Thomas Ehret

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.

Elektrische und elektronische Systeme im Kfz

Der Anteil der Elektronik im Fahrzeug stieg in den letzten Jahren stark an und wird auch in Zukunft noch weiter zunehmen. Die technische Entwicklung in der Halbleitertechnik ermoglicht mit der zunehmenden Integrationsdichte immer komplexere Funktionen. Die Funktionalitat der in Kraftfahrzeugen eingebauten elektronischen Systeme ubertrifft mittlerweile die Leistungsfahigkeit der Raumkapsel Apollo 11, die 1969 den Mond umkreiste.

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.

Overview of electrical and electronic systems in the vehicle

The amount of electronics in the vehicle has risen dramatically in recent years and is set to increase yet further in the future. Technical developments in semiconductor technology support ever more complex functions with the increasing integration density. The functionality of electronic systems in motor vehicles has now surpassed even the capabilities of the Apollo 11 space module that orbited the Moon in 1969.