阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆制动器的指示系统 (Indicating system for vehicle brake ) 是由 彭健华 陈奕豪 于 2020-11-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种用于车辆制动机构的指示系统,包括具有摩擦材料(110)的制动垫片(100)或制动蹄片,电子控制单元,连接至所述制动垫片(100)或制动蹄片；以及多个信令部件,从所述电子控制单元接收电信号。在所述摩擦材料(110)内的各个厚度级别上设置多个传感器点(130),每个厚度级别上设置至少一个传感器点,所述传感器点(130)彼此间隔开。当车辆制动器的鼓或盘与传感器点接触时指示所述摩擦材料(110)的磨损级别,其中,所述传感器点与所述电子控制单元连接,以通过所述摩擦材料(110)的磨损向与所述摩擦材料的厚度级别上的所述传感器点对应的信令部件发送信号。(The invention provides an indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism, comprising a brake pad (100) or a brake shoe having a friction material (110), an electronic control unit connected to the brake pad (100) or brake shoe; and a plurality of signaling components that receive electrical signals from the electronic control unit. A plurality of sensor points (130) are provided at various thickness levels within the friction material (110), at least one sensor point being provided at each thickness level, the sensor points (130) being spaced apart from each other. Indicating a wear level of the friction material (110) when a drum or disc of a vehicle brake is in point contact with a sensor point, wherein the sensor point is connected with the electronic control unit to send a signal to a signaling member corresponding to the sensor point on the thickness level of the friction material through the wear of the friction material (110).)

1. An indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism comprising:

a brake pad (100) or shoe (100 ') having a friction material (110, 110');

an electronic control unit (200) connected to the brake pad (100) or brake shoe (100'); and

a plurality of signaling means (310) receiving electrical signals from said electronic control unit (200);

characterized in that a plurality of sensor points (130, 130 ') are provided at each thickness level within the friction material (110, 110 '), at least one sensor point being provided at each thickness level, the sensor points (130, 130 ') being spaced apart from each other such that a wear level of the friction material (110, 110 ') is indicated when a drum or disc of a vehicle brake is in contact with a sensor point, wherein the sensor points are connected with the electronic control unit (200) to send a signal to a signaling component corresponding to the sensor points at the thickness level of the friction material by wear of the friction material (110, 110 ').

2. The indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the sensor points (130, 130 ') are spaced horizontally and vertically for each thickness level to increase sensor coverage within the friction material (110, 110').

3. The indicating system for a vehicle braking mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the friction material (110, 110 ') has a plurality of channels (134, 134 ') to accommodate the sensor points (130, 130 '), the channels (134, 134 ') being spaced apart to prevent cracking of the friction material (110, 110 ').

4. The indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the friction material (110, 110 ') has a plurality of channels (134, 134') formed by drilling to accommodate the sensor points (130, 130 '), the channels (134, 134') being spaced apart to prevent the friction material (110, 110 ') from cracking when the friction material (110, 110') is drilled.

5. An indicator system for a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that there are two sensor points at any determined thickness level within the friction material (110, 110').

6. An indicator system for a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor point (130, 130 ') is connected to a connector (133, 133') on one side of the brake pad (100) or brake shoe (100 ') by means of a conductive member or wiring (132, 132').

7. An indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the wear level indication of the friction material (110, 110') determined according to the thickness level of the sensor points is in the range between 5% and 100%.

8. The indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the wear level of the friction material (110, 110') determined according to the thickness level of the sensor points is indicated as high, medium and low, or using a color indicator light or a combination thereof.

9. The indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the sensor point (130, 130') is made of an electrically conductive material.

10. The indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the signaling means (310) is a light emitting diode, a sound emitting speaker or a combination thereof.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to vehicle brake warning systems, and more particularly to an indicating system for a vehicle brake pad or shoe.

Background

Brake pads (for disc brakes) or brake shoes (for drum brakes) include one or more layers of friction material that are used to apply friction to a brake disc or drum in a vehicle braking mechanism to slow and stop a moving vehicle, as well as to prevent a stationary vehicle from moving.

Over time, the friction material wears, thereby thinning the friction material. Wear of the friction material can lead to inefficiencies or failure of the braking mechanism. It is important to know when the friction material is approaching wear, but because different vehicle types, routine travel routes, driving habits, and other conditions require replacement of brake pads or shoes at different wear levels, no system currently exists that can monitor the friction material at various stages of wear. For example, a truck transporting cargo over long distances in hilly terrain may have to replace brake pads or brake shoes earlier than a city's residential car before reaching its maximum wear limit.

Therefore, there is a need for a system that allows for automatic monitoring of friction materials as they are subject to wear over time. Such a system would enable a vehicle user to decide in a timely manner to replace brake pads and/or brake shoes.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical scheme adopted by the invention is as follows: an indicating system for a vehicle brake mechanism comprising a brake pad or shoe having a friction material (110), an electronic control unit connected to the brake pad or shoe; and a plurality of signaling components that receive electrical signals from the electronic control unit. Providing a plurality of sensor points at various thickness levels within the friction material, at least one sensor point at each thickness level, the sensor points being spaced apart from each other such that a wear level of the friction material is indicated when a drum or disc of a vehicle brake is in contact with a sensor point, wherein the sensor points are connected with the electronic control unit to send a signal by wear of the friction material to a signaling member corresponding to the sensor points at the thickness levels of the friction material.

Preferably, the sensor points are spaced horizontally and vertically for each thickness level to increase sensor coverage within the friction material.

Further, the friction material has a plurality of channels to accommodate the sensor dots, the channels being spaced apart to prevent the friction material from cracking.

Preferably, the friction material has a plurality of channels formed by drilling to accommodate the sensor points, the channels being spaced apart to prevent the friction material from cracking when the friction material is drilled.

Preferably, there are two sensor points at any determined thickness level within the friction material.

Further, the sensor point is connected to a connector on one side of the brake pad or the brake shoe through a conductive member or a wire.

Preferably, the wear level indication of the friction material determined according to the thickness level of the sensor spot is in the range between 5% and 100%.

Alternatively, the wear level indication of the friction material determined according to the thickness level of the sensor spot is high, medium and low, or indicated using a color indicator light or a combination thereof.

Preferably, the sensor spot is made of an electrically conductive material.

Preferably, the signaling component is a light emitting diode, a sound emitting speaker, or a combination thereof.

The invention consists in the following combinations of features and elements, substantially as shown in and described in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Drawings

To further clarify aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a brake pad having a plurality of sensor points embedded within its friction material;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a brake pad having a plurality of sensor points embedded within its friction material;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a pair of brake pads configured for use and wiring connecting sensor points in the two brake pads;

FIG. 4 shows a front view and a cross-sectional view along line A-B of a pair of brake shoes having a plurality of sensor points embedded within their friction material;

FIG. 5 shows a front view and a cross-sectional view along line A-B of a pair of brake shoes configured for use and wiring connecting sensor points in the two brake shoes;

FIG. 6 shows a display unit of a vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels;

FIG. 7 shows a display unit of a vehicle having a pair of front wheels and two pairs of rear wheels;

fig. 8 shows an indicating system for the vehicle brake comprising a brake pad and sensor points connected to an electronic control unit and a display unit.

Detailed Description

The present general inventive concept relates to brake pads or brake shoes for vehicles, particularly automobiles. More specifically, the indicating system of the present invention is used to monitor wear of brake pads or brake shoes over time as they are used on a moving vehicle. Brake pads (for disc brakes) or brake shoes (for drum brakes) include one or more layers of friction material that are used to apply friction to a brake disc or drum in a vehicle braking mechanism to slow and stop a moving vehicle, as well as to prevent a stationary vehicle from moving.

Over time, the friction material wears, thereby thinning the friction material. In order to provide an indication to a vehicle user and to enable the user to decide when a brake pad or brake shoe should be replaced, the wear level is indicated by measuring the remaining friction material of the brake pad or brake shoe or by calculating the wear rate of the friction material.

BeltSensor pointBrake pad or brake shoe

In one embodiment of the invention, the indication of the wear level by the remaining friction material (110, 110 ') is achieved by providing a plurality of sensor points (130, 130') at various thickness levels of the friction material (110, 110 ') of the brake pad (100) (shown in fig. 1-3) or brake shoe (100') (shown in fig. 4-5). The friction material (110, 110 ') is fixed by a support member (120, 120'), the support member (120, 120 ') generally including an insulating layer, a back plate and a noise/squeal reduction pad, the insulating layer, the back plate and the noise/squeal reduction pad being arranged in order of distance from the friction material (110, 110') from the near to the far. The sensor dots (130, 130') are made of a conductive material such as copper, silver, gold, and graphite. Referring to fig. 3 and 5, all sensor points (130, 130 ') are connected by conductive means or wiring (132, 132') through holes (131, 131 ') with a first male or female connector (133, 133'), which in turn is connected with a matching second female or male connector of the electronic control unit (200). The sensor points (130, 130 ') are disposed in a range of the order of 1% to 100% of the thickness of the friction material (110, 110'). Preferably, the sensor points (130, 130 ') are arranged in a range of 5% to 90% of the thickness of the friction material (110, 110'). More preferably, the sensor points (130, 130 ') are arranged in a range of 10% to 75% of the thickness of the friction material (110, 110'). For example, a set of sensor points (130, 130 ') are disposed on the order of 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% of the thickness of the friction material (110, 110'). In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the set of sensor points (130, 130 ') is disposed on the order of 75%, 50%, and 25% of the thickness of the friction material (110, 110'). The indication is shown as 100% before the friction material (110, 110') wears to the first sensor point. Optionally, the thickness level indication is high, medium, low or their equivalent, or the thickness level is distinguished by a sound, light or color indicator light or any combination thereof. This indication is signaled by a signaling component, which may be a light bulb, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), and/or a speaker.

Each disc brake of a wheel has a pair of brake pads and each drum brake has a pair of brake shoes. Each brake pad (100) or brake shoe (100 ') has at least one set of sensor points (130, 130 ') typically located in the region where the wear rate of the friction material (110, 110 ') is highest, such as the middle of the friction material of the brake pad or the side of the brake shoe. In addition, there may be two or more sets of sensor points per brake pad or shoe to increase the sensitivity of the indicating system. Optionally, the sensor points (130, 130') are spaced horizontally and vertically for each thickness level to increase sensor coverage within the friction material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of channels (134, 134 ') are formed in the friction material (110, 110'), such as by drilling, to accommodate sensor points (130, 130 ') in the friction material (110, 110') (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5). The channels (134, 134 ') are spaced apart to prevent cracking of the friction material (110, 110 ') during drilling of the friction material (110, 110 '), for example. The wiring (132, 132 ') from the sensor points (130, 130') protrudes from the brake pad (100) or brake shoe (100 ') through a hole (131) connected to the channel (134, 134'). An anchor member (135) is provided between the friction material (110) and the support member (120), wherein a wiring (132) from the sensor point (130) protrudes from the brake pad (100) through the anchor member (135) so as not to displace a portion supporting the friction material (110) having the sensor point (130) during braking of the vehicle. Alternatively, the channels (134, 134 ') and sensor points (130, 130 ') may be embedded within the friction material (110, 110 ') during molding of the friction material (110, 110 ') used to construct the brake pad (100) or brake shoe (100 ').

Electronic control unit

The electronic control unit (200) comprises a relay (210) and a microcontroller (220). The wear of the friction material (110, 110 ') due to the repeated operation of the brake mechanism results in a reduction in the thickness of the friction material (110, 110'). Referring to fig. 8, when the friction material (110, 110 ') is worn to the thickness level of the sensor point (130, 130 '), the sensor point (130, 130 ') contacts the brake disc or drum and completes a first circuit connected to the relay (210) in the electronic control unit (200). Preferably, the first circuit is connected to ground and to an alternating current power supply. The relay (210) then closes (completes) a second circuit to send a signal through the microcontroller (220) to a signaling component or indicator (310) in the display unit (300). Preferably, the second circuit is connected to a capacitor. Furthermore, a fuse cartridge (230) is incorporated in the electronic control unit (200) to break the circuit in case of a short circuit or surge. Furthermore, a remote control module (240) is incorporated in the electronic control unit (200) to enable configuration of parameters or change of the settings for the electronic control unit (200) or the display unit (300).

Display unit

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display unit (300) is electrically connected to the electronic control unit (200) and houses a plurality of signaling components (310) (as shown in fig. 6-7). Each signaling member (310) indicates a wear level or thickness of the remaining friction material (110, 110 '), as indicated by its corresponding sensor point (130, 130'). This indication is shown as 100% before the friction material has worn down to the first sensor point, for example when a new brake pad or brake shoe is replaced. The signaling component (310) is a light bulb, Light Emitting Diode (LED), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), digital or analog dial gauge/meter, voice speaker, or a combination thereof. In one example of an embodiment, a set of signaling components (310) indicates that the friction material (110) is at 100% and 70% thickness level by green LEDs, that the friction material (110) is at 50% thickness level by orange LEDs, that the friction material (110) is at 30% thickness level by yellow LEDs, and that the friction material (110) is at 10% thickness level by red LEDs. As shown in fig. 6, each front and rear wheel of the vehicle has a set of said signalling means (310). When there is an additional pair of wheels on the vehicle, for example the rear wheels of a truck, an additional set of sensor points (130) is installed for such wheels, and the display unit (300) comprises an additional set of signalling components (310) (as shown in fig. 7). Without a color indication, the signaling component (310) may simply light up, display a digital or analog dial indicator value, or generate an alarm sound. The display unit (300) may also comprise another microcontroller or be connected to a microcontroller (220) in the electronic control unit (200) to control parameters affecting the indication of the signaling means (310), such as light flashing rate, volume, signaling time, etc. These parameters are adjusted by means of a remote control module (240) or by means of buttons provided on the display unit (300) and connected to the microcontroller (220). A test button (320) is incorporated in the display unit (300) and connected to the electronic control unit (200) in order to be able to test whether the signaling means (310) is functional.

Examples of sensor points (130, 130 ') corresponding to the thickness level provided in each piece of friction material (110, 110') and their possible colour and/or sound indications provided by the signalling means (310) on the display unit (300) are as follows:

example 1

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	1	Green colour	-
70％	1	Green colour	-
				50％	1	Orange/blue	-
30％	1	Yellow colour	-
				10％	1	Red colour	-

Example 2

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	1	Green colour	Beep one sound
70％	1	Green colour	Two beeps
				50％	1	Orange/blue	Three sound beeps
30％	1	Yellow colour	Beep four tones
				10％	1	Red colour	Beep five sounds

Example 3

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	1	-	Beep one sound
70％	1	-	Two beeps
				50％	1	-	Three sound beeps
30％	1	-	Beep four tones
				10％	1	-	Beep five sounds

Example 4

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	2	Green colour	-
70％	2	Green colour	-
				50％	2	Orange/blue	-
30％	2	Yellow colour	-
				10％	2	Red colour	-

Example 5

Example 6

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	2	-	Beep one sound
70％	2	-	Two beeps
				50％	2	-	Three sound beeps
30％	2	-	Beep four tones
				10％	2	-	Beep five sounds

Example 7

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	1	Green colour	-
75％	1	Orange/blue	-
				50％	1	Yellow colour	-
25％	1	Red colour	-

Example 8

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	1	Green colour	Beep one sound
75％	1	Green colour	Two beeps
				50％	1	Orange/blue	Three sound beeps
25％	1	Yellow colour	Beep four tones

Example 9

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	1	-	Beep one sound
75％	1	-	Two beeps
				50％	1	-	Three sound beeps
25％	1	-	Beep four tones

Example 10

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	2	Green colour	-
75％	2	Green colour	-
				50％	2	Orange/blue	-
25％	2	Yellow colour	-

Example 11

Friction material thickness scale	Number of sensor points	Color indication	Sound indication
				100％	2	Green colour	Beep one sound
70％	2	Green colour	Two beeps
				50％	2	Orange/blue	Three sound beeps
25％	2	Yellow colour	Beep four tones

Example 12

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.