Electronic Wedge Brake

Siemens VDO has had a successful start to the testing phase of its Electronic Wedge Brake (EWB) innovation. The braking concept was officially introduced by Siemens VDO in 2005 and internationally renowned brake experts are in the process of confirming the EWB for series production suitability. Targeted for series-production readiness by the end of the decade, the brake-by-wire technology's mechanical brake components are undergoing further optimization. The EWB is the brainchild of Bernd Gombert, who will travel to Munich to accept the Rudolf Diesel Medal for his scientific and business accomplishments to date.

Siemens VDO currently is developing a whole new generation of brakes for possible use in new vehicle models coming to market at end of the decade. The Siemens VDO’s brake-by-wire technology overarching idea is to completely replace all hydraulic brake components. The new braking architecture enables future driver assistance systems to more quickly access the brake and in a more targeted fashion. Automotive manufacturers will be able to take advantage of shorter stopping distances for their new model series, even on ice and snow.

Since the introduction of the new technology, whose origins lie in aerospace engineering, the Siemens VDO engineers have been further developing the system's electronics and mechanics, resulting in a whole series of prototype vehicles that are currently undergoing testing by the automotive supplier. The goal is not just to test the concept and thereby continue to refine it, but also to industrialize it. At the same time, the company is introducing the many possibilities offered by the brake to international automotive manufacturers and renowned brake experts.

The principle of EWB braking is that a brake pad connected to a wedge is pressed between the brake rod and the brake disc. The rotation of the wheel and the friction associated with it, automatically intensify the wedge effect. This means that high braking power can be generated with very little energy expenditure. The connection between the various electronic components of the EWB is handled by a real-time data bus, enabling data rates of up to 10 MBit in both test vehicles and later in series vehicles. This means a lot of room to maneuver in order to direct each individual brake separately in critical driving situations. Redundantly arranged electronic systems ensure that the fail-safes mandated by law for brakes, which are a vehicle component that is important to safety, are satisfied. In the next stages of development, Siemens VDO will further miniaturize and modularize the mechanical components of the brake, as well. This is especially important with respect to the field in which the brakes will be used in the future. After its first series introduction, the EWB, for example, is set for inclusion in every vehicle class, from economy cars up to large trucks, in the medium term.

At the same time, Siemens VDO is conducting parallel research into other by-wire technologies, so that it will be able to make the vision of eCorner, an integrated engine module in every vehicle wheel, a reality in the long term. Further proof of the Siemens VDO team’s potential for innovation and drive to transform visions into reality is provided by the fact that this year’s Rudolf Diesel Medal is being awarded to Bernd Gombert, the driving force behind the Electronic Wedge Brake. The German Institute of Invention grants this award to people who have not only worked on inventions themselves, but have also, as entrepreneurs, used academic research approaches for technical innovations and have ultimately made them ready for the market.