IES20170200A2 - Tractor safe lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device that will automatically engage the handbrake in a vehicle if the operator forgot to do so when exiting the vehicle. When the vehicle is in neutral it sends a power signal to the first circuit and when there is no weight present on seat sensor it sends a power signal to the second circuit/relay. When the first circuit receives power it then sends a power signal to the second circuit/relay which then sends a power signal to the control valve. The control valve then operates the direction of the actuator which engages the handbrake. When the operator sits back into the seat, the actuator releases, the operator then has to release the handbrake manually. <Figure 1>

Description

Field of Invention The present invention relates to a new device to activate a vehicles handbrake if the operator forgets to do so. The device can be fitted in a factory production line or into older vehicles as a retro fit.

Background of Invention A handbrake is a permanent component found in many commercial or privately owned vehicles. Handbrakes have 21 comprising ratchet mechanism to lock the handbrake in place when engaged. at fulcrum point and a button to release the ratchet mechanism. A main purpose for a handbrake is to provide a device to prevent a vehicle fi‘om rolling at a stopped position.

When handbrakes are fitted in a vehicle it can be designed to tit in compact areas, such as by the side of the operators seat or built into the dash compartment. Handbrakes can be custom designed for different applications and operate in diverse ways such as alarms can be set off if not applied or released and so on. However, such construction and customisation comes at a price and many vehicles owners prefer a simple more inexpensive cost-efficient design.

Especially if cost is a major concern for such a safety device to be effective in a mass market the design must be relatively standardised and mass produced. In addition. the construction of a safety device to be fitted to a handbrake must be durable enough to withstand all conditions wet or dry when assembled such as spillage in vehicle or heat in hot weather. Usually handbrakes do not come with safety devices due to cost of manufacturing. Another problem vehicle manufacturers feel by fitting a handbrake that it's safe. But operators rushing often forget to engage the handbrake.

Summary of invention According to the invention there is provided a handbrake safety device comprising: an actuator to engage the handbrake in a vehicle. means on the handbrake to facilitate the engagement ofthe actuator. a first sensor in the vehicle’s seat to detect whether a driver is present or absent. a second sensor, to determine the position of the gear shuttle. means to control the movement of the actuator, said control means being mediated by the readings from the two sensors; such that, where both the first sensor indicates the absence of a driver and the second sensor indicates the gear shuttle being in the neutral position, the control means causes the actuator to engage the handbrake.

The advantage of the invention is that the device is a safety feature, for vehicles if the operator has forgotten to engage the handbrake when exiting the vehicle. The device will then automatically engage it for safety, this is very beneficial, as it can prevent accidents and save lives.

In one embodiment. the means to operate the control valve comprises a wiring circuit connected to the two sensors. such that the activation of the first sensor. being triggered by the absence ofa driver from the driver‘s seat. closes a first circuit. and the activation of the second sensor. by the positioning of the gear shuttle in neutral. closes a second circuit. facilitating the supply of power to the control valve to engage the actuator.

In one embodiment when the driver sits back into the vehicles seat the actuator releases automatically. allowing the driver to release the handbrake manually.

In one embodiment, the handbrake engagement means comprises a track attached to the handbrake to channel the movement of the actuator.

In one embodiment. the actuator is mounted on the floor of the vehicle cabin. under the handbrake lever.

In one embodiment, the actuator is pneumatic. and the control means comprises an air \='alV‘e to release pressurised air to the actuator.

In one embodiment. the actuator is electric. and the control means comprises an electric switch.

In one embodiment. the second sensor detects instead whether the vehicle is in motion, such that if the vehicle is at rest. it closes the second circuit.

In one embodiment, the means comprises the relay to govem the action of the seat sensor.

In one embodiment, the second relay governs the action of the gear shuttle.

In one embodiment. the actuator is encased.

Brief description of the drawing The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof. given by way of example only. with reference to the accompanying drawing. in which: Figure l shows a circuit layout for the device.

Detailed Description The actuator (8) is mounted beneath the handbrake (9). means on the handbrake to facilitate the engagement of the actuator. The actuator is pneumatic, and the control means comprises an air valve to release pressurised air to the actuator.

The actuator, described herein. can alternatively be replaced with comprising electric. hydraulic, electro—magnetic actuators.

The control means (7) operates the direction of air flow, to and from the actuator. The control means causes the actuator (8) to engage the handbrake (9). This particular control means can be eliminated, if air actuator is replaced using comprising actuators. The control means comprising air supply tank ('14). a comprising compressor ( l 5) used to fill a supply ofair in the tank (14). a supply hose (16) from the air tank to the control means (7).

The two pipes (12) and (13), are attached to the control means (7) and to the actuator (8).The first pipe (12) releases air from the actuator. The second pipe (l3). activates the actuator.

The first sensor (3) in the vehicle's seat is to detect whether the driver is present or absent. and the second sensor (4). is to determine the position of the gear shuttle (4) if the vehicle is at stopped position in neutral. The second sensor (4) detects instead whether the vehicle is in motion, such that if the vehicle is at rest. it closes the second circuit.

The circuit means to operate the control means (7) comprises a wiring circuit connected to two sensors (3)(4). such that the activation of the first sensor (3). being triggered by the absence of a driver fi‘om the driver‘s seat, closes a first circuit. and the activation of the second sensor, by the positioning of the gear shuttle (4) in neutral, closes a second circuit. facilitating the supply of power to the control valve (7) to engage the actuator (8).

The actuator ( 8) when the driver sits back into the vehicles seat the actuator releases automatically. allowing the driver to release the handbrake (9) manually. The seat sensor closes removing power from the relay (6). The control means changes the flow of air to pipe (12) releasing the actuator. The driver then can then release the handbrake manually. If the gear lever is not in neutral position. it opens the circuit. preventing a positive source to the relay ('5). This then will not bring power to relay (6). Therefore the power is not completing the circuit.

Relay Layout Relay (5) is a 4—pin relay and is normally open. The gear shuttle (4) operates this relay. A main positive power source is brought into the relay through the (30) pin and a negative source is brought through pin (86) and the switch (85) is operated by the gear shuttle. When the gear shuttle is put into the neutral position it then closes the circuit cairying out a main positive power source through (87) to (30) in the 5-pin relay.

Relay (6) is a 5-pin relay and is normally closed. The seat sensor (3) operates this relay. It receives main positive power supply from pin (87) in relay (5) to pin (30). It receives a negative source through pin (86). It is switched through pin (85), when weight is present on the seat. The power will not come to this, it will only receive power when weight is not present on the seat. that then passes to the ( 87a) pin, bringing the power out to activate the control means (7). which engages the handbrake.

As per the drawing, the doubled arrows represent the positive circuit (1). The single arrows represent the neutral circuit (1 l).

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A device comprising: an acTuaTor: a conTrol valve operaTing The direcfion of air flow; a compressor used To fill a supply of air in The Tank a supply hose from The air Tank To The conTrol means: pipes ThaT are aTTached To The conTrol means and To The acTuaTor; a sensor To deTecT The presence of The driver; a circuiT means To operaTe The conTrol means; a relay conTrolling main power source: a second sensor complefing The circuiT;

2. (8):(9) The acTuaTor of claim 1 comprising wherein air acTuaTor can alTernaTively be replaced wiTh comprising e|ecTric, hydraulic, elecTro—magneTic acTuaTors.

3. (7):(3): (4) The circuiT connecTing To sensors in claim 1 of any preceding wherein The comprising wiring circuiT and sensors and alTernaTively be replaced wiTh comprising wiring circuiT and sensors.

4. (4) The comprising gear shuffle in claim 1 is To defermine The position of The shuffle confrolling a sensor.

5. The device as subsfanfially herein before described wi1'h reference To The accompanying description and/or drawings.