Vehicle brake apparatus
AssigneeToyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
InventorsNoboru Fujiwara, Takashi Hayashihara, Hiroyuki Masumo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle brake apparatus includes (a) a brake operating member operable by a vehicle driver; (b) a variable output mechanism which is disposed between the brake operating member and an output member, for mechanically changing a multiplying ratio of an output force in relation to an operational input force from the brake operating member in accordance with an operating stroke of the brake operating member; and (c) a brake controlling unit which is operated in accordance with the output force applied to the output member, wherein a load sensor for detecting the output force is provided between the variable output mechanism and the output member.
Claims13
A vehicle brake apparatus comprising:
- a brake operating member operable by a vehicle driver;
- a variable output mechanism which is disposed between the brake operating member and an output member, in which a multiplying ratio of an output force is changed mechanically and non-linearly in relation to an operational input force from the brake operating member in accordance with an operating stroke of the brake operating member;
- a brake controlling unit which is operated in accordance with the output force applied to the output member,
- a load sensor for detecting the output force provided between the variable output mechanism and the output member;
- a reaction force unit including a single spring disposed between the output member and a vehicle body side member applying a reaction force to the output member by biasing the output member;
- and
- a damper unit applying a hysteresis differing between operation of the brake member and return of the brake operating member wherein the variable output mechanism comprises:
- an intermediate connecting member which is disposed on a supporting member fixed on a vehicle body such that the intermediate connecting member is pivotable about a second axis perpendicular to a operational plane of the brake operating member;
- a first lever which is provided integrally with the intermediate connecting member, connected with the brake operating member and pivotable about the second axis together with the intermediate connecting member in accordance with the operating stroke of the brake operating member;
- and
- a second lever which is provided integrally with the intermediate connecting member such that the second lever is apart from the first lever in the axial direction of the second axis and is connected with the output member for displacing the output member in accordance with a pivotal movement of the intermediate connecting member;
- wherein a load detecting lever pivotable about a third axis, and an output lever being pivotable about the third axis integral with the load detecting lever and having a length smaller than a length of the load detecting lever are attached to the second lever, and the load senser is attached between the second lever and the load detecting lever.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.