AUTOBRAKE is an aftermarket system designed to fit all cars, either manual or automatic transmission.
It is observed that on hill slopes, most drivers find it difficult to start from standstill without the vehicle moving back a little and vice-versa, this is technically called the “ROLLBACK’. Also when a driver stops a car at a signal, he/she has to keep the brake pressed to avoid front or back roll. AUTOBRAKE is a very useful system in both the above mentioned situations making driving EFFORTLESS & STRESSFREE.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HILLASSIST©, HILLHOLD© OR HILLBRAKE©:
AUTOBRAKE is very different from the other systems like the HillAssist©, HillHold© or HillBrake©.
The HillAssist©, HillHold© or HillBrake© give the driver a limited period window (typically 3 sec) to release the brake, press the accelerator and start releasing the clutch. Hence in traffic jam situation on a slope, these systems are of limited help. These systems are also not very useful in the city at traffic signals, as the driver has to keep his leg on the brake pedal for the full duration of the signal. Most importantly, all the above mentioned systems are available only in high segment cars, typically above Rs. 10 lakhs.
AUTOBRAKE on the other hand, overcomes both the above mentioned problems in a single system. AUTOBRAKE has an infinite brake hold function unlike the 3 seconds in the other systems, thus it gives a driver ample time to press the clutch and start releasing the clutch. This also makes the AUTOBRAKE very useful for city driving. AUTOBRAKE provides a “Zero Rollback” in any situation, provided the inclination angle potentiometer is set correctly.
VIRTUAL HANDBRAKE:
Many drivers find a major challenge in the co-ordination of the Handbrake release, clutch release and accelerating at the same time. AUTOBRAKE is a “Virtual Handbrake” with intelligence. In fact it’s better than the handbrake as it operates on all the 4 wheels of the car instead of only the rear wheels in case of the original car handbrake. Thus forgetting to release you handbrake is now a thing of the past.
PARTS OF AUTOBRAKE:
1. ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM):
This is the brain of the AUTOBRAKE. It takes the inputs from the car, like RPM, Speed, Brake Position, Accelerator position, etc. Using these inputs the ECM analysis the data and then either keeps the car braked or releases the brake. It is designed to analyze different type of signals coming from different manufacturers.
2. BRAKE ACTUATOR:
It’s an electromechanical device which is the muscle of the AUTOBRAKE system. Actuator is the device that keeps the brake physically applied when the system is working. It has been designed with a lot of care and is tested for 100,000 operations without failure.
3. CONTROL SWITCH:
This is the only visible part of the AUTOBRAKE system. It consists of a potentiometer with an integrated ON/OFF switch. The potentiometer is used for setting the incline angle and the ON/OFF is used to activate or deactivate the AUTOBRAKE system.
HOW IT WORKS:
1. MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS:
When the drivers stops the car on a slope and tries to start from standstill again, most of the time the car will ROLLBACK. Also signals now days are of 3 to 5 minute durations during which time the driver has to keep his/her leg on the brake constantly or pull the handbrake due to the possible inclination of the road. AUTOBRAKE replaces the use of the handbrake by intelligently keeping the vehicle brake pressed or released as the conditions demands.
When the AUTOBRAKE system is activated, the handbrake indicator light on the dashboard will glow, indicating that the AUTOBRAKE brake is activated. Now the driver can relax and remove his leg from the brake without any fear. He/she can even keep the vehicle in neutral gear without fear of roll back. When the driver starts to accelerate, the vehicle will move only ahead if the vehicle is in forward gear and only backward if it’s in reverse gear.
The biggest advantage of the AUTOBRAKE is observed on steep slopes, where even the handbrake is ineffective, as it only operates the rear two wheels whereas the AUTOBRAKE operates on all the four wheels.
2. AMT (AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) CARS:
In an AMT vehicle you have only D (Drive), N (Neutral) or R (Reverse) modes. As there is no P (Parking) mode, hence when the driver stops the car on a slope and tries to start from standstill again, the car will ROLLBACK depending on the degree of the gradient. Also signals now days are of 3 to 5 minute durations during which time the driver has to keep his/her leg on the brake constantly pull the handbrake in the N mode, due to the possible inclination of the road. AUTOBRAKE replaces the need of keeping the vehicle in the N mode and pulling the handbrake, by intelligent keeping the vehicle brake pressed even in the D mode.
When the AUTOBRAKE system is activated, the handbrake indicator light on the dashboard will glow, indicating that the virtual brake is active. Now the driver can relax and remove his leg from the brake without any fear. He/she can even keep the vehicle in D mode without fear of roll back. When the driver starts to accelerate, the vehicle will move only ahead if the vehicle is in forward gear and only backward if it’s in reverse gear. The biggest advantage of the AUTOBRAKE is observed on steep slopes, where even the handbrake is ineffective, as the handbrake only operates the rear two wheels whereas the AUTOBRAKE operates on all the four wheels.
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS:
When the driver stops the car on a slope and tries to start from standstill again, even automatic cars will ROLLBACK depending on the degree of the gradient. Also signals now days are of 3 to 8 minute durations during which time the driver has to keep his/her leg on the brake constantly even if the D (Drive) mode is selected, or pull the vehicle in the P (Parking) mode due to the possible inclination of the road. AUTOBRAKE replaces the need of keeping the vehicle in the P mode by intelligently keeping the vehicle brake pressed or released as the conditions demands.
When the AUTOBRAKE system is ON, the handbrake indicator light on the dashboard will glow, indicating that the virtual brake is active. Now the driver can relax and remove his leg from the brake without any fear. He/she can even keep the vehicle in D mode without fear of roll back. When the driver starts to accelerate, the vehicle will only move ahead if the vehicle is in forward gear and only backward if it’s in reverse gear.
The biggest advantage of the AUTOBRAKE is observed on steep slopes, were even the handbrake is ineffective, as the handbrake only operates the rear two wheels whereas the AUTOBRAKE operates on all the four wheels.