초록 ▼

A brake condition monitoring system includes a central control receiving signals from each of the several brake actuators mounted on a vehicle. The control receives all of the signals, and sends a single signal to a display in the cab of the vehicle indicative of which of the brake actuators may be

A brake condition monitoring system includes a central control receiving signals from each of the several brake actuators mounted on a vehicle. The control receives all of the signals, and sends a single signal to a display in the cab of the vehicle indicative of which of the brake actuators may be evidencing a malfunction. The signals from each brake actuators are unique such that the control can determine which brake actuator each signal is from. The control is also capable of monitoring conditions other than movement of a push rod. The control can ensure that each of the parking brakes have been fully released, the system can monitor the number of actuations for each of the brake actuators, the system can monitor whether a particular brake has been actuated for a long period of time and the system can act as a self check for each of the sensors associated with the brake actuators by monitoring which brake actuators are actuated to ensure that each of the brake actuators sends a signal indicative of an actuation. The invention further anticipates other conditions may be controlled or sensed. In further aspects of this invention, magnets associated with the push rod are mounted within a flexible sleeve mounted on the push rod. Flexible magnets are used. Switches are mounted in the housing of the brake actuators to monitor movement from the magnets. Several embodiments of systems for incorporating the unique controls into a vehicle are disclosed. The control may be mounted within the cab and associated with the display, or it may be mounted onto the body of the vehicle. In either embodiment, it is preferred that only two signal feed lines lead forwardly to the cab.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A vehicle brake condition monitoring system, comprising:a plurality of brake actuators mounted on a body of a vehicle, each of said brake actuators having a push rod actuatable to apply a brake;sensors associated with each of said brake actuators to monitor movement of said push ro

[ We claim:] [1.] A vehicle brake condition monitoring system, comprising:a plurality of brake actuators mounted on a body of a vehicle, each of said brake actuators having a push rod actuatable to apply a brake;sensors associated with each of said brake actuators to monitor movement of said push rods, and sense a problem condition based upon excessive movement of said push rod;a control box mounted on a vehicle receiving a signal from said sensors of each of said brake actuators, said control box having signal wires from each of said brake actuators attached at a particular location, such that said control box can identify which brake actuator is sending a particular signal, and said control box being operable in response to said signals to determine which of said brake actuator signals are indicative of a problem condition, said control also being operable to send an output signal indicative of which of said brake actuator signals are evidencing problem conditions;a display in a cab of said vehicle, and an output leading from said control to said display; andsaid control monitoring at least one brake condition other than the movement of said push rod, said other condition being whether a parking brake has been fully released.