Friction brake with a resistive sensor

A motor vehicle comprising:

• an energy storage device;
• a road wheel;
• and
• a braking system operatively connected to the road wheel for decelerating the vehicle, the braking system including:
• a rotor configured to synchronously rotate with the road wheel;
• an actuator configured to generate an actuator force;
• a brake component having a wearable friction segment, wherein the friction segment includes a thickness and is configured to be pressed into contact with the rotor by the actuator force for retarding rotation of the road wheel;
• a sending unit in electric communication with the energy storage device and arranged relative to the braking component;
• and
• a first resistive sensor having an electric resistance and a feature determinative of the electric resistance;
• wherein:
• the first resistive sensor is configured as an ink film applied directly onto the friction segment;
• the first resistive sensor is in electric communication with the sending unit;
• the sending unit is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the electric resistance of the first resistive sensor;
• and
• the feature is configured to wear along with the friction segment, thereby increasing the electric resistance of the first resistive sensor.

A brake component for retarding a rotor, comprising:

• a wearable friction segment having a thickness, wherein the friction segment is configured to be pressed into contact with the rotor;
• a first resistive sensor having an electric resistance and a feature determinative of the electric resistance;
• wherein:
• the first resistive sensor is configured as an ink film applied directly onto the friction segment and includes an electric connection for communication with an external device;
• and
• the feature is configured to wear along with the friction segment thereby increasing the electric resistance of the first resistive sensor.