Claims:We claim:
1. A brake pad, comprising:
a rigid portion (101);
a wearable portion (102) in contact with the rigid portion (101); and
a probe inserted in a first hole (104) defined in the rigid portion (101) and extending to a part of the wearable portion (102), and a second hole (105) defined in a remaining part of the wearable portion (102), wherein the first hole (104) and the second hole (105) are coaxial,
wherein the probe is configured to:
contact a brake disc when the wearable portion (102) is worn for a predetermined amount; and
generate a signal indicating wear of the brake pad (100).

2. The brake pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein diameter of the first hole (104) is different from diameter of the second hole (105).

3. The brake pad as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second hole (105) is one of a counterbore and a countersink of the first hole (104).

4. The brake pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises an insulation washer configured to hold the probe in the first hole (104) and the second hole (105).

5. An alerting system for indicating wear of a brake pad (202) in a vehicle, the alerting system (201) comprising:
a brake pad wear indication unit (204) associated with the brake pad (202), wherein the brake pad wear indication unit (204) is configured to generate a signal when the brake pad (202) is worn for a predetermined amount;
an alerting unit (205) coupled with the brake pad wear indication unit (204), said alerting unit (205) configured to provide an alert for indicating wear of the brake pad (202), upon receiving the signal; and
a relay circuit (206) coupled with a starter unit (203) of the vehicle and the brake pad wear indication unit (204), wherein the relay circuit (206) is configured to perform steps of:
receiving the signal from the brake pad wear indication unit (204); and
disconnecting power supply to the starter unit (203), if trigger for cranking is detected, upon receiving the signal.

6. The alerting system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the relay circuit (206) switches from close state to open state to disconnect the power supply.

7. A method for indicating wear of a brake pad (202) in a vehicle, the method comprising:
generating, by a brake pad wear indication unit (204) of an alerting system (201), a signal when the brake pad (202) is worn for a predetermined amount;
providing, by an alerting unit (205) of the alerting system (201), an alert for indicating wear of the brake pad (202), upon receiving the signal; and
disconnecting, by a relay circuit (206) of the alerting system (201), a power supply to a starter unit (203) of the vehicle, if trigger for cranking is detected, upon receiving the signal.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the relay circuit (206) switches from close state to open state to disconnect the power supply.

9. A vehicle comprising an alerting system (201), as claimed in claim 5, for indicating wear of a brake pad (202).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates in general to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to monitoring status of a brake pad in a vehicle. Further embodiments of the present disclosure disclose system and a method for indicating wear of the brake pad in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Generally, vehicles are employed with service brakes to slow down or halt the vehicle from the moving condition. Conventionally, the vehicles are equipped with various braking systems such as drum brakes, disc brakes and the like. A typical braking system in a vehicle may include brake components such as brake pad and a brake disc among other components, to achieve the braking. Lifespan of the brake components may depend on a wide set of factors, including type of brake pad, material of the brake pad, frequency of braking, quality of brake pad and so on. It is necessary to replace the brake pad upon wearing, to maintain braking effect and stability of the braking system. The worn brake pad, if not replaced, not only reduces the braking effect, but may also lead to other issues such as leakage of brake fluid which may result in complete brake failure in the vehicle.

Conventionally, wear of the brake pad in a vehicle will be identified by maintenance personnel during servicing of the vehicle. Such identification may be based on manual inspection and experience of the maintenance personnel. If the maintenance personnel overlooks or ignores wear of the brake pad, then the brake pad may fail during working condition of the vehicle. Such instances are not desirable in vehicles, particularly for the vehicles running in hostile conditions of roads or working environments.

With advancements in the technology, one or more techniques have been disclosed in the art to detect wearing of the brake pad in the braking system. One of the techniques disclose to include colored visual indicator dyes at a predetermined depth from wear surface of the brake pad. By this, a colored brake dust may be emitted onto an outside surface of a wheel rim to alert a driver, when the brake pad is wearing. In another technique, a wear indicating recess may be formed in contact line of the brake disc when the brake pad is worn. By this, the driver or the maintenance personnel may identify wear of the brake pad by touching the brake disc. However, indication of wear of brake pad using such techniques may be least noticeable. Also, such techniques may not be suitable for an unexperienced driver.

Other techniques known in the art may include a sensor unit coupled in the brake pad to detect wearing of the brake pad when the sensor unit contacts the brake disc. Mere indication of the wear of the brake pad may not be sufficient, as there may be chances that the driver may ignore the indication, resulting in further damage of the braking system. Other techniques include to slow down speed of the vehicle when wear of brake pad is detected. This may be achieved by coupling the brake disc with sim in backing plate of brake pad. However, the driver may not be able to identify the reason for change in the speed of the vehicle and the worn brake pad may be not replaced until complete damage has occurred.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more problems stated above, or any other limitation associated with the conventional arts.

The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a system and a method as disclosed and additional advantages are provided through the system and the method as described in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a brake pad comprising a rigid portion, a wearable portion and a probe. The wearable portion is in contact with the rigid portion. The probe inserted in a first hole defined in the rigid portion and extending to a part of the wearable portion and a second hole defined in a remaining part of the wearable portion. The first hole and the second hole are coaxial. The probe is configured to contact a brake disc when the wearable portion is worn for a predetermined amount and generate a signal indicating wear of the brake pad.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to an alerting system for indicating wear of a brake pad in a vehicle. The alerting system comprises a brake pad wear indication unit, an alerting unit and a relay circuit. The brake pad wear indication unit is associated with the brake pad and is configured to generate a signal when the brake pad is worn for a predetermined amount. The alerting unit is coupled with the brake pad wear indication unit and is configured to provide an alert for indicating wear of the brake pad, upon receiving the signal. The relay circuit is coupled with a starter unit of the vehicle and the brake pad wear indication unit. The relay circuit is configured to receive the signal from the brake pad wear indication unit and disconnect power supply to the starter unit, if trigger for cranking is detected, upon receiving the signal.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further discloses a method for indicating wear of a brake pad in a vehicle. The method includes generating, by a brake pad wear indication unit of an alerting system, a signal when the brake pad is worn for a predetermined amount. The method also includes providing, by an alerting unit of the alerting system, an alert for indicating wear of the brake pad, upon receiving the signal. The method then disconnects a power supply to a starter unit of the vehicle, if trigger for cranking is detected, upon receiving the signal.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and regarding the accompanying figures, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b illustrate schematic representations of a brake pad, in accordance with some embodiments of present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of an alerting system for indicating wear of a brake pad in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of present disclosure;

Figure 3a illustrates a circuit diagram of the alerting system of Figure 2 showing close state of relay circuit, in accordance with some embodiments of present disclosure;

Figure 3b illustrates a circuit diagram of the alerting system of Figure 2 showing open state of relay circuit, in accordance with some embodiments of present disclosure; and

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for indicating wear of a brake pad in a vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of present disclosure.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

The terms “includes”, “including”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that includes a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “includes… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Present disclosure discloses a cost-effective and technically improved solution for detecting wear of a brake pad in a vehicle. A brake pad along with a probe to detect wear of the brake pad is disclosed. The probe is inserted in first hole defined in rigid portion of the brake pad and extended to a part of wearable portion of the brake pad. The probe is further inserted to the second hole in remaining part of the wearable portion. The probe is configured to generate a signal, indicating wear of the brake pad, when the probe contacts the brake disc. Further, an alerting system and a method for indicating wear of the brake pad is disclosed. The alerting system is configured to disconnect power supply to starter unit of the vehicle, using a relay circuit, when the signal is received. By which, the vehicle does not start when the trigger for cranking is detected. The alerting system also includes an alerting unit configured to provide alert in the vehicle for indicating wear of the brake pad. The present disclosure helps in avoiding unwanted incidents which may occur when the vehicle is running even after the brake pad is worn.

Figures 1a and 1b illustrate schematic representations of the brake pad, in accordance with some embodiments of present disclosure. Consider the brake pad 100, the brake pad 100 comprising a rigid portion 101, a wearable portion 102 and a probe 103. The wearable portion 102 is in contact with the rigid portion 101 to form assembly of the brake pad 100. The rigid portion 101 may be made of any material such that the rigid portion 101 is configured to hold the wearable portion 102. In an embodiment, the rigid portion 101 may be one of metallic and ceramic or any other composite material which serve the purpose. The wearable portion 102 is configured to get in contact with a brake disc of the braking system, when a driver of the vehicle applies brake. In an embodiment, the wearable portion 102 may be made of up of any wearable material such as, but is not limited to, asbestos material, fiber, rubber, carbon and Kevlar. The wearable portion 102 as known in the art may generate a friction when in contact with the brake disc for applying brake. The frictional contact between the wearable portion 102 and the brake disc may result in wear of the wearable portion 102. Once, the wearable portion 102 wears for a predetermined amount, the brake pad 100 needs to be replaced to maintain the braking effect in the vehicle. The brake pad 100 of the present disclosure is employed with an arrangement to indicate wearing of the wearable portion 102.

In an implementation, a first hole 104 may be defined in the rigid portion 101 and is extending to a part of the wearable portion 102. A second hole 105 may be defined in a remaining part of the wearable portion 102. The first hole 104 and the second hole 105 are coaxial as shown in the Figures 1a and 1b. Also, diameter of the first hole 104 is different from diameter of the second hole 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the first hole 104 may be of 3 Millimeter (mm) diameter. In an embodiment, the second hole 105 may be a counterbore of the first hole 104. Figure 1a illustrates the second hole 105 as the counterbore of the first hole 104. The second hole 105 may be a flat-bottomed hole to be the counterbore. In such case, in an embodiment, the second hole 105 may be of 6 mm diameter. In an embodiment, the second hole 105 may be a countersink of the first hole 104. Figure 1b illustrates the second hole 105 as the countersink of the first hole 104. The second hole 105 may be a conical hole to be the countersink. One or more techniques, known in the art, may be employed for defining the first hole 104 and the second hole 105 in the brake pad 100.

The probe 103 in the brake pad 100 may be a metallic probe which is configured to generate an electric signal when in contact with a metallic surface. The probe 103 in the present disclosure may be configured to generate a signal indicative of wear of the brake pad 100, when the probe 103 comes in contact with the brake disc (not shown in the figure). In an embodiment, the probe 103 may include a lead, an insulated wire and a socket to generate the signal. In an embodiment, the probe 103 is inserted completely in the first hole 104 and in a portion of the second hole 105. The portion of the second hole 105 may be selected such that, the probe 103 contacts the brake disc only when the wearable portion 102 is worn for a predetermined amount. Thereby, the signal is generated when the wearable portion 102 is worn for the predetermined amount. As an example, the predetermined amount may be in range of 80% to 95% of the wearable portion 102. In an embodiment, the predetermined amount may be selected based on one or more parameters. The one or more parameters may be associated with at least one of the vehicle, braking system of the vehicles, brake pad and so on. In an embodiment, the lead of the probe 103 may be positioned in the second hole 105 such that the lead may contact the brake disc and generate the signal. The insulated wire may be configured to transmit the signal via the socket to an alerting system. In an embodiment, the alerting system may use the signal to indicate the wear of the brake pad, in the vehicle. The signal may be provided to any system, known to a person skilled in the art, for alerting wear of the brake pad in the vehicle.

Further, in an embodiment, the brake pad 100 may include an insulation washer 106 configured to hold the probe 103 in the first hole 104 and the second hole 105. In an embodiment, the insulation washer 106 may be placed at an end of the second hole 105, as shown in the Figures 1a and 1b respectively, to hold the probe 103. The insulation washer 106 may be of any structure, known in the art, to hold the probe 103. In an embodiment, the brake pad 100, disclosed in the present disclosure, may be fitted in front left brake caliper of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the insulation washer 106 may be a nut which is press fitted in the second hole 105, such that the probe 103 is held in place. The diameter of the second hole 105 is made bigger than the first hole 104 to receive the insulation washer 106. In an embodiment, the insulation washer may be placed in the first hole 104 by increasing the diameter of the first hole 104.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of an alerting system for indicating wear of the brake pad in the vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of present disclosure.
The environment 200 includes the alerting system 201, a brake pad 202 and a starter unit 203 associated with a vehicle. In an embodiment, the environment 200 may be relating to the vehicle. The brake pad 202 of the vehicle may be associated with braking system of the vehicle. The starter unit 203 may be configured to start the vehicle when trigger for cranking is received. The alerting system 201 is configured to indicate wear of the brake pad 202 in the vehicle. The alerting system 201 includes a brake pad wear indication unit 204, an alerting unit 205 and a relay circuit 206 for the indication. The brake pad wear indication unit 204 may be associated with the brake pad 202. In an embodiment, the brake pad wear indication unit 204 may be configured to generate a signal when the brake pad 202 is worn for a predetermined amount. In an embodiment, the brake pad wear indication unit 204 may be integral part of the brake pad 202. One or more techniques, known to a person skilled in the art, may be implemented for detecting wear of the brake pad and generating the signal. In an embodiment, the brake pad 100, illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b, may be implemented function as the break wear indication unit 204 and the brake pad 202, to generate the signal.

The alerting unit 205 may be coupled with the brake pad wear indication unit 204. In an embodiment, the alerting unit 205 may be configured to provide an alert for indicating wear of the brake pad 202, upon receiving the signal. Any alerting means, known in the art, may be implemented for providing the alert. In an embodiment, the alerting unit 205 may be included in dashboard section of the vehicle to indicate wear of the brake pad 202. In an embodiment, the alerting unit 205 may include at least one of an audio signaling device and a Light Emitting Diode (LED) device for the indication. The audio signaling device may be a piezo-buzzer which is configured to provide audio alert upon receiving the signal from the brake pad wear indication unit 204. In an embodiment, the alerting unit 205 may be configured to provide alert in form of a notification which may be sent to the driver or owner of the vehicle. The notification may be in form of, but is not limited to, a text message, email, audio, visual and so on, indicating the wear of the brake pad 202.

Further, the relay circuit 206 in the alerting system 201 may be coupled with the starter unit 203 and the brake pad wear indication unit 204. The relay circuit 206 may be configured to function as a switch to control power supply provided to the starter unit 203, based on the signal generated by the brake pad wear indication unit 204. In an exemplary embodiment, a five-point relay may be implemented as the relay circuit 206 in the present disclosure. The relay circuit 206 may receive the signal from the brake pad wear indication unit 204 and disconnect the power supply to the starter unit 203, if trigger for cranking is detected. Exemplary circuit of the alerting system 201 for disconnecting and connecting the power supply to the starter unit 203 is illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b. In an embodiment, the relay circuit 206 may be operated in one of open state and close state to control the power supply.

Figure 3a illustrates a circuit diagram of the alerting system 201 of Figure 2 showing close state of the relay circuit 206. Figure 3b illustrates a circuit diagram of the alerting system 201 of Figure 2 showing open state of the relay circuit 206. Consider a five-point relay is implemented as the relay circuit 206 in the alerting system 201. In an embodiment, the starter unit 203 in the vehicle may include, but is not limited to, a starter motor 301, a battery unit 302, an ignition switch 303 and an ignition fuse unit 304. Consider an ideal condition is when the brake pad 202 is not worn for the predetermined amount. The relay circuit 206 may be operated in the close state at the ideal condition, i.e., when the signal indicating wear of the brake pad 202 is not generated. Referring to Figure 3a, at the ideal condition, when a trigger for cranking of the vehicle is detected, current from one terminal of the battery unit 302 may be provided to the ignition switch 303. The current from the battery unit 302 may be diverted to the starter motor 301 as well. A body ground connection may be established between the starter motor 301 and other terminal of the battery unit 302. Further, the ignition switch 303 is connected to the ignition fuse unit 304 and the relay circuit 206. The ignition fuse unit 304 may be connected to the alerting unit 205 and the relay circuit 206. A connection between the alerting unit 205 and the relay circuit 206 may also be established. In an embodiment, said connections in the alerting system 201 may be established via an insulated wire. When the vehicle is started through the ignition switch 303, the current flows to the relay circuit 206 which is in the close state. The relay circuit 206 provides power supply to solenoid of the starter motor 301. By this, the vehicle starts without any interruption.

Consider, a non-ideal condition to be when the brake pad 202 is worn for the predetermined amount. For example, consider the brake pad 202 is worn for 90%. The brake pad wear indication unit 204 may be configured to generate a signal indicating wear of the brake pad 202. The relay circuit 206 may be operated in the open state at the non-ideal condition, i.e., when the signal indicating wear of the brake pad 202 is generated. Referring to Figure 3b, at the non-ideal condition, the relay circuit 206 switches from the close state to the open state, upon receiving the signal from the brake pad wear indication unit 204. When a trigger for cranking of the vehicle is detected, current from the battery unit 302 may pass through the ignition switch 303 to the relay circuit 206. Since, the relay circuit 206 is switched from the close state to the open state, the current is diverted towards the alerting unit 205 as shown in Figure 3b. Thereby, the power supply to the starter motor 301 is disconnected. The starter motor 301 may not work and start of the vehicle may be interrupted. In the present disclosure, interruption of start of the vehicle along with the indication by the alerting unit 205 may help the driver to identify that the brake pad 202 is worn.

Consider a running condition to be when the vehicle is running. When the brake pad 202 is worn for the predetermined amount at the running condition, the signal generated by the brake pad wear indication unit 204 may be provided to the alerting unit 205 to indicate wear of the brake pad 202. At the running condition, the relay circuit 206 is operated in the close state until the trigger for cranking is detected. The power supply to the starter unit 203 is disconnected during next start of the vehicle only, if the indication is ignored and the brake pad 202 is not replaced.

In an embodiment, the alerting system 201 may provision the driver with means to start the vehicle upon interruption of start of the vehicle at the non-ideal state. By which, the driver may drive the vehicle to maintenance personnel in order to replace the brake pad 202. In such scenarios, at least one of distance and time, travelled by the vehicle may be monitoring. When at least one of the distance and the time reaches a threshold, the driver may be warned regarding the wear of the brake pad 202. One or more techniques, known in the art, may be implemented for monitoring the vehicle and warn the driver.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for indicating wear of the brake pad 202 in the vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of present disclosure.

At block 401, the alerting system 201 may be configured to monitor wear of the brake pad 202 in the vehicle. In an embodiment, the brake pad 202 comprising the rigid portion 101, the wearable portion 102 and the probe 103 may be used in a vehicle for monitoring and detecting wear of the brake pad 202.

At block 402, the alerting system 201 may be configured to check if the brake pad 202 is worn for a predetermined amount. Step in block 403 may be performed, when the brake pad 202 is worn for the predetermined amount. Step in block 401 may be repeated, when the brake pad 202 is not worn the predetermined amount.

At block 403, upon the detection of wearing of the brake pad 202 for the predetermined amount, the alerting system 201 may be configured to generate a signal indicating wear of the brake pad 202.

At block 404, the alerting system 201 may be configured to provide an alert for indicating wear of the brake pad 202, upon receiving the signal. In an embodiment, the alerting unit 205 in the alerting system 201 may be configured to provide the alert.

At block 405, the alerting system 201 may be configured to monitor to detect trigger for cranking of the vehicle, upon receiving the signal.

At block 406, the alerting system 201 may be configured to check if trigger for cranking is detected. Step in block 407 may be performed, when the trigger for cranking is detected. Step in block 405 may be repeated, when trigger for cranking is not detected.
At block 407, the alerting system 201 may be configured to disconnect the power supply to the starter unit 203 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the relay circuit 206 in the alerting system 201 may be used for disconnecting the power supply.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the method 400 may include one or more blocks for executing processes in the alerting system 201. The method 400 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

The order in which the method 400 are described may not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provisions timely detection of wearing of brake pad which helps in reducing chances of brake failure in a vehicle. By this, additional cost arising out of aggravated brake condition may also be reduced.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a less complex and smart mechanism to address for detection of wearing of brake pad in a vehicle. Due to lesser complexity, load on battery of the vehicle is negligible.

An embodiment of the present disclosure helps in avoiding undesired incidents which may occur due to running of vehicle when brake pad is worn. This may be achieved by not allowing cranking of the vehicle when wear of brake pad is detected.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in any industrial applications such as windmills, mills and so on, which use brake pad, to indicate wear of the brake pad.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the invention need not include the device itself.

The illustrated operations of Figure 4 shows certain events occurring in a certain order. In alternative embodiments, certain operations may be performed in a different order, modified, or removed. Moreover, steps may be added to the above described logic and still conform to the described embodiments. Further, operations described herein may occur sequentially or certain operations may be processed in parallel. Yet further, operations may be performed by a single processing unit or by distributed processing units.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Referral numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 Brake pad
101 Rigid portion
102 Wearable portion
103 Probe
104 First hole
105 Second hole
106 Insulation washer
200 Environment
201 Alerting system
202 Brake pad
203 Starter unit
204 Brake pad wear indication unit
205 Alerting unit
206 Relay circuit
300a Alerting system in close state of relay circuit
300b Alerting system in open state of relay circuit
301 Starter motor
302 Battery unit
303 Ignition switch
304 Ignition fuse unit