What Is An Electronic Parking Brake Or EPB?

Just about every vehicle on the road is geared up with a parking brake, a hand brake, an e-brake, or an crisis brake. Irrespective of the identify, the parking brake is engineered to dietary supplement the major hydraulic braking system and maintain the car however when the vehicle is turned off and parked. In an unexpected emergency, it may well also be utilised to sluggish the automobile to a quit.

Standard parking brakes acted on the rear wheels. They had been mechanically operated by a long cable routed from the rear brakes to a compact pedal in the footwell or to a hand lever — effortlessly obtainable by the driver. Bodily pushing the pedal or firmly pulling on the lever place pressure on the cable that squeezed the pads (on disc brakes) or shoes (on drum brakes) versus the brake rotor or drum, proficiently halting the rear wheels from rotating.

Inspite of getting a easy and helpful style and design, cable-actuated parking brakes experienced several drawbacks. Initial, a driver could inadvertently go away the parking brake partly engaged and generate away. This would wear down the brake pads, leading to the brakes to be ineffective. Second, pulling the parking brake at velocity would lock up the rear wheels, probably initiating a skid (and a possible spin). Finally, cable-actuated brakes required maintenance as the cable stretched, and lubrication was desired to maintain them working smoothly.

In the latest years, automakers have changed the cable-actuated parking brake with an electronic parking brake (EPB). An EPB is digitally actuated through a small button or switch on the dashboard or console. When activated, an digital control unit (European) indicators an actuator motor to established the parking brake doing away with any bodily effort by the driver.

Automakers are making use of two kinds of EPBs in late-design autos. The initial is a “cable and puller” method, a hybrid of new and outdated engineering. Basically set, it replaces the passenger cabin’s little pedal or hand brake with an electric powered actuator that places tension on the cable. Alternatively of owning a very long thick cable functioning from the cabin to the rear wheels, a tiny electric powered wire is employed to induce the actuator.

The 2nd form of EPB is a “caliper-integrated” procedure. This is a extra innovative strategy, as the cable to the rear brakes is removed. Instead, a compact electrical motor (servo) is placed at each individual brake caliper to lock every single wheel independently. The caliper-built-in process provides automakers versatility as they never have to stress about cables managing by way of the chassis. In addition, the caliper-built-in process may well be programmed to release the brake quickly when the car is put in drive or reverse or set the brake when the transmission is put into park. It can also incorporate a “hill hold” feature, which retains the brakes to avoid rollback if the auto is on a steep incline.

Automakers have embraced EPBs simply because the cable-free style allows them locate the parking brake command pretty much wherever on the dashboard or console. And zero work is essential to actuate them — just a simple force or pull of a button or switch. Additionally, advanced electronics on the car will inform the driver and protect against the car from shifting if the parking brake is engaged.

And really do not fret, as EPBs may perhaps also be utilised in emergencies just like their guide predecessors. If the key brakes are not working, pulling (and keeping) the electronic parking brake swap — even even though the motor vehicle is relocating down the street — will immediately engage major skid-free of charge braking and bring the motor vehicle to a stop!