Load-dependent brake pressure regulator

A load-distribution-dependent hydraulic brake pressure regulator for a vehicle, comprising:

• (a) valve means operable to control an output brake pressure in a vehicle as a function of an input brake pressure;
• (b) actuating piston means for receiving such input brake pressure and generating a first force in response thereto;
• (c) balance beam means including a spring beam and a support, said support providing an extended support surface which extends along the length of said spring beam to provide a variable fulcrum point for the spring beam, the location of said fulcrum point varying continuously along the length of the spring beam according to the magnitude of such first force, said balance beam means receiving such first force and generating a second force in response thereto;
• (d) control piston means for receiving such second force and transmitting such second force to the valve means for controlling the same;
• and
• (e) adjustment means for automatically changing the relative position of the support with respect to the length of the spring beam in response to the vehicle load distribution such that such second force is related to such first force and to such vehicle load distribution according to a predetermined function corresponding to a degressive curve, wherein said function provides that said output brake pressure will increase as a function of said input brake pressure, but with a rate of increase of brake line pressure which decreases as said input brake pressure increases, the spring beam and the support being shaped to determine the predetermined function.

A load-distribution-dependent hydraulic brake pressure regulator for a vehicle, comprising:

• (a) actuating piston means for receiving an input brake pressure and in response generating a first force;
• (b) balance beam means including a spring beam and a support, said support providing an extended support surface which extends along the length of said spring beam to provide a variable fulcrum point for the spring beam, the location of said fulcrum point varying continuously along the length of the spring beam according to the magnitude of such first force, said balance beam means being adjustable by changing the relative position of the support with respect to the length of the spring beam in response to the vehicle load distribution, for receiving such first force and in response generating a second force, said second force being related to such vehicle load distribution according to a predetermined function corresponding to a degressive curve, the spring beam and the support being shaped to determine the predetermined function;
• and
• (c) control piston means for receiving such second force and in response generating an output brake pressure,
• (d) wherein said function provides that said output brake pressure will increase as a function of said input brake pressure, but with a rate of increase of brake line pressure which decreases as said input brake pressure increases.