SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING WEAR OF BRAKE PADS
First Claim
1. A system for indicating wear of a brake pad attached to a vehicle, comprising:
- a brake housing;
a brake pad mechanically coupled to the brake housing;
a sensor mechanically coupled to the brake pad, wherein the sensor determines when the brake pad has been worn to a predetermined location by a rotating portion of a wheel;
an electronic module electrically coupled to the sensor and mechanically coupled to the vehicle, wherein the electronic module comprises;
a radio frequency antenna configured to wirelessly transmit radio frequency information to an external receiver;
an internal transmitter coupled to the radio frequency antenna, wherein the internal transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit information to the external receiver via the radio frequency antenna;
memory coupled to the internal transmitter, wherein the memory stores data associated with the brake pad; and
a battery electrically coupled to the internal transmitter and the memory, wherein the battery is configured to provide supply energy to the electronic module whereby the internal transmitter is powered by at least a first portion of the supply energy and the memory is powered by at least a second portion of the supply energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system can be used to indicate wear of a brake pad. The system can include a brake housing, a brake pad mechanically coupled to the brake housing, and a sensor mechanically coupled to the brake pad. The sensor can determine when the brake pad has been worn to a predetermined location. The system can also include an electronic module electrically coupled to the sensor and mechanically coupled to the vehicle. The electronic module can include a radio frequency antenna configured to wirelessly transmit radio frequency information to an external receiver, a battery, memory, and an internal transmitter coupled to the battery. The internal transmitter can be configured to wirelessly transmit information from the sensor and the memory to the external receiver via the radio frequency antenna.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for indicating wear of a brake pad attached to a vehicle, comprising:
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a brake housing; a brake pad mechanically coupled to the brake housing; a sensor mechanically coupled to the brake pad, wherein the sensor determines when the brake pad has been worn to a predetermined location by a rotating portion of a wheel; an electronic module electrically coupled to the sensor and mechanically coupled to the vehicle, wherein the electronic module comprises; a radio frequency antenna configured to wirelessly transmit radio frequency information to an external receiver; an internal transmitter coupled to the radio frequency antenna, wherein the internal transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit information to the external receiver via the radio frequency antenna; memory coupled to the internal transmitter, wherein the memory stores data associated with the brake pad; and a battery electrically coupled to the internal transmitter and the memory, wherein the battery is configured to provide supply energy to the electronic module whereby the internal transmitter is powered by at least a first portion of the supply energy and the memory is powered by at least a second portion of the supply energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of determining thickness of a brake pad that impedes rotation of a wheel mechanically coupled to a vehicle, wherein the thickness is determined without removing the wheel from the vehicle, the method comprising:
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determining, via a sensor mechanically coupled to the brake pad, whether the brake pad has been worn to a predetermined location by a rotating portion of the wheel; energizing a memory with at least a first portion of supply energy from a battery electrically coupled to the memory and mechanically coupled to the vehicle; storing, via the memory, data associated with the brake pad; energizing an internal transmitter with at least a second portion of supply energy from the battery; and wirelessly transmitting information from at least one of the sensor and the memory to the internal transmitter through the radio frequency antenna to the external receiver. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification