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Anelectronic parking brake (EPB), also known as anelectric parking brake orelectric park brake, is an electronically controlledparking brake, whereby the driver activates the holding mechanism with a button and the brake pads are electrically applied to the rear wheels of the car.[1] This is accomplished by anelectronic control unit (ECU) and anactuator mechanism. There are two mechanisms that are currently in production,Cable puller systems andCaliper integrated systems.[2] EPB systems can be considered a subset ofBrake-by-wire technology.
First introduced on the 2001Lancia Thesis, electronic parking brakes have since appeared in a number of vehicles.
Apart from performing the basic vehicle holding function required of park brakes, the EPB systems provide other functions like automatic release of the park brakes when the driver presses the accelerator or slips theclutch, and re-clamping using additional force on detection of vehicle motion.[2] Further, the hill-hold function, which applies brakes to prevent roll-back when pulling away on a gradient, can also be implemented using the EPB.[3]
Despite electric parking brake systems being a relatively new characteristic in the preponderance of modern production vehicles, many older concept vehicles have also implemented the feature. During the 1980s, many companies across the industry, such asMazda,BMW, andVolkswagen, began to truly experiment with the idea of a fully electric, driver actuated parking brake. Volkswagen in particular was able to first realize this in the form of the VolkswagenFutura concept vehicle, which was presented at theFrankfurt Motor Show in October 1989.[4]
The electric parking brake was first introduced in production vehicles with the emergence of theLancia Thesis saloon car in 2001.[5] BMW began to make use of EPB technology that same year, offering it as an option in their flagship saloon car, theBMW 7 Series. Followed by Ford Motor Companies Lincoln Division's refresh of theLincoln LS Sedan in its 2003 MY. Other German automakers such asAudi and Volkswagen soon followed suit in the form of theAudi A8(2006) andVolkswagen Passat(2008). The use of EPBs has only grown in popularity since then, eventually finding its way into all classes of vehicles. In some markets, the majority of new cars sold feature electric parking brakes as standard equipment.[6]
The implementation of the control logic for the actuators is carried out by either using a stand-alone ECU[7] or by integrating it in the ECU forelectronic stability control.[8]
The design of electric park brakes in the United States should be compliant with: