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Active Brake Assist, Function - GF30.30-S-0020TRF

Model 447 

With Code BA3 (Active Brake Assist System) 

With Code XM0 (Facelift) 

G16501019Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Illustration shows MODEL 447.8 

G16501020Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shown On Model 447.6/7 

Function requirements, general 

IMPORTANT The Active Brake Assist controller unit (B92) performs a soiling and function test on the integrated radar sensor system after every engine start. The function test requires an object to be located in the detection area (this object is used as a reference value). If malfunctions are detected or if no function test is possible, the Active Brake Assist cannot be activated.

IMPORTANT Active Brake Assist is released manually via the operation level in the instrument cluster (IC) control unit (A1/1). The instrument cluster (IC) control unit transmits the corresponding status to the Active Brake Assist controller unit.

IMPORTANT The CDI control unit or the ME-SFI control unit transmits the "Engine running" or "Drivetrain operational" signal to the Active Brake Assist controller unit.

Active Brake Assist, general points 

Active Brake Assist with crossing function (pedestrians/cyclists) can assist the driver while braking. In order to assess the traffic situation and detect potential collisions, the assistance system evaluates information from the radar sensors. The assistance system can react to stationary or moving vehicles, as well as to crossing pedestrians and cyclists.

The assistance system is active from 7 km/h upwards, provides warnings about potential collisions visually and acoustically, and can brake the vehicle autonomously.

The system warns the driver visually at speeds from 30 km/h if the distance to the vehicle in front is too short. If the distance decreases quickly at speeds above 7 km/h so that there is a danger of a collision, it warns by means of an additional acoustic signal.

If the driver brakes, he will be assisted, if necessary, by Active Brake Assist according to the situation. It builds up additional brake pressure, if required, in order to avoid a collision as far as possible. In addition, Active Brake Assist can perform automatic braking up to maximum full-stop braking if the driver does not react sufficiently by himself. If the pressure on the brake pedal is released or the hazardous situation passes, the additional brake force is canceled.

OVERVIEW OF FUNCTIONS OF ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST

Function Vehicles ahead Stationary vehicles Vehicles moving across in front of one's own vehicle Crossing pedestrians/bike riders Stationary pedestrians
Distance warning function Up to v = Max. Up to v = Max. No reaction Up to approx. v = 60 km/h No reaction
Situation-based brake force boosting Up to v = Max. Up to approx. v = 80 km/h No reaction Up to approx. v = 60 km/h No reaction
Autonomous braking function Up to v = Max. Up to v = Max. No reaction Up to approx. v = 60 km/h No reaction

The following assembly parts are integrated in the Active Brake Assist controller unit:

IMPORTANT Active Brake Assist supports the PRE-SAFE® safety system (with code JP1 (PRE-SAFE)).

The following presentation shows the detection range of the integral radar sensor:

G16501021Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Illustration of the principle of the detection range of the radar sensor 

The Active Brake Assist consists of the following subfunctions:

Distance warning function 

Apart from data from the radar sensor, the Active Brake Assist controller unit also evaluates the following variables:

The Active Brake Assist controller unit calculates the distance to the obstacle and the time up to a possible collision. In the process, the Active Brake Assist controller unit differentiates between the following warnings:

The warning output cannot be acknowledged. Take-back of the warning only occurs if the situation has been defused.

For output of the warning the Active Brake Assist controller unit also takes the driver activity and the route directly ahead into account along with the vehicle speed and the distance to an obstacle, as well as the driver activity and the road ahead.

The driver activity is detected, for example, through modifications of the accelerator pedal position, through actuation of the turn signal lights or through pressing the brake pedal. The route ahead is defined over the yaw rate, the steering wheel angle and the direction of travel.

Warning indicator in instrument cluster 

G16501022Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Situation-based brake force boosting 

If the driver reacts to the collision-critical distance warning with maximum full-stop braking, he/she is supported by the Active Brake Assist for the best possible utilization of the braking distance to the obstacle. Brake force boosting is available in a vehicle speed range from 7 km/h to the maximum design speed.

The Active Brake Assist controller unit evaluates the data from the radar sensor and permanently calculates the required brake force.

IMPORTANT The emergency braking is defined over the actuation speed and the actuation strength with which the brake pedal is actuated.

The actuation speed and the actuation forces are detected by the master brake cylinder brake pressure sensor (N30/4b1). The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit directly reads in the signals of the master brake cylinder brake pressure sensor, calculates the braking torque requested by the driver and transmits this information to the Active Brake Assist controller unit.

In the event of maximum full-stop braking, the Active Brake Assist controller unit transmits the necessary brake force to the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit, which controls the hydraulic brake pressure via the traction system hydraulic unit (2).

For vehicles with code JP1 (PRE-SAFE), the PRE-SAFE® function implemented in the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit evaluates the currently requested braking torque and, if necessary, initiates appropriate measures.

IMPORTANT If a collision is unavoidable, occupant protection measures are taken in addition to intervention by the brake system.

If there is no actuation or the intensity of the actuation of the brake pedal by the driver decreases considerably, the brake force boosting on the driver braking is reduced and the Active Brake Assist is deactivated. If the driver actuates the accelerator pedal, the Active Brake Assist is also deactivated.

The Active Brake Assist can react to stationary vehicles up to a ground speed of approx. 80 km/h.

Additional function requirements for autonomous braking function 

Autonomous braking function 

If the driver fails to react in an accident-critical situation to the warning, the Active Brake Assist controller unit initiates autonomous braking and a reduction in engine torque. The Active Brake Assist controller unit calculates the necessary

braking torque (maximum deceleration of approx. a = 6 m/s2 ) while taking the following variables into account:

The Active Brake Assist controller unit transmits the corresponding request to increase the braking torque and to reduce the engine torque to the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit evaluates the incoming requests, actuates the traction system hydraulic unit directly, and transmits the request to reduce engine torque to the CDI control unit or the ME-SFI [ME] control unit.

IMPORTANT If a collision is unavoidable, occupant protection measures are taken in addition to intervention by the brake system.

Additional function requirements for emergency braking in the case of crossing pedestrians/cyclists 

Emergency braking in case of crossing pedestrians/cyclists 

If the radar sensor system detects crossing pedestrians, the Active Brake Assist controller unit issues a static or collision-critical distance warning.

If the driver fails to react in an accident-critical situation to the warning, the Active Brake Assist controller unit initiates autonomous braking and a reduction in engine torque. The Active Brake Assist controller unit calculates the necessary braking torque while taking the following variables into account:

The Active Brake Assist controller unit transmits the corresponding request to increase the braking torque and to reduce the engine torque to the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) control unit evaluates the incoming requests, actuates the traction system hydraulic unit directly, and transmits the request to reduce engine torque to the CDI control unit or the ME-SFI [ME] control unit.

  Overview of system components for driver assistance systems   GF54.00-S-9998TRF