An interesting but relatively expensive manufacturing choice. Slowing
using braking requires additional hardware in the form of some device to
actuate the master cylinder other than your foot. Slowing using the
transmission to downshift and employ engine braking requires nothing but
a small bit of firmware to employ the hardware and other controls that
are already there.
I didn't know anything about BMW's regenerative braking so looked it up
and found a video. It operates by tying the alternator to the drive
train but the video is a bit sparse on the mechanics of the connection.
Chuck Norcutt
On 3/31/2013 6:38 AM, Chris Barker wrote:
> Sorry, Chuck, I now understand.
>
> Over the years I have come across designs in mechanical products
> which defy belief. When the F16 was first on sale, the Royal Aus Air
> Force turned it down as a fighter as it had only one electical power
> supply (battery and generator). By the time I came to fly it there
> were 7 sources of power, principal and backup, for the flying
> controls alone.
>
> My car, as I've said, has braking for downslopes. The braking is
> regenerative, so that is a design choice based on saving fuel, but
> changing down might be another choice. However, I've noticed that my
> car changes down when slowing down -- a little earlier than necessary
> -- to assist with the slowing process. It is an adaptive box so I
> suppose it is now "used" to my driving style.
>
> Chris
>
>
> On 31 Mar 2013, at 11:19, Chuck Norcutt
> <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I did not make myself very clear. The downshifting I was referring
>> to was not to maintain speed when going uphill (they all do that).
>> What I meant was downshifting to maintain the set speed when going
>> downhill... when simply throttling back is insufficient. I know of
>> no other vehicles other than Chrysler products that will do that.
>> It seems very strange since the inclusion of such a feature is
>> nothing but a small amount of firmware.
>
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