Bendix Unveils Advanced Brake Control at ACT Expo

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Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has showcased its innovative Global Scalable Brake Control (GSBC®) at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. This technology, designed to enhance electric vehicle (EV) powertrains and improve driver assistance safety systems, represents a significant advancement in electronic braking systems (EBS), often referred to as “brake-by-wire.”

Key Highlights:

• Compatibility with Electric Vehicles: GSBC seamlessly integrates with EV powertrains, enhancing braking efficiency and safety.
• Enhanced Driver Assistance: The system supports advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like collision mitigation.
• Regenerative Braking Integration: GSBC prioritizes regenerative braking, extending EV driving range by replenishing batteries during use.
• Consistent Braking Performance: Offers precise control and consistent brake feel across various load conditions.

Bendix, a leader in active safety, air management, steering, and braking system technologies for commercial vehicles in North America, anticipates a broad adoption of EBS in the region. According to TJ Thomas, Director of Marketing and Customer Solutions at Bendix, “Around the globe, EBS is an established and road-tested technology that’s been serving commercial vehicles and drivers for more than two decades. With increased adoption of electric vehicles and the widespread use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like collision mitigation, we see tech like Global Scalable Brake Control becoming widely used in many applications.”

Enhanced Safety for Autonomous Vehicles

GSBC leverages EBS technology to provide a secondary control layer, enhancing braking availability in the event of malfunctions in the primary braking system. This makes it particularly suitable for autonomous vehicles, ensuring high safety standards are maintained.

Integration with Traditional and New Drivetrains

Bendix’s solutions are designed to integrate with both traditional internal combustion engines and new zero-emission drivetrains. The GSBC system supports single, dual, and per-wheel-end electric and hybrid powertrains, facilitating brake blending – the combined use of pneumatic braking with electric engine slowing.

Dan Zula, Director of the Brake Redundancy Product Group at Bendix, explained, “Regenerative braking involves capturing energy at the wheel-end during the vehicle slowdown and sending it back to the vehicle to use for propulsion or heating purposes. It’s a feature most often found in heavy stop-and-go applications, like refuse and delivery trucks. Bendix GSBC prioritizes regenerative braking, which can help extend EV driving range by replenishing the batteries as the vehicle is in use.”

Supporting Drivers Through Safety Technologies

GSBC optimizes technologies like full stability and collision mitigation by providing precise control during every brake application. This system adjusts to meet air pressure needs in different situations, ensuring consistent braking and better balance across different load conditions.

“Pressure applications by the driver are monitored and controlled to ensure the desired brake response while adjusting to meet the air pressure needed in different situations,” Zula said. “And our full-range External Brake Request (XBR) feature integrates with both brake and acceleration control to deliver improved braking with better balance and feel across different load conditions, as well as smoother acceleration. GSBC also enhances the capabilities of automated driver-assist features beyond current ABS technologies.”

Technological Advancements for Various Vehicles

From medium- to heavy-duty trucks to school buses, GSBC ensures drivers do not need to change their brake pedal pressure under different load conditions, providing consistent braking performance, especially at low speeds. The system’s mechatronic design allows for quicker and more precise diagnostics and maintenance, supporting future enhancements in tractor-trailer communications.

“Utilizing cleaner commercial vehicles doesn’t mean sacrificing safety,” Thomas said. “The same leading-edge safety systems Bendix has developed for traditionally powered trucks and buses are just as important and effective when they’re equipped on the electric, hybrid, and alternative fuel vehicles fleets are turning to in an effort to improve the environmental future of our planet.”

GSBC is part of Bendix’s growing portfolio aimed at delivering safety, reliability, performance, and efficiency to fleets and owner-operators, driving lower total cost of ownership and enhancing road safety across North America. For more information about Bendix technologies, visit www.bendix.com or call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725).

About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of Knorr-Bremse, develops and supplies advanced safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake charging and control systems for commercial vehicles throughout North America. Employing over 4,400 people, Bendix is committed to improving vehicle safety, performance, and operating costs. Stay connected through Bendix’s expert resources at knowledge-dock.com and brake-school.com, or follow Bendix on Twitter at @Bendix_CVS. For career opportunities, visit bendix.com/careers.