The Bosch iBooster is a vacuum-independent, electromechanical brake booster utilized by a number of manufacturers as part of modern braking systems. The control principle behind the iBooster is similar to that of vacuum brake boosters: in vacuum brake boosters, a valve controls the air supply to provide a boost to the force applied from the driver‘s foot. With the iBooster, the actuation of the brake pedal is detected via an integrated differential travel sensor and this information is sent to the control unit. The control unit determines the control signals for the electric motor, while a three-stage gear unit converts the torque of the motor into the necessary boost power. Like a vacuum booster, the power supplied by the iBooster is converted into hydraulic pressure in a standard master cylinder but the similarities end there. Integrating a travel sensor and ecu into the mix dramatically enhances braking functionality and pedal feedback, even on vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes.
