Dry interface corner actuator single sensor for lining wear and low reservoir detection

• US 6,549,126 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BWI Company Limited SA (Shougang Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rymoff, Paul Jr., Hageman, John B., Layman, John C., Baumgartner, Ernst S.
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US09/769,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20020024433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 340/454, 340/452, 340/459, 340/623, 340/624, 340/450.1, 200/84.C, 200/624, 605/34, 116/227
• US Class Current: 340/454
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/22 Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/225 brake fluid level indicators level indication in general G01F; H01H
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/00 Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force by changing number of effective brake cylinders in power brake systems B60T17/10
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2066/006 without direct measurement of the quantity monitored, e.g. wear or temperature calculated form force and duration of braking
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 66/02 Apparatus for indicating wear

Abstract

The present invention provides a sensor system for detecting lining wear and fluid level in a dry interface corner actuator for a single wheel brake including a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir for containing fluid for the actuator and a sensor assembly positioned in the reservoir having a single set point to indicate both low reservoir fluid level and a need for brake lining replacement.

Claims

1. A sensor system for detecting lining wear and fluid level in a dry interface corner actuator for a single wheel brake comprising:

a reservoir assembly for the single wheel brake including a reservoir for containing fluid for the actuator;

a sensor assembly for the single wheel brake positioned in the reservoir having a single set point to indicate both low reservoir fluid level and a need for brake lining replacement in the single wheel brake.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the reservoir assembly is included in a brake actuator assembly.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is sized to hold a predetermined volume of fluid.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the single set point is based on the predetermined volume of the reservoir.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly includes a cylinder, a float including a sensor activator positioned within the cylinder, and a sensor switch positioned adjacent the cylinder;

wherein the reservoir is sized to hold a predetermined volume of fluid and the sensor switch has a single set point to allow the sensor switch to indicate both low fluid level and brake lining replacement when activated by the sensor activator.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the sensor activator comprises a magnetic ring attached to the float that activates the sensor switch when the fluid in the reservoir is at a predetermined level.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is electrically connected to a warning device through an opening in a valve stem of the reservoir cap assembly.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the valve stem of the reservoir assembly includes a fluid port.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the fluid port is a fluid bleed port.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the fluid port is a fluid fill port.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the fluid port is both a fluid bleed port and a fluid fill port.

12. A method for single sensor indication of a leak condition and brake lining wear condition in a single caliper dry interface corner actuator comprising:

positioning a sensor having a single set point in a reservoir portion of a reservoir assembly of a single wheel brake;

tripping the single set point when fluid in the reservoir reaches a predetermined level; and

sending an indication of one of a leak condition and/or a brake lining wear condition from the sensor.

13. A sensor system for detecting lining wear and fluid level in a dry interface corner actuator for a single wheel brake comprising:

means for positioning a sensor having a single set point in a reservoir portion of a reservoir assembly for the single wheel brake;

means for tripping the single set point when fluid in the reservoir reaches a predetermined level; and

means for sending an indication of one of a leak condition and/or brake lining wear condition of the single wheel brake.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the means for positioning the sensor includes locating the sensor adjacent a hollow cylinder extending into the reservoir.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for tripping the single set point includes a float located in the hollow cylinder.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the float includes a magnetic ring.