When trying to stop a car in an emergency, 20 feet or more will tell us the difference between a total head on crash and a fender splurge. Engineer project manager of Mercedes-Benz Manfred Steiner, said that his innovation of the new break assist will supply the next 20 feet.
During the period of the late 80’s, researchers from Mercedes-Benz revealed that drivers do weakly in emergency breaking. When pressing down the break pedal, they press it hard real quickly. Various numbers of drivers press it three times faster than the normal way of breaking-but end up without a sufficient amount of force. Steiner explained that the first elapsed second will only create a reflex reaction. Right after that, the driver will feel how the car is slowing down while it pushes hard. Right after, it may be too late to end up safe. To prevent unnecessary circumstances, Mercedes-Benz had decided to produce a system that can detect emergency breaking and provide the greatest force to the brakes quicker than what can drivers do.
The breaking system can detect if the driver presses down the brakes hurriedly which will supply enough force for a full stop. Steiner assigned his team of engineers to add electronics to this breaking system to achieve an easy and safe drive and breaking. Steiner and his team then improvised the booster mechanism that provides the increase of the force on the driver’s foot upon stepping on the break pedal. The booster has two chambers, both vacuum and a movable panel connected to the breaks. It happens when a driver set his foot and pushes into the break pedals, the valve will open and will allow air to fill in pushing the partition into the other chamber. It will produce a much stronger pressure giving an increase force on the brake.
Mercedes-Benz is now installing the Brake Assist to all its 1999 car models. Mercedes-Benz had also produced the brake booster which will lessen 45 percent off the stopping distance for average drivers when in the situation of emergency break. It can lessen 20 feet off an emergency stop—measures almost like the length of a car. A short length, but can save lives. 368
By: Dwyane Thomas