Design and Control of an Electric Park Brake 2002-01-2583

The need for convenience and the increasing safety requirements, following the more and more widespread use of power-window units, electronic seat or mirror adjustment and air-conditioning, have finally led to development of the electric park brake. Whereas the basic concept remains the same for all vehicles, in future there will be differences between the vehicle manufacturers concerning the functions and the operating concepts. For this the electric park brake offers numerous possibilities.

As with all new electric systems, when it is first introduced into serial production a direct cost advantage cannot be expected, but in the long term the product has corresponding potential, particularly if it is controlled from one of the chassis control units.

The idea of pulling on the existing brake cables with electric actuators is more than 20 years old. For TRW, installation advantages at equal costs have led the development of a solution, which is integrated in the brake calliper.