Haldex's fourth-generation Electronic Braking System (EB+ 4.0) is now showing its strengths of improved safety, security and ease of installation in the aftermarket, after proving a great choice for OE trailer and truck manufacturers during the last few years.

EB+4.0 is the latest generation of electronic braking system (EBS), a technology refined and improved since its first introduction almost 25 years ago. The EBS is the core of any modern trailer braking system and improves upon the old pneumatic systems in many ways. In an EBS the pressure generated in the braking chambers used by the brake pads is controlled by a signal from a wire and an electrical brake pedal.

Successive generations of EBS have introduced new features. First introduced in 2022, EB+ 4.0 leverages a revolutionary modular design to consolidate the features of six different systems to a central manifold for three applications – EBS, ABS (anti-lock braking system) and ABS plus rollover.

EB+4.0 benefits are now reaching the aftermarket and setting the standard for the coming years, says Alexander Kraus, Product Manager for Electronic Braking Systems at Haldex: “EB+ 4.0 is our trailer braking platform for the next 10-15 years. It’s a modular platform where the piping remains the same, the cabling remains the same, and all the interfaces remain the same across different applications. The standardization makes installation and maintenance significantly more straightforward for our customers in the aftermarket."

The EB+ 4.0 platform consists of three main modules: the electronic control unit (ECU), solenoid valves, and pressure modulators, which connect to the manifold base. Additional modular components can be added for more advanced functions, such as a pressure protection valve, pneumatic auxiliary module, mobiliser, and a spring brake-control module.

Lighter yet tougher

In terms of hardware, EB+4.0’s redesigned solenoids are smaller and more robust, as well as lighter than previous EBS thanks to the engineering-grade polymer used in their construction. Addressing the concerns of society more widely, EB+ 4.0 was also designed to be the lightest trailer brake available through weight reduction and minimizing the number of parts, reducing its impact on the environment and improving sustainability.

Four different versions are available: an EBS with two modulators and two-wheel speed sensors with no emergency brake override; an EBS with emergency brake override; a premium EBS with two additional electrical interfaces, which can be extended to eight sensors and four pressure modulators, which is used to map larger systems. As standard, EB+4.0 comes in a 2S/2M configuration for three-axle semi-trailers. The system can be extended up to 8S/4M, consisting of a master, two slaves and up to eight-wheel speed sensors. Such configurations would be suitable for a 10-axle low-loader. For road trains, an additional EB+ CAN Hub block linking two EB+4.0 systems is also available.

"We developed EB+ 4.0 to be versatile and flexible,” says Kraus. “Extending the trailer braking system is more convenient thanks to the intelligent slave modules that communicate with the master module."

Built with the aftermarket in mind

Development of EB+ 4.0 took around 8 years. During that time Haldex had extensive discussions with customers in the aftermarket to ensure that the product would meet their needs.

"One of the conversations we had was about pneumatic fittings on the main manifold. If a pressed in fitting became damaged, the whole unit had to be replaced. On EB+ 4.0 it can be screwed off and replaced with a new one,” says Kraus. “OE trailer and truck makers wouldn’t really mind if it was a pressed-in composite fitting, but for customers in the aftermarket it was a real concern. It’s those sort of serviceability improvements we were really focused on, alongside cost and safety”.

Haldex's diagnostic software, recognized for its user-friendly interface, further simplifies maintenance procedures. Technicians can quickly identify and resolve issues, ensuring maximum vehicle availability.

Built-in safety innovation

Another top priority for the aftermarket is safety, says Kraus, and EB+ 4.0 has unique safety innovations built into the core of its design. EB+4.0 brings parking brake control into the realm of electronic management, enhancing the Safe Parking system and introducing the emergency brake override to significantly improve safety.

Thanks to a new optional valve bank, EB+4.0 extends electronic control to the parking (spring) brake side of the double-diaphragm brake actuator. This improves control of the airflow for the parking brake and increases safety and security options for operators. For example, with the EBS’ ECU controlling the parking brake release, additional security checks can be done by other local or remote systems controlled to prevent theft or misuse of the trailer.

In more detail, the new Safe Parking+ feature prevents unintended vehicle movement through intelligent brake application monitoring. "The system allows the release of parking brakes only when it considers the truck and trailer combination is in a safe state," Kraus explains. "The driver must be inside the cabin and pressing the brake pedal before moving. Without this, the vehicle cannot be driven. The feature is particularly vital for preventing roll-away incidents."

The previous Safe Parking system would only release the semi-trailer brake when the driver pressed a lever mounted to the side of the vehicle. Safe Parking+ also prevents the possibility of roll-away if the combination were parked on a grade and the driver forgot to apply the tractor parking brake, or if it were on a grade and the driver attached the coils in the wrong order.

Finally, the third new feature, emergency brake override has been reintroduced from the first generation of Haldex’s EB+. The override blocks emergency application of the parking brake when the vehicle is moving.

ECE R13 safety regulations state that if the energy supply between truck and trailer is lost, emergency braking can be applied by the parking brake, or the trailer service brakes as has been the case with previous versions. Use of the service brakes means braking can be controlled with ABS (anti-lock braking system) protection and facilitates the use of the emergency brake override system.

If the emergency brake override detects that the energy supply has been disconnected or lost, but if there is sufficient air pressure in the system to operate the service brakes and the electrical connection between truck and trailer is intact, it triggers a red warning light in the cab and overrides the immediate actuation of the brakes. The driver can then use the existing air pressure to operate the service brakes as normal to stop in a controlled manner. Once the truck reaches a lower brake pressure threshold, the emergency braking system applies the spring brake, as required by the regulations.

This override enables more controlled emergency braking, preventing the trailer wheels from locking, which destroys the trailer tyres and reducing the risk to vehicles travelling near the vehicle.

Safety features and performance of EBS+ 4.0 were proven with extensive testing across diverse conditions. Performance validation took place at the MIRA test facility in the UK, while ABS and stability testing was conducted on the frozen lakes of Arjeplog, northern Sweden. The comprehensive testing ensures reliable operation across all trailer types.

Future Ready Technology

Looking ahead, EB+ 4.0’s modular flexibility extends to its software, future proofing it for improvements and enabling the system to meet changes to regulations.

The basic EBS software can be enhanced with additional application layers for controlling auxiliaries and connecting other devices. Upgrades include Soft Docking for automated assistance when backing up trailers, TPMS 2.0 (tire pressure monitoring system) for real time tire pressure information and the Info Centre for displaying critical vehicle information. The CAN Hub facilitates data sharing between EBS systems, TEM+ gives the emergency and park braking capabilities, COLAS+ manual trailer height adjustments, and ILAS-EP for automatic lift axle control within the air suspension system.

The upcoming introduction of cybersecurity standard UN R156 and R155 for trucks and trailers in the EU, intended to protect the increasingly computerized systems of trucks and trailers from hackers, is a case in point for the system’s capability to meet future regulations, says Kraus.

UN R156 requires the recording of all software updates that impact Type Approvals, such as ECU software updates and braking pressure setups. Haldex’s Software Update Management System portal provides all the necessary control and evidence of software updates applied to trailer’s EBS to comply with UN R156.

"Our software update management system will be encrypted to ensure updates can be performed securely without vulnerability to cyber threats," Kraus explains. "This preparation for future requirements demonstrates our commitment to long-term customer value."

EB+ 4.0 was hailed as a significant milestone in commercial vehicle braking technology when it was launched for OE trailer manufacturers in 2022. Now the aftermarket can take advantage of those same advantages, with the reassurance that the braking system will remain at the forefront of technology and safety for the next 10-15 supported by Haldex’s quality and support network.

“With EB+ 4.0 we have developed a cost-efficient and versatile trailer braking system that our aftermarket customers can trust in terms of safety and support. I’m confident in its capabilities for many years to come,” says Kraus.