Brake Wear Limit Detection via Sensor Positional Shift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake wear limit detection systems are complex and require significant installation space, while existing solutions for determining brake wear limits are not structurally simple and space-saving.

Innovation Solution

A brake design with a pressure piece unit that includes a detection surface and a sensor to determine wear limit, where the positional relationship between the sensor and detection surface changes only when the brake reaches its wear limit, allowing for a structurally simple and space-saving wear detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor is positioned separately from the oil and lining debris to prevent sensor malfunction, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and installation space is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A detection body is introduced as an intermediary element that carries the detection surface. This detection body is displaceable relative to the pressure piece and can be positioned to face the sensor. The detection body acts as a mediator that allows the sensor to detect wear-related positional changes while being protected from direct exposure to oil and lining debris, thus maintaining reliability without requiring complex separate positioning arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If a sensor and detection surface are positioned to detect wear without additional installation space, then installation space is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection surface is integrated onto a detection body that is already part of the pressure piece unit assembly. The detection body is displaceable relative to the pressure piece, merging the detection function with the existing pressure piece structure. This eliminates the need for separate detection components and additional installation space, while the displaceable connection maintains functional simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection body serves multiple functions: it is part of the pressure piece unit that applies braking force, and simultaneously carries the detection surface for wear measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed and eliminates dedicated detection space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the sensor detects positional relationship changes during pressure piece movement, then measurement precision is improved, but the brake cannot reliably determine wear limit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional detection precisionVSAvoidwear limit determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection body is pre-positioned on the pressure piece such that during normal braking operation, the sensor and detection surface maintain a constant positional relationship. This preliminary arrangement ensures that no false wear signals are generated during normal operation. Only when actual wear occurs does the positional relationship change, allowing reliable wear limit determination with precise measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The brake design reliably determines the wear limit without requiring additional installation space, using a sensor to detect significant changes in positional relationship when the brake reaches its wear limit, enabling efficient wear detection.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor is provided, which is designed to detect a positional relationship or a change in the positional relationship between it and the detection surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPositional relationship change detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4411162B1Brake with a device for determining a wear limit
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 ZOLLERN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4411162B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4411162B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

Brake (1) with a device for determining a wear limit, comprising a housing (2), at least one first brake body (3), at least one second brake body (4) and a pressure piece unit (10) with a pressure piece (12) which is displaceable relative to the housing (2) in a first direction to press the at least one first brake body (3) and the at least one second brake body (4) against each other to brake, i.e. to close the brake, and is displaceable in a second direction to release the brake, i.e.to open the brake, a sensor (20) which is configured to detect a positional relationship between it and a detection surface (11) formed on the pressure piece unit (10), wherein if the brake (1) has not reached its wear limit, the positional relationship between the sensor (20) and the detection surface (11) does not change during the movement of the pressure piece (12) in the first direction, and if the brake (1) has reached its wear limit, the positional relationship between the sensor (20) and the detection surface (11) changes during the movement of the pressure piece (12) in the first direction by a relative movement between the sensor (20) and the detection surface (11).