ZF has innovatively availed a new brake system(Brake-by-Wire System) scrapping the need for brake fluid. With a unique coupling of electric and hydraulic brake systems, the new ZF Brake-by-Wire System was showcased during its Next Generation Mobility Day in Shanghai.
The company claims that the new Brake-by-Wire System is the first in the market which is a pure electro-mechanical brake system.
Functionality of the New Brake-by-Wire System
In a so-called ‘dry’ brake system, brake fluid is not required any more. Brake pressure is therefore no longer generated by the pressure of fluids in the hydraulic system, but by electric motors. Brake signals from the pedal to the electric motor are also transmitted purely electrically, which is why the term ‘dry brake-by-wire’ is used.
Compared with conventional braking systems, the new brake-by-wire system, like Integrated Brake Control (IBC), enables shorter braking distances, better recovery of braking energy, and lower maintenance costs.
“Our purely electrically controlled braking system is a significant addition to our portfolio of networked chassis systems,” said Dr. Holger Klein, CEO of ZF Group. “With such by-wire systems, we are opening the door to a new era of vehicle control.” Klein added that this is especially true in software-defined and electrically driven vehicles where this type of brake system has even more advantages and open up new freedom in design and development.
Safety Features
During automatic emergency braking, the braking distance at a speed of 100 km/h can be up to nine meters shorter than with conventional braking systems. In addition, electric cars can achieve up to 17 percent more range via even better recuperation of braking energy.
ZF’s new brake system(Brake-by-Wire System) was developed in the company’s China, the USA, and Germany development centre for the global market.
Even though there is no longer a mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the brake actuators, the braking feel is the same as that of a hydraulic brake. The safety of the data transmission and processing as well as the energy supply to the electric motors is ensured by the duplication of all connections and systems, as is also common in by-wire systems in aviation.
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