but also on a rigid tray truck and trailer combination or a prime mover and trailer combination. The rigid tray truck and trailer or prime mover and trailer, park or maxi brakes can be applied at the same time or independently of each other. This is depending on whether the internal control valve for the rigid tray truck or prime mover and the internal control valve for the trailer are both in the brakes off position, or 3 one internal control valve is in the brakes off position and the other internal control valve is in the brakes on position. When the operator opens the door and moves off the seat and has not applied the park or maxi brakes manually, the internal control valve or valves that is in the brakes off position will be applied automatically causing the park or maxi brakes to apply.

And also another optional form of the present invention is the external control valve so that the operator can release the park or maxi brakes from out side the vehicle to adjust brakes, service, maintainence repairs. This external control valve will only release the park or maxi brakes on the truck or trailer oooo 10 independently of each other as there is a 2 way toggle valve in the line and the operator must select whether he requires the prime mover or trailer released.

The operator cannot release the park or maxi brakes on the truck and trailer at the same time with the external control valve. When the external 00* control valve is pushed in for releasing the brakes a pressure switch in the line contacts close activating a flashing light to keep the operator alert that the brakes are off. If the operator forgets to manually apply the park or maxi brakes with the external control valve after servicing (etc) the next time he opens the door of the vehicle, the external control valve will pop out and the park or maxi brakes on the selected prime mover or trailer will be applied automatically.

With the external control valve if the prime mover is selected by the 2 way toggle valve the air supply is directed to a T connection in the line, the air pressure on one side of the T connection goes to the park or maxi brakes to release them, the air pressure on the other side of the T goes to the axle only equipped with service brakes, this air pressure applies the brakes on that axle of the prime mover, this feature will not allow release of all brakes on the prime mover at the same time using the external control valve.

II

4 This present invention can operate with the internal safety control valve fitted into the system or with out it.

This depends on the make and model of the vehicle eg European, Japanese, American or Australian.).

Most European and Japanese trucks have a lever type park or maxi brake internal control valve, this lever type does not automatically move to the brakes on position when there is low air pressure or no air pressure. This lever type internal control valve has to be manually placed into the brakes on position.

So with this type of system if the park or maxi brakes are not manually applied, when the operator opens the door and moves off the seat the brakes will automatically apply, but when the operator closes the door or sits on the seat the **park or maxi brakes automatically release again and the truck can roll away.

With the internal safety control valve fitted into this lever type control valve system when the operator opens the door and moves off the seat not having '15 applied the park or maxi brakes, the internal safety control valve pops out and o automatically applies the park or maxi brakes. When the operator closes the -door or sits on the seat the park or maxi brakes remain in the on position and will not release, until manually releised with the internal safety control valve.

With most of the American or Australian systems when there is low air 20 pressure or no air pressure the park or maxi brake internal control valves automatically pop out applying the brakes, and then have to be manually released by the operator. Therefore with this system if the park or maxi brakes are not manually applied by the operator, when the door is opened and the operator moves off the seat the park or maxi brakes automatically apply, but when the operator closes the door or sits on the seat the brakes remain applied until the operator manually releases them with the internal control valve.

This present invention can operate with either one or multiple solenoid valves, this depends on the make and model of vehicle and the type of internal control valves fitted standard for the truck and trailer, also the number of supply lines to the control valves.

These soleniod valves can be of either poppett valves or spool valves or such the like each comprising of normally open 3 port 2 position spring return configuration.

Also these internal control valves when in brakes applied position the button can either be in the retracted (pops in) or extended position (pops out).

The external control valve and and the internal safety control valve (when fitted can also be of different brand and types and also the button can retract S" ""or extend.

This present invention can be fitted into most vehicles with air supply released park or maxi brake systems.

An optional fitment of this present invention is (when no seat switch is "fitted) that when reverse gear is selected in the transmission of the vehicle it will disable the automatic application of the park or maxi brakes when the operator opens the door of the vehicle, this allows vehicles with broken or damaged mirrors to still be able to be reversed in to yards or buildings.

Also another optional fitment of the present invention (when no seat switch is fitted) is a disablement of the automatic application of the park or maxi brakes when the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed, incase the driver accidently opens the door of the vehicle at high speeds. This speed sensing system can either be hall effect or inductive and of different brands and types but performing the same function.

To assist with understanding the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompaning drawings which show four examples of the invention.

In the drawings FIG 1. Shows a diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 2. Is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 3. Is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the first embodiment of the present invention with reverse cut out relay.

FIG 4. Is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the first embodiment of the 10 present invention with speed sensor cut out relay.

Fig 5 Is a diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention with the changed components to a full air system (No Electrical Components) Referring to FIGS 1 and 2 of First Embodiment oeD It is intended the system described be installed into a vehicle with air brakes, 15 operators door, operators seat and park or maxi brakes such as a rigid truck or *0 0 truck and trailer combinations In operation the entire system is designated by the number 10 when the operator opens the door 11 and moves off the seat (not shown) and the park or maxi brake internal control valve 66 is not manually applied, the door switch 12 2( contacts close going to ground through wire 13A and completing a negative circuit through wire 13B to weight operated seat switch 13C which contacts are closed continued through wire 13D to main control relay 17 through pin 87 a negative is supplied to pin 30 of the control relay 17 when there is air pressure 7 at the normally open pressure switch 32 supplied by constant negative wire 31 the contacts in pressure switch 32 close supplying a negative through wire 33A to pin 86 of main control relay 17, a constant positive is supplied from battery through circuit breaker 21B and wire 21A, battery 20 having a negative 22, wire 21E gives a positive supply to pin 85 of main control relay 17 ,internal switching occurs allowing a negative supply from pin 30 of control relay 17 through wire to buzzer alarm 29 which has a constant positive supply wire 28, a negative supply through wire 30B is given to pin 2 of timer control relay 15 having a constant positive supply 21D to pin 7 on timer control relay 15 is then energised for preset time delay causing pin 3 with constant negative supply and pin 1 to close on timer control relay 15 supplying a negative 23B to air solenoid valve 16 supplied with constant positive supply 21C, this energises coil in solenoid valve 16 causing the air supply from tank 53 and or 54 via T connection 55, through air line 56 to be shut off when air solenoid valve 16 (which is normally open) 15 closes and exhausting air supply from air line 62 and air line 57, (when internal safety control valve 60 is not used) through exhaust line 57A on air solenoid valve 16, air line 62 was supplying air pressure to truck park or maxi brake internal control valve 66 which supplies air to park or maxi brake relay valve or modulating valve (not shown) through delivery line 67 and shuttle valve 68, to pressure switch 32 and delivery line 69 when brakes in released position, air supply from line 62 is exhausted from park or maxi brake internal control valve 66 which causes button to automatically extend ,this exhausts air through exhaust line 65 to automatically applying park or maxi brakes on truck.

When the truck and trailer are in combination the truck air system is the same as explained above but the trailer air system is supplied from T connection 63 air line 64 is supplying trailer park or maxi brake internal control valve 8 which supplies air through delivery line 72 to shuttle valve 73 to air pressure switch 46 through delivery line 74 to trailer park or maxi brake relay or modulating valve (not shown) which releases the park or maxi brakes on the trailer. When the operator opens door 11 and moves off the seat but has not manually applied the park or maxi brake internal control valves 66 (truck) and (trailer) the pressure switch 46 will have closed contacts and the same electrical procedure occurs as explained above which causes air solenoid valve 16 (which is normally open) to close and exhausting air supply from air line 57, air line 62 and air line 64 through exhaust line 57A on air solenoid valve 16. This automatically extends the buttons on park or maxi brake internal control valves 66 and 70 causing air to be exhausted through exhaust lines 65 and 71 causing automatic application of park and maxi brakes (not shown) on truck and trailer.

*If the trailer internal control valve 70 is independantly placed in brake released position and the operator opens the door 11 and moves off the seat of the vehicle there will be pressure at normally open pressure switch 46 on the trailer system, these contacts will be closed causing constant negative supply from wire 31 to wire 45 through closed contacts at pressure switch 46, giving negative supply through wire 47 to 33A which goes to pin 86 at main control i relay 17 and the same electrical procedure occurs as explained above, causing 2C air solenoid valve 16 to close and exhaust air supply from line 64 which automatically extends the button on trailer internal control valve 70 exhausting air through exhaust line 71, causing automatic application of park or maxi brakes on trailer (not shown).

In the case of most European or Japanese trucks where there is a lever type park or maxi brake internal control valve (referred to as) 66. This lever type internal control valve 66 has to be manually applied to keep the brakes in the on position. When the operator opens the door 11 and moves off the seat with out manually applying lever type internal control valve 66 the same electrical procedure occurs as explained above and the park or maxi brakes will automatically apply, but the lever type internal control valve 66 remains in the brakes off position, so when the operator sits on the seat and closes the door 11 the park or maxi brakes will automatically release, with this system an internal safety control valve 60 button type is required to keep the park or maxi brakes in the applied position until manually released by the operator.

An external control valve 76 is fitted into the system to release the park or maxi brakes on the truck or trailer to allow repairs or maintainence on vehicle. Air is supplied from tank 53 and or tank 54 through T connection through air line 56 and air solenoid valve 16 to air line 57 into T connection 58 continuing through air line 75 to external control valve 76. When the external control valve 76 is in the release position air is supplied to normally 15 open pressure switch 49 closing contacts allowing positive supply from wire 48 to wire 50 to flashing light 51 which is earthed through wire 52. The air supply from external control valve 76 goes through line 77 to a 2 way toggle air valve 78 S. which allows the operator to select the truck or trailer systems independently.

If the truck system is selected air supply from 2 way toggle valve 78 continues through air line 79 through T connection 80 to shuttle valve 68 to pressure switch 32 to delivery line 69 releasing the park or maxi brakes, from T connection 80 air is supplied through air line 81 to shuttle valve 82 applying the brakes on axle only equipped with service brakes.

When axles fitted with park or maxi brakes are released the axle fitted with service brakes are applied.

If trailer system is selected by 2 way toggle valve 78 air is supplied through shuttle valve 73 to pressure switch 46 and delivery line 74 to release park or maxi brakes on the trailer. If the operator does not manually apply park or maxi brakes by external control valve 76 on the system selected being either truck or trailer, which ever pressure switch 32 (truck) or 46 (trailer) has closed contacts, when the operator opens door 11 and sits on the seat of the vehicle the same electrical procedure occurs as explained above causing air solenoid valve to close and shut off air supply and exhausting air from airline 75 through exhaust line 57A on air solenoid valve 16, which automatically extends button on external control valve 76 exhausting the air from line 77 through exhaust line 83 on external control valve 76 which automatically applies park or maxi brakes on this system.

Referring to FIG 3 of First Embodiment (with Reverse Cut Out) S" Constant positive power supply 24 through ignition switch 25 supplying positive from wire 26 through circuit breaker 27 to wire 35 to normally open reverse switch 36 which is situated in vehicle transmission 34. When vehicle is placed into reverse gear the contacts on reverse switch 36 are closed, positive power is then supplied through wire 37 to pin 85 on reverse cutout relay 18, which is supplied with constant negative power through wire 33B to pin 86 of reverse cutout relay 18, switching internally occurs to break negative supply between pins 87A and 30 on reverse cutout relay 18. Therefore when door 11 is opened closing contacts on door switch 12 allowing a negative supply from wire 13A to wire 13B through to pin 87A on reverse cutout relay 18 and cannot continue negative supply through pin 30 on reverse cutout relay 18 to pin 87 on 11 main control relay 17 which makes automatic application of park or maxi brakes inoperative.

Referring to FIG 4 of First Embodiment (with Speed Sensor Cutout) If the vehicle is moving the speed sensor reluctor 38 gives a counted signal to the speed sensor 44 which has a positive supply 41 from speed sensor control module 40 which has ignition supply through wire 39 from ignition switch 25, a negative supply to speed sensor 44 is through wire 43 a voltage pulse is sent from speed sensor 44 through signal wire 42A to speed sensor control module 40 and when a predetermined number of pulses per minute are counted in the speed sensor control module 40 then sends a positive supply through wire o 42B to pin 85 on speed sensor cutout relay 19 which is supplied with a constant negative supply from wire 33C to pin 86 on speed sensor cutout relayl9, switching internally then occurs breaking negative contact between pin 87A and pin 30 on speed sensor cutout relay 19, so when door 11 is opened, closing the contacts on door switch 12 allows a negative supply from wire 13A to wire 13B to pin 87A on speed sensor cut out relay 19, this negative supply cannot continue past pin 30 on speed sensor cut out relay 19 to pin 87A on reverse cut out relay 18 or to pin 87 on main control relay 17 (if reverse cutout relay 18 is not in system) which makes automatic application of park or maxi brakes inoperative over a certain speed.

Referring to FIG 5 (Full Pnuematic System) In operation the complete system is represented by 100 when door 101A is opened the closed door valve 101B is opened, allowing air supply from T 12 connection 112 and supply linell3 to flow through the door valve 101B to air line 103A to seat operated valve 103B when operator moves off the seat (not shown) the air supply contiunes through T connection 104B and into control box 105, also the air supply from T connection 104B goes to air linell0 to supply air alarm 111, the air supply into control box 105 goes to a normally closed timer 106, after a preset time delay the timer 106 opens allowing air supply through air line 107 to normally open pilot valve 108 which is then closed shutting off the air supply and exhausting the air pressure through exhaust line 108A from the internal control valves 60 (if used), 66 and 70 which then automatically applies the park or maxi brakes.

From this stage the air system operates the same as described in the First Embodiment.

Advantages 1/ With electrical system the circuit is only active when the door is opened and 15 the seat not occupied. Electrical system can be put onto a circuit board.

2/ Preset time delay on automatic application of park or maxi brakes if door is opened and seat not occupied while vehicle moving.

3/ External control valve supplies air for selection of park or maxi brakes for release after leaving vehicle.

4/ With 2 way air valve after external control valve you cannot have all brakes released at the same time.

Internal warning buzzer before automatic application of brakes.

6/ External flashing light to alert operator external control valve in brakes released position.

7/ If door is opened and seat not occupied when brakes in released position by either internal or external control valves they will be automatically applied.

05-FEB-2003 15:29 05-FEB-203 15:29SNDERCOCKS PAT RTT DNDG61391360 P3 61 3 9191 3160 P.03 13 g/ power from ignition switch only active if vehicle in reverse gear when fitted with reverse cut out relay, or if vehicle is travelling over predetermined speed which activates speed out out relay when fitted.

9/ Either Electric/Pneumatic System or Full Pneumatic System.

Brakes can not be released when door is open and seat not occupied (if no fitment of reverse gear cut out).

Whilst I have described in the First and Second Embodiments particular examples ofmy invention, it will be understood by some persons skcilled in this particular art, that variations, modification, reversals and substitutions of components, sub-asscmblies or spacial orientation of parts and final assemblies may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and I therefore do not wish to be mnisunderstood as limiting myself solely to the precise terms used- 2OaS324.OZVMm ft&%V13 05/02 '03 WED 16:09 [TX/RX NO 8955]

Claims (4)

1. A safety apparatus for automatically setting compressed air released park brakes of a vehicle in the ON position whenever the driver opens the driver's side door and moves off the driver's seat to leave the vehicle without having applied the park brakes from inside the vehicle, the apparatus comprises means associated with and activated by opening movements of the driver's door and unweighting of the seat, the means being coupled with the braking system of the vehicle to apply the park brakes in dependence upon a pressure switch for detecting whether there is prevailing air pressure for releasing the park brakes.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, comprising a truck battery powered circuit i """having a switch for the drivers seat in series with a switch for the drivers door and the pressure switch and a box which houses a main relay, a time delay relay, a 15 solenoid operated valve operated by the time delay relay which activates the internal air control valve capable of connecting pressurised air to the park brakes through a modulating or relay valve via a shuttle valve.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the normally open solenoid valve 20 admits pressurised air to the internal control valve through an air line, the closure .eo..i of the solenoid valve exhausts the air line between the solenoid valve and the internal control valve and when the solenoid valve re-opens, air supply resumes to the internal control valve which must be released by the driver to release the park brake.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the solenoid valve, the main control relay and timer relay are also operatively connected to the park brakes via an external control valve and a two-way air valve for selective brake releasing, external to the vehicle for activation by an operator when outside the vehicle. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the shuttle valve is provided to separate air supply of the vehicle internal control valve from the external control valve.

2003-01-09,A:\42Ipiggott.cais.wpd, 14 6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal control valve is operatively connected to the park brakes and to the external control valve through the door switch, the seat switch, and the pressure switch activated by the main control relay. 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the solenoid valves can be of either poppet valves or spool valves or of such the like. 8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein there is a primary compressed air tank and a secondary compressed air tank for supplying air pressure to the braking system. o 9. Apparatus according to any of Claims 4-8, wherein the external control valve and a two-way air valve are supplied with air to provide for selective releasing of 15 separate truck and trailer park brakes system for servicing, maintenance or repair, so that in a truck and trailer combination, the truck and trailer park brakes can be released separately but not together. 10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein when the park brakes are ON the S 20 external control valve delivers the air supply and releases the park brakes. •oo•• 11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an internal warning buzzer that activates immediately and the solenoid valve activates after a predetermined time by a timer delay after opening of the driver's side door and removal of weight from the driver's seat. 12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein there is a separate shuttle valve supplying air to a separate hir pressure switch for truck or trailer. 13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein for a rigid truck or rigid truck and trailer combination, or prime mover and trailer combination, when selectively releasing rigid truck or prime mover brakes, the air supply from the external control valve that is releasing the park brakes (eg. on drive) is also 2003-01-09,A:\42Ipiggott.clains.wpd, IS directed through a T connection for applying service brakes in ON position (eg. steer). 14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, when modified by having a driver's side door switch, pressure switch and a seat switch, a park brake automatic activating system including a main control relay, a timer relay, a solenoid valve and a reverse gear cut out relay for disabling the automatic activation of the park brakes when needing to reverse the vehicle with door open in case of broken mirror, etc. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, when modified by having a driver's side door switch, pressure switch and a seat switch, a park brake automatic .activating system including a main control relay, a timer relay, a solenoid valve S .and a speed sensing cut out relay for disabling the automatic activation of the 15 park brakes when vehicle reaches a predetermined speed in case the operator opens the door and unweights seat at high speeds. 16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, when modified by having a •complete pneumatic system comprising a door valve, a seat valve, an air timer delay and an air operated pilot valve for automatic application of the park brakes •when driver opens door and moves off the seat of the vehicle. 17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein air operated pilot valves can be of either poppet or spool type or such like. 18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the system can be operated with either one or multiple solenoid valves, also either one or multiple pilot valves. 19. Apparatus for automatically setting compressed air released park brakes of a vehicle into the ON position, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. 2003-01-09,A:\42lpiggottclaimswpd, 16 Apparatus for automatically setting compressed air released park brakes of a vehicle into the ON position, substantially a herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. C, p p. @9 p p *h Pp p p p. p p p p p 2003 -01-09,A:\42 Ipiggottclai ms. wpd, 17