| 摘要 |
A brake lining wear indicator utilizes a temperature sensor assembly (36) embedded in a brake lining (26) of a drum brake assembly (1b). The temperature sensor assembly includes two temperature sensors (38, 40) with a first temperature sensor located at a first distance (x) from the wear surface (32) of the brake lining and a second temperature sensor (40) located at a second distance (x+d) greater than the first distance from the wear surface. A timing device measures the time period (t1) for the first temperature sensor to reach a first predetermined temperature, temperature change, or percentage change in temperature and also measures the time period (t2) for the second temperature sensor to reach a second predetermined temperature. The remaining useful thickness of the brake lining is determined based on the ratio of the respective time periods (t1, t2). Thus, the indicator provides a time-temperature based determination of when the brake linings should be replaced. This determination is easily monitored during the operation of the vehicle and can be made without requiring a physical measurement or visual inspection of the thickness of the brake lining on each brake shoe (14, 16).
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