ZF TRW has recently produced its 60 millionth Electric Park Brake (EPB) motor-on-caliper unit. The technology was first developed at ZF TRW’s global technical center in Koblenz, Germany, and the company also now produces EPB in North America and China.
Manfred Meyer, vice president, ZF TRW Braking Engineering, commented, “The production of our 60 millionth EPB unit marks an important milestone for ZF TRW and highlights the success of our field-proven EPB product portfolio, now in production in its fifth generation. ZF TRW was first-to-market with its EPB system in 2001, which pioneered with Lancia, Audi and VW and has since launched on Renault, Nissan and Daimler platforms, and more recently on the BMW X4 and BMW i8, Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X, Ford F150, Honda Accord, Nissan Qashqai, Range Rover Evoque and more. With our vast experience, we are ideally positioned to further enhance the technology in line with new safety, functionality and cost targets: ZF TRW has exciting development plans for EPB.”
EPB is part of ZF TRW’s ongoing commitment to enhance overall brake system performance and driver safety and comfort. In addition to providing park brake functionality, EPB is a fully integral part of the brake system with features such as dynamic actuation and brake pad wear sensing and reduces the degradation associated with mechanical systems. The EPB also helps enhances safety in emergency situations with full four-wheel, anti-lock functionality versus standard park brake emergency braking only on the rear axle, the company says.
Meyer added, “Because EPB is electronically, rather than mechanically-controlled, it can work with a variety of vehicle systems and sensors. As an example, in the U.S., following NHTSA’s recent FMVSS 111 amendment that will require rear backup cameras, an EPB system could be integrated with the video signal and automatically brake the vehicle if a potential issue is detected.”
The EPB functions as a conventional hydraulic brake for standard service brake applications, and as an electric brake for parking and emergency braking. The EPB system, with its electronic cable and control switches, simplifies routing and allows for greater freedom of design for vehicle interiors, according to ZF TRW.
ZF TRW offers a range of EPB solutions including standard EPB, integrated EPB — which removes the requirement for a separate Electronic Control Unit due to its integration with the Electronic Stability Control system — and EPB for front axles, which can help to make the technology more affordable for a smaller vehicle segments.
