Brake Pad Sensor Calibration Under Real Braking Forces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current quality control methods for sensor-equipped brake pads are limited, as they cannot be applied to a substantial number of pads and are impractical for non-traditional types, lacking the ability to simulate real braking conditions for sensor calibration.

Innovation Solution

An automatic calibration device for sensor-equipped brake pads, featuring a fixed supporting base, control panel, pad retaining means, and mechanical stress sensors that replicate typical vehicle braking forces, including normal and shear forces, to ensure accurate calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional quality control methods are used for brake pads, then the inspection process is simple, but only a limited number of pads can be inspected and 100% quality control cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of pads inspectedVSAvoidcomplexity of quality control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake pad sensor performs self-calibration by comparing its measurements against reference values stored in memory during a calibration phase, eliminating the need for complex external calibration equipment and enabling 100% quality control inspection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical quality control methods with an electronic sensor-based system that uses electronic signals and digital processing to measure and calibrate brake pad characteristics, enabling automated inspection of all pads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If sensor-equipped brake pads are manufactured, then functional monitoring capability is improved, but the calibration process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor functionalityVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Reference measurement values are pre-stored in memory during manufacturing, and the calibration process automatically retrieves and compares these pre-stored values during sensor calibration, significantly reducing calibration time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor performs automatic calibration by comparing its measurements against pre-stored reference values and adjusting its output accordingly, creating a self-correcting feedback mechanism that reduces calibration time and ensures accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If sample-based quality control is used, then the control process is simple, but it cannot be applied to a substantial number of pads and defects may be missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality control accuracyVSAvoidinspection throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Each brake pad sensor performs self-calibration using pre-stored reference values, enabling every pad to be inspected with high precision without requiring complex external calibration equipment, thus achieving both high manufacturing precision and high inspection throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical sample-based inspection with an automated electronic sensor system that can rapidly measure and calibrate every brake pad produced, simultaneously achieving high precision and high throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables 100% quality control of brake pads by simulating real braking conditions, providing precise measurements and reports, ensuring consistent performance and reducing defects.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanical stress means generating on said pad a normal force in combination with a shear force or a normal force in combination with a torque and configured so as to reproduce the typical forces acting upon said pad during real braking of a vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3622262B1Device for automatic calibration of a brake pad
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 ITT ITAL SRL
  • EP3622262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3622262B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In the device (1) for automatic calibration of sensor-equipped brake pads comprising a friction material (26) and a support plate or backplate (12), there is provided a supporting base (2) for stabilising the device (1) during the operation thereof, at least one control panel (6) for managing the device (1), a pad retaining means, a mechanical stress means generating on the pad a normal force in combination with a shear force or a normal force in combination with a torque and configured so as to reproduce the typical forces acting upon the pad during real braking of a vehicle, sensors for detecting the normal force and shear force or sensors for detecting the normal force and the torque.