A mechanical wear gauge for detecting a brake liner wear and a brake disc wear of a disc brake for vehicles, in particular for utility vehicles, includes a brake liner wear detection mechanism and a brake disc wear detection mechanism. Brake liners and brake discs are subjected to a wear so that the brake liner thickness and the brake disc thickness decrease with an increasing period of use. A base member includes an arm member having a pincer leg. A first sliding member having a pincer leg is slidable relative to the base member and arm member to detect brake disc wear. A second sliding member, extending parallel to the first sliding member, is slidable relative to the base member to detect brake liner wear.

A brake pad state estimation device estimates a brake pad state including at least one of a wear volume and a temperature of a brake pad of a vehicle. The brake pad state estimation device acquires sensor detection information including a vehicle speed and a brake pressure, and calculates the brake pad state based on the sensor detection information during braking of the vehicle. The brake pad state estimation device variably sets a sampling period for acquiring the sensor detection information from a sensor according to a driving environment for the vehicle. The sampling period in a case where the wear volume or the temperature of the brake pad is expected to be lower is set to be longer than the sampling period in a case where the wear volume or the temperature of the brake pad is expected to be higher.

A brake pad includes a backing plate that defines a first plane. A brake lining is attached to the backing plate, and has a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first layer includes a first material, a first side fixed to the brake lining attachment surface and a second side opposite the first side. The second side defines a second plane non-parallel to the first plane. The second layer includes a second material, a first side and a second side. The first side of the second layer extends along the second side of the first layer and along the second plane. The second material is different from the first material. The third layer includes the first material, overlays and attaches to the second side of the second layer, and has a friction surface that is parallel to the first plane.

A brake rotor for a vehicle that includes an easy to view accurate visual inspection system. The brake rotor includes at least one annular disk including inboard and outboard planar brake contact surfaces and at least two visual wear indicators formed as circular depressions in at least the outboard brake contact surface within the outer brake contact region. These visual wear indicators include a first wear indicator that has a depth that corresponds to a predetermined minimum useable thickness of the outboard planar brake contact surface and a second wear indicator that has a depth that corresponds to an intermediate useable thickness of the outboard planar brake contact surface. Thus, the difference in wear from the elimination of the second wear indicator compared to the first provides an indication of the remaining acceptable service life of the rotor.

A brake rotor for a vehicle that includes an easy to view accurate visual inspection system. The brake rotor includes at least one annular disk including inboard and outboard planar brake contact surfaces and at least two visual wear indicators formed as circular depressions in at least the outboard brake contact surface within the outer brake contact region. These visual wear indicators include a first wear indicator that has a depth that corresponds to a predetermined minimum useable thickness of the outboard planar brake contact surface and a second wear indicator that has a depth that corresponds to an intermediate useable thickness of the outboard planar brake contact surface. Thus, the difference in wear from the elimination of the second wear indicator compared to the first provides an indication of the remaining acceptable service life of the rotor.

A system for monitoring usage of rail car brake equipment and determining whether the actual lifespan of the brake equipment is shorter than an expected lifespan had the brake equipment been used under normal or constant parameters. The system includes a sensor for collecting and outputting data indicating how the brake equipment has been actually used. A controller is programmed to receive the data regarding how the brake system component has been used and to calculate whether the brake system component has an estimated lifespan that is shorter than the expected lifespan. The sensor may comprise an ambient temperature sensor, a flow sensor that determines the air used by the braking system that includes the brake system component, and/or a pressure sensor that can determines how frequently and in what manner the brake system has been used.

A brake system and a method of controlling a brake system. The method may include indirectly estimating an air gap between a brake friction member and a brake pad assembly based on a position signal from a position sensor that detects cycling of the friction brake and a further signal indicative of an amount of brake force used to engage the brake pad assembly with the brake friction member. The air gap may be adjusted when an estimated air gap differs from a desired air gap.

Various residual braking torque indication devices, systems, and methods are described. The devices, systems, and methods can include a sensorized brake pad. An output signal of the sensorized brake pad can be processed to provide an indication of a residual braking torque. The residual braking torque indicator can be calibrated to reference data to provide an actual measurement of the residual braking torque.

An integrated monitoring system for a vehicle including a brake pad wear sensor and a wheel speed sensor. A wheel speed sensor signal line is connected between the wheel speed sensor and an electronic control unit. A wheel speed power line is connected between the wheel speed sensor, the brake pad wear sensor, and the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to monitor the wheel speed sensor signal line for a signal indicative of a wheel speed and monitors the wheel speed power line for a signal indicative of a brake pad condition.

An integrated monitoring system for a vehicle including a brake pad wear sensor and a wheel speed sensor. A wheel speed sensor signal line is connected between the wheel speed sensor and an electronic control unit. A wheel speed power line is connected between the wheel speed sensor, the brake pad wear sensor, and the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to monitor the wheel speed sensor signal line for a signal indicative of a wheel speed and monitors the wheel speed power line for a signal indicative of a brake pad condition.