Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Mazda Motor Corporation

Yuhshin Co., Ltd.

Hiromasa Nakamoto

Osamu Michihira

Futoshi Shoji

Takeshi Miyoshi

Yukinobu Natsuaki

Akiyoshi Mentani

An improved parking brake system for a vehicle capable of switching the operation of the parking brake between an automatic control mode and a manual control mode at the operator's will. The parking brake is applied and released by an electromagnetic device which is controlled by a brake-application command signal and a brake-release command signal produced by a controller. The controller is adapted to be manually switched between a manual brake-application and brake-release control mode and an automatic control mode under the action of a switch. A power supply circuit is provided which has a battery and an ignition power source for supplying power to the electromagnetic device. The power supply circuit is operatively connected with the switch in a manner such that power is supplied to the electromagnetic device from the battery when the switch is manually operated to switch the controller into the manual brake-application control mode, and from the ignition power source when the switch is manually operated to switch the controller into the manual brake-release control mode. With this arrangement, even if the switch is thrown into a position for releasing the parking brake during stoppage of the vehicle on a slope with the parking brake applied, the parking brake is not released but held applied so that accidental starting of the vehicle is positively prevented, whereby safety is improved.

Electric parking brake system for a vehicle

An automobile instrument panel has a meter housing for supporting meters and various control switches. The switches are operatively coupled to respective manipulatable switch knobs which are grouped into two groups and mounted on the opposite lateral portion of the gauge covering. Each group of the switch knobs are arranged one above the other in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the instrument panel and are supported for movement in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the steering wheel for controlling the associated switches.

Clustered switch mounting means for use in automotive vehicles

A steering lock assembly for use in an automobile comprises a cylinder lock for controlling an ignition switch assembly with a mating key inserted in the cylinder lock and a steering shaft lock operatively associated with the cylinder lock for selectively locking and unlocking an automobile steering shaft. The cylinder lock comprises a key-operated barrel and the steering shaft lock comprises a locking member. A retaining mechanism is also provided for temporarily holding the locking member in an unlocked position unless the key inserted in the barrel is withdrawn and comprises a locking link. This locking link is operatively accommodated in an elongated chamber in a lock housing and can be held in position inside the elongated chamber by inserting it in an axial direction of the barrel.

Steering lock assembly

Growing community of inventors

Hiroshima, Japan

Hiromasa Nakamoto