Search Results

The application of accelerated catalyst aging procedures on an engine dynamometer test bed for the purpose of demonstrating catalyst durability is examined. A proof-of-principle approach is followed using catalysts from vehicles certified to U.S. Tier 2 Bin 4 and California SULEV 2 levels. Accelerated durability demonstration methods based upon conventional fuel cut cycles were employed to age catalysts to levels predicted by quantification of thermal catalyst bed severity on the Standard Road Cycle (SRC) relative to the fuel cut aging cycle using the Bench Aging Time (BAT) equation. Emissions deterioration on the accelerated aging cycle is compared to the automobile manufacturers' certification values and to whole vehicle emissions performance results from several different in-use vehicle fleets. The influence of technology on whole vehicle emissions levels and deterioration characteristics is also evaluated.

Electric vehicle development is at a crossroads. Consumers want vehicles that offer the same size, performance, range, reliability and cost as their current vehicles. OEMs must make a profit, and the government requires compliance with emissions standards. The result - low volume, compromised vehicles that consumers don't want, with questionable longevity and minimal profitability. In-wheel motor technology offers a solution to these problems; providing power equivalent to ICE alternatives in a package that does not invade chassis, passenger and cargo space. At the same time in-wheel motors can reduce vehicle part count, complexity and cost, feature integrated power electronics, give complete design freedom and the potential for increased regenerative braking (reducing battery size and cost, or increasing range).

In recognizing the potential for large, damaging impacts from climate change, California enacted Executive Order S-03-05, requiring a reduction in statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Given that the transportation light-duty vehicle (LDV) segment accounts for 28% of the state's GHG emissions today, it will be difficult to meet the 2050 goal unless a portfolio of near-zero carbon transportation solutions is pursued. Because it takes decades for a new propulsion system to capture a large fraction of the passenger vehicle market due to vehicle fleet turn-over rates, it is important to accelerate the introduction of these alternatives to ensure markets enter into early commercial volumes (10,000s) between 2015 and 2020. This report summarizes the results and conclusions of a modeling exercise that simulated GHG emissions from the LDV sector to 2050 in California.

After the turn of the century, growing social attention has been paid to environmental concerns, especially the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and it comes down to a personal daily life concern which will affect the purchasing decision of vehicles in the future. Among all the sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation industry is the primary target of reduction and almost every automotive company pours unprecedented amounts of money to reengineer the vehicle technologies for better fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emission. Besides those efforts paid for sheer improvements of genuine vehicle technologies, NISSAN testified that “connectivity” with outside servers contributed a lot to reduce fuel consumption, thus the less emission of GHG, with two major factors; 1. detouring the traffic congestions with the support of probe-based real-time traffic information and 2. providing Eco-driving advices for the better driving behavior to prompt the better usage of energy.

For a series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), it is critical that batteries be sized to maximize vehicle performance variables, such as fuel efficiency, gasoline savings, and zero emission capability. The wide range of design choices and the cost of prototype vehicles calls for a development process to quickly and systematically determine the design characteristics of the battery pack, including its size, and vehicle-level control parameters that maximize the net present value (NPV) of a vehicle during the planning stage. Argonne National Laboratory has developed Autonomie, a modeling and simulation framework. With support from The MathWorks, Argonne has integrated an optimization algorithm and parallel computing tools to enable the aforementioned development process. This paper presents a study that utilized the development process, where the NPV is the present value of all the future expenses and savings associated with the vehicle.

In 2005, the growing emphasis on fuel efficiency coupled with the long-recognized negative effects of viscous friction caused by engine hydrodynamic lubrication, led to considerations of the benefits of lower viscosity engine oils by the SAE Engine Oil Viscosity Classification (EOVC) Task Force. More recently these considerations were given further impetus by OEM enquiry regarding modification of the SAE Viscosity Classification System to include oils of lower viscosity specification than that of SAE 20. For the EOVC Task Force, such considerations of commercially available, significantly lower viscosity engine oils, also produced a need to reassess the precision of high shear rate viscometry of such engine oils as presently practiced at 150°C - as well as interest in temperatures such as 100° and 120°C believed more representative of engine operating conditions.

Today's automotive and electronics technologies are evolving so rapidly that educators and industry are both challenged to re-educate the technological workforce in the new area before they are replaced with yet another generation. In early November 2009 Ford's Product Development senior management formally approved a proposal by the University of Detroit Mercy to transform 125 of Ford's “IC Engine Automotive Engineers” into “Advanced Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineers.” Two months later, the first course of the Advanced Electric Vehicle Program began in Dearborn. UDM's response to Ford's needs (and those of other OEM's and suppliers) was not only at the rate of “academic light speed,” but it involved direct collaboration of Ford's electric vehicle leaders and subject matter experts and the UDM AEV Program faculty.

This paper discusses the fundamentals of architecting a major human spaceflight program and some of the lessons that can be learned from NASA's Constellation Program. This paper describes the Constellation program, whose primary objective focuses on development of a new generation of vehicles and systems to enable human exploration beyond Earth orbit. Constellation is made up of seven projects that are highly interdependent and is referred to in the NASA management system as a “tightly coupled” program. This paper will discuss the driving architectural priorities and characteristics for human exploration missions beyond earth orbit and how its building blocks are developed through initial capability missions to the International Space Station. The systems engineering challenges of simultaneously defining and developing systems that are interdependent will be discussed.

FlexRay is a time triggered automotive communication protocol that connects ECUs (Electronic Control Units) on which distributed automotive applications are executed. If exact agreement (e.g. on physical values measured by redundant sensors on different ECUs) must be reached in the presence of asymmetric communication faults, a byzantine agreement protocol like Signed Messages (SM) can be utilized. This paper gives examples of how byzantine faults can emerge in a FlexRay-based system and proposes optimizations for a FlexRay-specific implementation of the SM protocol. The protocol modifications allow for a reduction in the number of protocol messages under a slightly relaxed fault model, as well as for a reduction in the number of messages to be temporarily stored by the ECUs.

Driver distraction is a topic of considerable interest, with the public debate centering on the use of cell phones and texting while driving. However, the driver distraction/overload issue is really much larger. It concerns specific tasks such as entering destinations on navigation systems, retrieving songs on MP3 players, accessing web pages, checking stocks, editing spreadsheets, and performing other tasks on smart phones, as well as, more generally, using in-vehicle information systems. Five major problems related to distraction/overload research and engineering and their solutions are addressed in this paper.

A brief explanation of the design iterations and philosophy used to integrate the pilot into the F-35 Lightning II cockpit to achieve optimum Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI), manageable single seat workload, and superior situation awareness.

The recent interest in IntelliDrive(SM) and vehicle connectivity has gone past previous notions of automatic collision notification, internet browsing and off board navigation. Now, in addition to applying the 5.9 GHz ITS band for cooperative collision avoidance, other applications using connectivity between the vehicle and signalized intersections have emerged. Contemporary applications enhancing fuel economy and reducing green house gases (GHG) are the subject of current research and development. Cooperation between vehicle electronics and intelligent traffic management systems could change the landscape for addressing future ECO (economical and ecological) requirements. This manuscript will outline development within one automotive supplier targeted at using connectivity as an enabling technology for sustaining the vision of smart and green transportation systems.

Electrification of the automobile is a growing trend and will create both challenges and opportunities for the vehicle manufacturer, road network infrastructure and driver. In addition to innovative fundamental battery and power transfer technologies, electric vehicles will integrate unique driver interfaces, road intelligence, traffic awareness and wireless data communication to provide a complete support system. This networked vehicle will improve efficiency, increase cruising range and contribute to the overall driving enjoyment of an electric or plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle. Through tailored applications created by content and service providers the driver will identify the most efficient travel routes, learn efficient driving behaviors, avoid energy-wasting situations, locate charging stations and have confidence in reaching a destination and returning home.

With Ford SYNC, Microsoft Corporation and Ford Motor Company have democratized in-vehicle infotainment systems - delighting consumers and bringing a new kind of agility to the automobile industry. Built on Microsoft Auto (now Windows Embedded Automotive), Ford SYNC is a factory-installed, voice-controlled communications and entertainment system that allows drivers to converge their digital lifestyle with their life on the road. Windows Embedded Automotive is an industry leading technology platform that provides integrated infotainment features and a rich user interface. Car manufacturers and suppliers worldwide can use this software to create differentiated, infotainment in-vehicle systems that are immediately attractive to consumers.

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) networks within the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) lead to safety and mobility improvements in vehicle road traffic. This paper presents case studies that support the realization of the ITS architecture as an evolutionary process, beginning with driver information systems for enhancing feedback to the users, semi-autonomous control systems for improved vehicle system management, and fully autonomous control for improving vehicle cooperation and management. The paper will also demonstrate how the automotive, telecom, and data and service providers are working together to develop new ITS technologies.

The enactment of FMVSS 126 requires specific safety performance in vehicles 4,536 Kg (10,000 pounds) or less using an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system as standard equipment by 2011. Further, in 2012, the regulation requires vehicles that have undergone aftermarket modification to remain in compliance with the performance standard. This paper describes: • a brief overview of the standard and its implications • the collaborative approach used in the first successful approach in meeting that requirement by a lift kit manufacturer o a Hardware In the Loop (HIL) test alternative for establishing a reasonable expectation for a vehicle to demonstrate compliance after modification. • Collaborative challenges overcome: o aftermarket manufacturers seeking information sharing with OEMs and Tier One suppliers: o respecting the intellectual property of OEMs and Tier One suppliers o maintaining the integrity between tool competitors and their customers in cross-collaborative efforts

In the last few years, almost every automotive OEM has announced the development of some sort of electric vehicles. Many of those have already been shown to the public, either as concept vehicles, or as pre-production demonstration vehicles. In order to support the development of this technology, FEV has, over the last 18 months, developed more than 20 different electric, or range-extended electric vehicles. All those vehicles are driving successfully on the road today, either as demonstration or fleet vehicles. The development of those vehicles was only possible through partnerships, and very close cooperation with key suppliers. In contrast to conventional powertrain technology, key components (e.g. battery, traction motor, electric HVAC, inverters) are not yet off-the-shelf technology and need further development and adaptation to the new vehicle concepts.

Whether it be in highly visible features like fascinating new infotainment systems or hidden behind the scenes in complex new hybrid powertrain controls, in-vehicle software is rapidly changing the way the automotive industry engages its vehicle-buying customers. In every application where a compelling new electronic solution is emerging, it is enabled by the convergence of in-vehicle software developed by different collaborating partners. As more and more component suppliers, vehicle OEMs, and technology vendors enter into collaborative software development projects with each other, a new set of technical and business challenges are showing collaborative software development to be a very distinctive proposition than traditional stand-alone development.

Data fusion plays a central role in more and more automotive applications, especially for driver assistance systems. On the one hand the process of data fusion combines data and information to estimate or predict states of observed objects. On the other hand data fusion introduces abstraction layers for data description and allows building more flexible and modular systems. The data fusion process can be divided into a low-level processing (tracking and object discrimination) and a high level processing (situation assessment). High level processing becomes more and more the focus of current research as different assistance applications will be combined into one comprehensive assistance system. Different levels/strategies for data fusion can be distinguished: Fusion on raw data level, fusion on feature level and fusion on decision level. All fusion strategies can be found in current driver assistance implementations.

Active safety systems will have a great impact in the next generation of vehicles. This is partly originated by the increasing consumer's interest for safety and partly by new traffic safety laws. Control actions in the vehicle are based on an extensive environment model which contains information about relevant objects in vehicle surroundings. Sensor data fusion integrates measurements from different surround sensors into this environment model. In order to avoid system malfunctions, high reliability in the interpretation of the situation, and therefore in the environment model, is essential. Hence, the main idea of data fusion is to make use of the advantages of using multiple sensors and different technologies in order to fulfill these requirements, which are especially high due to autonomous interventions in vehicle dynamics (e. g. automatic emergency braking).