Bosch has developed a new electromechanical brake booster called the iBooster, which is designed to make hybrid and electric vehicles more efficient by providing situation-dependent support when a driver initiates braking.

For maximum efficiency, a hybrid or EV must recover as much energy as possible when braking. Ideally, a vehicle would be slowed down purely by the electric motor, avoiding the loss of valuable energy through braking. The Bosch iBooster recovers almost all the energy lost in typical braking operations by ensuring deceleration rates of up to 0.3 g are achieved using the electric motor alone. If the brakes are applied harder, the iBooster generates the additional braking pressure needed in the traditional way, using the brake master cylinder.

The iBooster incorporates a motor to control the degree of brake boosting via a two-stage gear unit for situation-dependent support on demand, avoiding the costly process of generating a vacuum using either the ICE or a vacuum pump.

The iBooster allows developers to define characteristic braking curves in order to adapt the pedal feel to a customer’s wishes. For example, if a vehicle offers different driving modes such as sport, comfort, or economy, the brakes can be made to react more softly or more aggressively as appropriate.

The booster unit is purely electromechanical, without brake fluid, which means it can be rotated flexibly about the longitudinal axis.

Production of the new iBooster will start in 2013.

Source: Wardsauto, Green Car Congress