Temperature sensing brake lining wear indicator
First Claim
1. A method for indicating the remaining amount of brake lining material in a drum brake assembly comprising the steps of:
- 1) providing a brake actuator, a cylindrical drum, and at least one brake shoe assembly having a brake lining supported by a backing plate, the lining including a temperature assembly comprised of at least two temperature sensors;
2) actuating the brake shoe assembly against the drum;
3) producing a first time signal T1 in response to timing the period for a first temperature sensor to reach a first predetermined temperature;
4) producing a second time signal T2 in response to timing the period for a second temperature sensor to reach a second predetermined temperature;
5) determining an amount of remaining brake lining material based on a comparison between the first T1 and second T2 time signals; and
6) displaying the amount of remaining brake lining.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A brake lining wear indicator utilizes a temperature sensor assembly embedded in a brake lining of a drum brake assembly. The temperature sensor assembly includes two temperature sensors with a first temperature sensor located at a first distance X from the wear surface of the brake lining and a second temperature sensor located at a second distance X+d from the wear surface. A timing device measures the time period for the first temperature sensor to reach a first predetermined temperature and measures the time period for the second temperature sensor to reach a second predetermined temperature. The remaining useful thickness of the brake lining is determined based on the ratio of the respective time periods. Thus, the indicator provides a time-temperature based determination of when the brake linings should be replaced. This determination is easily monitored during the operation of the vehicle and can be made without requiring a physical measurement or visual inspection of the thickness of the brake lining on each brake shoe.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for indicating the remaining amount of brake lining material in a drum brake assembly comprising the steps of:
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1) providing a brake actuator, a cylindrical drum, and at least one brake shoe assembly having a brake lining supported by a backing plate, the lining including a temperature assembly comprised of at least two temperature sensors; 2) actuating the brake shoe assembly against the drum; 3) producing a first time signal T1 in response to timing the period for a first temperature sensor to reach a first predetermined temperature; 4) producing a second time signal T2 in response to timing the period for a second temperature sensor to reach a second predetermined temperature; 5) determining an amount of remaining brake lining material based on a comparison between the first T1 and second T2 time signals; and 6) displaying the amount of remaining brake lining. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for indicating the amount of brake lining material in a brake assembly comprising:
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a rotating drum to be braked and which is disposed about an axis of rotation; at least one brake shoe assembly having a brake lining supported by a backing plate and presenting a wear surface opposite from said drum; an actuator for actuating said wear surface against said drum; a first sensor at a first distance in said brake lining; a second sensor at a second distance in said brake lining; a timing device for producing a first time signal T1 in response to timing the period for said first sensor to reach a first predetermined temperature and for producing a second time signal T2 in response to timing the period for said second sensor to reach a second predetermined temperature; a processor for determining an amount of remaining brake lining material based on a comparison between the first T1 and second T2 time signals; and a display for showing the amount of remaining brake lining material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification