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A general concept of tire energy loss is suggested, in which tire and roadway are considered a system, and tire energy loss is identified as the difference between input and output energies. From this concept, a uniform set of loss equations is derived covering not only the three commonly used test facilities, i.e., twin rolls, drum, and flat roadway, but also the major modes of tire operation including free-rolling, driving and braking. A few test results are discussed.

In order to improve the crashworthiness of vehicles, attention must be given both to an improvement of the occupant crash protection and to a reduction in the “aggressiveness” of heavy vehicles toward lighter vehicles. The latter requires a “soft nose” on the heavier vehicle. By use of hydraulic shock absorbers in the bumper system, an energy-absorption distribution can be achieved in vehicle-to-vehicle collisions without requiring larger deformations on the large vehicle than on the smaller vehicle. A theoretical investigation has been conducted concerning which type of hydraulic absorbers can best achieve the ideal weight-dependent layout of the frontal structure. A hydraulic absorber with a stroke-controlled throttle outlet area appears to be a suitable type. With this system, energy distribution in frontal impacts is attained and most of the energy is absorbed in the frontal structure of the impacting vehicle in rear and side collisions.

In summer, when vehicle parks in direct sunlight, the closed cabin temperature would rise sharply, which affects the occupants step-in-car comfort Solar powered vehicle parking ventilation system adopts the solar energy to drive the original ventilator. Thus, the cabin temperature could be dramatically decreased and the riding comfort could be also improved. This research analyzed the modified crew cabin thermal transfer model. Then the performance of the solar powered ventilation system is analyzed and optimized combined with the power supply characteristics of the photovoltaic element. The storage and reuse of the solar power is achieved on condition that the cabin temperature could be steadily controlled. The research shows that, the internal temperature is mainly affected by the solar radiation intensity and the environment temperature.

The engine management system of the new Mercedes-Benz S-class has been completely redesigned and fully meets the demands of the new top models. The ignition management, fuel injection management and air management system components are interlinked by a high-speed serial databus, controlling functions are performed in real-time and parallel. Open system architecture and a suitable communication structure indicate how engine management systems will be designed in the future.

In the 17th century, Christiaan Huygens invented the first engine to save the labor, which is humanism. Nowadays, both gasoline (SI) and diesel (CI) engines hold the definite position as the prime mover of the current surface transport vehicles due to their superior power, energy density, and fuel economy. Although these engines give exceeding convenience to human life, they also have become the vanguard of environmental disruption. From this viewpoint, the author has tried to give a historical review and perspective on engine developments. Although it is said that further emission controls in CI engines are quite difficult, recent research work and prediction for both lower emissions and better fuel economy are discussed. It is concluded that CI engines will co-exist with SI engines in the future, part of which will be used in hybrid systems. Fuel cells will be widely utilized, and hydrogen internal combustion engines would be expected as well.

The increasing levels of affluence in the highly industrialized western societies have resulted in a drastic and increasing deterioration of the quality of man's environment. The economic facts in these societies are such that it actually “pays to pollute.” Air and water pollution, solid waste disposal, and noise pollution have become areas of major concern for the institutions of higher learning. Through instruction and research, knowledge toward the alleviation and control of environmental pollution must be disseminated and advanced. One of the major contributors to the present state of environmental deterioration is the almost absolute lack of well-defined control criteria. Much needs to be done in this area and the academic community has the know-how and economic remoteness to tackle this problem. One of the most fascinating facets of the environmental pollution problem is its interdisciplinary nature.

A primary objective of any company is to generate an adequate return to its owners as measured by the income statement, balance sheet, and other financial tools. In coming up with a satisfactory “bottom line” the management of the company is constantly faced with a wide array of investment alternatives, as well as the need to make funds available to finance these investments. The engineer plays a key role in the decision process both by providing the technology that can be exploited, as well as the technical capability to implement the projects that are selected. It is therefore important that he have an adequate knowledge of financial analysis in order to assist in the process of screening projects for their economic acceptability. This paper is aimed at providing the engineer with the proper attitude and perspective so that he can expand his skills to include the selection and justification of project proposals in the engineering area.

Customer satisfaction is the tie which binds engineering and marketing together in any business. It is the driving force of the whole economic system. And the second common bond - the relentless pursuit of facts.

Patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and trademarks are exemplified in an easily under stood language. Each form of protection is applicable to certain types of intellectual property, although there may be over laps. Since most types of property fall logically into one area or the other, the decision as to which type of protection to pursue is normally not difficult.

The role of the engineer, the engineering profession, and professional societies such as the SAE are discussed against a backdrop of domestic and international trade. Questions are posed regarding individual responsibility and future shock handling.

The decade of the 1970's is a crucial one for engineers. Our environment is being fouled-as is the engineer's image when he is singled out as the creator of the sources of pollution. The engineer is now being held responsible to his community, as well as to his profession. The temptation to involve his professional organization in problems which have social and political overtones will surely foster serious disagreement within that organization. He should, instead, involve himself in local politics, where he can develop an audience for his opinions and where he can influence those in power to implement original and effective solutions to environmental problems.

The world shortage of energy and materials resources poses a continuing challenge to engineers, particularly automotive engineers, to evolve designs which stretch critical materials usage and eventually replace these with more plentiful ones. To carry out their mission, engineers must educate government officials, business leaders and the public-at-large on a global basis to the necessary compromises; and engineers must share new knowledge in this area with their colleagues in all nations if mankind - in generations to come - is to enjoy a comfortable standard of living.

The case study approach, as an educational tool, has achieved widespread use in a variety of disciplines. The case method affords several advantages over conventional and traditional lecture methods of education, but the degree of effectiveness of the case study approach varies considerably between different disciplines. Therefore, an interdisciplinary comparison of case study techniques may be of some value in improving the case study methods used in engineering studies. The most notable applications of case methods include the areas of business and management decision making, medicine, the social sciences, and engineering. The Harvard School of Business has established the pattern for business case studies. Much of today's accepted medical practice is based on “case studies.”

The exterior ornamental items used in the automotive industry today represent the combined efforts of styling, engineering, and manufacturing. Product Engineering at Ternstedt involves the operations of many different engineering departments. This paper describes the sequence of Product Engineering from receipt of the original styling information and shows how the styling concept is maintained through design phases and into production. The value of sound product engineering becomes apparent when a profitable product is associated with a satisfied customer.

The paper examines the application of hydroforms to body structure design and presents application concepts for such formed components. The examination of a complete body structure employing a number of hydroforms both in the underframe and upper glass-house structure provides new learning for future applications. The Land Rover Freelander forms the basis for the comparison. A pre-development project resulted in the design, engineering and building of body structures incorporating a number of hydroformed components as an integral theme (Figure 1). The project scope included mass reduction whilst maintaining performance targets and attributes. The project identified issues for product design and the processing of components.

ECONOMIC and other conditions that favored and practically forced the development of the light car in England, and the history of that development, are dealt with at length by the author. He recalls the light cars of the pioneer days of the automobile and then the putting on of weight about 1898 to increase reliability and riding comfort. He comments on the reaction that resulted in the advent of the cyclecar in 1911 and its quick demise because of its failure to perform satisfactorily. The keen interest of the public, however, indicated that a big business could be done in a light, efficient, cheap motor-car if it could be produced in a practical form. Genuinely light cars minus the crudities of the cyclecar began making their appearance and quickly “caught on,” due to the tax on gasoline, low selling prices, and automobile-club competitions giving the public confidence in these vehicles.

The Vehicle Engine Cooling System Simulation (VECSS) developed at Michigan Technological University in 1982 was enhanced to the extent that it can be used as a cooling system design tool for a heavy duty diesel truck. The enhancements are described in the present paper, while the use of the VECSS as a cooling system design tool is presented in the companion paper, “The Use of the Vehicle Engine Cooling System Simulation as a Cooling System Design Tool.” The enhanced VECSS was validated by comparing predicted temperature results to data collected by the Cummin's Engine Company during Air-to-Boil (ATB) tests, and during an “over-the-road” dynamic run of a heavy duty diesel truck. The enhanced model provided results which compared very favorably to both, the steady state ATB data and the dynamic “over-the-road” data.

Outlined are the variables that affect the performance of corrosion inhibitors: temperature, application method, condition of surfaces, material to be protected, solution characteristics and velocity vibration effects. A definition of an inhibitor and a description of how they work are included. Because field testing is the only way to obtain reliable data on the effectiveness of inhibitors, a test program is underway in Minneapolis, results of which will be available by 1970. Economic factors are also covered.

The ecology of our environment has recently been of great concern to all of us. In the bus business, we have gone from horse drawn carriages, to electric, to steam power to diesel power to obtain an efficient, clean operating vehicle. A great deal of effort has been expended in determining the components of the emissions of the diesel engine. Great strides have been made in reducing these emissions. GMC Truck & Coach has developed and released an Environmental Improvement Program that reduces smoke to the invisible range and meets Federal standards for HC, CO and NOx. Odor also is eliminated as a problem.