Brake Pad RFID Identification for Friction Compliance Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle brake pads often fail to meet uniform coefficient of friction requirements, leading to safety concerns when non-manufacturer-approved pads are used, and existing methods for ensuring compliance are inefficient and costly, particularly during replacement or recall scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an RFID chip with a memory and processor into brake pads to store and transmit essential data, such as coefficient of friction and date of manufacture, allowing for contactless and non-visual verification of brake pad specifications through a reading and evaluation device, which can be powered by an electromagnetic field or battery, and integrated into the ABS system control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If brake pads are replaced with non-manufacturer-approved pads, then installation flexibility increases, but safety and uniformity of friction coefficient deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by reading the RFID tag data from brake pads and comparing it against required safety parameters. The evaluation device provides feedback information about whether the installed brake pads meet safety requirements, enabling informed decisions about pad installation and ensuring continued safety even when using non-manufacturer-approved pads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by reading and evaluating brake pad data before the vehicle operates with the new pads. The control unit checks whether the brake pads meet safety requirements prior to normal use, preventing unsafe pads from being installed while still allowing flexibility in pad selection.
2Reliability
If traditional inspection methods are used to verify brake pad compliance, then safety requirements can be checked, but inspection costs and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical/physical inspection methods with an electronic identification system. Instead of manually inspecting brake pads, the RFID tags store pad information electronically, and the reading device automatically retrieves and evaluates this data wirelessly, dramatically reducing inspection time while maintaining safety compliance verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an electronic copy of brake pad information through RFID tags that contain all relevant pad data. This electronic copy can be read and evaluated without physically handling or inspecting the actual brake pads, enabling rapid verification of safety requirements.
3Reliability
If all brake pads are physically inspected during replacement or recall, then compliance can be verified, but costs and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical inspection of all brake pads with electronic data retrieval and evaluation. The reading device communicates with RFID tags on installed pads to verify compliance electronically, eliminating the need to physically remove and inspect each pad, thereby maintaining replacement efficiency while ensuring compliance verification.
4Loss of information
If brake pad data is stored on physical labels, then information can be accessed, but labels may fail due to overheating and become illegible
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary electronic storage medium (RFID tag) that mediates between the brake pad and the data retrieval system. The RFID tag stores pad information electronically and can communicate this data wirelessly to the reading device, providing reliable data access that is not susceptible to the overheating and degradation problems affecting physical labels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances braking system safety by enabling differential control of individual wheels and centralized data storage, reducing inspection costs and ensuring compliance without the need for physical inspection of all pads, even in the event of label failure.
Implementation Method 1
The power supply to the electronic component is provided by an electromagnetic field of the reading and evaluation device
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle brake, in particular a disk brake or drum brake having brake pads or linings (6, 7) arranged on brake pad or lining carrier plates (4, 5), and comprising an application device (8), is characterized in that at least one brake pad or lining (6, 7) of the vehicle brake is equipped with an electronic unit (15), which has an electronic memory for at least storing brake pad or lining specific data.