Development challenges of hydraulic brakes for commercial vehicles 2019-36-0013

The automotive research and development environment is increasingly challenging and complex, full of new technologies, regulations and customized customer needs. In addition, the cargo transportation market is very dynamic and competitive, becoming complex the strategies for companies in this segment. According to Anfavea (2018), this trend, especially in large urban centers, has driven the intention to use light commercial vehicles to capillize deliveries in destinations with a high demographic concentration and traffic limited to medium and heavy vehicles. In this scenario, the demand for diversified products is increasing in order to overcome the main tradeoff: “minimizing the size of the trucks and maximize the load capacity”. It brings the number of complex projects. The brake system is greatly impacted in these developments mainly because light commercial vehicles are situated in a weight range that we can call "identity crisis" if on the one hand they need an upgrade compared to a conventional car and use the hydraulic brake on the other one need a downgrade of a medium or heavy truck that brings robustness and pneumatic brakes. The definition of the type of assistance is a determining factor, hydraulic brake; pneumatic brake or a hybrid brake (air over hydraulic). Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, which are directly related to the vehicle's application such as installation package, serviceability, service brake costs and performance and especially parking brake. This work shows the study and development of the brake system including the detailed presentation of a dry caliper, implemented as disruptive innovation technology. It also has a new concept applied to a commercial vehicle, developed in Brasil and used as footprint own knowledge for the specific needs of the market and provides a very cost-benefit commitment for the customer, yet brings the wished confidence of the parking brake function for drivers.