Brake shoe assembly having a brake lining wear and temperature sensor

A brake shoe assembly (14) includes a brake lining (26) and a housing (40) of a brake lining wear and temperature sensor (36). The brake lining (26) has a predetermined thickness which gradually wears away and increases in temperature during a vehicle braking application. The housing (40) is positioned to wear away and increase in temperature concurrently with the brake lining (26). An electrical wear loop circuit (48) is encapsulated in the housing for directing power from a power source (56) to a remote indicator (54) in response to a wear opening in the loop circuit (48). A thermally sensitive switching element (50) is encapsulated in the housing (40) and connected in electrical series with the wear loop circuit (48) for directing power from the power source (56) to the remote indicator (54) in response to the temperature of the housing (40) exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold. In a preferred embodiment, the switching element (50) has a first resistance when the temperature of the housing (40) is below the predetermined temperature threshold and a second resistance which approximates an open circuit when the temperature of the housing (40) is above the predetermined temperature threshold. Thus, when the temperature of the housing (40) is above the predetermined temperature threshold, the second resistance of the switching element (50) directs power from the power source (56) to the remote indicator (54).