TRW Automotive has announced that it has won the first OEM contracts for its integrated Electric Park Brake (EPBi) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. The combined system will launch in Europe and China with vehicle platforms in the C, D, E, and MPV segments from “major vehicle manufacturers” commencing in 2014, and later in North America. The new vehicle platforms will feature TRW’s EBC460 slip control technology – its most advanced ESC which incorporates a number of upgrades.
The integration of the two technologies eliminates the need for a separate electronic control unit in the system network, as the EPB control functions are performed within the upgraded ESC electro-hydraulic control unit. Josef Pickenhahn, TRW Vice President Engineering, Braking, said: “We can realise significant benefits when integrating the two technologies: reducing system complexity, weight and installation effort, in addition to offering vehicle manufacturers a potential cost reduction resulting from the elimination of the ECU.”
EPB and EPBi include additional functions such as drive away assist, automatic hill hold and electronically controlled deceleration – features not available with conventional mechanical park brake systems.
