The functionality of the electro-mechanical system can in future also be used for the application in the duo-servo brakes common on light trucks and SUVs.

The advantages
From a functional point of view electric parking drum brakes offer the same benefits as EPB versions for disc or duo-servo brakes: activation at the touch of a button, plus various assistance functions (such as starting when parked on a slope), serve to enhance convenience and safety for drivers. Carmakers enjoy new-found design freedom in car interiors because there is no longer any parking-brake lever.

"We expect the hand-brake lever to gradually disappear from more and more cars of different classes over the next ten years. Instead, the cars will be equipped with electric parking brakes", says Matic. "One car in four in Europe will feature an electric parking brake by 2015. That's more than five times as many as in 2008".

Types of electric parking brakes
In addition to electric parking drum brakes, Continental's product range includes electric parking brakes for Duo-Servo (DS) and Caliper-Integrated (CI) disc brakes. EPB-DS are highly efficient, self-reinforcing drum brakes located in the disk pot. They are particularly prevalent in luxury cars, sports cars and SUVs. The EPB-CI is a combination of a built-in caliper and an EPB. An electronic control device integrated into the ESC system activates the brakes in all three EPB systems.
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