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Electric parking brake: advantages and disadvantages
The electric parking brake is a braking system that is becoming increasingly common in modern vehicles. Unlike the conventional mechanical parking brake, the electric parking brake uses an electric motor to apply and release the parking brake in a vehicle.
In this blog, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of the electric parking brake. We will discuss how this braking system works, the situations in which it may be more convenient than the mechanical handbrake and the impact it has on vehicle maintenance and repair. We will also discuss safety concerns regarding the electric parking brake and how it compares to the conventional mechanical parking brake.
This blog aims to provide useful and relevant information for those considering the purchase of a vehicle with an electric parking brake or who simply wish to learn more about this emerging technology in the automotive industry.
Electric braking systems are braking systems that use electrical power to stop a vehicle. Unlike hydraulic brake systems, which use a fluid to transfer braking force from the pedal to the wheel brakes, electric brake systems use an electric motor to generate the braking force.
These systems are commonly used in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. In these types of cars, the electric motor is used for both propulsion and braking. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the electric motor is activated to brake the vehicle and recover kinetic energy, which is stored in the vehicle's battery for later use.
Electric braking systems can also include additional safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance. These systems use sensors to detect objects in the road and can automatically activate the brakes if they detect a potential collision, which is clearly an advantage.
How a braking system works and its impact on vehicle maintenance
The electric braking system works by using an electric motor to generate the braking force. When the driver presses the brake pedal, a signal is sent to the electric motor to generate the braking force. This force is transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle to bring it to a stop.
In vehicles with an electric parking brake, the parking brake also uses the electric motor to apply the brakes. When the parking brake is applied, the electric motor generates the braking force required to stop the vehicle. In some vehicles, the electric parking brake is automatically activated when the vehicle is switched off or the parking button is pressed.
In situations where the mechanical parking brake may be difficult to apply or may not provide sufficient braking force, such as on steep slopes, the electric parking brake may be more convenient and effective. In addition, the electric parking brake can release automatically when accelerating, which can be a useful feature in heavy traffic.
In terms of vehicle maintenance and repair, the electric braking system may require different maintenance than the traditional braking system. The electrical components of the system, such as the motor and sensors, may require periodic servicing and specialised repair in the event of failure. In addition, the electric brake system may require periodic calibration to ensure optimum performance. It is important to follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance and repair of the electric brake system. Don't hesitate to ask for help, SDT Brakes encourages you to ask us for information so you don't have any doubts.
Advantages and disadvantages of the electric parking brake
The electric parking brake has some advantages and disadvantages compared to the mechanical parking brake. Some of the main advantages and disadvantages of the electric parking brake are as follows:
Advantages:
-More convenience and ease of use: being operated by a button or switch, the electric parking brake is easier and more comfortable to use than the mechanical parking brake, which requires physical effort to apply.
-Greater precision: The electric parking brake can provide greater precision in the application of braking force, which can be useful in situations where fine control of vehicle speed is required.
-Automatic release system: Some electric parking brakes have an automatic release function that automatically activates when the vehicle is accelerated, which can be useful in heavy traffic.
-Additional safety functions: The electric parking brake may include additional safety functions, such as automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance.
Disadvantages:
-Price: Electric parking brake can be more expensive to manufacture and install than mechanical parking brake.
-Maintenance and repair: The electric parking brake may require specialised maintenance and repair which can be more expensive than the mechanical parking brake.
-Less tactile feedback: Some drivers may prefer the mechanical parking brake because of the tactile feedback it provides, which can be useful in situations where greater control of the vehicle is required.
-Less reliable in emergency situations: In emergency situations, such as electrical system failure, the electric parking brake may be less reliable than the mechanical parking brake, which does not rely on electricity to operate.
Comparison between electric handbrake and conventional handbrake
The electric parking brake and the conventional parking brake have some significant differences in their operation and characteristics. Some of the main differences between the two are:
Operation:
The conventional handbrake uses a mechanical system to apply the vehicle's rear brakes, while the electric handbrake uses an electric motor to apply the vehicle's rear brakes.
In the conventional system, the braking force is applied by means of a cable which is manually tensioned by pulling a lever or a button. In the electric parking brake, a switch or button is activated and sends a signal to the electric motor to apply the brakes.
Convenience and ease of use:
The electric parking brake is easier and more convenient to use, as it does not require physical effort to apply.
With the conventional handbrake, it can be difficult to apply sufficient braking force in situations where more resistance is required, such as on steep slopes.
Safety:
The electric parking brake can include additional safety functions, such as automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance.
With the conventional handbrake, the driver may not apply sufficient braking force or may forget to apply the handbrake in situations where it is required, which can result in an accident.
Maintenance and repair:
The electric parking brake may require specialised maintenance and repair which may be more costly than that of the conventional parking brake.
In the conventional parking brake, cables may wear or break over time, which may require replacement.
In general, the electric parking brake can be more comfortable and safer to use compared to the conventional parking brake, but it can also be more expensive to maintain and repair. As mentioned above, it is important to follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance and repair of the handbrake system.