Brakes – With condition indicator – Wear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-05
2001-01-30
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Brakes
With condition indicator
Wear
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179091
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wear detection probe or sensor for a brake pad.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wear detection probes are known for detecting when a brake pad of an automotive vehicle has been worn to an operating limit or to a degree that it cannot be used any longer. The known wear detection probe is shown in
FIG. 5
, and is identified by the numeral
1
. The prior art probe
1
includes a detection wire
3
made integral to a resin holder
2
by insert molding. The detection wire
3
extends along an arrangement path through the holder
2
from its rear end to its front end. The detection wire
3
then is formed with a fold
3
R at the front end surface of the holder
2
and extends back to the rear end.
The prior art wear detection probe
1
is accommodated in a brake pad
5
such that the folded portion
3
R of the detection wire
3
faces a disk rotor
4
like a brake disk. As the wear of the brake pad
5
progresses, the wear detection probe
1
is exposed to a pad surface of the disk rotor
4
and, accordingly, the folded portion
3
R of the detection wire
3
starts to abrade. When the wear of the brake pad
5
reaches its operating limit, the detection wire
3
is cut and a warning lamp (not shown) signals that the wear of the brake pad
5
has reached its operating limit.
The prior art wear detection probe
1
thus constructed has a problem of high production costs because the detection wire
3
is made integral to the holder
2
by insert molding.
In view of this problem, an object of the present invention is to reduce production costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a wear detection probe for a braking element, in which a detection wire is arranged in a path which substantially folds the detection wire at the front or abrasion end of a holder and extends to the rear end of the holder. Thus, wear of the braking element to its operating limit is detected when the folded portion of the detection wire is cut by a rotor. The wear detection probe includes at least one arrangement groove formed in the holder to extend substantially from the rear end of the holder to the folded portion of the detection wire. The detection wire is fitted or inserted in the arrangement groove. The wear detection probe further includes a restricting means for preventing the detection wire from coming out of the arrangement groove.
Since the wear detection probe is assembled by fitting the detection wire in the arrangement groove of the singly formed holder, production costs can be reduced as compared with the prior art wear detection probe in which the holder and the detection wire are made integral to each other by insert molding.
According to a preferred embodiment, the arrangement groove of the path is substantially formed in the outer surface of the holder. Although the detection wire is arranged in an arrangement groove that opens to an outer surface of the holder, the restricting means prevents the detection wire from coming out of the arrangement groove. Accordingly, the detection wire remains in the arrangement groove.
According to a further preferred embodiment, there is provided a wear detection probe for a braking element, in which a detection wire is arranged in a path which folds the detection wire at the front end of the holder and extends to the rear end of the holder. Wear of the braking element to its operating limit is detected when the folded portion of the detection wire is cut by the rotor. The wear detection probe includes at least one arrangement groove which is formed in the outer surface of the holder. The arrangement groove extends from the rear end of the holder to the location specified for the folded portion of the detection wire. The wire is fitted in the arrangement groove(s), and a restricting means is provided for preventing the detection wire from coming out of the arrangement groove(s).
Preferably, two arrangement grooves are formed, and the restricting means comprises a rib projecting from the rear end surface of the holder in a position to partition two extending portions of the detection wire extending from the arrangement grooves. A slit preferably is formed in the rib and opens in the rear edge of the rib. A connecting member is fitted or fittable through or into the slit and is adapted to connect the two extending portions of the detection wire at the opposite sides of the rib.
The two extending portions of the detection wire extending from the arrangement grooves are engaged with the rib by fitting the connecting member in the slit. Since the slit is open in the rear edge of the rib which intersects with the outer surface of the holder, the connecting member will not be disengaged from the slit. This prevents the detection wire from coming out of the arrangement grooves.
Preferably, the connecting member comprises a heat shrinkable tube, a rubber tube and/or a tube made out of soft resin that is fitted or fittable at least partly on the extending portions of the detection wire corresponding to the slit. Accordingly, the detection wire easily can be prevented from coming out of the arrangement grooves.
The slit preferably extends at an angle different from 0° or 180°, and most preferably substantially normal to the two extending portions of the detection wire that extend from the arrangement grooves.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the path comprises at least one through hole for substantially communicating with two or more arrangement grooves. The through hole is arranged at an angle different from 0° or 180°, and preferably substantially normal to the arrangement grooves and/or normal to the longitudinal direction of the holder. Accordingly, since the arrangement path in which the detection wire is fitted or arranged preferably is bent, a displacement of the detection wire can be prevented securely.
The path may further comprises a communication groove, which is open in the upper outer surface of the holder and which communicates between the upper sides of the through holes.
Further preferably, the folded portion is arranged substantially parallel to the front or abrasion end of the braking element and in a direction substantially normal to an axis of rotation of the rotor.
Most preferably, one or more extending portions of the detection wire extending from the one or more arrangement grooves are arranged at one or more heights being which are different from portions of the detection wire which are arranged in the arrangement grooves.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4318457 (1982-03-01), Dorsch
patent: 5454450 (1995-10-01), Tanigawa
patent: 0 536 006 (1993-04-01), None
patent: 2 485 133 (1981-12-01), None
patent: 2 086 501 (1982-05-01), None
patent: 62-66031 (1987-04-01), None
patent: 6-30543 (1994-06-01), None
patent: 9-032873 (1997-02-01), None
Bartz C. T.
Casella Anthony J.
Hespos Gerald E.
Porco Michael J.
Schwartz Christopher P.
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