Here's How Brake-by-Wire Works, and Why It's Perfectly Safe

Here's How Brake-by-Wire Works, and Why It's Perfectly Safe

Essentially, a brake-by-wire system controls the brakes electronically. A position sensor monitors how far the driver has pushed the brake pedal, which is used to determine the amount of braking force requested. A control then unit determines how much hydraulic pressure is required, and an electric pump is used to actually generate that pressure and stop the car. Here's How Brake-by-Wire Works, and Why It's Perfectly Safe.

All of which happens in an instant. In some electric cars, like the e-Tron and Porsche Taycan, the brake hydraulics are only activated after a certain threshold is met—light pressure on the pedal may only trigger electric motor regeneration. Here's How Brake-by-Wire Works, and Why It's Perfectly Safe.

These systems allow brake pedal feel to be tailored to certain drive modes. Or as with the new Acura NSX, as brake temperature increases—when temperature increases, the pedal goes long, as it would with a conventional hydraulic system. Neat stuff, though you might be wondering what happens if any of the electronics fail. Here's How Brake-by-Wire Works, and Why It's Perfectly Safe.

As Fenske explains, these systems maintain a physical connection between the pedal and the brakes themselves. If something goes wrong, a valve opens up that bypasses all the electronics, leaving you with a conventional hydraulic system.

So, there's no need to be afraid of brake-by-wire. And oftentimes, it's hard to tell the difference between a conventional hydraulic setup and brake-by-wire. For more, be sure to watch Fenske's video.

such Here's How Brake-by-Wire Works, and Why It's Perfectly Safe.

Source : https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a34224683/how-brake-by-wire-works-safety/