ZF, which has always been a leader in automotive components, presented a revolutionary model of ZF brake by wire brakes. What’s special about them? Let’s find out now!
No one would say it, yet the brakes are a component of the car that he still has very large refinement margins. Of course, if we think back to drum brakes or the first disc brakes we will realize that giant strides have been made. However, there are those who are convinced that the best is yet to come: ZF in fact presented a new technology during the Next Generation Mobility Day 2023 di Shangai.
This is a braking system that includes a ZF brake by wire system. Although a lot can already be deduced from the name, you might still be surprised by it revolutionary load of this solution. This type of brakes allows you to simplify, lighten, optimize and further economize the construction of cars. But is it also convenient for the end user?
Operation diagram of a conventional disc or drum braking system.
A technology we already know
These new ZF brake by wire brakes present their main strength in construction simplicity: the entire system is divided over the 4 wheels, with no other components under the bonnet or elsewhere. In fact, the system expects the brake calipers to come operated by electric actuators (small “motors”) that allow you to eliminate the pipes, brake pump, brake booster and fluid in one fell swoop. The impulse that activates the calipers is obviously managed electronically, in order to maximize braking distances and wear of consumables.
Doubts about effectiveness? It actually is a technology that we are already experimenting with daily without even realizing it. In fact, the principle of the ZF brake by wire is the same one that has managed the Drive by wire throttle control of our cars. The same goes for electric actuators, which take up the concept of those we already find on our cars the management of the EPB (electronic handbrake), an accessory that is now very widespread and extremely appreciated by customers.
Conventional braking system subjected to heavy stress.
ZF brake by wire “dry” brakes: the advantages compared to traditional ones
As already mentioned, simplification is the winning element of ZF brake by wire technology. But the end user can also benefit from several advantages: let’s not forget that simplification also means greater reliability and practicality. In fact, the system promises further reduced braking distances, with a gain of 9 meters in emergency braking at 100 km/h compared to a conventional braking system.
In addition to this it guarantees a plus efficient energy recovery during braking (on EVs), eliminates residual friction torques and optimizes wear of discs and padsin compliance with future ones Euro 7 standards on gas and dust emissions (we talk about it in detail in this article). All this would considerably reduce maintenance, while at the same time increasing the autonomy of electric cars by up to 17%. ZF has also predicted periodic system updates via cloudin the context of a system of electromechanical devices such as brakes, steering and drive-by-wire suspensions that work in synergy to improve the handling of the car. Will this be the definitive solution to the brake problem? At the moment we can’t yet know but we will certainly continue to talk about it.
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