The EQS: Passive safety
The fact that the EQS is based on an all-electric architecture opened up new design possibilities for its safety concept. For example, the battery could be placed in a crash-protected area in the underbody. And because there is no large engine block on board, the behaviour in a frontal crash could be modelled even better in simulations. In addition to the standard crash tests, the car's performance in various additional load situations was verified and extensive component tests carried out at the Vehicle Safety Technology Centre (TFS).
High-voltage system: automatic shut-down in accidents
The battery, high-voltage (HV) cables and other HV components have been designed and protected in such a way that they meet Mercedes-Benz's high safety requirements in the event of an accident. The multi-stage protection concept of the high-voltage (HV) system has already proven itself in the other Mercedes-EQ models. In case of danger, it can be automatically switched off and disconnected from the battery. A distinction is made between a reversible and an irreversible cut-off. In the case of a reversible shut-down, which occurs in less severe accidents, it is possible to switch the high-voltage system back on if a prior insulation measurement detects no faults. This means that vehicles still capable of being driven can continue their journey. Only in the case of very severe accidents, where the vehicle is usually incapable of being driven anyway, is the high-voltage system shut down irreversibly and unable to be activated without repair. When shutting down, there is a provision to ensure that within a few seconds there is no residual voltage in the high-voltage system outside the battery that could cause injury. There are also shut-down points where emergency teams can deactivate the high-voltage system manually. In addition, the EQS has crash monitoring when stationary (during DC charging) as standard.
Acoustic Vehicle Alert System: special sound as a warning for pedestrians
The electric-car-specific innovations also include an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (standard). This makes it easier for pedestrians to notice the EQS at low speeds. One sound generator sits weatherproof in the front right wheel arch and in the rear underbody respectively. An EQ-specific sound is generated up to a vehicle speed of approx. 30 km/h. It becomes louder and higher with increasing speed. This change allows conclusions to be drawn about the driving status (braking/acceleration). Above 20 km/h, the sound is gradually faded out, since above this threshold the vehicle can be perceived via the then dominant rolling and wind noises. If the speed drops back to 30 km/h, the sound is faded in again. When reversing, an intuitively recognisable interval tone sounds regardless of the speed.
# # #
