Škodapedia
Škodapedia
A New Way of Braking
The Epiq is the first Škoda car with an all-in-one braking solution – OneBox. This allows braking in normal traffic to happen "by wire".
1 The brake pedal, via a brake booster with brake-by-wire technology, allows very precise dosing of the braking effect.
2 The driver uses the pedal to send a request to sensors, which convert it into braking torque.
3 The hydraulic braking torque is generated by an electric actuator (linear motor) inside the brake booster.
4 Brake-by-wire can precisely combine recuperation (recovering energy during braking) and mechanical braking so that the driver doesn't notice the difference.
5 The system also includes ESC stabilisation, which operates within the same control unit.
A Step Towards Autonomous Driving
The integrated OneBox solution replaces the traditional arrangement in the Epiq electric car, in which the brake booster and the stabilisation system module were separated into individual units. Combining them not only reduces weight but, above all, changes the very principle of how the brakes work. They can now operate in normal traffic in a so-called "by wire" manner. The brake-by-wire solution separates the brake pedal from the components that generate the braking effect. Unlike traditional brakes, the pedal is therefore not a direct part of the hydraulic system. OneBox simplifies brake control and is one of the paths towards autonomous driving.
How It Works
1 At first glance, the car has a normal brake pedal. However, it is only connected to a brake simulator, which creates mechanical feedback for the driver's foot and at the same time sends a signal to the control unit about the required braking effect.
2 The control unit receives the signal and determines what share will go to recuperative and hydraulic braking. Depending on current conditions, such as battery state or temperature, it always tries to make the most of recuperation.
3 The unit supplies the rest of the required effect hydraulically using a linear motor, which has replaced the previously common rotary pump. Thanks to this, the car's assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, Travel Assist or parking assistants, can dose the braking effect more precisely.
4 The module also includes the ESC stabilisation system with ABS function. When the anti-lock braking system intervenes, the brake pedal no longer pulses.
26%
Weight saving of the integrated solution compared to the previous arrangement.
Did you know that the Epiq can be controlled using only the accelerator pedal in normal traffic? Once the function is switched on in B mode, the car gradually slows down to a stop when the pedal is released.
Brake-by-Wire With a Backup
The OneBox solution also takes safety into account. In the event of a power failure, the brake pedal is hydraulically connected to the front brakes, which provide most of the braking effect. This allows the Epiq to stop safely even in an unexpected situation.