Brake assembly

A brake for a rail car comprising:

• at least one brake element configured to press against a rotor of a rail car wheel in response to a braking action;
• an actuator configured to drive the brake element;
• a linkage configured to transfer a braking force from the actuator to the brake element;
• at least one sensor device configured to measure at least one parameter of the brake assembly;
• and
• a trigger unit configured to enter its active state in response to a braking action occurence,
• wherein the trigger unit activates the sensor device in the active state,
• wherein the trigger unit comprises a microswitch that includes a mechanically actuated relay for opening and/or closing an electronic circuit, and
• wherein the trigger unit includes a trigger rod moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the trigger rod is in its first position while no braking action occurs and/or wherein a protrusion coupled with the trigger rod engages an electromechanical closing member of the relay in the first or second position, wherein the trigger unit further comprises a mechanism for biasing the trigger rod towards the first or second position.