The invention relates to a brake lining assembly, particularly for drum brakes, comprising a brake shoe having an outer contour, a brake lining having an inner contour, and an intermediate layer having an outer contact region and an inner contact region. The intermediate layer is arranged between the brake shoe and the brake lining, and the intermediate layer is formed, as viewed radially with respect to an axis of rotation of the brake shoe, in such a manner that the inner contact region is matched in a form-fitting manner to the outer contour of the brake shoe in a circumferential direction of the brake shoe. The outer contact region is matched in a form-fitting manner to the inner contour of the brake lining along the circumferential direction.

Method wherein at least one piezoceramic sensor (15) and an electric circuit (18) to collect an electric signal emitted by the piezoceramic sensor (15) when subjected to a mechanical stress and possibly processing it are made as a unit electrically insulated (118) equipped with at least a branching (119) ending with respective electric contacts (20,21) having connected the at least one piezoelectric sensor (15), where the electric circuit (18) and the at least one sensor (15) are mechanically fixed integral with a first surface (13) of a supporting metal element (11) of a brake pad (1) and branching (119) is formed so as to position the at least one piezoelectric sensor (15) at a predetermined point of the first surface (13).

Method wherein at least one piezoceramic sensor (15) and an electric circuit (18) to collect an electric signal emitted by the piezoceramic sensor (15) when subjected to a mechanical stress and possibly processing it are made as a unit electrically insulated (118) equipped with at least a branching (119) ending with respective electric contacts (20,21) having connected the at least one piezoelectric sensor (15), where the electric circuit (18) and the at least one sensor (15) are mechanically fixed integral with a first surface (13) of a supporting metal element (11) of a brake pad (1) and branching (119) is formed so as to position the at least one piezoelectric sensor (15) at a predetermined point of the first surface (13).

Improved maneuverability, improved followability towards a target braking force and enhanced brake feeling when a low braking force is being effected may be achieved. A brake controller unit may include a clearance estimator which may be configured to use a rotational angle θ of a motor to estimate a clearance, inclusive of negative values, between a frictional material and a brake. A target braking force F.sub.r may be compared with a switch-determining braking force F.sub.rsw, so that clearance control based on a target clearance C.sub.r may be performed when the frictional material is in approximate-contact state corresponding to the target braking force F.sub.r being low, and so that braking force control may be performed when it is equal to or greater than the switch-determining braking force F.sub.rsw.

A drum brake having a brake drum, brake shoes, a carrier plate and a load measurement device in the region of an abutment is mountable on a steering knuckle. The abutment has a cylinder in which two pistons are guided, on the outer end faces of which the abutment ends of the brake shoes rest and the inner end faces of which are each supported by a spring on a step in the cylinder. A hollow peg projects from the outside of the cylinder and penetrates an opening in the carrier plate, such that it can be received in a receiving space in the steering knuckle resting on the carrier plate or in a reinforcement element fixed on the steering knuckle.

A drum brake having a brake drum, brake shoes, a carrier plate and a load measurement device in the region of an abutment is mountable on a steering knuckle. The abutment has a cylinder in which two pistons are guided, on the outer end faces of which the abutment ends of the brake shoes rest and the inner end faces of which are each supported by a spring on a step in the cylinder. A hollow peg projects from the outside of the cylinder and penetrates an opening in the carrier plate, such that it can be received in a receiving space in the steering knuckle resting on the carrier plate or in a reinforcement element fixed on the steering knuckle.

A braking system for a steel wheeled vehicle is provided. The braking system includes an actuator assembly and a brake member operably engaged with the actuator assembly. The brake member contacts a flat surface of a wheel of the steel wheeled vehicle. A method for applying brakes to a steel wheeled vehicle is also provided. The method includes applying brake pressure, via a brake member, to a flat surface of a wheel of the steel wheeled vehicle.

A braking system for a steel wheeled vehicle is provided. The braking system includes an actuator assembly and a brake member operably engaged with the actuator assembly. The brake member contacts a flat surface of a wheel of the steel wheeled vehicle. A method for applying brakes to a steel wheeled vehicle is also provided. The method includes applying brake pressure, via a brake member, to a flat surface of a wheel of the steel wheeled vehicle.

A method in which at least one piezoceramic sensor, which converts every mechanical force to which it is subjected into an electrical signal and having a Curie temperature higher than 200° C., is solidarized directly onto the surface of a metal support element of a vehicle braking element, which during use faces a vehicle element to be braked. While in contact with such a surface, an electrical circuit is implemented that picks up and eventually processes the electrical signal, the electrical circuit being connected with a connector integrated with the metal support element. An electrically insulating layer sandwiches the at least one piezoceramic sensor and the electrical circuit, and a block of friction material with an underlying damping layer is formed upon the electrically insulating layer. After forming the block of friction material, the piezoceramic sensor is polarized by applying a predetermined potential difference thereto by means of the connector.

A method in which at least one piezoceramic sensor, which converts every mechanical force to which it is subjected into an electrical signal and having a Curie temperature higher than 200° C., is solidarized directly onto the surface of a metal support element of a vehicle braking element, which during use faces a vehicle element to be braked. While in contact with such a surface, an electrical circuit is implemented that picks up and eventually processes the electrical signal, the electrical circuit being connected with a connector integrated with the metal support element. An electrically insulating layer sandwiches the at least one piezoceramic sensor and the electrical circuit, and a block of friction material with an underlying damping layer is formed upon the electrically insulating layer. After forming the block of friction material, the piezoceramic sensor is polarized by applying a predetermined potential difference thereto by means of the connector.