electronic parking brake
{{short description|Parking brake}}
File:2013 Volkswagen Golf Variant (10186100644).jpg in a Volkswagen Golf Variant]]
An electronic parking brake (EPB), also known as an electric parking brake or electric park brake, is an electronically controlled parking brake, whereby the driver activates the holding mechanism with a button and the brake pads are electrically applied to the rear wheels.{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2012/11/VIAVISION_No_09_November_2012.bin.html/binarystorageitem/file/VIAVISION_GB.pdf |title=Brakes The Art of Slowing Down |last=Hackenberg |first=Ulrich |date=November 2012 |website=www.volkswagenag.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219001633/http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2012/11/VIAVISION_No_09_November_2012.bin.html/binarystorageitem/file/VIAVISION_GB.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2013 |access-date=21 May 2020}} This is accomplished by an electronic control unit (ECU) and an actuator mechanism. There are two mechanisms that are currently in production, Cable puller systems and Caliper integrated systems.{{cite web|url=http://www.sae.org/events/bce/presentations/2009/jscheon.pdf |title=Main Design Factors and Unified Software Structure for Cable Puller and Caliper Integrated Type Electric Parking Brakes |last1=Cheon |first1=J.S |last2=Jeon |first2=J.W. |last3=Jung |first3=H.M. |last4=Park |first4=I.U. |last5=Park |first5=C.H. |last6=Yeo |first6=T.-J. |date=13 October 2009 |website=www.sae.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219013217/http://www.sae.org/events/bce/presentations/2009/jscheon.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2013 |access-date=21 May 2020}} EPB systems can be considered a subset of Brake-by-wire technology.
First installed in the 2001 Lancia Thesis, electronic parking brakes have since appeared in a number of vehicles.
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. Further, the hill-hold function, which applies brakes to prevent roll-back when pulling away on a gradient, can also be implemented using the EPB.{{cite web |url=http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/parking-and-manoeuvring/electronic-parking-brake|title=Electronic Parking Brake |website=www.volkswagen.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006064042/http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/parking-and-manoeuvring/electronic-parking-brake |archive-date=6 October 2013 |access-date=21 May 2020}}
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.{{cite web | title = Ahead of the Time: Highlights from More than Six Decades of Research and Development at Volkswagen | url = https://mb.cision.com/Public/12769/2577705/b7f80ee21dc93695.pdf | website = mb.cision.com | access-date = 8 June 2024 }}
The electric parking brake was first introduced in production vehicles with the emergence of the Lancia Thesis saloon car in 2001.{{cite web| title = Oechslers Electric Parking Brake Success Storya | url = https://www.oechsler.com/en/use-cases/oechslers-electric-parking-brake-success-story | website = oechslers.com | access-date = 9 June 2024 }} 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 to all vehicles, class notwithstanding.
Implementation
The implementation of the control logic for the actuators is carried out by either using a stand-alone ECU{{cite web|url=http://www.trw.com/braking_systems/electric_park_brake |title=Electric Park Brake |website=www.trw.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219031146/http://www.trw.com/braking_systems/electric_park_brake |archive-date=19 December 2013 |access-date=21 May 2020}} or by integrating it in the ECU for electronic stability control.{{cite web|url=http://vda.de/|title=VDA|publisher=}}
Standards
The design of electric park brakes in the United States should be compliant with:
- FMVSS 105{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2011-title49-vol6/pdf/CFR-2011-title49-vol6-sec571-105.pdf |title=§ 571.105 Standard No. 105; Hydraulic and electric brake systems. |date=1 October 2011 |access-date=21 May 2020 |website=www.govinfo.gov}}
- FMVSS 135{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2011-title49-vol6/pdf/CFR-2011-title49-vol6-sec571-135.pdf |title=§ 571.135 Standard No. 135; Light vehicle brake systems. |date=1 October 2011 |access-date=21 May 2020 |website=www.govinfo.gov}}
- ECE 13H{{cite web|url=http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/R13hr2e.pdf |title=Uniform provisions concerning the approval of passenger cars with regard to braking |date=4 October 2011 |access-date=21 May 2020 |website=www.unece.org}}