Braking Assistant (BAS) - Operation - GF42.31-P-0001TM

MODEL 211.0/2, 219.3 as of 1.6.06 

except CODE (494) USA version 

except CODE (498) Japan version 

MODEL 211.0/2, 219.3 as of 1.7.06 

with CODE (494) USA version 

with CODE (498) Japan version 

Fig 1: Braking Graph

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Investigations with normal drivers in the driving simulator and on the test track have shown that most drivers in emergency braking situations, above all in the initial phase of braking, operate the brake pedal quickly but not hard enough.

A distinction is made between: 

• Hesitant brake application
  • in the initial phase the driver applies too little pedal force and increases it too slowly
• Inadequate brake application

• the driver applies too little pedal force throughout the entire brake application

The BAS active safety system has been developed to improve these situations. The Brake Assist System is active when the driver brakes very rapidly in an emergency situation. The system detects whether an emergency braking situation exists on the basis of the speed at which the driver presses the brake pedal.

The speed of the brake actuation is recorded via a pressure sensor in the brake system. The BAS function is permitted corresponding to the signal from the stop lamp switch (S9/1) (pedal operated) or terminated (pedal not operated).

Advantages 

• Reduces the brake distance considerably during hesitant or inadequate brake application
• Supports the ABS by providing the greatest possible servo action.
• ABS maintains full steerability also during Brake Assist System intervention

The BAS function is integrated in the ESP control unit (N47-5).