Automotive Engineering - October 2022 - 14

SENSIFY systems with wet circuits will feature
electrohydraulic actuators.
TECHNOLOGY REPORT
be implemented using traditional wet
(hydraulically actuated) calipers.
Brembo explained that certain markets,
such as China, still require a wet
system for redundancy purposes.
There also are applications, such as
hypercars and motorsports, for which
the unspring rotating mass of an electric
caliper is not desirable. As such,
Sensify was designed to work with
wet, dry, or tandem systems.
Brembo's new Sensify
braking system under
test by SAE Media at the
Michelin proving grounds.
" Sensify is the tangible implementation
of our mission to become a provider
of cutting-edge technology in the
field of automotive braking, " said
Schillaci. " For many decades, the braking
systems we've been providing have
been applying braking pressure on all
four wheels simultaneously. Sensify can
independently manage the braking
forces on each wheel according to the
driver's needs, vehicle dynamics and
road conditions. "
By managing brake application independently,
Brembo claims the system will
offer the best performance in all conditions.
The system is adjustable to customize
braking response according to driving-style
preferences and conditions.
" The brake system as we know it today
is no longer the sum of parts, "
Schillaci explained. " It is becoming an
ecosystem where AI and software play
an active role. We're leveraging data
collection to improve the driver's experience
and allowing the system to be constantly
updated and improved. We're
also creating a platform that includes
software, predictive algorithms, and data
management which will allow an active
contribution to the cars handling. "
The system consists of a pedal simulator
with an integrated pressure sensor, a
tandem of brake control units to control
front and rear channels, and either a hydraulic
actuator or an
electronic connection
depending on brakesystem
application.
Brake-by-wire systems
also will feature an
electromechanical
caliper. Conversely,
wet systems will feature
electro-hydraulic
actuators.
While Sensify is
capable of operation
in a completely dry/
brake-by-wire configuration,
it also can
On track impressions
Brembo turned loose the media on the
skid pad at the Michelin Proving
Grounds to experience Sensify firsthand.
The test bed for the system was a
pair of Tesla Model 3s. One of the vehicles
was equipped with the OEM
Tesla-spec system, while another was
outfitted with Sensify using wet front
and dry rear circuits.
The track exercises began with
straight-line panic stops on wet and dry
surfaces from 75 mph (120 kph). A control
test was performed in a stock
Model 3 before hopping into the
Sensify-equipped car for comparison.
For those who have experienced full
ABS actuation on a modern vehicle, the
Sensify system will require some recalibration
of senses. When full pedal pressure
is applied, no hydraulic pulses are
felt by the driver. Instead, the system
modulates brake pressure at each wheel
based on feedback from the vehicle's
sensors and surface mu.
While the lack of pressure feedback
Sensify systems
with wet circuits
electrohydraulic
actuators.
14 October 2022
through the pedal may at first disorient
seasoned drivers, it becomes easy to trust
the system after a few hard stomps. The
finite control that the Sensify system has
over each individual wheel translates to
greater fidelity at the vehicle's limits even
when full braking force is being applied.
This was especially apparent in the handling
portion of the on-track session.
The handling test was held on a wet
and dry skid pad with panic stops from
50-70 mph (80-113 km/h). The course
consisted of sweeping and decreasingradius
turns with panic-stop sections
on wet and dry pavement. Some of the
panic stops involved an obstacleavoidance
maneuver through a chicane
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
BOTH IMAGES: BREMBO
Automotive Engineering - October 2022

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