Bernd Spies, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG with global responsibility for the Commercial Vehicle Systems division: “Knorr-Bremse has been a driving force behind the development of innovative mobility and transportation technologies for almost 120 years. Our safety-critical solutions for trucks, trailers and buses make a key contribution to improving safety on roads around the world. Indeed, road safety is part of Knorr-Bremse’s DNA, motivating us to develop new products or upgrade existing ones. At IAA Transportation, we’ll be presenting technologies that should play a vital role in bringing about an accident-free future for road traffic, as well as other solutions. I very much look forward to discussing them in person with industry colleagues in Hanover.”
Wheel end with modular SYNACT® disc brake family
Knorr-Bremse’s modular SYNACT® disc brake family is the latest outcome of decades of experience in the development of pneumatic disc brakes for commercial vehicles, of which the company has already manufactured over 50 million units. The new product line includes axial and radial brakes, and achieves a whole new level in terms of performance, weight and efficiency. SYNACT saves up to 48 kilograms of weight per vehicle and is one of the most energy-efficient air disc brakes ever designed. The Active Caliper Release (ACR) function also saves fuel and reduces each vehicle’s carbon footprint. Knorr-Bremse already plays a key role at the safety stage of the commercial vehicle approval process, and will expand this role to include emissions – specifically, brake-dust emissions – as EURO 7 is introduced.
Chassis control: GSBC and the electromechanical braking system
The latest, state-of-the-art generation of the Global Scalable Brake Control (GSBC) – representing a global, modular approach to system design – has just enjoyed a successful market launch. The modular design reduces the many different components in conventional braking systems to a single, technical brake control platform, enabling manufacturers to simplify system layouts and save on parts, weight and installation costs. The system supports all key brake control functions such as ABS and ESP, interfaces with cutting-edge driver assistance systems, and helps manufacturers comply with the latest cybersecurity standards. With GSBC, electrically powered commercial vehicles in particular benefit from the integration of drive motors into the vehicle dynamics control loop, extending vehicle range and reducing brake pad wear. Manufacturers opting for GSBC will be able to upgrade it to a high-redundancy system (rGSBC) for highly automated driving (HAD) at cost-efficient prices.As a leader in the development of technologies for safety-critical subsystems, Knorr-Bremse is playing a key role in the evolution of the Electromechanical Braking System (EMBS). The system can replace traditional safety architectures with a new technology offering full “brake-by-wire” capabilities. EMBS is a comprehensive braking solution that includes a redundant electrical power supply, redundant brake control unit and electromechanical brake actuators, as well as a built-in parking brake function. Knorr-Bremse’s new EMBS technology meets the same high standards of safety, reliability and durability as the company’s electropneumatic braking systems. But EMBS offers additional advantages in terms of installation space, noise generation and braking precision.
The Low-Noise Silencer is a silencer that cuts the noise emitted by the release of compressed air from vehicles to just 68 dB(A) – the current standard specifies 72 dB(A). This means that the Low-Noise Silencer is a perfect fit with the needs of electrified commercial vehicles operating in noise-sensitive areas such as city centers.
State-of-the-art steering portfolio
As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of steering systems for commercial vehicles, Knorr-Bremse will be presenting Electric Power Steering (EPS) and Advanced Hybrid Power Steering (AHPS) at IAA Transportation.
The all-electric EPS system supports two of the most important developments in the commercial vehicle industry: electrification and automated driving. Regardless of the underlying drive technology, EPS consistently applies the “power-on-demand” principle to reduce the vehicle’s energy and fuel consumption, which in turn cuts both energy costs and carbon emissions as a whole. Knorr-Bremse’s all-electric EPS also lays the foundations for steer-by-wire solutions – next-generation steering systems with no mechanical linkage between steering wheel and steering actuators.
