JPH02270667A - Parking brake booster device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operation feeling for a parking brake by controlling an actuator for assisting the operating force of a parking brake operating part and the operating force of the parking brake on the basis of the operation state of the parking brake. CONSTITUTION:One edge of an assisting lever 7 whose intermediate part is pivotally supported onto a bracket 5 by a pin 8 is installed at the basic edge part of a stick type operating lever 1 as parking brake operating part, and a connecting member 9 connected with the wheel brakes 11L and 11R is installed through a control cable 10 at the intermediate position of the assisting lever 7. Further, a lead screw 15 is installed onto a shifting member 15a at the other edge of the assisting lever 7, and the operating force of the operating lever 1 is assisted by turning the lead screw 15 by the drive of a dc motor 16. The dc motor 16 is controlled according to the outputs of a pressure sensor 12 as operating force detecting means and a pressure sensor 14 as working force detecting means.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a parking brake device for a vehicle, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a parking brake device for a vehicle, and more specifically, to a parking brake device that performs power assist using a boosting mechanism to reduce the operating force of an operating lever. This invention relates to a parking brake device.

(Prior art) - In Ffa, in the parking brake system of a vehicle, a manual or foot-operated operation lever is operated, and the parking brake is manually applied via a transmission system such as a cable or link connected to this operation lever. It is designed to drive the wheel brakes. A ratchet-type locking mechanism or the like is provided between this control lever and the vehicle body to lock the control lever in the operated position, and the amount of operation of the control lever is increased in stages to generate a relatively large wheel braking torque. I'm trying to get it.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such conventional parking brake devices, the wheel brakes are driven only by manually operating the operating lever, so it is difficult to drive the vehicle on a slope. This requires a large amount of operating force when parking or stopping the vehicle. For this reason, especially when the control lever is manual, there are problems such as insufficient force to operate the lever when stopped on a slope, causing the vehicle to move backwards, and the driver to become tired due to the large force required to operate the lever. Ta. In order to solve these problems, increasing the lever ratio in the operating lever and transmission system, and boosting (deceleration) in the transmission system using gears can be considered as low-cost methods to reduce the operating force. The lever operation stroke increases and the lever operation feeling (for example,
There is a disadvantage that the feeling of rigidity deteriorates. Therefore, in such conventional parking brake devices, it has been an important issue to reduce the operating force of the operating lever without reducing the operating feeling.

In order to solve the above problem, the present applicant filed an earlier application in 1973.
No. 3-115453 proposed a power assist device that provided a simple boosting mechanism that did not increase the operating stroke of the operating lever. In this prior application, the operation of the actuator of the booster mechanism is controlled by the control means, and the actuator is controlled so that the amount of movement of the transmission member that drives the parking brake means is greater than the amount of movement of the first member that receives the operating force from the operating lever. In addition to activating the system, it also prompts power assist for lever operation.

However, in such a first order, a boosting mechanism is provided to reduce the operating force of the operating lever, and this boosting mechanism is operated by an actuator. Although it is possible to reduce the operating force of the operating lever, There is room for improvement in improving the operating feeling by prompting power assist according to the operating state of the lever and the operating state of the parking brake.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to improve the operating feeling by promoting detailed power assist according to the operating force of the parking brake operating section and the actual operating state of the parking brake.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the first invention includes an operating force detecting means for detecting the operating force of the parking brake operating section, and an operating force detecting means for detecting the operating force of the parking brake. , a control means that generates a predetermined control signal based on the signals from the operating force detection means and the operating force detection means, and an actuator that assists the operating force of the parking brake operating section based on the control signal from the control means. It is characterized by having the following.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, a second invention includes an operating force detection means for detecting an operating force of a parking brake operating section;
assisting force detection means for detecting an assisting force of an actuator that assists the operating force of the operating section; generating a predetermined control signal based on signals from the assisting force detecting means and the operating force detecting means; The invention is characterized in that it includes a control means for outputting the information to the actuator.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, a third invention provides a steering wheel force detecting means for detecting the operating force of the parking brake operating section, an operating amount detecting means for detecting the operating amount of the operating section, and an operating amount detecting means for detecting the operating amount of the operating section. a control means for generating a predetermined control signal based on a signal from the means and the operating force detecting means; and an actuator for assisting the operating force of the parking brake operating section based on the control from the control means (based on No. 8). It is characterized by the fact that it is equipped with

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the fourth invention provides that the actuator has a DC motor, and the control signal is a signal that varies the ratio of the energization time to which the DC motor is energized every predetermined time. This is a characteristic feature.

(Operation) In the first invention, the operating force of the actuator is determined based on the operating force of the parking brake operating section and the operating state of the parking brake. Therefore, power assist is promoted according to the actual operating force and the operating state of the parking brake, and the operating feeling of the parking brake operating section is improved.

In the second invention, the actuator is controlled based on the operating force of the parking brake operating section and the actual assisting force of the actuator that assists the operating force. Therefore, the actuation of the parking brake is promoted with an assist force corresponding to the actual operating force and the operating state of the parking brake, and the operational feeling of the parking brake operating section is improved.

In the third invention, the actuator is controlled based on the operating force of the parking brake operating section and the operating amount of the operating section. Therefore, the actuation of the parking brake is promoted with an assist force according to the actual operating force and the parking brake operating state, and the operating feeling of the parking brake operating section is improved.

In the fourth invention, a DC motor is used as the actuator, and a signal is transmitted from the controller that changes the ratio of the energization time to which the DC motor is energized at predetermined time intervals. Therefore, compared to a controller using a variable resistor, there is less heat loss, less power consumption of the controller, and better durability.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the first and fourth inventions. First, the configuration will be explained.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a stick-type operating lever as a parking brake operating section operated by a driver, and the operating lever 1 is provided with a stick handle 2 at its tip. The cane handle 2 is provided with a gripping member 3, and the gripping member 3 is attached to the cane handle 2 so that its axis is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the operating lever 1. The operating lever 1 is supported by a support member 4, and this support member 4 is connected to a bracket 5 via a pin 4a.
installed on. Further, the support member 4 has a function as a ratchet type locking means, and the operation lever 1
When moved in the direction of arrow A, the operating lever 1 slides within the support member 4, and the teeth 6 provided at predetermined locations on the operating lever 1 engage with locking means (not shown) provided on the inner circumference. The operating lever 1 is locked at a plurality of operating positions in order to maintain the operating force of the operating lever 1. Further, when releasing the lock, the gripping member 3 is rotated to the state shown by the imaginary line to release the engagement between the locking means and the teeth 6. One end of an assist lever 7 is attached to the base end of the operating lever 1, and the assist lever 7 is supported by the bracket 5 by a pin 8 and is rotatable in the direction of arrow El]B-C. A connecting member 9 is attached to the middle part of the assist lever 7, and the connecting member 9 is connected to the control cable 1o.
It is connected to wheel brakes IIL and IIR (parking brake) via. And operation lever 1
By operating the lever in the direction of arrow A and force, the amount of operation of the operating lever 1 changes step by step, and the assist lever 7 rotates in the direction of arrow B around the pin 8 to apply the wheel brake via the control cable 10. The driving force applied to 11L and IIR is increased.

The wheel brakes IIL and IIR are, for example, drum brakes or disc brakes attached to the rear wheels of the vehicle, and are well-known brakes having a parking brake mechanism built into a regular brake body.

On the other hand, a pressure sensor 12 is attached to the base end of the operating lever 1 as operating force detection means, and this pressure sensor 12 is composed of, for example, an integrated pressing member and a piezoelectric element, and is connected to the wheel brake 11L.

When the operating lever 1 is pulled in the direction of arrow A1 to operate 11R, the pressing member presses the piezoelectric element so that the piezoelectric element outputs an output voltage according to the pressing force (the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric element). ing. In addition, wheel brake LIL,
11R is released and the operating lever 1 is pulled by the control cable 10 in the direction of arrow A, that is, when the operating lever 1 returns to its original position, the force with which the pressing member presses the piezoelectric element gradually weakens. , the generated output voltage decreases. That is, the pressure sensor 12 receives a signal P whose absolute value of the output voltage increases when the operating lever 1 is operated.
+ is output to the controller 13 (control means), and a signal P in which the absolute value of the output voltage decreases when the operating lever 1 is released is output to the controller 13. Further, a pressure sensor 14 as an actuation force detection means is attached to the connecting member 9, and the pressure sensor 14 detects the tensile force of the control cable 10. That is, the pressure sensor 14 is composed of, for example, an integrated piezoelectric element and a pressing member, and when the assist lever 7 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the wheel brake 11L is activated.
, 11R is activated, the pressing member presses the piezoelectric element,
An output piezo voltage is output according to the pressing force of the piezoelectric element (the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric element), and a signal P2 corresponding to this output voltage is output to the controller 13 as the operating force of the wheel brakes ILL and IIR. Further, when the wheel brakes 11L and 11R are released by rotating the assist lever 7 in the direction of the arrow C, the force with which the pressing member presses the piezoelectric element is weakened, so that the generated output voltage decreases.

That is, the pressure sensor 14 is connected to the wheel brake 1117.
．． Signal P that increases the absolute value of the output voltage when 11R is activated
! is output to the controller 13, and the wheel brake II
A signal P8 whose absolute value of the output voltage decreases as the operation of L and IIR weakens is output to the controller 13. Further, a lead screw 15 is attached to the other end of the assist lever 7 via a moving member 15a, and this lead screw 15 engages integrally with the output shaft of a DC motor 16 attached to the bracket 5 in the rotational direction. ing. These lead screw 15 and DC motor 16 change the amount of rotation of the assist lever 7 via the moving member 15a,
It constitutes an actuator 17 that assists the operating force of the operating lever 1 connected to the assist lever 7. Further, the controller 13 is configured to include a chopper circuit and the like therein, and based on the output voltages from the pressure sensor 12 and the pressure sensor 14, the ratio of the energization time for each predetermined minute time (
A voltage pulse corresponding to the energization time ratio is generated and output to the actuator 17 as a control signal P.

Therefore, the control signal P is applied to the actuator 17.

The DC motor 16 operates in accordance with the voltage pulse width of the assist lever 7, thereby promoting power assist while changing the rotational torque (or rotational speed) of the assist lever 7.

Next, the effect will be explained.

First, in order to operate the parking brake, when the driver grasps the grip member 3 and pulls the operating lever 1 with a predetermined pulling force in the direction of the arrow AI, the assist lever 7 moves as shown in the arrow B.
The control cable 10 is pulled in the direction of the arrow via the wheel brake 11. At this time, the pressure sensor 12 detects the tensile force of the operating lever 1 and outputs a signal P corresponding to the tensile force to the controller 13. At this time, the pressure sensor 14 outputs a signal P to the controller 13 in accordance with the tensile force of the control cable 10, that is, in accordance with the operating states of the wheel brakes 11L and IIR. Controller 13 is pressure sensor 1
2 and the signals P, , P, from the pressure sensor 14, the amount of rotation of the DC motor 16 is calculated and a control signal P is output to the actuator 17. At this time, DC motor 1
6 rotates forward by the number of turns corresponding to the control signal P, moves the moving member 15a via the lead screw 15, and rotates the assist lever 7 in the direction of arrow B. For this reason, the control cable 10 is connected to the wheel brake IIL,
It is pulled while receiving the assist force of the actuator 17 according to the operating state of the wheel brake 11R and the operating force from the operating lever 1, and the operating force of the wheel brakes IIL and IIR increases. Furthermore, when the operating lever 1 is operated in the direction of arrow A, the locking means engages with the teeth 6 of the operating lever 1, and the parking brake is maintained in the activated state.

On the other hand, when the driver rotates the grip member 3 to the position shown in the imaginary line in order to release the parking brake, the assist lever 7 rotates in the direction of arrow C due to the tension of the control cable 10, so the operation lever 1 is returned in the direction of arrow A2. At this time, the pressure sensors 12 and 14 output signals P, , P, whose output voltages decrease in value versus value.
In order to output to the controller 13, the controller 13
reverses the DC motor 16 based on the signals P, , P,.

As a result, the operating force of the wheel brakes IIL and 11R gradually decreases, and the operating force of the wheel brakes IIL and 11R gradually decreases.
The vehicle returns to the state before the parking brake was applied, and the vehicle's braking is released.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor 12 and the pressure sensor 14 detect the operating force of the operating lever 1 and the operating force of the wheel brakes 11L and 11R, and the actuator 17 is controlled based on the detection information of the pressure sensor 12 and the pressure sensor 14. is controlled. Therefore, the operating force of the operating lever 1 can be reduced by the assist force according to the actual operating force of the operating lever 1 and the operating state of the wheel brakes IIL and IIR, and the operating feeling of the operating lever 1 can be improved. I can do it. In this example, a DC motor is used as the actuator, and the voltage output to the DC motor is made into a predetermined voltage pulse using a chopper circuit, etc., and the pulse width of this voltage pulse is controlled2. Therefore, a variable resistor is used. This has the effect of reducing heat loss, reducing power consumption of the controller 13, and improving durability compared to the conventional controller.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the second invention, and components similar to those in the embodiment of the first invention are given the same numbers and explanations are omitted. In this embodiment, wheel brakes 11L, II
Instead of detecting the actuation force of R, a pressure sensor 21 is provided in the actuator 17 as an assist force detection means to detect the tensile force of the lead screw L15. Even if the pressure sensor 21 as the assist force detection means is provided as in this embodiment, the actuator 17 is actuated based on the operating force of the operating lever 1 and the actual assist force signal P4 of the actuator 17. Effects similar to those of the embodiment of the invention can be obtained.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the third invention.
Components similar to those in the embodiment of the invention will be designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. In this embodiment, an electronic micrometer 30 is provided on the assist lever 1-lever 7 as a means for detecting the amount of operation. The amount of displacement of the operating lever 1 from the reference point is converted into an electrical signal, which is output to the controller 13 as the amount of displacement of the assist lever 7, t, that is, the amount of operation of the wheel brakes 11L and 11R. That is, when operating the operating lever 1, the absolute value of the output voltage from the electronic micrometer 30 increases, and when returning the operating lever 1, the absolute value of the output voltage decreases. , and is output to the controller 13. In this embodiment, when operating the parking brake, the operating force of the operating lever 1 is detected by the pressure sensor 12 and this signal P is output to the controller 13, and the operating amount of the operating lever 1 is detected by the electronic micrometer 30. Detects the operation amount of the assist lever 7 as the operating force of the wheel brakes 11L and 11R, and outputs a signal P to the controller 13,
The controller 13 operates the actuator 17 based on the signals P, , P, and can obtain the same effect as the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the third invention, and this embodiment is a parking device equipped with a center floor type operation lever instead of a parking brake device equipped with a stick type operation lever. This is an example applied to

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes an operating lever operated by the driver, and the operating lever 31 is moved upwardly and downwardly (arrows A, -A
, directions). The support mechanism 32 can lock the operating lever 31 at a plurality of operating positions to maintain the operating force of the operating lever 31 using a ratchet-type locking means (not shown), and a release button provided at the tip of the operating lever 31. This lock can be released in conjunction with the push of the lever 33, and by increasing and decreasing the amount of operation of the operating lever 31 step by step, driving force is applied to the wheel brakes 34L and 34R via the control cable 35. is changing. Further, an actuator 36 is provided to the operating lever 31 via a control cable 36a. This actuator 36 is composed of a DC motor (not shown) provided inside, a moving member, and a lead screw.The moving member is coupled to a control cable 36a, and the lead screw is rotated by driving the DC motor to rotate, and the moving member By moving the control cable 35 along the axis of the lead screw, the control cable 35 is moved in the direction of the arrow X-Y. On the other hand, a gripping member 37 is provided on the tip side of the operating lever 3I, and a pressure sensor 38 is provided inside this gripping member 37 as operating force detection means. This pressure sensor 38 detects the operating force when the operator pulls up the operating lever 31 after grasping the gripping member 37, and outputs a signal P to the controller 39 (control means). Further, the operation lever 31 is provided with an electronic micrometer 40 as operation amount detection means, and the electronic micrometer 40 is fixed to the support mechanism 32 by a bottle 41, and the operation amount of the operation lever 31 is detected by, for example, wheel brakes 34L, 34R. The state before actuation is set as a reference position, and when the operating lever 31 is operated from this state, a signal P7 is outputted to the controller 39 such that the absolute value of the amount of movement of the operating lever 31 increases. A signal P is output to the controller 39 such that the absolute value of the amount of movement of the operating lever 31 decreases when returning to the original state.

In this embodiment, when the driver grips the grip member 37 and pulls up the operating lever 31 in the direction of the arrow A□ force in order to operate the parking brake, the control cable 35 is pulled in the direction of the arrow X. At this time, the pressure sensor 38 detects the tensile force in the direction of the arrow A of the operating lever 31, and the pressure sensor 38 outputs a signal P according to the tensile force.
is output to the controller 39. At the same time, the electronic micrometer 40 detects the amount of operation of the operating lever 31 and outputs output signals P and T corresponding to the amount of operation to the controller 39.

The controller 39 outputs a signal Pa to the actuator 36 based on the signals P, , P7 from the pressure sensor 38 and the electronic micrometer 40, and the actuator 36 operates according to the signal PR to move the control cable 36a in the direction of arrow X. I'm letting it happen. That is, the actuator 36 controls the amount of operation of the operating lever 31 and the wheel brake 34.
An assist force corresponding to the operating state of L and 34R is applied to the assist lever 7.

On the other hand, when the release button 33 of the operating lever 31 is pushed in to release the parking brake, the operating lever 3
1 is returned in the direction of arrow A4. At this time, pressure sensor 3
8, although the driver does not apply the operating force to pull up the operating lever 31, the gripping force for gripping the gripping member 37 is detected and output to the controller 39. Further, the electronic micrometer 40 sends a signal P7 to the controller 3 whose absolute value decreases because the operating lever 31 moves in the direction of the arrow A4.
Output to 9. At this time, the controller 39 outputs a signal Pg to the actuator 36 based on the signals from the pressure sensor 38 and the electronic micronauter 40, and the actuator 36 reverses the DC motor and controls the control cable 3.
5 in the direction of arrow Y. Therefore, the driving force applied to the wheel brakes 34L, 34R via the control cable 35 is released, and the braking of the vehicle is released. In this way, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

(Effect) According to the first invention, since the operating force of the actuator is determined based on the operating force of the parking brake operating section and the operating state of the parking brake, It is possible to promote power assist, and improve the operating feeling of the parking brake operating section.

According to the second invention, since the actuator is controlled based on the operating force of the parking brake operating section and the actual assisting force of the actuator that assists the operating force, the actual operating force and the operating state of the parking brake are controlled. It is possible to prompt the operation of the parking brake with an assist force corresponding to the amount of time, thereby improving the operating feeling of the parking brake operating section.

According to the third invention, since the actuator is controlled based on the operating force of the parking brake operating section and the operating amount of the operating section, the parking brake is applied with an assist force corresponding to the actual operating force and the operating state of the parking brake. The operation feeling of the brake operation section can be improved.

According to the fourth invention, a DC motor is used as the actuator, and a signal is sent from the controller that varies the ratio of the energization time in which the DC motor is energized at predetermined time intervals, so that a variable resistor is used. Compared to the above, heat loss can be reduced, power consumption of the controller can be reduced, and durability can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing an embodiment of the parking brake booster according to the first and fourth inventions, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing an embodiment of the parking brake booster according to the third invention; FIG.
The figure is a front view showing a second embodiment of the parking brake booster according to the third invention. 1... Operation lever (parking brake operating section), 11L, IIR... Wheel brake (parking brake operating section), 12... Pressure sensor (operating force detection means), 13
... Controller (control means), 14...
...Pressure sensor (operating force detection means), 16...
DC motor, 17...actuator, 21...assist force detection means, 30...
・Electronic micrometer (operated amount detection means), 31...
...Operating lever (parking brake operating section), 34L, 34R...Wheel brake (parking brake operating section), 36...Actuator, 38...Pressure sensor (operating force detection means), 3 controllers (control means), 40...
...Electronic microphone 1-meter (operation amount detection means).

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An operating force detecting means for detecting the operating force of the parking brake operating section, an operating force detecting means for detecting the operating force of the parking brake, and a signal from the operating force detecting means and the operating force detecting means. A parking brake booster comprising: a control means for generating a control signal; and an actuator for assisting the operating force of a parking brake operating section based on the control signal from the control means. (2) an operating force detecting means for detecting the operating force of the parking brake operating section; an assisting force detecting means for detecting the actual assisting force of the actuator that assists the operating force of the operating section; A parking brake booster comprising: control means for generating a control signal based on a signal from an operating force detection means and outputting the control signal to an actuator. (3) an operating force detecting means for detecting the operating force of the parking brake operating section; an operating amount detecting means for detecting the operating amount of the operating section; and a signal based on the operating amount detecting means and the operating force detecting means. a control means that generates a control signal based on the control means; an actuator that assists the operating force of the parking brake operating section based on the control signal from the control means;
A parking brake booster characterized by comprising: (4) The parking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator has a DC motor, and the control signal is a signal that varies a ratio of energization time to which the DC motor is energized every predetermined time. Brake booster.