Hand Brake Valve Visual Indicator for Reliable Engaged Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand brake valves in commercial vehicles often fail to provide reliable feedback to drivers regarding the engagement or disengagement of the parking brake, particularly in noisy or faulty environments, leading to uncertainty about the valve's actual position.
Innovation Solution
A hand brake valve design that includes a pivotable handle and counterweight mechanism, which physically draws an indicator element out of the housing to provide a clear visual signal and an audible click when engaged, optionally combined with an electronic switch for dashboard confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional feedback means (audible click and tactile force) are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the reliability of position indication deteriorates in noisy or faulty environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a visual indicator element that changes position (extends outward) to indicate the engaged position of the hand brake valve. This visual feedback mechanism complements the conventional tactile and audible feedback, providing a reliable position indication that is not affected by noise or tactile feedback failures.
2Reliability
If multiple feedback mechanisms are combined, then the reliability of position indication improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the visual indicator element into the existing hand brake valve structure, combining it with the conventional tactile and audible feedback mechanisms. The indicator element is positioned on the valve body and moves in conjunction with the internal components, creating a unified feedback system that provides multiple senses of confirmation without requiring separate independent mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If a visual indicator is added to the hand brake valve, then user clarity on valve position improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visual feedback function into a separate indicator element that is distinct from the operational components of the hand brake valve. This indicator element is positioned on the exterior of the valve body and can be easily observed by the user, providing clear position information without interfering with the valve's braking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator element acts as an intermediary between the internal mechanical state of the hand brake valve and the user's perception. It translates the internal engaged/disengaged position into an externally visible position, making the valve state immediately apparent without requiring the user to interpret subtle tactile or audible signals.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a hand brake valve (100). The hand brake valve (100) comprises a housing (106), a handle (102) that is configured to pivot with respect to a geometric center point (C), wherein the handle (102) pivots from a non-engaged position towards an engaged position and/or vice-versa, and indicating means (112) for indicating that the hand brake valve (100) is in the engaged position, characterized in that, the indicating means (112) is configured to draw an indicator element (114) outside the housing (106) so as to provide a user of the hand brake valve (100) with a visual signal that the hand brake valve (100) is in the engaged position.