Posted on 04/06/2007 9:20:12 AM PDT by Red Badger
Siemens VDO’s Electronic Wedge Brake (EWB) has shown an average 15% reduction of braking distances on ice and snow compared to vehicles equipped with conventional hydraulic brakes. The automotive supplier achieved these results during intensive testing near the Arctic Circle in Arjeplog, Sweden.
EWB. The brake calipers (1) span the brake disk (2) from two sides. The brake disk is braked by a pad (3) which is moved by an electric motor (4) by several rollers (5) along wedge-shaped inclined faces
The EWB, which will go into series production in 2010, is an important milestone in Siemens VDO’s development of eCorner: a system that integrates the motor, steering, shock absorbers and brakes directly into the wheels of future cars.
Prior to the winter testing, Siemens VDO had only obtained evidence of such improved braking behavior in simulation models. In the winter testing, it took mid-range vehicles with conventional hydraulic brakes, modern ABS and winter tires on average 75 meters on ice to come to a complete stop from a speed of 80 kph (50 mph). On the same test, Siemens VDO’s latest Electronic Wedge Brake (EWB) prototype reached a standstill in 64.5 meters. By the time a EWB-equipped car comes to a complete stop, the hydraulic brake-equipped-car is still traveling at 30 kph (19 mph).
eCorner The wheel rim (1) remains the same. Beneath is the wheel hub motor (2). Braking is via electronic wedge brake (3). The active suspension (4), like the electronic steering (5), replaces the conventional hydraulic system.
In the EWB system, during braking an electric motor presses a wedge connected to a brake pad located between the brake caliper and the brake disk. The rotation of the wheel and the resulting friction automatically reinforces the wedge effect. This results in a very high braking force to be produced with very little effort.
With the successful completion of winter testing, Siemens VDO now is reviewing its gathered experiences to further develop and refine EWB hardware and software. In the future, the wedge bearing mechanism will be driven by a single, highly responsive electric motor. This will allow a size reduction of the by-wire brake module by the time it is ready to go into series production in 2010.
Auto Technology.......
neato
Please stop.
..but of course, electronics never fail, right?..........
I couldn’t resist............
Cool stuff, but imagine Gunther down at the local garage working on one for the first time....
Gunther? You mean Pedro.............
The problem is that people will buy into this technology but still wrap their wheels with cheap $40 rubber.
Tires are one the most important parts of a car (IMHO). You can have ABS, VDC, ‘Crash avoidance” or whatever system but if you don’t have any traction, none of it matters.
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You have 2000 pounds of steel, plastic and fuel speeding along at 60 mph on 10 square inches of rubber............
“..but of course, electronics never fail, right?..........”
The motor on one front wheel fails and you’re instantly end for end.
“The problem is that people will buy into this technology but still wrap their wheels with cheap $40 rubber.
Tires are one the most important parts of a car (IMHO). You can have ABS, VDC, ‘Crash avoidance” or whatever system but if you don’t have any traction, none of it matters.”
I can agree, but on the flip side you don’t need $200 tires either.
I use Falken ZE-512 (made by Srixon) and they’re tops on Cunsumer Reports as well as car and drivers tire list, yet they’re only around $60 apiece with a 60,000 mile warranty.
Gunther and Pedro would probably figure it out! It's Mohammed I'm worried about.
Never heard of this brand....
Too bad Siemens is constantly under fraud investigation...
This neck of the woods sports far more Gunthers than Pedros, your woods may vary.
They’re made by Srixon, other wise known as Sumitomo Rubbers Inc.
They’re a large rubber company in Japan, they’re also in the golf market making golf balls and clubs.
Consumer reports puts them on par with Micheline, Bridgestone, and Goodyear when it comes to quality.
We have Juan Artus.......
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