This article reports on a Continental Teves compact class demonstration vehicle (the “30m-car”) that uses a control network of selected, in part newly developed chassis systems to show a solution helping “Mr. or Mrs. everyday driver” to shorten their entire stopping distance (normal reaction distance plus brake force build-up distance plus braking distance) in emergency braking situations.
The car is fitted with special concept tires with magnetized sidewalls that communicate with the newly developed SWT (Sidewall Torsion) Sensor, a brake-by-wire electro-hydraulic brake system and an electronic chassis system with controllable airsprings and hydraulic shock absorbers. The driver’s reactions are monitored by accelerator and brake pedal sensors, an ACC distance sensor unit serves to monitor the traffic in front of the vehicle. All chassis subsystems were cross-linked within one control network.
The shortening of stopping distance was effected in two steps: Nowadays the stopping power of vehicles is assessed with the help of the braking distance on a dry surface. Accordingly, the first step was to concentrate on reducing the braking distance from 100 km/h from 38 m to 30 m. This is equivalent to a 20 % reduction. The project name “30-m car” derives from this ambitious aim.
As second step, an enhanced brake assist including driver and distance monitoring systems was developed to shorten overall stopping distance. By networking all chassis subsystems the stopping distance of an average driver in emergency braking situations can be reduced by 20 %.