Wireless Brake Pad Wear Sensor Powered by Thermoelectric Harvester
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheel monitoring systems face challenges in efficiently monitoring brake pad wear and tire pressure due to the need for complex cable connections and high temperature environments, which can lead to increased costs and system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wheel monitoring device that incorporates a thermoelectric energy harvester to power a wireless brake pad wear sensor and tire pressure sensor system, using a ceramic plate stack with p-type and n-type semiconductor elements to generate electrical power from thermal energy, eliminating the need for cables and allowing for remote monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable is used to connect the brake pad sensor to the electronic control unit, then the sensor can transmit data reliably in high temperature environments, but the system complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless transmission system. The brake pad wear sensor uses a wireless transmitter to send data to the electronic control unit without physical cable connections, eliminating the mechanical linkage while maintaining data transmission capability in high temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (radio frequency transmitter and receiver) between the brake pad sensor and the electronic control unit. This intermediary enables data transmission without direct physical connection, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability through established wireless communication protocols.
2Ease of operation
If a cable connection is used for the brake pad sensor, then power and data can be transmitted, but the installation complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical cable installation process with a wireless transmission system. The brake pad wear sensor incorporates an integrated wireless transmitter that communicates with the electronic control unit through radio frequencies, eliminating the need for cable routing, connectors, and physical mounting hardware, thereby simplifying both installation and manufacturing.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a wireless transmitter is used without energy harvesting, then a battery is required which adds weight and requires replacement, but using thermal energy from brake operation can generate power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-powered wireless transmitter using an energy harvesting device that converts thermal energy from the brake pad operation into electrical power. The system harvests waste heat generated during braking through thermoelectric generators or similar thermal-to-electrical conversion devices, providing autonomous power to the wireless transmitter without requiring external battery replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated during brake operation into useful electrical energy. The thermal energy that would otherwise be dissipated as waste is captured through thermoelectric generators or heat harvesting devices mounted on the brake pad, transforming this thermal byproduct into power for the wireless transmission 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
This solution simplifies the system by reducing the need for cables, lowers manufacturing costs, and provides effective monitoring of brake pad wear and tire pressure, ensuring passenger safety while maintaining a smaller footprint within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply, for example a battery or an energy harvesting device configured to convert energy derived from an external source into electrical power
Implementation Method 2
The energy harvesting device is a thermoelectric energy harvester that comprises a first ceramic plate having a first outward-facing surface and an opposed first inward-facing surface, a second ceramic plate having a second outward-facing surface and an opposed second inward-facing surface, and p-type semiconductor elements and n-type semiconductor elements disposed between the first layer and the second layer
Implementation Method 3
a wireless transmitter configured to receive the signal emitted from the brake pad wear sensor and wirelessly transmit it to a remote device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wheel monitoring device includes a tire pressure monitoring unit, a tire pressure sensor unit disposed at a wheel of the vehicle and a brake pad wear sensor unit disposed at a wheel of the vehicle. The brake pad wear sensor unit includes a brake pad wear sensor and a wireless transmitter configured to receive the signal emitted from the brake pad wear sensor and wirelessly transmit it to the tire pressure monitoring unit. An energy harvesting device is configured to convert energy derived from an external source into electrical power, and to provide the electrical power to the brake pad wear sensor unit and the transmitter. The brake pad wear sensor unit and the tire pressure sensor unit are monitored by the tire pressure monitoring unit.