Brake pad life monitoring system
First Claim
1. A brake pad life monitoring system for monitoring wear of a brake pad operatively coupled to a rotor, the brake pad life monitoring system comprising:
- an erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer operatively coupled to the brake pad such that wear of the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer corresponds to the wear of the brake pad;
an electrical circuit having a circuit path from a power supply to a ground, the electrical circuit being at least partially disposed on the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer, wherein the electrical circuit includes;
a first resistor electrically connected in series with the power supply;
a first electrical conductor connected to the power supply, wherein the first resistor is directly connected to the first electrical conductor;
a second electrical conductor connected to the ground;
a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the power supply;
a third electrical conductor electrically connected to the first resistor and the second electrical conductor; and
a measuring device electrically connected to the electrical circuit such that the measuring device is capable of determining a circuit resistance value in the circuit path of the electrical circuit, wherein the first resistor has a first resistance value and is electrically connected to the power supply and the ground such that the circuit resistance value is equal to the first resistance value.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A brake pad life monitoring system can monitor the wear of a brake pad operatively coupled to a rotor. The brake pad life monitoring system includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer operatively coupled to the brake pad such that wear of the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer corresponds to the wear of the brake pad. Further, the brake pad life monitoring system includes an electrical circuit having a circuit path from a power supply to a ground. The electrical circuit is at least partially disposed on the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer and includes a first resistor connected in series with the power supply and a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the power supply. The brake pad life monitoring system additionally includes a measuring device electrically connected to the electrical circuit.
27 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A brake pad life monitoring system for monitoring wear of a brake pad operatively coupled to a rotor, the brake pad life monitoring system comprising:
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an erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer operatively coupled to the brake pad such that wear of the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer corresponds to the wear of the brake pad; an electrical circuit having a circuit path from a power supply to a ground, the electrical circuit being at least partially disposed on the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer, wherein the electrical circuit includes; a first resistor electrically connected in series with the power supply; a first electrical conductor connected to the power supply, wherein the first resistor is directly connected to the first electrical conductor; a second electrical conductor connected to the ground; a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the power supply; a third electrical conductor electrically connected to the first resistor and the second electrical conductor; and a measuring device electrically connected to the electrical circuit such that the measuring device is capable of determining a circuit resistance value in the circuit path of the electrical circuit, wherein the first resistor has a first resistance value and is electrically connected to the power supply and the ground such that the circuit resistance value is equal to the first resistance value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A brake pad life monitoring system for monitoring wear of a brake pad operatively coupled to a rotor, the brake pad life monitoring system comprising:
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a power supply; a plurality of wear sensors electrically connected to the power supply, the wear sensors being electrically connected to one another in series, wherein each of the wear sensors includes; an erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer operatively coupled to the brake pad such that wear of the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer corresponds to the wear of the brake pad; an electrical circuit having a circuit path from the power supply to a ground, the electrical circuit being at least partially disposed on the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer, wherein the electrical circuit includes; a first resistor connected in series with the power supply; a first electrical conductor connected to the power supply, wherein the first resistor is connected to the first electrical conductor; a second electrical conductor connected to the ground; a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the power supply; a third electrical conductor connected to the first resistor and the second electrical conductor; and a measuring device electrically connected to the electrical circuit such that the measuring device is capable of determining a circuit resistance value in the circuit path of the electrical circuit, wherein the first resistor has a first resistance value and is electrically connected to the power supply and the ground such that the circuit resistance value is equal to the first resistance value. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A vehicle, comprising:
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a rotor; a brake pad movably coupled to the rotor; an electronic brake control module including a power supply; a plurality of wear sensors electrically connected to one another in series, wherein each of the wear sensors includes; an erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer operatively coupled to the brake pad such that wear of the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer corresponds to wear of the brake pad; an electrical circuit at least partially disposed on the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer, wherein the electrical circuit includes; a first electrical conductor electrically connected to the power supply; a first resistor having a first resistance value and being electrically connected to the first electrical conductor, the first resistor being connected in series with the power supply; a second electrical conductor electrically connected to a ground; a third electrical conductor electrically connected between the first resistor and the second electrical conductor; a second resistor having a second resistance value and being electrically connected in parallel with the electronic brake control module, the second resistor being connected to the first resistor and the second electrical conductor; and wherein the electronic brake control module includes a measuring device electrically connected to the electrical circuit such that the measuring device is capable of determining a circuit resistance value along a circuit path from the electronic brake control module to the second electrical conductor, wherein the first resistor has a first resistance value and is electrically connected to the power supply and the ground such that the circuit resistance value is equal to the first resistance value. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification