Only a couple of decades have passed since the appearance of the first electronic stabilization system, and the ninth generation ESP has already proven itself on the market.
EVOLUTION ESP
ESP-Evolution für Pressebild 10"2014_dt und engl.ai
First, let's go back to 1978. Then, for the first time, an ABS system (anti-lock braking system) was serially installed on a car, which did not allow the wheel to completely block during braking. Thus, the driver was able to control the trajectory of movement. It is difficult to assess the importance and necessity of this system, but those who at least once in their lives, braking “to the floor”, crossed four lanes diagonally, unable to correct the direction of movement, fully realize the benefits of ABS.
Another 8 years passed, and the TCS (Traction Control System) system, an anti-slip braking system, began to be installed on cars. It prevents the wheels from spinning when starting. These systems, ABS and TCS, use the same sensors and actuators, the only difference is in the software. And finally, in 1995, the first ESP stabilization program appears. Electronics began to control not only the blocking and slipping of the wheels, but also the rotation of the car around a vertical axis - the engineers were able to curb the skidding of the car. Moreover, if the first ESP consisted of 11 elements, then in the modern stabilization system there are only four of them.
The main task of this system is that the car must go where the steering wheel is turned, while skidding and yaw are excluded. It works like this: the driver uses the steering wheel to set the trajectory of movement, the angle sensor transmits data to the control unit, along with them information from the ABS sensors, acceleration and angular rotation of the body. The last two are now combined into one housing and are placed directly on the valve body. It's easier, cheaper and more reliable.
As soon as the data from one or more sensors exceeds the critical values recorded in the database of the control unit, the program, according to the specified algorithm of actions, will begin to straighten the vehicle's trajectory. Now this can only be done with short braking pulses, braking the wheel around which the car should turn and change the trajectory of its movement. If this is not enough and corner entry speed is high, the system can choke the engine a little, thereby reducing traction on the wheels. Many active "drivers" will not like this, but for the average driver this is a good help.
2. Should I pay extra for ESP when buying a new car?
Starting in mid-2014, all new vehicles produced in Europe must have ESP as standard. Everything is not so strict with us yet: new cars that receive homologation for the first time must be equipped with this system, and if they only renew the certificate, its presence is not necessary. It should be borne in mind that if you need various assistants, such as a hill start assist system, imitation differential lock, parking assistant, etc., then electronic stabilization is indispensable. Those who do not want to drive with an "electronic collar" can be advised to choose the good old classics (before 1995), but finding such a car in good condition is now very problematic. It is even better to buy a new one, but with a switchable ESP system. An example is the Alfa Romeo MiTo model. Depending on your mood and driving conditions, you can select one of three basic settings. Dynamic - the most aggressive, the security system works at the last moment, allowing you to get complete driving pleasure. The All Weather mode is sharpened for safety, all electronic assistants work quickly and to the maximum. Natural is an intermediate setting designed for everyday driving.3. Can an ABS-equipped vehicle be retrofitted with an ESP system?
It is very tempting to buy the missing sensors, install them on a car with ABS and get a car equipped with ESP! Is it possible? After reviewing several forums, we were convinced that the “Kulibins” had not yet died out. Owners of the second and third generation Ford Focus are actively discussing the topic and sharing instructions on how to remake a car. From an economic point of view, this is a rather costly undertaking, you need to buy a new hydraulic unit, the missing sensors and tubes, and most importantly, have access to the control unit programs and install them correctly.Bosch specialists do not recommend doing such experiments: even if the wiring matches, the valve bodies and control units will still be different. Moreover, even ABS versions may differ and, accordingly, different software will be loaded in control units. In addition, other components of the brake system may differ. Reworking an active safety system in a garage can have dangerous consequences. Still, complex systems should be dealt with by specialists, not amateurs.
4. Are there any differences between ESP systems that are installed on cars of different classes?
Of course, there is, and this applies not only to mechanics, but also to software. For example, the difference between ESP 9 Plus and Premium valve bodies is in the number of pistons that create pressure: the more expensive Premium has six of them instead of two for the ESP 9 Plus. A budget car doesn't need much of what a business car can't do without. Additional options greatly affect the cost of the entire system. It's easy to imagine Renault Logan without brake drying, but the absence of this option in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class equipment list is unacceptable.5. How will security systems evolve in the near future?
The main goal for the next decade is to create a car with a fully autonomous control system and launch it into a series.
For this, there are practically all the necessary prerequisites and developments. Prototypes have already been created that can, without the participation of the driver, move in the usual flow of cars, perform various maneuvers and take passengers to their final destination. But such cars, firstly, are very expensive, and secondly, they are not yet completely reliable. At first, the autopilot will work on highways, then gradually it will be used on ordinary roads in cities. True, for this it is necessary to solve a number of problems.
Sensors providing 360 degree analysis of the environment
In fact, it is required to create a system that will analyze the environment and issue the correct solution. The first step has already been taken: active cruise control uses radar and video sensors to monitor the traffic ahead of the vehicle.
Redundant system architecture
The car will soon become much safer, it, like modern aircraft, will have various duplicating systems. This, first of all, is necessary so that the sudden failure of one of the systems does not lead to an accident.
Bosch specialists have already developed the technology of a redundant braking system. The electromechanical brake booster iBooster and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) allow you to stop the car independently of each other.
Highly accurate map data
Now the positioning accuracy of modern navigation systems lies within one meter. For a safe autopilot, the accuracy must be increased at least ten times. In addition, the actualization of maps should occur more often. Our habit of installing new signs while the road is being repaired and then forgetting to remove them can drive the car's cybernetic brain crazy. For example, when the video camera fixes the “brick”, and the navigation defines the road as one-way. Where to move then? After all, the prohibition to violate the rules of the road will be the main one for artificial intelligence.
We have listed only three problems, while there are dozens of them on the way to creating an autopilot! And yet there is hope that in ten years we will be able to leave early in the morning to the country house in a “smart” car, and on the way to sleep peacefully in the driver’s seat.
Such a question as safety worried even the first auto designers at the dawn of the automotive industry. Since then, security systems have been constantly improved, helping modern car owners get out of difficult situations at a critical moment. Consider one of these new systems and find out what ESP is in modern cars.
Nowadays, the system is widely used ESP (Electronic Stability Program). We call her stability control system. It is designed to control the stability of the car in critical situations, preventing the vehicle from skidding and preventing side slip. Including the system helps to keep the car when performing sharp maneuvers at high speed or poor road surface.
Such safety devices were first tried to be used in the middle of the last century, but it was only in 1995 that a truly working version was introduced to serial machines. Today it is used on almost all cars, regardless of their class and cost.
Let's see how this device works.
So what is ESP in a car and how does this system work?
The ESP system works in conjunction with ABS. All sensors in the traction control system are involved in the ESP, but it also has its own. The electronic unit processes incoming signals from all ABS sensors and two ESP sensors. One of which measures the angular velocity, and the other lateral acceleration.
With the help of these sensors, lateral slip is fixed. They determine its parameters and transmit a signal to the electronic unit. This device is constantly aware of all the readings of the car, such as: speed, steering angle, engine speed or how much the car skidded.
The electronic unit, when processing signals from sensors, compares the information with the behavior of the car, and as soon as information about deviations from the specified parameters is received, the electronics tries to correct the situation.
The system can align the car in case of skidding by giving various commands to different wheels, which at this moment need to be slowed down, in its opinion, and which ones are not. Braking is carried out through the ABS modulator, which creates pressure in the brake system. At this moment, the command is also given to the engine control. To reduce the number of revolutions, the feed is automatically reduced and the rotation of the wheels is slowed down.
On vehicles with an electronic control unit, ESP can make changes to the operation of the transmission, shifting gears in a critical situation at its own discretion.
Many drivers find that a device such as ESP in a car interferes with sudden maneuvers or aggressive driving. By the way, on many cars, ESP is turned off at will. But it is recommended to turn it off only for good road conditions and if the driver has a lot of driving experience.
The ESP system is one of the most important parts of the safety of driving a car, correcting mistakes made and often helping both an experienced and inexperienced driver to get out of a difficult situation.
One of the main advantages is that such a device does not require special skills from the driver in an emergency. It is enough just to turn the steering wheel, and the car will independently think over how to go through the turn.
But we must not forget that you should not rely entirely on ESP. Still, sometimes the driver himself must think about his own safety, as well as the safety of passengers.
The course stabilization system of a car in motion has a 20-year history of development, during which it has received universal recognition, and is currently used on almost all models of modern cars. It is designed to automatically correct the course position of the car in skidding conditions.
ESP stabilizes the car's position in skidding conditions
Each manufacturer of automotive equipment called the stability control system on their models differently. Therefore, it has many different abbreviated names that can mislead inexperienced motorists. The first course stabilization machines for German Mercedes Benz and BMW cars were called Elektronisches Stabilitatsprogramm.
ESP and its synonyms
The abbreviation of this name ESP is the most widespread and is used by almost European and American car manufacturers. On other models, you can find such abbreviations and names of the stability control system:
- on Hyundai, Kia, Honda models, it is commonly called Electronic Stability Control ESC;
- on models Rover, Jaguar, BMW, a dynamic stabilizer control Dynamic Stability Control - DSC is installed;
- on Volvo it is called Dynamic Stability Traction Control - DTSC;
- on the Japanese brands Acura and Honda, it was called Vehicle Stability Assist - VSA;
- Toyota uses the name Vehicle Stability Control - VSC;
- the same equipment under the name Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) is used on Subaru, Nissan and Infiniti cars.
Despite the many names, all this equipment is used to achieve one goal - to help the driver cope with slippery, wet or gravel roads, where maneuvering the car leads to skids and loss of course.
The system of exchange rate stability through the eyes of experts
The main purpose of this system is to prevent the car from stalling into a skid and side slip by changing the transmitted torque to one of the wheels of the driving pair. At the same time, the further development of the skid that has begun is prevented and the position of the car is stabilized on the trajectory during the maneuver on a slippery road. In some technical sources, it is called an anti-skid system, because such an ESP in a car eliminates skids and thereby ensures the stability of keeping the course.
This picture is a good illustration of the ESP system, which keeps the car in a sharp turn.
The effectiveness of using automatic exchange rate stabilization equipment is confirmed by scientific research conducted by experts from the American Institute IIHS. According to the results of the studies, it was found that the use of ESP in cars involved in a traffic accident reduced the death rate from 43 to 56%. Fatal car rollovers have dropped by 77-80%. An ESC-equipped vehicle is significantly less likely to roll over than a non-equipped vehicle.
Data from German insurance companies indicate that 35-40% of all fatal accidents could have been prevented or had a more favorable outcome if a stability control system was installed on the cars of their participants. According to experts, this equipment definitely helps the motorist in extreme situations. In many cases, it is a lifesaver for inexperienced motorists.
Design and operation of ESP equipment
Modern stability control equipment works in conjunction with the ABS wheel anti-lock system, at the same time using its mechanisms. A single complex of these two systems works in concert, simultaneously performing several procedures to ensure the safe movement of the car. The structure of the exchange rate stability system consists of:
- a control unit, which is a controller that continuously scans the status of various signaling devices and reads their signals;
- ABS sensors that determine the speed of rotation of the wheels;
- steering wheel turn sensors;
- pressure sensors in the brake cylinders;
- G-sensor, a device that is sensitive to the lateral speed and acceleration of the car and fixes the occurrence of sliding in the lateral direction.
Thus, the controller inputs constantly have information about the speed of movement, the steering angle, engine speed, pressure in the brake cylinders, the angular velocity of the cross-slip and its gradient. The information from the sensors is continuously compared with the calculated data programmed into the controller. In the presence of deviations, the controller generates corrective control signals to the actuators of the brake cylinders, which slow down the corresponding wheels to return the vehicle's trajectory to the calculated curve.
The choice of braking wheels and the degree of their braking is determined by the system automatically and individually, depending on the situation that arises. For automatic wheel braking, an ABS hydraulic modulator is used, which creates additional pressure in the brake cylinders. At the same time, a leading signal is supplied to the engine fuel supply system, which reduces the flow of the combustible mixture. As a result, simultaneously with braking, a reduction in the torque applied to the wheel is carried out.
Examples and features of the ESP system
To visualize what ESP is in a car, pay attention to the pictures.
In this illustration, everything is perfectly visible and clear.
This picture shows the lines of the probable movement of the car when exceeding the maximum allowable speed for entering a sharp turn on the highway. When the steering wheel is turned, the car begins to skid. The red dotted line in the left figure shows the line of movement of the car without ESC when the driver brakes (the car turns across to drive into the oncoming lane). In the right figure, the red dotted line indicates the trajectory of movement without braking when the car is taken out into the ditch. The green line and torches in both pictures indicate the trajectory of the vehicle equipped with the ESC system and the wheels that are automatically braked by the system when a skid occurs.
The selective braking of the ESP system stabilizes the vehicle's direction of travel.
The control system works and operates in any situation, whether it is acceleration, coasting or braking. The operation algorithm of the control circuit is determined by the emerging situation and the wheel drive system. For example, if the rear axle skid sensor is triggered while turning the car to the left, ESC will reduce the fuel supply to the engine and slow down the speed. If this measure does not eliminate the skid, then there is a partial braking of the front right wheel. This operation is followed by further action according to the established program until the resulting side slip of the rear wheels is eliminated.
ESP provides the ability to control the transmission in vehicles with electronic. In such cars, an automatic downshift occurs when slip occurs, similar to winter driving. Experienced drivers who are accustomed to driving at maximum speeds and capabilities note that the course stabilization system makes it difficult to drive a car in this mode.
ESP vehicle stabilization system. Management principles
Such situations can arise at certain moments when it is necessary to increase the engine thrust, and the control system, on the contrary, reduces it, eliminating the slip of the car. For such cases, designers install switches that can be used to forcibly turn off the control system and carry out full manual control of the car.
Automatic heading stabilization equipment is included in the vehicle's onboard active safety system. The main advantage of the system is that the car equipped with it becomes more obedient and undemanding to the driver's qualifications. He only needs to turn the steering wheel, and the system then independently performs all the necessary actions for the correct execution of the maneuver.
However, one must always remember that this system also has its limits. If the speed is too high or the turning radius is too small, even the most advanced stability control system will not be able to save the car from uncontrolled skidding and overturning.
The stability control system in your car can play a key role in saving your life in the event of an emergency. System of exchange rate stability or as it is also called dynamic stabilization system maintains the controllability and stability of the machine, calculating in advance the possibility of a critical situation and eliminating it.
History of ESP creation
1995 could be considered the year of creation of the ESP system, even if only two years later it declared itself more loudly, at the time of the debut of the first compact microvan from the company mercedes benz called A-class. During the design of this model, a number of very serious mistakes were made, which greatly affected the car's tendency to roll over when performing maneuvers, even at low speed.
In Europe, where the pedantic people have long been "turned" (in a good way) to security, a serious scandal broke out. The production of Mercedes-Benz A-class cars was temporarily suspended, and cars that had already been sold were recalled for troubleshooting. - withdrawn to correct deficiencies. Engineers Daimler-Benz seriously "grabbed their heads" and began to solve this difficult task.
How, in this car, beloved by the consumer, to solve the problem with its stability, and at the same time without redesigning it. And, voila! The beginning of 1998 was marked by the solution of this problem. A-class cars from the company -Benz equipped with a suitably tuned ESP system.
In addition to A-class models, Mercedes S-class, E-class and others are equipped with the ESP system as standard. These vehicles use ESP and exclusively from the undisputed leader and favorite in this area - Bosch. ESP systems from Bosch are also installed on such giants as Porsche, Volkswagen and many others.
Operating principle
The main task of the electronic stabilization system ESP lies in the alignment of the vehicle in the direction of the direction of the front wheels. A car equipped with ESP contains:
Sensors that determine its position in space;
Wheel rotation sensors;
The sensor that determines the angle of rotation of the steering wheel;
The pump that controls the brake lines of the wheels;
ECU - electronic control unit. It polls each of the wheel sensors at an astounding rate of up to 30 times per second. The ECU also accesses the steering wheel and axle turn sensors - Yaw Sensor.
The ECU processes data from all control sensors. If they do not converge, ESP forcibly takes control of the fuel supply and the braking system, aligning the car in the direction of the front wheels. What matters is that electronics are not that smart to know where the safest part of the road is next, so you have to steer the wheels yourself, thereby helping the ESP do the rest of the work.
At first glance, it may seem that experienced drivers do not need to use the help of this system, because in an emergency they can rely on their skills, confidence and experience. But this is a big misconception! In an emergency, ESP correctly regulates the fuel supply and selects the right wheels to brake, which are needed to stabilize the car.
If there is a situation that the front wheels are drifting because corner entry has determined the car to be oversteered, the ESP system will apply the rear brakes by braking the wheel that lies on the inside radius of the turn. This action will align the "front" of the car, leaving for demolition.
The opposite case may also occur, when the car is poorly controlled and slip occurs in a turn with the rear of the car skidding. In this situation, the ESP system applies the front brakes, braking the wheel on the outside of the turn.
Some drivers find that ESP interferes with driving. We want to refute this and prove that it is 100% wrong. Firstly, in any case, a person with all his controlled physical abilities (now we are talking about ordinary people without any phenomenal abilities: radiation, radioactive spider bite, etc.) cannot act the way ESP electronics do. Secondly, an elementary test of one's strength on an ice training ground You will immediately be convinced otherwise.
At high speeds, the chances of not flying off the track are much greater for cars equipped with ESP than without it. Thirdly, people who believe that the stabilization system is superfluous in a car simply violate elementary physical laws, not knowing the principle of ESP operation. Just enough to understand the main principle of ESP, in practice to change your mind to the opposite.
The developers claim that there can be no such situations on the road where ESP can harm, only hopeless ones can happen.
ESP device
Structurally, ESP consists of a system of sensors located on the axles and steering gear that control the position of the vehicle on the road. In addition to sensors, ESP consists of:
Accelerometer, which determines the position of the car in motion;
The main controller, consisting of a pair of microprocessors with 56 KB of memory each.
The effectiveness of ESP lies in its use together with ABS, EBR and ASR systems that provide active vehicle safety.
Bosch- the world market leader in the production of ESP, added new useful properties to it, which are designed to increase the safety and comfort of the car. So ESP, at her request, can be equipped with the following subsequent functions:
1. Electric filling of the hydraulic system. In the event of a sharp removal of the foot from the accelerator, the system will conclude that an emergency situation is possible. In this case, in order to reduce the brake response time, the electro-hydraulic system itself decides to bring the pads to the discs.
2. "Self-cleaning" brake discs. In rainy weather, the working surface of the discs may be covered with a thin layer of water. So that this does not become a hindrance at the moment of emergency braking, pads will lean against the disc, removing a layer of water, in a certain period of time.
3. "Soft" stop. This feature is designed to make stopping smoother. This is achieved by systematically reducing the fluid pressure in the hydraulic circuits as the car stops.
4. Traffic control on uneven road surfaces. Prevents the vehicle from rolling on slopes when reversing.
5. "Stop-forward." This feature enhances cruise control by adjusting the distance to the vehicle in front. Guided by the information received from the sensors, the system can stop the car in traffic jams and analyze its further movement without the participation of the driver.
6. Braking automatically while parking. This is an electronic analogue of the "handbrake", which does not use separate wheel brakes. To activate it, it is enough to squeeze the brake to the floor by pressing the corresponding button of the electro-hydraulic module. This will give an action, give some command to keep the desired pressure in the circuits until a new order is received from the driver.
It is difficult to imagine what else craftsmen-engineers who create automotive systems can offer in the future, one can only guess and dutifully expect new "improvers" of safety and comfort.
Manufacturers
Electronic stability control systems are produced by such large manufacturers:
Robert Bosch GmbH is the largest manufacturer of ESP systems. Their release is established under the ESP brand of the same name.
Bendix Corporation
Continental Automotive Systems
Mando Corporation
Other names
The ESP electronic stability control system has a different name for different car manufacturers. Here are some examples:
ASC (Active Stability Control) and ASTC (Active Skid and Traction Control MULTIMODE) - Mitsubishi.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) - Chevrolet, Kia, Hyundai.
ESP (Elektronisches Stability Program) - Chery, Chrysler, Fiat, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Daimler, Peugeot, Renault, Citroën, Volkswagen, Audi.
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) - Acura, Honda.
DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) - BMW, Jaguar, MINI, Mazda, Land Rover.
DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) - Volvo.
Why does a car need a stabilization system? The answer in the style of Captain Obvious is clearly begging. However, ESP does much more than just keep the car on the road...
Vehicle stabilization system
ESC, DSC, VSC, DSTC, VDC, PTM, CST ... As soon as today the marketers of automotive companies do not go out of their way, coming up with original designations for, in general, the same system - dynamic stabilization.
And it all started, by the way, exactly 20 years ago. When, in 1995, Bosch began supplying then-innovative electronics to the Mercedes-Benz brand to complete the expensive two-door S 600 Coupe. Since then, even budget small cars have acquired stability control, and almost two dozen companies around the world have launched the release of the system. Still, after all, in America and the European Union, the sale of new cars without stabilization in the basic equipment has been banned for several years now.
The first serial production with a stabilization system is the luxurious Mercedes-Benz S 600 coupe, on which Bosch's ESP appeared in 1995. However, competitors responded to this attack immediately. In the same year, BMW and Toyota introduced their variants, followed by Audi and Volvo. And today, not a single, even the cheapest, model can do without electronics for maintaining exchange rate stability in the USA and the European Union. I must say right away that in official terminology, the system for maintaining exchange rate stability is usually called ESC - Electronic Stability Control. But for simplicity, further in the text we will use exactly the historical, familiar to everyone, Bosch designation - ESP, which means Electronic Stability Program or (in German) Elektronisches Stabilitätsprogramm. It will not affect the essence of the matter.
The purpose of ESP seems to be really obvious.
It is designed to help the driver keep the car on the road when the capabilities or skills of the person behind the wheel are no longer enough for this, or if he made a mistake. At one time, novice journalists, when describing a new model, even liked to say that, they say, "a strict ESP collar prevents an experienced pilot from showing all his skills." Lies, of course, - modern stabilization will not interfere with management just like that. Although in case of danger it can do it rather abruptly and rudely.
But still, there is some truth in those amateurish words. After all, if you dig deeper, it turns out that it works on a modern ESP ... almost constantly! How so!? Let's figure it out together.
As can be seen from this diagram, the structure of ESP is slightly more complicated than that of its progenitor, ABS. All the salt of the stabilization system is in another hydraulic unit, new sensors and strong electronic connections with other machine systems First, let's understand where this very stabilization came from. In fact, ESP has become an evolutionary development of anti-lock - ABS. Indeed, on modern cars, it allows you to control the brake circuit of each of the wheels separately. The speed of their rotation is monitored by special sensors, and the control unit evaluates the situation using these signals and issues a command to the so-called modulator - a cunning block of valves and hydraulic accumulators. It is he who regulates the fluid pressure in each brake mechanism, if necessary, promptly dumping it by means of an electrically driven exhaust pump. And then one day the engineers thought - why not make this very pump work in the opposite direction? So that, when necessary, not to release the brakes, but on the contrary - to slow down one of the wheels?
The principle of operation of the stabilization system is already known to many. So we will not dwell on this in detail. And for those who are not familiar with ESP, we recommend watching this visual video - everything is clearly explained in it
No sooner said than done. So in the mid-80s of the last century, long before the debut of ESP itself, its first “side” function was born. On powerful models, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW began to use Traction Control (TC), that is, an anti-slip system. Its purpose is clear from the title. But still, just in case, we recall that it works if the driver puts too much pressure on the gas, and the wheels break into slip. Then, in order to restore traction, the electronics apply the regular brakes and, if necessary, reduce the engine thrust. The algorithm is quite primitive, but effective. Probably, each of us in the winter observed a blinking yellow light in the instrument cluster - a sign of TC operation. Without it, it would be much more difficult to start on ice from a traffic light, right? Rear-wheel drive models can generally stay in place like this ...
This is how the filling of the working ESP module looks like. Isn't it impressive how much can fit in this little box? By the way, Bosch infographics clearly show that with the development of the stabilization system, its main unit became not only lighter and more compact, but also “smarter” - the microprocessor memory was steadily increasing 
But technology has moved on. And gradually, electronic control appeared not only in motors, gearboxes or brakes, but in almost every system of the car. This led to a breakthrough in the field of active safety - the emergence of a full-fledged ESP. In fact, its control unit has become the main sensory organ of the car. Information was sent here from sensors of longitudinal and transverse accelerations, steering wheel rotation, rotation about the vertical axis, pressing the accelerator and brake, wheel speed, etc., etc. The computer in real time compares the current indicators with those stored in the memory and evaluates - can, for example, this dashing carrier, with such a ride, stay on the trajectory in the turn? No? So it's time to take rescue measures.
Actually, marketers immediately found how to get hooked on it in order to attract more buyers. And they asked the engineers to put a "magic" button in the car. Depending on the purpose and type of car, the driver was allowed to either completely cut down the ESP (which is useful, for example, for SUVs), or limit its assistance. On models with a sporty bias, this makes it possible to feel like a cool drifter without fear of getting out in the first turn. And Ferrari went even further and taught its stabilization to maintain a constant skid angle - after all, since a person paid that kind of money for a supercar, he has no right to embarrass himself.
The increasingly popular active cruise control and automatic emergency braking systems would not be possible without ESP. No matter how the distance to the obstacle ahead is measured, the emergency stop command is in any case implemented through the stabilization system module. By the way, even if the driver himself reacts to the danger at the last moment, it will still be easier for him to stop. After all, ESP will increase the pressure in the system in advance and bring the pads to the discs But ESP also has other "secret" functions that the average car enthusiast usually does not suspect at all. Here is an example of a common case. A lady in colors describes to her friend how some idiot braked sharply in front of her at a traffic light. Our heroine stopped a few millimeters from his bumper. A little gape - and you have an accident. And our young lady is unaware that the ESP, most likely, worked even when braking. Indeed, as statistics show, most of us in an emergency hit the brake pedal sharply, but not hard enough. Therefore, the stopping distance is longer than it could be. And the electronics on the increase in pressure in the system sees this and activates the modulator pump. Accordingly, the brake mechanisms develop the maximum force possible for these conditions. Usually this function is called Brake Assist - braking assistant. By the way, it can help not only fragile young ladies, but also brutal men who, on dry pavement and good tires, also lack the strength to “push” the pedal until the ABS is activated.
Now I risk incurring the wrath of car dealers and marketers, because I will reveal their terrible secret. A fair amount of such driving assistants and systems, which are often included in the list of options and cost a lot of money, turn out to be ... just ESP software functions! Since no additional details are required in this case. To activate advanced features in the literal sense, it is usually enough to check the box in the system menu of the corresponding control unit. Of course, this requires a diagnostic scanner. But such things are worth a penny today, so the enthusiasts of many car clubs have put the electronic upgrade of their cars on stream.
When the brakes of a conventional road car become hot, their effectiveness drops. To prevent the driver from noticing this, ESP automatically increases the pressure in the system, pressing the pads against the discs more strongly. It turns out a kind of additional hydraulic brake booster Meanwhile, you can get very useful things almost for free. In particular, on many models of the Volkswagen concern, the XDS function is easily activated - an imitation of a dynamic differential lock. In corners, ESP will slow down the unloaded inner wheel, directing torque to the outer tire, which has better grip. Thus, you will become less likely to remember what the demolition of the front axle is.
Hill start assist can also be easily connected. In this case, when the brake pedal is released, the ESP will maintain pressure in the brake mechanisms for several seconds - until the engine thrust is sufficient for a confident start without rolling back.
Surprisingly, ESP can even measure ... tire pressure! Not directly, of course, but indirectly - with the help of wheel speed sensors. Simple math works. If the tire is flat, it means that its diameter has become smaller, so it now spins faster than others. This is monitored by the control unit. Do you suspect an air leak? The driver will immediately see a warning in the instrument cluster.
The 1997 Mercedes-Benz A-Class rollover scandal during the Moose Test in 1997 not only accelerated the introduction of ESP, but also led to the introduction of another purely software feature - rollover protection. The essence of this assistant is that the electronics monitors not only the slip itself, but also the level of lateral accelerations, which, with a given load of the machine, can lead to its overturn. Now the ROP (Rollover Protection) function has many SUVs, pickups and convertibles. Moreover, in the latest ESP, it is also responsible for activating retractable safety arches. Also indirectly, ESP is able to determine the presence of a trailer. Once the electrical connector (simply - a socket) of the “hook” is closed, it means that the car has turned into a tractor. Now the system will rebuild its algorithms in such a way as to eliminate the characteristic fluctuations of the stern and "chatter" - the electronics will simply slow down the front wheels in antiphase. Again, incredibly simple, but how useful!
Want more magic? Please! How do you like the ESP connection with the windshield wipers and the rain sensor? When they work, the electronics understands - it starts to rain, the road is wet and slippery. The braking distance will increase. In order to improve the situation at least a little, the modulator will raise the pressure in the brake pipes and begin to cyclically bring the pads to the discs, cutting off the water film on them. The driver does not even notice this, and the mechanisms are put on alert ...
The holy of holies - steering and that fell under the omnipresent eye of ESP. Imagine: the car skids, the driver starts to turn the steering wheel, but obviously misses, for example, there is not enough experience. No problem! Electronics will force the electric amplifier to prompt with impulses of effort where and at what angle to turn the "steering wheel". Overzealous? Feel the heaviness. Is the wheel lighter? So you are doing everything right. By the way, the same assistant helps with braking in mixed driving. When, for example, the left wheels were on the pavement, and the right wheels slid onto the dirt roadside. An ordinary car will immediately begin to deploy, but equipped with ESP - no.
If necessary, stabilization can also interfere with the operation of an automatic transmission, blocking shifts in it for a while so that traction surges on the wheels do not upset the balance of the car.
Various options for simulating cross-axle differential locks are an exclusively software function of ESP. That is, for its implementation, additional sensors or parts are not needed. Nevertheless, for example, this assistant helps owners of crossovers with short-travel suspensions on off-road
Even off-road ESP found a use. Have you seen how skillfully modern crossovers without hard locks cope with diagonal hanging and other difficult situations? The unloaded wheels will grind in the air a little, when suddenly the car jerks and slowly moves on. This ESP redistributes traction to tires that have better ground contact. By the way, it was the sensors of the stabilization system that made it possible to implement the preventive operation of the automatic all-wheel drive. The clutch for transmitting traction to the rear axle on modern SUVs is closed not by the fact of slipping of the front wheels (when it is sometimes too late), but by an alarm signal from the ESP unit.
There is a steep descent ahead. Activate Hill Descent Control (HDC) - assistant descent from the hill. We release all the pedals and voila! The car under a crunch of brakes smoothly and smoothly rolls down. Again, it's worth saying thanks to ESP - this is also part of her program.
Thanks to the stabilization system, almost every all-wheel drive crossover has acquired a hill descent assistant. The driver just needs to set the course with the steering wheel and release both pedals. And the electronics itself will support the desired speed and insure against a turn on the slope
And, I repeat, all this can be implemented on one aggregate base, without serious refinement of the machine's filling. In the computer world, such fantasy is called cheating, akin to entering a secret code into a game for eternal life or endless ammo. But in the automotive environment, this is not punished. In the end, we all have a common task - to win the road. Therefore, ESP really works almost always: both when starting from a standstill, and in motion, and when decelerating ... So it is already wrong to consider the stabilization system only as a means of last resort these days.
