Electronic parking brake

Functionality

Apart from performing the basic vehicle holding function required of park brakes, the EPB systems provide other functions like automatic release of the park brakes when the driver presses the accelerator or slips the clutch, and re-clamping using additional force on detection of vehicle motion.

History

Despite electric parking brake systems being a relatively new characteristic in the preponderance of modern production vehicles, many older concept vehicles have also implemented the feature. During the 1980s, many companies across the industry, such as Mazda, BMW, and Volkswagen, began to truly experiment with the idea of a fully electric, driver actuated parking brake. Volkswagen in particular was able to first realize this in the form of the Volkswagen Futura concept vehicle, which was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 1989.

The electric parking brake was first introduced in production vehicles with the emergence of the Lancia Thesis saloon car in 2001. BMW began to make use of EPB technology that same year, offering it as an option in their flagship saloon car, the BMW 7 Series. Followed by Ford Motor Companies Lincoln Division's refresh of the Lincoln LS Sedan in its 2003 MY. Other German automakers such as Audi and Volkswagen soon followed suit in the form of the Audi A8 (2006) and Volkswagen Passat (2008). The use of EPBs has only grown in popularity since then, eventually finding its way into all classes of vehicles. In some markets, the majority of new cars sold feature electric parking brakes as standard equipment.

Implementation

The implementation of the control logic for the actuators is carried out by either using a stand-alone ECU or by integrating it in the ECU for electronic stability control.

Standards

The design of electric park brakes in the United States should be compliant with:

• FMVSS 105
• FMVSS 135
• ECE 13H

References

References

1. Hackenberg, Ulrich. (November 2012). "Brakes The Art of Slowing Down".
2. (13 October 2009). "Main Design Factors and Unified Software Structure for Cable Puller and Caliper Integrated Type Electric Parking Brakes".
3. "Electronic Parking Brake".
4. "Ahead of the Time: Highlights from More than Six Decades of Research and Development at Volkswagen".
5. "Oechslers Electric Parking Brake Success Storya".
6. "Most New Cars Have Ditched Manual Handbrakes For Electric".
7. "Electric Park Brake".
8. "VDA".
9. (1 October 2011). "§ 571.105 Standard No. 105; Hydraulic and electric brake systems.".
10. (1 October 2011). "§ 571.135 Standard No. 135; Light vehicle brake systems.".
11. (4 October 2011). "Uniform provisions concerning the approval of passenger cars with regard to braking".