ZF

Traditional German gearbox manufacturer launches system that prevents truck tipping

In the last quarter of this year, ZF launches iEBS(image above), an innovative braking system for road implements. The technology promises to give trucks greater stability and even prevent them from tipping over. It will serve from semi-trailers to road trains, for example. In practice, it is an evolution of the so-called Electronic Braking System (EBS), which, in Portuguese, means electronic braking system.

This feature integrates well-known braking functions such as ABS (anti-lock) and ASR (traction control). In this way, it operates with a single electronic module. However, ZF's new iEBS brings about 40 functions. Thus, it promises to avoid tipping over and will allow managing the load through Trailer Pulse, a telemetry tool.

Responsible for the ZF South America vehicular product line, Caio Fattori explains that this is a crucial point, because many fleet operators cannot control the useful life of the implements. But with the new tool, that will be possible, he says.

According to Fattori, the tool sends a report with information about the trailer's idle load capacity, as well as how much each axle will carry in the operation. And all this data "talks" to the truck. Thus, the carrier receives information from the entire set. ZF will release these new features in three packages: basic, standard and premium, all with electronic stability control available.

New rules for commercial vehicles...The system arrives to meet the new legislation. In other words, starting this year, any new truck, bus and road implement project must include electronic stability control. It is worth mentioning, however, that some manufacturers already offer the system as an option in their more expensive models. Or standard, as in the Mercedes-Benz Actros. On the other hand, in the universe of road implements, the solution will become present as of this year. In practice, the system brings stability to the implement at the moment of braking, and guarantees braking corrections on each wheel.

Retrofit and applicability...The iEBS module is compatible with trailers with drum or disc units, and with implements with spring or pneumatic suspension. Likewise, it allows installation on models that are in use, through Retrofit. That's because the EBS and IEBS modules are identical. Thus, there is more flexibility for truck and implement manufacturers to work with the system on their factory assembly lines.

For Silvio Furtado, director of commercial vehicle solutions at ZF America do Sul, some customers have already started to acquire the technology through Retrofit. However, the novelty will reach the market of new implements at Fenatran, the largest transport showroom in South America. The event will take place between the 7th and 11th of November, in São Paulo (SP).

Anti-tip system for trailers...In 2008, Randon and Wabco, acquired by ZF in 2020, developed an anti-tip system. However, he focused on the bitrens. At the time, it was optional for implements with air suspension. But it didn't require ABS and stability control. The reason is that these technologies were not common at the time. Be that as it may, the equipment did not win the market. As it was not mandatory by law, few entrepreneurs invested in the system.

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