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SmartBrake

Electronic hand control for cars

SmartBrake is an addition to the existing brake system of the vehicle. The original brake system remains unaltered and operable by non-handicapped drivers. SmartBrake enables operation of the brakes by various disabled driving hand controls using very little force. By means of electric signals from an input device the driver can control the brake pedal of the vehicle. The system can be used in almost all sedans, vans or mini-vans.

How the primary control for cars works

SmartBrake becomes active as soon as the ignition is switched on. SmartBrake will first perform a start-check (self-test) to check whether all parts of the system function properly. SmartBrake consists of two almost identical branches which work continuously in parallel. This assures that the brakes will always operate even when a component fails.

By means of a custom specific input device, a signal is sent to the control units. Subsequently, the control units control the brake actuator. The brake actuator is mounted directly on the original brake pedal and is equipped with two motors.

When someone wants to drive without SmartBrake, it can be easily switched off at the start of a new journey. The system will then enter the sleep-mode and the brake actuator will no longer respond to the input device. A non-disabled driver can now safely operate the vehicle.

SmartBrake is mostly used in combination with SmartGas. This makes it possible to use a combined gas/brake input device (gas and brake operated with the same movement in the other direction).

Through the Windows pc-interface the mobility equipment dealer can tune the characteristique of the system to the vehicle and the requirements and capabilities of the driver.

Safety of electronic hand control for disabled drivers

SmartBrake is a fully redundant system. The system consists of two nearly identical parts which continuously work in parallel and check themselves and each other. A malfunction in one of the two parts can never result in a complete malfunction of SmartBrake. The other part ensures operability of the brake by the driver. Every fault is detected and relayed to the driver by an audio signal or a warning light.

Various types of disabled driving hand controls

To operate SmartBrake, optionally in combination with a gas system, the following hand and foot controls are available:   

- Gas/brake slider
- Gas/brake slider with T- or L-grip
- Gas/brake slider with switch module
- Gas/brake lever with T- or L-grip
- Gas/brake stick
- Instruction brake

Advantages of SmartBrake

  • Electronic hand control for cars
  • Primary control for quadriplegic
  • Hand control for tetraplegic
  • Very reliable
  • Perfectly controllable
  • Easy to install
  • Extensive diagnostics and tuning options
  • Choice of input devices
  • In most cars applicable
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