Modern cars are literally crammed with various systems that many drivers do not even know about. From all these abbreviations, such as ABS, ESP, GUR, EUR, if you try to remember them, your head starts spinning. Many have heard of a system such as ESP, but not everyone knows what it is. Let's try to figure out what it is and how it works.
What is ESP (Vehicle Stability System) and how does it work.
ESP, as well as ESC, VSC, VDC, DSTC and DSC, mean the same thing - the vehicle's dynamic stabilization system ( Electronic Stability Program ). The task of the system is to prevent the vehicle from skidding. Today, the ESP system is installed in almost all modern cars.
Back in 1959, a device was patented, which is the prototype of the ESP. However, a completely finished and modified version appeared only in 1994. A year later, the system began to be installed as standard in the Mercedes-Benz CL 600 Coupé. Today, the stability control system is installed by all self-respecting automakers, even on budget models, and this will surprise no one else.
How ESP works.
The main purpose of the device is to help in difficult situations and to control the lateral dynamics of the machine. In other words, maintain directional stability and trajectory, help stabilize the vehicle during various maneuvers when driving on poor road surfaces and at high speed. In general, ESP prevents lateral vehicle slippage and the possibility of skidding.
ESP interacts directly with the engine control unit, traction control, etc. Without all this, and it will be absolutely useless. The system is constantly in working order, the car accelerates, or slows down. The device has its own electronic control unit, which reads signals from all sensors, and if anything, makes the right decision at lightning speed, if required.
The necessary information comes from the lateral acceleration sensor (G-sensor), and the yaw rate sensor. It is they who monitor the intensity of side slip, and send a signal to the ESP unit, if necessary. Also, additional information is collected by the ABS, brake pressure and steering wheel sensors. The device constantly monitors the speed, engine speed, steering wheel rotation. And if there is a skid, it is ready to immediately react to it.
When the skid signals begin to come to the ESP control unit, the device begins to compare the current behavior of the car with the desired one, and if it finds deviations, it will immediately take action. In order for the car to enter the correct trajectory again, the stability control system begins to brake the desired wheels. Which ones, she determines herself. Braking takes place using the ABS, which builds up pressure in the brake system. At this time, the engine sends information about the reduction in torque and fuel delivery.
An illustrative example of the work of the system of exchange rate stability (ESP). The ESP system is constantly in operation: during acceleration, driving, braking. But the algorithm of actions depends on each individual case. For example, if the sensor detects the beginning of a skid of the rear axle when cornering, then a command is immediately given to reduce the fuel supply. If this does not help, then ABS starts braking the wheels.
If your car is equipped with an electronically controlled "automatic", then ESP can also control the operation of the transmission: switch to low modes, or, if possible, to "winter mode". That's actually the whole principle of operation of this system.
Does ESP interfere with drivers?
There is such a version that ESP, for experienced drivers, is only a burden that does not allow him to drive to the limit, for example, to racers on the track. Indeed, the system can interfere when you need to add gas to get out of a skid, but it does not allow you to do this. Especially for such experienced drivers, all modern cars have a forced shutdown button for the ESP system. And some devices allow slight drifts, allowing the driver to "steer" a little himself, until the situation becomes critical. But if you are not a racer, then it is better not to turn off the system.
ESP helps inexperienced drivers feel more confident on the road, but do not forget that its possibilities are also not limitless. You cannot argue against the laws of physics. Therefore, remember, although the stability control system reduces the likelihood of an accident, but you yourself need to look both ways.
Driving a car is not an easy task as it might seem at first glance. A situation may occur with the driver in which the vehicle may behave in the most unexpected way. This can especially happen in winter, when the road is heavily swept by snow.
Moving in such situations can lead to inevitable drifts, as a result, the car becomes uncontrollable and it becomes extremely difficult to maneuver in such conditions. In such circumstances, the use of electronics can help drivers. It is possible to eliminate the uncontrolled behavior of vehicles on the road with ESP.
Purpose of ESP
The abbreviated abbreviation ESP - stands for the Electronic Stability Program (Electronic Stability Program). Also known under a different name - exchange rate stability system (hereinafter SKU). The letter combination in the abbreviation may be different, depending on the manufacturer: DSTC, DSC, ESC, etc.
The presence of electronic stabilization on the car prevents emergencies such as lateral movement, vehicle skidding. This is due to the control of the lateral transport dynamics. Electronic stability control system is able to maintain directional stability of the vehicle. During maneuvering, ESP aligns the position of the vehicle, which is felt when driving at high speed.
SKU device
Exchange rate stability is a high-level active safety, which consists of:
- systems that prevent the wheels from locking during braking (ABS);
- brake force distribution system (EBD);
- electronic differential lock (EDS);
- traction control (ASR).
The directional stability system controls the input measuring devices, the control unit and the valve body as an executing mechanism.
Input meters are used to convert some characteristics of the vehicle into electrical signals. With their help, the behavior of the driver and the driving characteristics of the transport are analyzed.
For the evaluating behavior of the driver, meters are used to measure the steering angle, brake system, stop-signal switch. It also analyzes the longitudinal-lateral acceleration, wheel speed and angular velocity of the machine.
The control unit of the exchange rate stability system receives parameters from the measuring devices and creates a control action on the executive mechanism subordinate to the active safety system:
- valve mechanisms ABS;
- solenoid valve mechanism ASR;
- indicators of control lamps ESP, ABS, brake systems.
The ESP control unit has communication with other system control units: engine and automatic transmission. In addition to accepting parametric signals from their systems, ESP has the ability to monitor and influence these systems. For the operation of the stability control system, the valve body of the ABS / ASR system and its component are used.
The principle of operation of the IMS
The onset of a car accident is determined by the comparative actions of the driver's behavior and the desired driving characteristics of the vehicle. If the actions differ from the actual driving parameters of the vehicle, ESP detects as an "uncontrolled state" and is connected to work.
Equalization of traffic with the help of SKU can be achieved by some methods:
- with braking of some wheels;
- changing the rotation of the motor;
- changing the angular rotation of the steered wheels (when using an active steering system);
- change in the degree of damper damping (with adaptive suspension).
If there is a lack of steering angle, ESP can prevent the vehicle from drifting beyond the cornering line by braking the inner rear wheel and changing the engine speed.
When the vehicle is skidding, ESP prevents this situation by braking the outer front wheel and changing the engine speed.
Such braking of the wheels occurs due to the connection of the required active safety systems. When these systems are connected, the operating mode has the form of a repetitive nature: increasing pressure, holding and releasing pressure in the brake system.
To change the RPM of the engine, ESP can do this in several ways:
- changing the location of the valve flap;
- changing the amount of fuel supplied;
- changing the ignition pulse;
- changing the angular ignition timing;
- blocking the inclusion of a transfer in an automatic transmission;
- change in the distribution of revolutions between the axles (with all-wheel drive vehicles).
The combination of the control system, suspension and steering forms an integrated vehicle dynamics control.
Auxiliary functions of the SKU
The design of directional stability can be performed using auxiliary subsystems and functions: hydraulic brake booster, rollover prevention, collision avoidance, alignment of road trains, increased braking performance when heated, removing moisture from brake discs. The given subsystems are not considered constructions, but exist as an additional software extension to the exchange rate stability system.
Roll Over Prevention levels the vehicle while driving under rollover conditions. Rollover prevention is implemented by braking the front wheels and reducing the engine torque. The auxiliary braking takes place through the active brake booster.
Collision avoidance (Braking Guard) is implemented when Adaptive Cruise Control is installed. When a collision is threatened, the subsystem notifies by means of visual and sound signals. In emergency situations, the return pump in the brake system is automatically activated.
Traffic alignment of road trains is realized when equipped with a towing device. The subsystem prevents the trailer from wobbling while driving by braking the wheel or reducing the torque.
Increasing the performance of the brakes during heating (Over Boost) prevents the moment of unsatisfactory contact of the brake pads with the brake discs, which occurs when overheating. This happens by means of an auxiliary increase in the pressure force in the brake drive.
The removal of moisture from the brake discs is activated when driving more than 50 km / h with working windscreen wipers. The subsystem's operation scheme consists in a short increase in pressure in the front wheel circuit, as a result of which the brake pads, pressing against the discs, remove moisture by evaporating it.
What is the difference between ESP and ESC
ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program, stands for Electronic Stability Program. ESC stands for Electronic Stability Control, stands for Electronic Stability Control. These two systems are designed for the same purpose - stable, stable and safe movement of the car during maneuvering. The main difference between them is that ESP is installed on all popular car brands, and ESC only on Kia, Honda, Hyundai.
Is ESP inconvenient for the driver?
Professional drivers who want to squeeze out all their capabilities when traveling (usually riders), directional stability will cause some inconvenience. If, when the car skids, the driver needs to get out of it, as a rule, he adds gas. In this case, the electronic stabilization program does not allow this, since it is programmed in this case to reduce the engine torque, and also does not allow the supply of fuel in large quantities.
For such motorists in many cars equipped with a system of directional stability, a button is provided to turn it off. It so happens that instead of a button, you need to perform a sequence of several actions to disable it. Installed ESP systems have the ability not to turn on instantly, but with a time delay. This allows the driver to independently make decisions in unusual situations on the road.
If you are not a professional racer or your driving experience is not very great, then it is not recommended to disable the stability control system. Since security has a higher priority in your case. If your car is equipped with ESP, you can feel confident on the road as a driver. But don't play with the laws of physics. ESP is designed to minimize emergency situations, not completely eliminate them and not put yourself in danger again.
How important is ESP, said BOSCH:
Good afternoon, dear readers.
This article from the series "Vehicle Security Systems" will focus on active safety system ESP... ESP - Electronic Stability Program - dynamic stabilization system or exchange rate stability system... As well as discussed in the previous article of the series, the ESP system serves not to eliminate the accident, but to prevent it.
However, in contrast to the same, the dynamic stabilization system is still not very widespread, and it is not yet possible to find it on relatively inexpensive foreign and even more domestic passenger cars.
I believe that this is a matter of time, and after 5 esp years it will become the generally accepted standard, and cars without this system will simply not be produced.
It's time to move on to a detailed consideration of the system, but first I want to give an example of a situation in which esp could help to avoid an accident.
Situation in which ESP could have prevented an accident
So, I suggest you read the video in which the car gets into a skid on a dry road and provokes an accident:
As you already understood when watching the video, the culprit of the accident is a car that got into a skid. Although, in fact, almost all participants in the incident violate.
The ESP system helps to avoid just such skiddings, for example, when a wheel or several wheels of a car hit the side of the road.
How the dynamic stabilization system works
I will try to describe the principles of the dynamic stabilization system as simply as possible so that you do not have any questions.
ESP works as follows: The system monitors the vehicle's steering wheel position and its actual direction of travel. As long as the car drives strictly in the direction of the steering wheel, the system does not interfere with the operation.
However, in the event that the trajectory of the car suddenly ceases to correspond to the position of the steering wheel (this can happen in the event of a skid or drift), the system will immediately intervene and help the driver avoid an accident.
Of course, in reality, the work of the system is more complicated. ESP is an extension and largely uses the devices and mechanisms that are present in ABS. However, ESP also requires an accelerometer (a sensor that detects the vehicle's actual direction of travel) and a sensor that detects the vehicle's steering wheel position.
In case of discrepancy between the results of the two above-mentioned sensors, the system limits the braking forces applied to one or more wheels (forcing them to brake less), and in some cases interferes with the operation of the engine (forcing the car to accelerate or slow down).
A modern car is a very complex system that combines many elements. Car manufacturers, in their struggle for comfort and safety, develop and implement various advanced systems. Now one of the key systems in new models used to improve safety is the ESP system.
Simply put, this is a system of exchange rate stability. Almost no car, among those that have rolled off the assembly lines in recent years, is complete without this technology.
So what is it? And how does the ESP system work?
Answers to these questions will allow you to better understand all the features of the car, and also greatly facilitate the operation process. After all, in order to get the most of what the manufacturers offer, you need to understand what exactly you have to deal with.
Technology features
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) is a dynamic vehicle stabilization system. Sometimes there are other abbreviations, but this is the most common one. Different companies sometimes implement their own designations. However, this fact does not in the least affect how the ESP system works.
Active introduction into production began in 1994 on top models. Now it has become quite affordable for everyone, so there is no longer a direct dependence on the class of the car.
What is this system for?
Its main purpose is to increase safety in various critical situations by increasing the control of the vehicle's lateral dynamics.
Thanks to ESP, the car is much less at risk of skidding or side-sliding. The position of the car on the road is stabilized and the initial directional stability is maintained even on difficult sections of the track and during turns.
Hence the colloquial name of the ESP system - "anti-slip".
However, not everyone understands how the ESP system works.
Principle of operation
There are usually several such systems in a car. In particular, we are talking about ABS - traction control system. They are closely interconnected. A separate control unit reads information from many sensors, on the basis of which this or that decision is made. Thus, ESP is only a part of one single "organism" of the vehicle.
The control unit reads several parameters:
Wheel rotation speed;
Steering wheel position;
Brake pressure.
Based on this, it is possible to obtain accurate and reliable information on how correct and stable the position of the car on the road is.
But the most important parameters are given by two other sensors:
Angular rate sensor;
Lateral acceleration sensor (also called G-sensor).
In the event of a danger of getting into a skid, it is these two sensors that initially register the beginning of side slip and determine the potential danger. After that, the control unit gives the necessary commands.
At this point, the ESP system already has the necessary information about how fast the car is moving, in what position it is, at what speed the engine is running, etc. Various sensors constantly record this information. If the actual position of the vehicle differs from the calculated one, then something is wrong.
Further, the controller practically instantly processes the information and makes the necessary decision based on the set program. All this is aimed at automatically aligning the position of the vehicle on the road.
However, how exactly does the ESP system work? In other words, how does it manage to provide the necessary stability and save vehicles with drivers and passengers from getting into a skid?
After making a decision, the vehicle unit automatically controls the rotation of the wheels. At this moment, they begin to rotate out of sync. Some wheels slow down in relation to skidding, while others, on the contrary, are released.
Here another element comes into play - the ABS hydromodulator.
As already mentioned, these two systems work inseparably with each other.
Nowadays they meet quite complex ESP systems, which, for example, are even capable of controlling the features of the automatic transmission. They work at any moment of the movement, so they are always ready to step in. In some cases, motorists don't even notice how the ESP system works - it just gently adjusts directional stability. Naturally, in many such situations, the driver is simply not able to quickly make the necessary decision, therefore, it significantly increases traffic safety. Now many companies have begun to install such systems on their models, and motorists, in turn, look at their availability when choosing a vehicle for themselves and their families.
Video
A story about the ESP system in video format:
For modern car designers, the issue of safety is extremely acute. Fast cars, insane pace of life, low driving culture and treacherous weather conditions provoke many difficult and dangerous situations on the roads. Today's article is about ESP: What is it in a car?
ESP is a pneumo-electronic safety system classified as an active anti-skid device. In Russia, the name "electronic stability control system" has stuck more. The first prototypes of the system appeared back in the 1960s, when the German concern Daimler-Benz patented its new invention with the laconic name “Control device”. However, the first sea trials of production samples took place only in 1994 and since 1995 have been actively installed on premium Mercedes S-class models.
ESP: what is it in a car
ESP is often referred to as vehicle stability control. By the way, there are many options for abbreviations and names: ESC, VDC, VSC, DSC, DSTC, depending on the manufacturer of the car, but this does not change the essence - all this is the same system.
Braking diagram of vehicles with and without ESP
The main task of ESP is to provide a controlled and responsive vehicle control, regardless of the degree of loss of control. In a sense, this system is an extended version of the anti-lock braking system (ABS), with the exception that it is not the degree of lock that is controlled, but the wheel torque (the force of its rotation). In a simplified form, the system consists of 3 main modules:
- Central computer;
- Measuring mechanisms: accelerometer, steering wheel position sensor;
- Information transmission systems.
ESP is not an independent system and can only perform its functions in conjunction with other vehicle components:
- Brake force distribution system;
- Anti-lock braking system;
- Traction control system;
- Traction control system.
ESP maintains trajectory, directional stability and stabilizes the vehicle during maneuvers
It becomes clear that ESP only interprets the data received from the measuring sensors, then intervening in the control by activating the brakes and the aforementioned auxiliary safety systems. The following main parameters are involved in the calculations:
- Wheel speed;
- Engine speed;
- Brake line pressure;
- ABS response frequency;
- Steering wheel position;
- Gas pedal position;
- Throttle position;
- Angular velocity along the vertical and horizontal axis;
- Lateral acceleration values \u200b\u200b(in common people G-sensor).
Principle of operation
The principle of the dynamic stability system is the controlled activation of the brakes of each of the wheels of the vehicle separately. The logic of work is based on physical phenomena called oversteer and understeer.
In the event of a skid, the accelerometer instantly reads the appearance of the slightest angular movement of the car body (rotation). If at this moment the steering angle does not correspond to the position that facilitates the exit from the skid, or the exit from the skid does not occur (slippery road), the fact of understeer is recorded. ESP begins to actively brake one of the front wheels in order to help the car and the driver to get it out of the skid.
ESP helps the driver to get the car out of a skid
On the contrary, if the car starts to skid after a sharp turn of the steering wheel, then the fact of oversteer is recorded, and ESP brakes the wheel to impede the driver's actions. It is this moment that drivers most often notice, the car ceases to obey the accelerometer pedal, being on the verge of falling into a skid.
It is important! The stability control system not only slows down the necessary wheels, but also regulates the traction of the engine, up to the complete shutdown of the electronic gas pedal.
The architecture of more expensive cars is pre-designed for the use of ESP. In such cars, ESP directly reduces the fuel supply to the engine, interacts with adaptive cruise control, and the automatic transmission is able to "drop" speeds or switch to special off-road modes.
Why is the lamp on the instrument panel on
Like the rest of the safety components, ESP has a lamp on the dashboard of any vehicle equipped with it. The lamp can give different signals depending on the model and manufacturer of the car, but three of them are universal:
- The ESP lamp blinks during its operation - an attempt to bring the vehicle into a stable position. Depending on the vehicle, the blinking of the lamp is also observed during the operation of the traction control system.
- The ESP lamp is off. On a stationary machine, this means that all elements of the system work normally, and on a moving one, that at the current time the system does not interfere with the control
- The ESP lamp is constantly on. This is an alarm signaling a malfunction of one of the system components. The total number of components involved in the stabilization system is more than 15 units. Self-diagnosis is an almost impossible task. Illumination of the lamp even causes uneven wear of the wheels when the control unit notices an abnormal difference in the speed of the wheels and goes into emergency mode. The same effect is caused by installing a new spare wheel coupled with heavy wear on the remaining set of tires.
If the vehicle is equipped with an ESP system, there is a corresponding lamp on the dashboard that indicates operation or malfunction
If you are one of the people who do not like services, you can try to determine the malfunction yourself:
- The driver accidentally turned it off on his own. On some cars, the system does not turn on on its own when reaching 50 km / h, which means that the driver constantly drives with the lamp on.
- Check the condition of the tires.
- Check the voltage in the on-board network. The control unit shuts down at low values.
- Check the condition of the ABS valve bodies: although rarely, they cause a breakdown.
It is important! Sometimes problematic situations occur when the ESP error occurs periodically, and the lamp can start to burn in the most intricate cases. In this case, the machine is operated with a permanently connected error scanner.
In all other cases, the right thing to do is to contact a car service and check the error codes with a certified scanner. The absence of errors, as a rule, still signals a malfunction of the ABS valve body, in other cases, a combination of errors will make it possible to determine the faulty unit.
When to turn off ESP
There are heated debates around the shutdown of the stabilization system. On one side of the line, hot-blooded drivers are thrill-seekers and outrageous skid angles. On the other hand, there are experienced drivers who make an argument that the stabilization system prevents you from getting out of a very strong skid. In order to dispel unnecessary myths about disabling ESP, we list its disadvantages:
- ESP does not know how to get front-wheel drive cars out of a strong skid, because this requires not a decrease, but a sharp increase in torque on the front wheels.
- On four-wheel drive vehicles in icy conditions, increasing torque is also preferable to braking.
- ESP behaves inadequately on loose snow at low speeds.
- On badly deflated wheels, ESP can be very annoying to the driver.
Sometimes ESP needs to be disabled
The system has one plus, and it covers all of the above disadvantages - the ESP reaction rate in emergency situations is much higher than that of a person. In most cases, a driver who is unfamiliar with extreme driving techniques is at the wheel, which means that the stability control system will become a lifeline for him in situations requiring urgent action. As a bonus, the system adds a significant amount of driving comfort by eliminating roll when cornering and driving dynamic.
ESP should be turned off when it is necessary to drive a small off-road, say, an ascent on wet grass, soil or snow, when leaving an icy city parking lot and in other situations when the stabilization system is not required, and its operation is a false safety measure. In all of these conditions, the system will "choke" the engine and interfere with overcoming the prevailing road conditions.
It is important! When driving out of a deep rut, do not turn off ESP, since most modern sedans are equipped with a traction control system that works in tandem with it.
Video: why stabilization is so important
Electronic stability control has become an integral part of safe and comfortable driving. Although it is a subsidiary system, this system saves many lives, and its disadvantages are minor and are compensated by careful driving. Be careful while driving and get only pleasure from driving!
