Control Electronics Integrated in a Brake, Preferably a Disc Brake

• US 20070276573A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fur Nutzfahrzeuge GMBH (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Original Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fur Nutzfahrzeuge GMBH (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Inventors: Baumgartner, Johann, Gschossmann, Guenther
• Granted Patent: US 7,565,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/741 acting on an ultimate actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 66/00 Arrangements for monitoring working conditions, e.g. wear, temperature

Abstract

Control electronics integrated in a brake, preferably a disc brake, are provided in particular for utility vehicles. The disc brake includes a brake caliper covering a brake disc and a brake application device with pneumatic or electromotive actuation, located in the brake caliper and used for applying the brake. The control electronics monitors specific parameters of the brake and regulates braking components and is connected to a power supply. The control electronics is characterized in that it includes at least one transmitter/receiver unit which is in active connection with a sensor external to the brake, pertaining to the wheel or proximate the wheel.

Claims

1. Control electronics integrated in a disc brake for commercial vehicles, with the disc brake having a brake caliper, which extends over a brake disc, and a pneumatic or electric motor-operated brake application device, which is arranged in the brake caliper and serves to apply the brake, the control electronics, which serve to monitor brake-specific parameters and control brake components are connected to a power supply, wherein at least one transceiver unit is provided in the control electronics and is operatively connected to at least one sensor which does not belong to the brake and is part of or close to the wheel.

2. The control electronics as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is provided with its own power supply.

3. The control electronics as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transceiver unit and the sensor are operable by a telemetry system.

4. The control electronics as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor having an associated transceiver unit in the control electronics.

5. The control electronics as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein all of the sensors which are part of or close to the wheel are operatively connected to a single transceiver unit.

6. The control electronics as claimed in claim 1, wherein signals emitted by the individual sensors are addressed or coded so that they are distinguishable by the transceiver unit.

7. The control electronics as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one transceiver unit is mounted on a printed circuit board of the existing control electronics of the brake.

8. The control electronics as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one transceiver unit is positioned in such a way that sensor signals are receivable without interference.

9. The control electronics as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein, all of the sensors which are part of or close to the wheel are operatively connected to a single transceiver unit.

10. The control electronics as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein, all of the sensors which are part of or close to the wheel are operatively connected to a single transceiver unit.

11. The control electronics as claimed in claim 4, wherein signals emitted by individual sensors are addressed or coded so that they are distinguishable by the transceiver unit.

12. The control electronics as claimed in claim 5, wherein signals emitted by individual sensors are addressed or coded so that they are distinguishable by the transceiver unit.

13. The control electronics as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one transceiver unit is mounted on a printed circuit board of existing control electronics of the brake.

14. The control electronics as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one transceiver unit is positioned in such a way that sensor signals are receivable without interference.

15. The control electronics as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one transceiver unit is positioned in such a way that the sensor signals are receivable without interference.

16. The control electronics as claimed in claim 2, wherein said own power supply is a battery.

17. A control assembly for a vehicle brake, the control assembly comprising:

control electronics integratable into the brake, the control electronics being operatively configured to monitor brake-specific parameters and to control braking components;

a power supply coupled to the control electronics;

a transceiver unit arranged in and forming a part of the control electronics integratable in the brake; and

at least one sensor external to the brake and pertaining to a wheel or approximate to the wheel, wherein the transceiver unit is operatively configured for actively communicating with the sensor.

18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the at least one sensor has a battery power supply.

19. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the transceiver unit and the sensor communicate via a telemetry system.

20. The assembly according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein those sensors which are part of or in proximity to the wheel are operatively coupled to a single transceiver unit in the control electronics.