Electric brakes

[Sanjøy]

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/gadgets/wh ... 213567.php



A new braking system set to arrive in two years could dramatically improve the time (and distance) it takes to not go. It's the electronic wedge brake (EWB), and it could heighten cars' stopping power significantly. The system ditches messy hydraulics for an electric motor, which laterally activates a wedge-shaped stopper -- like that of an old horse cart -- through a series of interlocking teeth between the caliper and disc. What's most thrilling for drivers is the faster a car is traveling when brakes are applied, the more powerful the stoppage. Developer Siemens says the system requires one-tenth the energy required in hydraulic braking and can run without incident on a car's typical 12-volt power setup. We'll get a better look at this new mousetrap when the first wedge-equipped car -- an Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Porsche -- hits in 2008. – Mike Spinelli

[Dominic]

I'm scared! I much prefer mechanical / hydralic set up... don't trust wires for things like brakes .....does sound quite good though!

[max1966]

technology is a great thing?

weight saving, probably
expensive, definately
no more brake fluid to overheat, excellent
pedal feel, how will that work?

electronic throttles, gear shifts with no linkages, clutchless shifts, no third pedal, left foot breaking, hmm, are these all a good thing?

if your going to have R&D they'll invent something new whether its a good or bad thing, not always progress

[Rich H]

Right, forgive me (Or flame me if I deserve it!) but braking is all about turning your speed into heat yes? So as far as I can see unless you have new pads and discs (Carbon ceramic etc) it may well give better braking for less energy input (ie pedal effort) but you will still have the same problem with pad and disc overheating and therefore brake fade. Granted you wont get fluid boil and so on but I be this cost a whole packet more than hydraulics for very little gain. Also you will have to have artificial pedal feel (Or none at all!)

R&D with nothing better to do again...

What I want to see developed is electromagnetic brakes. IRRC some lorrys use them already, works along the lines of a shorted out motor. The energy is turned into current which is then used to brake the disc. Still heats everything up but you have the advantage that there is no contact betweent the disc and brakes...

my 2p
Rich

[Uldis]

It will eventually turn up in a Playstation-like drive.
Electronic throttle (drive by wire) exists already.
Electronic steering has been tried but it's just sooo detached from feel that it's awful.
Smae with the brakes.

I have tried to brake in a videogame and I just can't because I can't feel what's going on.

Still, I get the impression the world will go that way eventually.

[tut]

Yep, but meanwhile real Elisers will stick with their S1's, which have electronic nothings, (ECU apart), whilst the rest of the country sit in their rep-mobiles which will not even require a steering wheel anymore, as the car will drive itself.

In other words, they have just invented public transport, so you may as well be sitting in a bus or a train rather than taking up my roadspace.

tut

[Rich H]