Wireless vehicle area network having connected brake sensors
AssigneeSensata Technologies, Inc.
InventorsFrank Sienkiewicz, Matt Via
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for measuring brake data from a braking assembly of a vehicle. The braking assembly includes a floating portion that moves relative to brake pad wear. The system includes a brake sensor for each wheel. The brake sensors include a fixed sensing element and a target portion attached for movement with the floating portion. The sensing element generates a signal indicating a position of the target portion. The signal is used to determine brake pad thickness. The brake sensor also transmits the signal over a wireless vehicle area network for receipt and processing by a wireless hub in the vehicle area network. The vehicle area network can generate and transmit an alert and/or instructions for an autonomous vehicle based on the signal.
Claims20
A system for measuring brake data from a drum brake assembly of a vehicle, the drum brake assembly including a brake chamber which actuates a push rod when vehicle brakes are applied, actuation of the push rod causing a rotary motion of an adjuster arm and attached slack adjuster head around a cam shaft, the system comprising:
- a brake sensor mounted to the drum brake assembly and configured to measure brake data including a displacement of the drum brake assembly during braking, the brake sensor configured to transmit the brake data over a wireless vehicle area network,
- wherein the drum brake assembly is configured to rotate an s-cam when the brakes are applied such that the s-cam engages two cam followers coupled to opposing brake shoes, and
- wherein the displacement of the drum brake assembly is representative of a difference in displacement distance between the two cam followers when the drum brake assembly is in a disengaged state and when the brake assembly is in an engaged state.
A sensing system for measuring brake data from a drum brake assembly having a pushrod configured to, in response to applying a braking force, cause a rotary motion of an s-cam around a cam shaft such that the s-cam engages two cam followers associated with opposing brake shoes, the sensing system comprising:
- a sensing element;
- and
- a target,
- wherein the sensing element and the target are configured to move relative to each other in response to the rotary motion, and
- wherein the sensing system is configured to determine, based on relative movement of the sensing element and the target, a difference in a displacement distance between the two cam followers when the brake assembly is in a disengaged state and when the brake assembly is in an engaged state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.