Friedrich Kost

Electronic stability program (ESP)

Human error is the cause for a large portion of road accidents. Due to external circumstances, such as an obstacle suddenly appearing on the road or driving at inappropriately high speeds, the vehicle can reach its critical limits and it becomes uncontrollable. The lateral acceleration forces acting on the vehicle reach values that overtax the driver. Electronic systems can make a major contribution towards increasing driving safety.

Antilock Braking System (ABS)

In hazardous driving conditions, it is possible for the wheels of a vehicle to lock up under braking. The possible causes include wet or slippery road surfaces, and abrupt reaction on the part of the driver (unexpected hazard). The vehicle can become uncontrollable as a result, and may go into a slip and/or leave the road. The antilock braking system (ABS) detects if one or more wheels are about to lock up under braking and if so makes sure that the brake pressure remains constant or is reduced. By so doing, it prevents the wheels from locking up and the vehicle remains steerable. As a consequence the vehicle can be braked or stopped quickly and safely.

Fahrsicherheit im Fahrzeug

Neben den Komponenten des Antriebsstrangs (Motor, Getriebe), die fur den Vortrieb des Kraftfahrzeugs sorgen, ubernehmen auch die Fahrzeugsysteme, die den Vortrieb begrenzen und das Fahrzeug abbremsen, eine wichtige Rolle. Erst sie machen das sichere Bewegen des Fahrzeugs im Strasenverkehr moglich. Aber auch Systeme, die die Insassen bei Unfallen schutzen, werden immer wichtiger.

Traction Control System (TCS)

Critical driving situations can occur not only while braking, but also whenever strong longitudinal forces should be transferred at the contact area between the tire and the ground. This is because the transferable lateral forces are reduced by this process. Critical situations can also occur when starting off and accelerating, particularly on a slippery road surface, on hills, and when cornering. These kinds of situations can overtax the driver not only causing him/her to react incorrectly but also causing the vehicle to become unstable. The traction control system (TCS) solves these problems, providing the vehicle remains within the physical limits.