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 pad holder;
a brake pad mechanically coupled to the pad holder, the brake pad having a braking surface arranged and configured to contact a brake rotor; and
a sensing device coupled to the brake pad such that the sensing device physically contacts a side surface of the brake pad that is adjacent to the braking surface and the sensing device is substantially aligned with the braking surface throughout a life of the brake pad, the sensing device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode embedded within the sensing device, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode measure electrical resistivity of an electrically conductive material located within the sensing device, the electrical resistivity indicates a thickness of the internal portion of the brake pad after the internal portion has been eroded by the brake rotor, the electrical resistivity is proportional to the thickness, and the electrically conductive material is partially electrically conductive.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure includes a system for indicating wear of a brake pad attached to a vehicle. The system can include a pad holder, a brake pad mechanically coupled to the pad holder, and a sensing device coupled to the brake pad and located at least partially within the cavity. The sensing device can include a first electrode and a second electrode embedded within the sensing device. The first electrode and the second electrode can measure electrical resistivity of an electrically conductive material located within the sensing device. The electrical resistivity can indicate a thickness of the internal portion of the brake pad after the internal portion has been eroded by the rotating portion of the wheel.
35 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 pad holder; a brake pad mechanically coupled to the pad holder, the brake pad having a braking surface arranged and configured to contact a brake rotor; and a sensing device coupled to the brake pad such that the sensing device physically contacts a side surface of the brake pad that is adjacent to the braking surface and the sensing device is substantially aligned with the braking surface throughout a life of the brake pad, the sensing device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode embedded within the sensing device, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode measure electrical resistivity of an electrically conductive material located within the sensing device, the electrical resistivity indicates a thickness of the internal portion of the brake pad after the internal portion has been eroded by the brake rotor, the electrical resistivity is proportional to the thickness, and the electrically conductive material is partially electrically conductive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for indicating wear of a brake pad attached to a vehicle, comprising:
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a pad holder; a brake pad mechanically coupled to the pad holder, the brake pad having an brake portion and a braking surface arranged and configured to contact a brake rotor; a sensor holder mechanically coupled to the pad holder and located along a side surface of the brake pad whereby the sensor holder is substantially aligned with the braking surface; and a sensing device coupled to the sensor holder, the sensing device comprising a pair of electrodes embedded within the sensing device, wherein the pair of electrodes measures electrical resistivity of an electrically partially conductive material located within the sensing device, wherein the electrical resistivity indicates a thickness of the brake portion of the brake pad after the brake portion has been eroded by the brake rotor, the electrical resistivity is proportional to the thickness, and the electrically conductive material is partially electrically conductive. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of using a system for indicating wear of a brake pad attached to a vehicle, wherein the system comprises a brake pad having a braking surface arranged and configured to contact a brake rotor, and wherein the system comprises a sensing device coupled to the brake pad and located along a side surface of the brake pad whereby the sensing device is substantially aligned with the braking surface, wherein at least half of a surface of the sensing device does not contact a surface of the brake pad, the sensing device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode embedded within an inner portion of the sensing device, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode measure electrical resistivity of an electrically conductive material located between the first electrode and the second electrode, the method comprising:
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determining, via the first electrode and the second electrode, electrical resistivity of the electrically conductive material; determining a thickness of a brake portion of the brake pad after the brake portion has been eroded by the brake rotor, wherein the electrical resistivity of the inner portion indicates the thickness of the brake portion of the brake pad; and receiving, via an on-board electronic module that is communicatively coupled to the sensing device, an indication of the thickness of the brake portion of the brake pad. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification