Connecting device of parking cable for electric parking brake

• US 8,197,155 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2009
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HL Mando Corporation (Halla Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mando Corporation (Halla Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Noh, Kang Sung
• Primary Examiner(s): MACARTHUR, VICTOR L
• Application Number:
  US12/367,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20090208281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 403/166, 403/304, 403/348, 403/349, 403/353, 403/359.3, 403/359.4, 745/026, 188/2.D, 188156-158, 188/265
• US Class Current: 403/348
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/046 Using cables B60T11/043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/625 Casing or ring with bayonet engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5726 Axially biased end portions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7005 Lugged member, rotary engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7007 Bayonet joint
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20462 Specific cable connector or guide

Abstract

Disclosed is a connecting device of a parking cable for an electric parking brake, which connects an actuator for the electric parking brake with a parking cable. The connecting device includes a connector and a reaction force member. The connector includes a small diameter section having one side into which an outer peripheral surface of the parking brake is inserted, a large diameter section that extends from the small diameter section to have a diameter larger than that of the small diameter section, an axial cutout slit axially formed through upper and lower surfaces of an outer peripheral portion of the large diameter section such that protrusions circumferentially protruding from the actuator are inserted into the axial cutout slit through the large diameter section, a circumferential cutout slit that extends from an inner end of the axial cutout slit in a circumferential direction, and a cutout groove that axially extends from the circumferential cutout slit. The reaction force member is inserted into the large diameter section to press the protrusions such that the protrusions are seated in the cutout groove through the axial cutout slit and the circumferential cutout slit. According to the connecting device, the assembly work is facilitated, so the assembly efficiency can be improved and connection work using the connector can be easily performed.

Claims

1. A brake assembly comprising:

an electric parking brake cable;

an electric parking brake actuator; and

a connecting device for connecting the electric parking brake cable to the electric parking brake actuator, the connecting device comprising;

(a) a connector, wherein the connector comprises;

(a1) a small diameter section having one side into which an outer peripheral surface of a parking brake is insertable;

(a2) a large diameter section that extends from the small diameter section to have a diameter larger than that of the small diameter section;

(a3) an axial cutout slit axially formed through upper and lower surfaces of an outer peripheral portion of the large diameter section such that protrusions circumferentially protruding from an outer peripheral surface of an end of the actuator are insertable into the axial cutout slit through one side of the large diameter section;

(a4) a circumferential cutout slit that extends from an inner end of the axial cutout slit by a predetermined length in a circumferential direction; and

(a5) a cutout groove that axially extends from the circumferential cutout slit, and

(b) a reaction force member, disposable between the electric parking brake cable and the electric parking brake actuator inside the large diameter section of the connector, for generating an elastic force applicable to the electric parking brake cable and the electric parking brake actuator, wherein the reaction force member is inserted into the large diameter section of the connector to press the protrusions of the actuator such that the protrusions are seated in the cutout groove through the axial cutout slit and the circumferential cutout slit.

2. The brake assembly of claim 1, wherein the reaction force member includes one selected from the group consisting of a spring, rubber, corrugated rubber and a leaf spring.

3. The brake assembly of claim 1, wherein the reaction force member is positionable to be in direct contact with the electric parking brake and the electric parking brake actuator.