Haldex outlines new brake platform strategy

By Categories: Commercial News, UncategorizedPublished On: Tuesday 15 February 2022

Trailer technology provider Haldex says its new EBS for trailers, which now controls the parking brake electronically, offers customers a new and modular approach in regard to specifications and application software.

In contrast to previous brake control units, the next generation EB+ 4.0 means that customers can now release the parking brake via an electronic, instead of a pneumatic controller.

This enables Haldex to provide customers with new features, such as the trailer immobiliser, which prevents the brake from being released in the event of unauthorised access; the Safe Parking+ feature, which prevents the parking brake from being released until the compressed air system is completely full and the control line is pressurised; plus an emergency brake override, which prevents automatic emergency braking if the compressed air supply line is interrupted – as long as the semi-trailer is moving and the electrical connection is intact. This is said to increases road safety and minimise tyre wear.

Unlike previous EBS systems, the EB+ 4.0 can be upgraded from the basic unit which, in order to reduce weight and CO2, is now produced from engineering grade plastic. Plus, with the customisation option, essential features with all kinds of requirements and budgets, can be selected accordingly.

In addition to this, a new combined park and shunt valve family, TEM+, is being introduced. The valves can also be configured in such a way that the spring brake is automatically actuated during coupling and uncoupling or pressure loss in the supply line.

The modular design allows users to replace individual elements or upgrade others. Four different EB+ 4.0 versions are available: a basic EBS with two modulators and two-wheel speed sensors with no emergency brake override; a basic EBS with emergency brake override; a premium EBS with two additional electrical interfaces, which can be extended to eight sensors and four modulators; and an additional modulator, which is used to map larger systems.

Whichever specification is chosen, says Haldex, it is based on a flexible design, which doesn’t stop at EBS.

“EB+ 4.0 isn’t just a platform for EBS,” said Alexander Kraus, senior commercial product manager at Haldex.

“It’s also a platform for ABS. Even if one is based on ‘Brake-by-wire’ and the other on ‘Brake-by-Air’, both use the same wheel speed sensors.”

The EB+ 4.0 supports a 12V and 24V voltage supply of the vehicle, thereby making it suitable for customers in all global markets, says Haldex.

This includes Europe with a 90 per cent EBS application, the USA where the demand is for ABS with ‘Roll Stability’, and Asia where a conventional ABS is most common. All three are a similar size, have the same pipe connections, and the chassis mounting interface is compatible with the previous EBS generation.

This simplifies the product range, contributes to a reduction in manufacturing costs and optimises the integration for OEM customers, says Haldex.

Modularity has also been applied to software architecture.  The new software concept separates the safety-related brake control software from the customer-specific application software. This means that, for example, input from the telematics unit could be added with the application programming interface (API).

Haldex cites its flexibility when it comes to implementing such modifications. On behalf of the customer, the company can develop customised functionalities or incorporate customer functions into regular software updates, and a customer-specific release plan can also be agreed.

Importantly, changes like these to the application software – unlike for previous versions – do not lead to the need for new type approvals, says the firm.

This open system architecture not only removes any restrictions during the update process of the system software, but it also speeds up the implementation of desired software changes and the elimination of software errors (Bugfix). It also offers greater customer flexibility when developing digital solutions, says the firm, giving Haldex the competitive edge.

Other new EB+ 4.0 components include the control solenoids of the service brake, pressure modulators with a newly developed relay valve concept and the new electronic control unit with space-saving electrical connections.

All EBS units and peripheral devices communicate via the new diagnostic communication protocol UDS (Unified Diagnostic Services) in the automotive sector and are thereby replacing the previous Keyword 2000 protocol. This change also contributed to a sustainable system design.

The newly developed Diag++ software, with its familiar appearance and developed with Microsoft.Net, includes the system service module, data analysis module Fleet+ and the diagnostic software. The newly developed graphical user interface simplifies the configuration of complex systems, says Haldex.

www.haldex.com