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;
the brake pad mechanically coupled to the brake housing;
a sensor mechanically coupled to the brake pad, wherein the sensor determines whether the brake pad has been worn to a predetermined location by a rotating portion of a wheel;
an on-board electronic module electrically coupled to the sensor and mechanically coupled to the vehicle, wherein the on-board electronic module comprises;
a radio frequency antenna configured to wirelessly receive radio frequency energy from an external radio frequency transmitter located adjacent to a dashboard of the vehicle;
an energy converter electrically coupled to the radio frequency antenna, wherein the energy converter is configured to transform radio frequency energy to supply energy;
an internal transmitter coupled to the energy converter whereby the internal transmitter is powered by at least a portion of the supply energy; and
memory coupled to the internal transmitter, wherein the memory stores data associated with the brake pad, wherein the internal transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit information from the sensor and the memory to the external radio frequency transmitter via the radio frequency antenna.
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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 by a rotating portion of a wheel. The system can also include an electronic module electrically coupled to the sensor and mechanically coupled to the brake housing. The electronic module can include a radio frequency antenna configured to wirelessly receive radio frequency energy from an external radio frequency transmitter, and an energy converter electrically coupled to the radio frequency antenna. As well, the electronic module can include an internal transmitter electrically coupled to the energy converter and 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; the brake pad mechanically coupled to the brake housing; a sensor mechanically coupled to the brake pad, wherein the sensor determines whether the brake pad has been worn to a predetermined location by a rotating portion of a wheel; an on-board electronic module electrically coupled to the sensor and mechanically coupled to the vehicle, wherein the on-board electronic module comprises; a radio frequency antenna configured to wirelessly receive radio frequency energy from an external radio frequency transmitter located adjacent to a dashboard of the vehicle; an energy converter electrically coupled to the radio frequency antenna, wherein the energy converter is configured to transform radio frequency energy to supply energy; an internal transmitter coupled to the energy converter whereby the internal transmitter is powered by at least a portion of the supply energy; and memory coupled to the internal transmitter, wherein the memory stores data associated with the brake pad, wherein the internal transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit information from the sensor and the memory to the external radio frequency transmitter via the radio frequency antenna. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. 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; wirelessly receiving, via an on-board electronic module electrically coupled to the sensor and mechanically coupled to the vehicle, radio frequency energy from an external radio frequency transmitter located adjacent to a dashboard of the vehicle; transforming, via an energy converter electrically coupled to a radio frequency antenna, radio frequency energy to supply energy; powering an internal transmitter coupled to the energy converter by at least a portion of the supply energy; storing brake pad installation information and wheel identification information via memory coupled to the internal transmitter, wherein the memory is located on-board the vehicle; and wirelessly transmitting, via the internal transmitter, information from the sensor and the memory to the external radio frequency transmitter through the radio frequency antenna. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification