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Vehicle braking systems and methods

  • US 9,964,167 B2
  • Filed: 06/16/2016
  • Issued: 05/08/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A braking system for a motorized vehicle, the system comprising:

  • a friction element capable of sensing an external compression force applied to the friction element, the friction element comprising;

    a support element;

    a friction material attached to the support element;

    a piezoceramic sensor positioned between the support element and the friction material, the piezoceramic sensor configured to generate an electrical signal according to the piezoelectric effect and to output the electrical signal;

    an electrical circuit configured to receive the electrical signal output by the piezoceramic sensor;

    a thermally insulating layer positioned between the support element and the friction material; and

    an electrically insulating layer positioned between the electrical circuit and the thermally insulating layer;

    a central processing unit configured to be removably connected to the electrical circuit and programmable to receive the electrical signal generated by the piezoceramic sensor;

    a vehicle element configured to be braked by contacting the friction material of the friction element; and

    a brake actuator controlled and actuated by the central processing unit and configured to press the friction material against the vehicle element when actuated,wherein the central processing unit is programmable to control the brake actuator in response to the electrical signal output by the piezoceramic sensor and to determine that a fault condition exists in response to detecting that the brake actuator is actuated and an electrical signal from the piezoceramic sensor is not received.

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