Brake-by-wire on trial
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Following the unveiling of its electronically operated air brake system (EBS) at last month's Hanover Truck Show, Bendix Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems of Bristol has fitted EBS to a right-hand-drive 38-tonne tractor for UK development trials.
Like the Scania/Bosch ELB system (CM 14-20 May), the Bendix "brakeby-wire" equipment uses electrical signals instead of pneumatic pressure to activate the service brake valves. As a result braking application is almost instant, removing the usual delay as air pressure builds up. It is also said to apply the brakes more evenly, cutting down wear.
According to Bendix, EBS can overcome much of the current difficulty experienced with trac tor/trailer compatibility and will ensure greater stability while braking.
However, unlike the Scania/ Bosch set-up which retains the air system pipework as a back-up in case of an electronic systems failure, Bendix relies exclusively on electronics to provide the activating link between the pedal and the brake chamber valves.
Scania is producing 100 ELBequipped vehicles for artic and drawbar service trials to be run in Germany. If these tests are successful "ELB will become generally available during the midnineties", it says.
1=1 EBS and ELB will both be analysed in CM's Engineer's Notebook 16-22 July.