Mercedes-Benz developed the Active Body Control (ABC) system for over 20 years before introducing it in their CL class vehicles in 1999. The system uses sensors, a microprocessor, and hydraulic servomechanisms to correct the car’s positioning and prevent rolling or loss of control. It has since been integrated into other Mercedes-Benz vehicle classes.
Since 1978, Mercedes-Benz, a German automobile manufacturer, had been developing the Active Body Control (ABC) system in the hope that one day it could be integrated as an additional safety feature in their vehicles. Finally, more than twenty years later, in 1999, Mercedes-Benz introduced the Active Body Control (ABC) device for the first time in its CL (Comfort Light) class vehicles.
While other automakers may have active suspension features in their cars, “active body control system” is the brand name given to Mercedes-Benz technology. The ABC system continuously monitors how much the car leans out or down when accelerating, braking or making hard turns. If necessary, the system will correct any issues related to vehicle positioning to prevent the car from rolling or losing control.
Active Body Control has three main components: the vehicle’s sensors, a microprocessor (ABC controller), and hydraulic servomechanisms. A hydraulic servo is a mechanism that uses automatic and hydraulic feedback to correct the performance of a machine. Basically, the microprocessor retrieves information from the sensors, determines if the car is in a safe or unsafe situation, and directs the hydraulic servos on how to correct the car’s position.
Thirteen sensors are used in the Active Body Control system. A level sensor near each wheel measures the level of the ride. Five different sensors measure the acceleration of the vehicle and the rate of change of acceleration if necessary. Finally, four hydraulic sensors measure the amount of hydraulic pressure that has been used in braking.
The four servos make the actual corrections. Its sole purpose is to correct any faults in vehicle weight distribution or angle that may result in vehicle body roll. When the microprocessor determines that the car is out of position, the servos counteract the positioning in a fraction of a second.
Since the success of integrating Active Body Control into its CL class vehicles, Mercedes-Benz has also integrated the system into its SL (Sport Light) and S (Sedan) class vehicles.
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