Regen braking GETS A BOOST

Researchers from Hyundai Mobis detail the development of smart booster brake systems for regenerative brake cooperative control.

The use of regenerative braking is becoming increasingly important to increase the fuel efficiency of hybrid, fuel-cell, and electric vehicles. In regenerative braking, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is stored in the battery as electric energy that is otherwise dissipated as heat by friction, so that the stored energy is recuperated to drive the vehicle.

In these electrified vehicles, the motor used to drive the vehicle also acts as a generator during such energy recuperation phases; however, since the amount of regenerative braking depends on the state of the electric drive including the motor and the battery, it is not enough to ensure safe braking of the vehicle under all driving conditions. Therefore, an additional braking mechanism, such as hydraulic brakes, needs to be used in cooperation with the regenerative braking. These brakes must be controlled cooperatively with the regenerative braking to meet the total braking force demand.