Brake lining wear sensor

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for measuring wear-induced displacement of a brake lining with respect to an associated brake caliper, comprising a gear mechanism for converting the wear-induced displacement into a rotary movement, having a sensor for detecting the rotary movement, wherein a contact-free coupling is provided for transmitting the rotary movement to the sensor. The apparatus is designed in such a way that the sensor generates an analogue or pulse-width-modulated detection signal for determining the wear-induced displacement of the brake lining, wherein the detection signal corresponds to the respective displacement caused by the rotary movement. The invention also related to a corresponding method for measuring the wear-induced displacement of a brake lining with respect to an associated brake caliper.

1 . A device for measuring wear-induced displacement of a brake lining with respect to an associated brake caliper, the device comprising:
 a transmission for translating the wear-induced displacement into a rotary motion;   a sensor for detecting the rotary motion; and   a contactless coupling for communicating the rotary motion to the sensor,   wherein the sensor is configured to generate an analog or pulse-width modulated detection signal for determining the wear-induced displacement of the brake lining, the detection signal corresponding to a specific displacement produced by the rotary motion.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a rotary potentiometer and the contactless coupling is a clutch based on magnetic forces. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a Hall sensor and the contactless coupling includes a magnetic field that changes as a result of the rotary motion and acts on the Hall sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein an analog signal valve of the sensor is uniquely associated with each wear-induced displacement of the brake lining. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission is at least a part of a mechanical or electromechanical adjuster of the brake lining. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein an additional reducing gear or a planetary gear sent, is provided between the transmission, the adjuster, or the sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor or a reducing gear, are located in a housing that is detachably connected to the brake caliper and is hermetically sealed, and wherein the coupling serves to communicate the rotary motion into the housing. 
     
     
         8 . A brake for a motor vehicle, the brake comprising a device for measuring the wear-induced displacement of a brake lining, the device comprising:
 a transmission for translating the wear-induced displacement into a rotary motion;   a sensor for detecting the rotary motion; and   a contactless coupling for communicating the rotary motion to the sensor,   wherein the sensor generates an analog or pulse-width modulated detection signal for determining the wear-induced displacement of the brake lining, the detection signal corresponding to a particular displacement produced by a rotary motion.   
     
     
         9 . A motor vehicle comprising a brake for measuring the wear-induced displacement of a brake lining, the brake comprising:
 a transmission for translating the wear-induced displacement into a rotary motion;   a sensor for detecting the rotary motion; and   a contactless coupling for communicating the rotary motion to the sensor   wherein the sensor generates an analog or pulse-width modulated detection signal for determining the wear-induced displacement of the brake lining, the detection signal corresponding to a particular displacement produced by the rotary motion.   
     
     
         10 . A method for measuring wear-induced displacement of a brake lining with respect to an associated brake caliper, the method comprising:
 translation the wear-induced displacement into a rotary motion by a transmission;   communicating the rotary motion by a contactless coupling to the sensor for detecting the rotary motion, the sensor configured to generate an analog or pulse-width modulated detection signal for determining the wear-induced displacement of the brake lining, the detection signal corresponding to a specific displacement produced by the rotary motion.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the detection signal is additionally analyzed in order to emit a warning and/or to influence the brake control. 
     
     
         12 . A device for measuring wear-induced displacement of a brake lining with respect to an associated brake caliper, the device comprising:
 a transmission for translating the wear-induced displacement into a rotary motion;   a housing detachably connected to the brake caliper;   a sensor located in the housing for detecting the rotary motion;   a contactless coupling for communicating the rotary motion into the housing to the sensor; and   a reduction gear to gear down the rotary motion prior to the communication thereof to the sensor, wherein the sensor generates a detection signal for determining the wear-induced displacement of the brake lining, the detection signal corresponding to a specific displacement produced by the rotary motion.   
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the reduction gear is disposed within the housing.