42 ESC INNOVATION
vacuum booster was invented, all combustion engines
generated a high amount of vacuum as a by-product of
the combustion process. Electrifi cation causes a temporary
or permanent loss of motor-generated vacuum. We believe
that the technology of a vacuum-less brake system is
smarter than expending electrical energy to generate
and store vacuum to operate a brake booster. Energy
recuperation created by the generator during braking
can enable extended range or smaller battery sizes for
HEVs. A simulator brake system like the MK C1 EVO allows
100% recuperation.”
Looking further ahead, autonomous vehicles will require
a fully integrated automated dynamics system, and Jokic
says that in conjunction with the steering, the brakes will
remain the most important element of active safety: “Once
the driver hands over the full driving responsibility to the
vehicle, the electronic brake system must be capable of
performing the braking function.”
BEYOND ESC
Technology progresses according to need, and ESC systems
are evolving and being augmented. For example, Audi
has introduced its Electronic Chassis Platform (ECP) in
the e-tron, which works in collaboration with ESC. The
system sees all-wheel drive and brake torque vectoring
combined in a single function for the fi rst time, so that
wheel-selective torque control is managed by the integral
controller of the ECP.
Robin Davies, product affairs manager at Audi UK,
explains, “The ECP is the central control unit for the
VehicleDynamicsInternational.com • November/December 2019
chassis. It records the speed, the height values, the
vertical, roll and pitch movements of the car, the
coeffi cient of friction of the roadway, the current driving
state – such as under or oversteer – and the data of the
involved suspension systems. From these values, it quickly
calculates and precisely coordinates the optimal function
of these components.
“Thanks to the central control, the customer
experiences ride characteristics more distinctly, in
the form of precise cornering, improved dynamics and
a high level of ride comfort.”
ABOVE: Continental’s
MK C1 setup includes an
electrohydraulic by-wire
braking system
BELOW: Audi’s SQ8 features
the ECP central chassis control
unit for vehicle dynamics
management
/VehicleDynamicsInternational.com