If you take a look, most modern cars employ disc brakes: a rotor attached to an axle with a caliper with brake pads attached to the control arm on each wheel. The driver presses the brake pedal and the hydraulic fluid is pushed to the caliper, pushing the brake pads against the rotor, slowing the rotation of the rotor connected to the axle, and therefore slowing the wheel.
There are other systems, such as drum brakes, air brakes… but the concept is almost always the same: use friction to reduce speed. There are also compression brake systems, but that is completely different.
Now Mercedes wants to change that. His company’s research and development department in Sindelfingen, Germany, integrates brakes directly into the drive trainin an arrangement that works very similar to a transmission brake. It looks like clutch discs, but with a unique touch.
There are no clamps, instead, a circular brake pad It connects directly to the output shaft of the electric motor, which is pressed against a stationary water-cooled ring, all in a closed system.
According to Mercedes, the brake system in the transmission should not require maintenance over the life of the vehicle, which could save the owner a good amount of money on brake repairs and replacement. Even brake dust is collected in a small interior compartment, which will not need to be emptied.
And, if you didn’t know, brake dust contributes to pollution, especially in urban areas where starts and stops are continuous. Electric car motors act as a brake when you release the accelerator, as they can regenerate electricity in the batteries, reducing speed in the process, even almost stopping completely (driving). one-pedal). However, a real braking system is still needed.
This built-in braking system relocates all the elements necessary to “decelerate” away from the wheels. Hence the unsprung weight (weight that is not supported by the chassis, and that moves with the wheels, creating gyroscopic forces) is significantly reduced. This should make the vehicle handle better and improve drivability. The wheels could also be made more aerodynamically efficient, without the limitations of rotors and calipers.
Of course, a brake system that requires no repairs will save owners downtime and money. If it also reduces materials and has that sealing design, they will have less impact on the planet.
Only time will tell if Mercedes’ drivetrain brakes become a new standard or become an upgrade for more premium EV buyers.
