Analysis丨When braking becomes intelligent, who will be the first to try it out on the eve of mass production?

The core components of fuel vehicles include the engine, transmission and chassis, and the durability and reliability of these components are their main selling points;

New energy vehicles rely on powertrains and chassis consisting of batteries, motors and electronic control systems. These components are key to determining the performance and quality of new energy vehicles.

At present, the time is ripe for the development of large-scale technologies for smart cars, and leading companies such as BYD and Geely have provided new development ideas for other manufacturers.

The intelligence of the entire vehicle is the ultimate goal of the development of smart cars and is also the ultimate challenge faced by automakers in the field of intelligence.

In terms of the current level of technology, the chassis and powertrain can already meet the needs of most users.

In daily use, smart large-scale technology mainly focuses on improving the driving and riding quality and the accuracy of energy control. These subtle changes may not be easily noticed by consumers, so not all consumers are willing to pay extra for them.

The crux of the problem is that many automakers prefer to focus on creating a more intuitive user experience, but invest less in improving the pain points of traditional car use, such as chassis ride quality and driving capabilities.

In addition, consumers' car purchasing needs also affect this phenomenon. For example, despite the poor driving experience and chassis texture, Nissan Sylphy has been the sales champion for many years in a row;

Models that focus on driving experience, such as the Focus, have become niche choices, which has led to few automakers willing to conduct in-depth research and development on chassis technology.

The development direction and current status of intelligent braking

Current intelligent driving systems generally use electronic stability programs (ESP) to achieve vehicle braking and steering control.

However, ESP is essentially a backup system that allows the driver and the autonomous driving system to issue braking commands at the same time. This design is called a non-decoupled solution.

At present, the brake system generally adopts hydraulic mode. From the main pump to the hard pipe, hose, and even the caliper on the wheel side, every material and every connection point may become a risk point for leakage.

Therefore, the industry generally believes that removing brake fluid is the ultimate goal of wire control braking technology.

The principle of the electromagnetic braking (EMB) solution is very simple. By connecting the pedal and the force sensor, after obtaining the brake signal, it directly drives the motor next to the wheel for braking. There is no physical connection in the whole process, and it relies entirely on electrical signals for transmission.

Brake-by-wire technology is divided into mechanical brake-by-wire system (EMB) and hydraulic brake-by-wire system (EHB).

EMB completely abandons the hydraulic braking system and uses electrical energy to drive the brake pads for braking. The electrical energy and signals are transmitted through wires and data cables respectively. It has a simple structure and quick response.

EHB is developed from the traditional hydraulic brake system, replacing some mechanical components with electronic components and combining the electronic system with the hydraulic system.

Compared with the current braking solution, the advantages of EMB technology are obvious. It not only improves safety but also saves energy.

Firstly, the electrical signal can be transmitted to the wheel rim more quickly, resulting in a quicker braking response.

The EMB system has a response time of only 80 milliseconds, compared to the 300 milliseconds response time of a conventional braking system.

This directly reduces the complexity of pedal adjustment because the control range of the electrical signal has been extended from the booster to the entire brake system.

Secondly, the sensors and electronic control units (ECUs) are small and light, which helps reduce the weight of the vehicle and thus increase the driving range;

At the same time, moving the main braking equipment to the side of the wheel can further free up space inside the vehicle.

For automakers, cost optimization and efficiency improvement brought by new technologies are the key driving forces for their development.

Whether it is a traditional braking system or the existing wire-controlled brake technology, the vehicle needs to lay hoses from the master brake cylinder to the four wheels. Every time a new car is developed, a piping plan needs to be designed.

With the EMB solution, there is no need to lay hoses because brake fluid is not required.

Many well-known brands and models have begun to adopt wire control brake technology

Brembo: Launched SENSIFY, an electronic braking system combined with artificial intelligence, which provides individual braking force to each wheel, improving braking performance and safety.

Brembo's SENSIFY system significantly improves the response speed and safety of the braking system through advanced electronic technology and intelligent control, and has broad application prospects, especially in high-performance models.

The BRAKE-BY-WIRE brake-by-wire solution was launched in 2021. Its biggest uniqueness lies in the innovative distributed architecture, with electric brake actuators set on each wheel, making each wheel a relatively independent braking system.

This solution has a faster response speed, with a response time of only 100 milliseconds, which is 1/3 of the response time of traditional brakes. It can effectively shorten the braking distance and improve safety.

At the same time, it also supports customized brakes, and the driver can adjust the braking force and brake feel according to his or her preferences.

In addition, it can integrate a variety of electronic safety functions and intelligent driving assistance functions, and is easier to maintain and more reliable.

Bethel: We have established close cooperative relationships with industry giants such as Huawei, and have made significant progress in intelligent electronic control products such as ABS, EPB, and ESC.

Bethel is the first company in China to mass-produce one-box integrated wire-controlled braking products. This technological breakthrough not only improves braking performance, but also reduces production costs, providing new energy vehicles with a safer and more efficient braking system solution.

Bethel is conducting research on air suspension to accelerate the realization of full coverage of wire-controlled chassis.

After the air suspension is implemented, the value of each vehicle of Bethel's supporting products will increase from 2,000 yuan to 10,000 yuan. This technological breakthrough will further enhance the comfort and performance of the vehicle.

Bethel's technological breakthrough in the field of intelligent braking not only demonstrates the company's strength in technological innovation, but also provides new solutions for the safe driving of smart cars.

Liker Technology: China's first technology company to realize large-scale mass production of one-box brake systems. Its products integrate key components such as transmission vacuum booster, brake master cylinder, and body stability system ESC, supporting all driving assistance functions and autonomous driving functions.

Liker Technology's innovation and technological breakthroughs in one-box braking systems make it highly competitive in the market, especially in the fields of new energy vehicles and intelligent driving.

It achieves a high degree of functional integration, including key components such as transmission vacuum booster, brake master cylinder, body stability system ESC, etc., supporting all driving assistance functions and autonomous driving functions.

Domestic companies such as Nason and Wickensey have also launched their own wire-controlled brake products.

The Onebox 2.0 integrated intelligent braking system launched by Nason in May 2023 adopts fully decoupled braking technology, integrates multiple functions, and has highlights such as high dynamic response, rich integration methods, and support for high-level autonomous driving.

The hydraulic decoupling braking system HDBS of ONE-BOX wire-controlled braking product under Weikesi Technology will also be put into mass production in December 2023, with an estimated annual output of 600,000 sets. It will also sign mass production and designated-point agreements with multiple automobile brands.

In addition to these professional brake system manufacturers, some automobile brands have also gradually introduced wire control brake technology in their new models to improve the braking performance and intelligence level of the vehicle.

Tesla has been actively deploying in the field of automotive intelligence, committed to building highly automated and intelligent electric vehicles.

In terms of intelligent braking, Tesla uses advanced wire-control braking technology and continuously optimizes braking performance through software updates.

Tesla's technological reserves include high-precision sensors, powerful computing power and advanced algorithms to achieve precise control of the braking system.

Its vehicles are equipped with multiple sensors, including cameras, millimeter-wave radars, etc., which can perceive the environment and driving status around the vehicle in real time, and provide data support for intelligent braking.

NIO has also made many efforts and breakthroughs in the intelligent braking system. NIO focuses on R&D investment and continuously explores innovative braking technology solutions.

Its vehicles use an advanced electronic braking system that can intelligently adjust the braking force according to different driving scenarios and road conditions, providing a smoother and more efficient braking effect.

At the same time, NIO has put a lot of effort into user experience, and through big data analysis and user feedback, it has continuously optimized the intelligent functions and performance of braking to meet users' needs for safety and comfort.

The EMB system is currently in the trial and improvement stage

At present, the industry generally expects that 2025 will be the starting year for EMB technology to be mass-produced and applied to automobiles.

Previously, Tesla announced that it would realize in-vehicle application of EMB technology in 2025.

The "front wet rear dry brake-by-wire system" developed by Bethel, a leading domestic brake-by-wire manufacturer, has reached a cooperation agreement with a domestic brand and is expected to be mass-produced and put on the market as early as 2025;

At the same time, brands such as Ideal Auto have also established cooperation with other domestic EMB system suppliers, and mass production is expected to be achieved in 2025.

With large-scale application, the cost of EMB is expected to be lower than traditional braking and EHB systems.

The patent for hydraulic braking has long been held by large international companies. Even after the patent expires, domestic manufacturers are still inferior in the manufacturing accuracy of precision parts.

However, the development of EMB technology has put domestic and foreign manufacturers almost on the same starting line, and domestic manufacturers may even be faster in mass production.

Therefore, the first to try EMB technology may be Tesla or domestic car manufacturers.

The EMB system is equipped with two key components on the wheel side: one is the motor responsible for generating braking force, and the other is the sensor for measuring braking force.

Wheels that are in direct contact with the ground will bring in various impurities such as dust and rain, which may invade the motor and cause failure.

Once the sensor fails, the vehicle is prone to skidding, locking, and in severe cases may even roll over.

On the other hand, the high temperature problem cannot be ignored. This is an issue that consumers are familiar with: brake overheating.

Compared with mechanical components, electronic devices are more susceptible to high temperatures.

In terms of regulations, current regulations do not require the presence of brake fluid. Any braking solution can be put on the market as long as it can stably provide sufficient braking force.

Due to the lack of detailed regulations, no manufacturer dares to take the lead in trying it. It is expected that more detailed rules will be issued as early as 2025 and no later than 2026.

This has an important impact on corporate decision-making. On the one hand, companies need to weigh investment and expected returns to ensure that technological innovation is carried out within an acceptable risk range.

On the other hand, high costs may lead to higher product prices, thus affecting market competitiveness.

Ending:

As technology matures and costs decrease, more and more companies will join the field of intelligent braking.

Not only will traditional auto parts manufacturers increase their R&D investment and production scale, but some technology companies and emerging startups may also get a piece of the pie with their unique technological advantages and innovative business models.

Some references: Electric Vehicle Communication: "Smart Chassis Technology "Waiting for the Wind"", 36Kr Auto: "When Braking Becomes "Smart", the Dilemma of Safety Bottom Line"

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