Souce: Global Trailer Magazine
With the advent of autonomous driving, vehicle system architecture is about to be re-written. Currently, the vehicle operator manages the integration of propulsion, braking and steering. To reach full autonomy, Haldex is adamant that the subsystems need to be able to accurately control and communicate for the system to be able to analyze the data and make correct decisions.
System integration, according to Haldex, is the key for autonomous driving to become successful.
System integration requires open communication, according to Andreas Jähnke, senior vice president, R&D at Haldex.
“Today, only selected data of the wheel end performance is shared in the system, even though most of a vehicle’s behavior is determined by the wheel end performance,” he said. “Haldex wants to change that. We fully believe in open systems where the OEM gets full access to the data from the wheel end.
“By developing the brake systems jointly with OEMs, we re-shape the principles for the vehicle system architecture. We know that new and old technology will live side by side for many years. By separating the software from the hardware, you can use the same software functionality to execute different mechanical tasks, hence you can have a vehicle structure which can run both pneumatic and electromechanical brakes.
“We also want to move away from the principle of the [Electronic Braking System – EBS] being a black box that is the central hub for the intelligence in the brake system. To build a scalable system with maximum control and predictability, more technology and intelligence should be placed at the wheel end.”
One of the new products from Haldex that is based on this concept is the Fast Acting Brake Valve (FABV) – it is a high-performance valve, placed at the wheel end together with an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), that is reported to act ten times faster than conventional modular based systems.
The result, according to Haldex, is 15 percent less stopping distance, but also the ability to ensure that the vehicle runs in the path it is intended to, with a stability and predictability not seen with other technology that is available today.
“When replacing the driver, you need redundancy on different levels,” Jähnke said. “We are not unique to provide steering by braking, but our wheel end accuracy with the FABV is unique.”
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