Audible and visual alarm system for pneumatic, hydraulic and / or electric parking brakes of motor vehicles

Abstract

This product relates to the automotive industry, specifically lorries, buses and medium and small vehicles, aiming to increase safety and prevent accidents caused by drivers forgetting to apply the parking brake. The present invention patent application relates to an audible and visual alarm system (1) for pneumatic and / or hydraulic parking brakes of lorries, buses, tractors, cranes, forklifts and / or medium and small vehicles. Said system (1), proposed by the present invention, aims to substantially increase the safety of the vehicle and its surroundings, as the system (1) will alert the driver to apply the parking brake when necessary, by means of an audible device (3) and a visual device (10).

Description

AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC, HYDRAULIC AND / OR ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE MOTOR VEHICLES

[0001] This invention patent application relates to an audible and visual alarm system for pneumatic, hydraulic and electric parking brakes for motor vehicles in general, which aims to solve and avoid problems inherent and recurring to the involuntary movement of motor vehicles, such as trucks, buses and similar vehicles, due to forgetting to activate the parking brake.

[0002] In view of the problems mentioned, the present invention aims to provide a system that emits audible and visual signals to remind the driver not to activate the parking brake, in trucks, buses, machines, medium and small vehicles. FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0003] The present invention has its field of application focused on the automotive industry, specifically in trucks, buses and medium and small vehicles, and can also be applied to heavy machinery such as (tractors, cranes, forklifts, etc.), aiming to increase safety and prevent accidents caused by forgetting not to activate the parking brake. PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

[0004] Experts in the field of vehicle safety are aware that a recurring problem is drivers of motor vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and small and medium-sized vehicles, forgetting to apply the parking brake. Failure to implement this safety measure has led to accidents and substantial material damage, putting the driver's safety and that of other road users at risk.

[0005] When the driver forgets to apply the parking brake, the vehicle may start to move inadvertently. This movement unexpected may result in collisions with other vehicles, fixed objects or, in more serious cases, pedestrians being run over.

[0006] Forgetting to apply the parking brake can be attributed to various factors, such as driver distraction, stress, or simply a lack of knowledge of best safety practices. Regardless of the cause, the results can be devastating, leading to serious injuries, property damage, and, in extreme cases, even fatalities.

[0007] Therefore, it is clear that the development and implementation of solutions capable of preventing this type of incident are essential to ensure the safety of the driver, passengers and the general public. STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0008] The current state of the art is document BR 102018015055-3, published on February 4, 2020. This document addresses an emergency parking brake system for articulated vehicles. This system is activated from inside the cabin with the trailer brake lever or a third lever, activating all the trailer brake levers in a combined manner, parking the trailer and trailers simultaneously. The system is connected to the trailer brake valve, from which a third hose extends to the trailers, thus eliminating the trailer's Speed ​​valve. The system aims to prevent accidents involving large trucks and / or trailers.

[0009] The previous feature is an emergency parking brake system that is only activated if the vehicle is on, and is specific to articulated vehicles, being activated from inside the cabin, in addition to parking trailers and tractor units together and simultaneously.

[0010] The present invention relates to a system that increases safety in vehicles such as trucks, buses, tractors, cranes, forklifts, etc. and small and medium-sized cars, by reminding the driver to apply the parking brake whenever necessary, regardless of whether the vehicle is on or off. The system of the present invention uses an electronic control unit composed of a pressure sensor, occupancy sensors, and an audible and visual device, which, when incorporated into the vehicle's parking brake system, is activated when the driver does not apply the parking brake, reminding the driver to apply said parking brake. PROPOSED SOLUTION (011] Given the above, the inventor in question, researcher and scholar in the area, developed an audible and visual alarm system for the pneumatic, hydraulic and electric parking brake of motor vehicles, aiming to increase safety in vehicles, such as trucks, buses, medium and small machines and automobiles, by reminding the driver to activate the parking brake when necessary. The system of the present invention is composed of an electronic control unit with an audible device to emit alerts and a pressure sensor to monitor the air and / or fluid pressure in the vehicle's parking brake, and in light line vehicles they are activated mechanically, that is, the manual brake lever. The electronic control unit has a quick coupling to connect to the vehicle's pneumatic system, being electrically powered by the vehicle's 12 / 24V system.Over time, the system controls the activation of the audible and visual devices, activating them if the parking brake is deactivated. Furthermore, the electronic control unit can be synchronized with the electrical part of a bus's pneumatic door actuator, for example, by connecting it to occupancy sensors embedded in the bus seat, activating the alert devices only when there is no pressure exerted on the driver's seat. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention has the following advantages: V Compatibility with pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical stationary brakes, allowing their application in trucks, buses, machines such as (tractors, cranes, etc.) and medium and small vehicles; Use of a pressure sensor and an electronic control unit to monitor the air and / or fluid pressure in the parking brake circuit; - Sensors to identify the presence of the driver in the bus seat; - Inclusion of a quick coupling to facilitate the connection of the pressure sensor to the pneumatic system of the parking brake; Activation of an audible device and visual device when the parking brake is deactivated and / or the driver leaves the seat, reminding the driver to activate the parking brake; - No activation of the audible and visual device when the parking brake is activated, avoiding false alarms and unnecessary inconvenience; Reduces accidents related to forgetting to apply the parking brake, minimizing costs related to compensation, material damage, and lawsuits; - Reduces the number of driver absences due to INSS (National Social Security Institute) related to incidents related to forgetting to apply the parking brake; - Improves vehicle and surrounding safety, resulting in resource savings and reduced repair and maintenance costs resulting from preventable accidents. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Attached below are the following illustrations of the present invention:

[0014] Fig. 1: shows the schematic view of the audible and visual alarm system for pneumatic parking brake of motor vehicles;

[0015] Fig. 2: shows the schematic view of the audible and visual alarm system for pneumatic parking brakes in motor vehicles, showing the system inserted into the seat of a bus;

[0016] Fig. 3: shows the schematic view of the audible and visual alarm system for pneumatic parking brakes in motor vehicles, showing the system aimed at a medium / small vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] THE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC, HYDRAULIC AND / OR ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE OF MOTOR VEHICLES consists of a system (1) that can be implemented in the pneumatic, hydraulic or electric parking brake of a truck, bus, tractors, cranes, forklifts, etc. and can also be implemented in a mechanical parking brake of a medium and small vehicle. The system (1) is basically formed by an electronic control unit (2) equipped with a pressure sensor (4), an audible device (3) and a visual device (10), so that the electronic control unit (2) manages and processes the signals from said pressure sensor (4), as well as from an audible device (3) and the visual device (10), aiming to increase vehicle safety, reminding the driver to activate the parking brake when necessary.

[0018] In particular, the audible device (3) of the electronic control unit (2) may be a siren, horn, or similar, to emit a warning sound when necessary. The pressure sensor (4) of the electronic control unit (2) is used to monitor the air pressure in the vehicle's parking brake pneumatic system. The electronic control unit (2) also comprises a quick coupling (5) which allows air to enter the pressure sensor (4), whose quick coupling (5) is connected to the parking brake pneumatic system of a truck or bus via a pneumatic connection (6A) coming from a T-connecting hose (6).

[0019] The pressure sensor (4) of the electronic control unit (2) is connected to the electrical part (7) of the truck, bus, etc. door directly to the 12 / 24v current without going through the ignition key, which is activated if there is pressure in the system and energizes the electronic control unit (2), and that of the truck door, by through a negative conductor (8), whereas, if the lever valve is activated, (no pressure in the system) that is, (parking brake activated), and the truck door is closed or open, the audible device (3) and the visual device (10) of the electronic control unit (2) are not activated. However, if the lever valve is not activated, that is, (parking brake deactivated), that (contains pressure in the system) and the truck door opens, the audible device (3) and the visual device (10) of the electronic control unit (2) will be immediately activated, reminding the driver to activate the truck's parking brake.

[0020] In a second embodiment, the electronic control unit (2) of the system (1), in the present invention, has a relay (R) for signal inversion, which receives power from a positive conductor (7), which also powers the electronic control unit (2). Furthermore, an activation and return point (P) is connected to the relay (R) and to the occupancy sensors (11) inserted in an occupancy cover (C), which, in turn, is covered in the seat (A) of a bus. In this way, the occupancy sensors (11) detect the pressure exerted on the seat (A), when the driver is present, so that, when the occupancy sensors identify pressure exerted on the seat (A), when the driver is present, both the audible device (3) and the visual device (10) are not activated.However, when the occupancy sensors (11) do not detect pressure exerted on the seat (A), due to the driver's absence, they immediately activate the audible device (3) and the visual device (10) to remind the driver to apply the parking brake.

[0021] However, the system (1) of the present invention can also be implemented in mechanical parking brakes of medium and small vehicles, through an activation key (13), which is connected to the electronic control unit (2), with the negative conductor (8) connected to the electrical part of the vehicle door, without passing through the system key. The activation key (13) is fixed below the conventional parking brake lever. In this way, when the driver does not activate the parking brake and opens the vehicle door, instantly, the activation key (13) is activated, to alert the driver that he must activate the vehicle's parking brake.

[0022] In a complementary manner, the system (1), according to the application of the system visualized in Fig. 3, of the present invention, can also be applied to hydraulic stationary brakes of the lines of tractors, cranes, forklifts, among others. Having as replacement the actuation point (13) of Fig. 3, by a hydraulic pressure sensor, which will be installed in the brake actuation valve of the machine, in question, maintaining the operating mechanisms of the present invention.

[0022] The system (1) of the present invention has as its main objective to alert the driver when the vehicle's parking brake system is not activated, avoiding accidents related to the movement of the vehicle without the driver, when he forgets to activate said parking brake. Thus, the system (1), now proposed, aims to monitor the fluid or mechanical air pressure in the parking brake circuit of a truck, bus and / or light and heavy vehicles, as well as to identify the presence of the driver in the seat (A) of a bus, so that the driver is alerted by means of an audible device (3) and a visual device (10), to activate the parking brake of said vehicle. Thus, the system (1), the object of the present invention, substantially increases the safety of the vehicle and its surroundings, since the system (1) will alert the driver to activate the parking brake whenever necessary.

[0023] However, due to the advantages it offers and its truly innovative features, the AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC, HYDRAULIC AND / OR ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKES OF MOTOR VEHICLES meets the necessary conditions to be eligible for an Invention Patent.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A ÇÕES 1 a) AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC, HYDRAULIC AND / OR ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE OF MOTOR VEHICLES, consists of a system (1) implemented in vehicles with pneumatic, hydraulic, electric or mechanical parking brake, having a 12 / 24v positive conductor (7), a negative conductor (8) and a "T" connection hose (6), whose system (1) is characterized by having an electronic control unit (2) composed of a pressure sensor (4), an audible device (3) and a visual device (10); by the electronic control unit (2) managing and processing the signals from the pressure sensor (4); by the pressure sensor (4) being used to monitor the air pressure in the pneumatic system of the parking brake of a truck or bus;furthermore, the electronic control unit (2) has a quick coupling (5), which allows air to enter the pressure sensor (4), in which the quick coupling (5) is connected to the pneumatic system (1) of the parking brake of a truck or bus, by means of a pneumatic connection (6A) coming from a "T" connection hose (6); 2 a) AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC, HYDRAULIC AND / OR ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE OF MOTOR VEHICLES, according to claim 1, is characterized in that the pressure sensor (4) of the electronic control unit (2) is connected to the electrical part (7) of the door of the truck, bus, etc.; directly to the 12 / 24v current without passing through the ignition key, which is activated if there is pressure in the system and energizes the electronic control unit (2), in which of the truck door, by means of a negative conductor (8), if the lever valve is activated, (no pressure in the system) that is, (parking brake activated), and the truck door closed or open, the audible device (3) and the visual device (10) of the electronic control unit (2) are not activated; furthermore, if the lever valve is not activated, that is, (parking brake deactivated), that (contains pressure in the system) and the truck door opens, the sound device (3) and the visual device (10) of the electronic control unit (2) will be immediately activated, alerting the driver to activate the truck's parking brake. 3 a ) AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC, HYDRAULIC AND / OR ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE OF MOTOR VEHICLES, according to claim 1, is characterized in that the electronic control unit (2) has a relay (R) for signal inversion, which receives power from a positive conductor (7), which also supplies the electronic control unit (2); further, by the activation and return point (P) being connected to the relay (R) and the occupancy sensors. , which are inserted in an occupancy cover (C), being covered in the seat (A) of a bus; further, by the occupancy sensors (11) detecting the pressure exerted on the seat (A), in the presence of the driver, so that, when the occupancy sensors identify pressure exerted on the seat (A), in the presence of the driver, both the sound device (3) and the visual device (10) are not activated; by the occupancy sensors (11) not detecting pressure exerted on the seat (A), in the absence of the driver, immediately activating the sound device (3) and the visual device (10) to alert the driver to activate the bus's parking brake. 49 AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC, HYDRAULIC AND / OR ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKES OF MOTOR VEHICLES, according to claim 1, is characterized in that the electronic control unit (2) is implemented in mechanical parking brakes of medium and small vehicles, using an activation key (13) that is connected to the vehicle door through the negative conductor (8), so that, if the door is opened, the activation key (13) is switched to activate the audible device (3) and the visual device (10) of the electronic control unit (2). 5 a ) AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARM SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC, HYDRAULIC AND / OR ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE OF MOTOR VEHICLES, according to claim 1, is characterized in that the pressure sensor (4) of the electronic control unit (2) is a hydraulic pressure sensor, replacing the actuation point (13), being installed in the brake actuation valve of a machine, as well as in hydraulic stationary brakes of tractor lines, cranes, forklifts, among others.

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