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.
Claims15
A system for measuring brake data from a braking assembly of a vehicle, the braking assembly including at least one caliper with a fixed portion and a floating portion, the system comprising:
- at least one brake sensor, each brake sensor attached to the at least one caliper and including a sensing element attached to the fixed portion and a target portion attached to the floating portion, the brake sensor configured to measure brake data including a position of the target portion with respect to the sensing element indicative of a thickness of a brake pad, the brake sensor configured to transmit brake data over a wireless vehicle area network and remain in place after replacement of the brake pad;
- and
- a wireless hub including a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data over the wireless vehicle area network, the wireless hub configured to receive brake data from the at least one brake sensor, process the brake data, and generate and transmit an alert when brake data from one of the plurality of brake sensors indicates a potential fault condition.
A system for measuring brake data from a braking assembly of a vehicle, the braking assembly including at a caliper with a fixed portion and a floating portion, the caliper further including a mounting plate configured to attach the caliper to an axle of the vehicle, the system comprising:
- a brake sensor mounted to the caliper on an interior side of the mounting plate such that the brake sensor is positioned within an interior of the caliper, the brake sensor including a sense element attached to the fixed portion and a target portion attached to the floating portion, the brake sensor configured to measure the brake data including a position of the fixed portion with respect to the floating portion transmit the brake data over a wireless vehicle area network.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.