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Decades ago, like the 1990s automobile industry, the off-highway industry was purely recognized as a mechanical entity. In the mechanical system, accuracy and troubleshooting of faults were significant concerns. Additionally, the continuous stringent emission norms by the government call for the adaptation of the aftertreatment and DeNOx led to more complexity and challenges. To meet the government emission regulation and product performance, thorough functionality testing of manufactured units was crucial. For this purpose, EOL/diagnostics testers are developed. Diagnostic protocol CAN establish the connection between ECU and tester due to its robustness and data handling capabilities. This paper aims to develop and test the end-of-line (EOL) tester for off-highway diesel engines. The communication between the tester and ECU will be over UDSonCAN, conforming to standard ISO14229.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with Research Triangle Institute (RTI International) and Auto Research Center (ARC-Indy), have created digital geometries of commercially available heavy-duty tractor-trailers. The goal of this effort was to improve the agency’s understanding of aerodynamic modeling of modern trucks and to provide opportunities for more consistent engagement on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses. Sleeper and day cab tractors with aerodynamic features and a 53-foot box trailer with aerodynamic technology options were scanned to create high-resolution geometries. The scanning process consisted of a combination of physical scanning with a handheld device, along with digital post-processing. The completed truck geometries are compatible with most commercial CFD software and are publicly available for modeling and analyses.

This work aimed to analyze the behavior of the rear structure region of an electric bus in a rear collision situation and to create mechanisms capable of absorbing the energy generated by the impact, to guarantee the integrity of the batteries. These, when damaged in a collision, can release different types of flammable electrolytes, and even start a fire, creating a great risk to passengers and other people near to the vehicle. For this purpose, an impact absorber was developed to protect the batteries. Studies were carried out on rectangular cross-section profiles for programmed deformation, known as crash boxes (which aim to convert kinetic energy into deformation energy). Proposals were created based on concepts obtained in the literature and numerically evaluated through explicit numerical simulations based on other similar articles. From these studies it was possible to obtain higher values of energy absorption when compared to a square tube of the same cross-section.

Improvements in component/system design is a daily challenge these days, always looking for high performance, reduced mass and low costs. The source for the best fit between these factors, coupled with adequate durability performance, is crucial to the success of a given product and this is what motivates engineering teams around the world. The demand for efficient projects with short deadlines for validation and certification is huge and simulation tools focused on accelerated durability and virtual validation are increasingly being used. When developing a new spring for commercial vehicles, lessons learned from the actual loads applied to the suspension are the “key” to a successful project. The loads/stresses from the ground (vertical loads, lateral loads, longitudinal and braking loads) are quite high and, consequently, relevant to the proper definition of the design of the suspension components.

This study comprehensively describes the application of linear electromagnetic actuators in automotive suspension systems, focusing on the electromagnetic force necessary in suspension systems operating in passive, semi-active, and active modes and their capability for energy regeneration. The use of electromagnetic actuators as an alternative to traditional shock absorbers makes easy the energy harvesting that is typically lost during vertical vehicle displacement. An initial sizing technique for dimensioning electromagnetic actuators is applied to estimate the requirements for heavy vehicles. Experimental tests are conducted to validate the proposed method and assess the performance of the electromagnetic actuator in the suspension system for passive, semi-active, and active operations.

Brazil is significant grain (soy, corn, beans and rice) producer in the planet and the road transportation is needed even when rail and maritime mode is used. There are opportunities to improve the grain road transportation efficiency. This paper presents one opportunity which is the aerodynamic drag reduction and therefore the fuel and energy consumption reduction on grain road transportation. This paper will discuss some alternatives to reduce aerodynamic drag on such application considering Brazilian market regulation which has a low limit for front axle load (lower than European regulation for instance) and limit the total composition length. As an example of some alternatives to reduce drag there is the frontal area reduction and trailer to cab gap reduction. Some of those alternatives were implemented on a concept truck briefly presented on this paper, which was tested on a real application, this paper will illustrate some of those alternatives implemented.

The measurement of the cargo weight on semi-trailer trucks is required to several stakeholders in the logistics market, for this information can reduce expenses on vehicle maintenance, risk for load traffic fines and ensures safer driving of the vehicle. The state-of-the-art on on-board weighing systems of semi-trailers with leaf spring suspension adopt several techniques to estimate the load: solutions based on load cells, vibrating-wires force transducers or strain gauges on the chassis, on the suspension springs or on the axles of the vehicle. In this work, a new system based on hall effect sensor was developed and tested for measurement of the axle load in semi-trailers through the linear movement that occurs between the trailer axle and its chassis. This solution has low sensitivity to environmental phenomena not caused by human intervention, such as humidity or temperature variations.

With the increase in demand for energy sustainability projects over the last few years, the Brazilian commercial vehicle industry was guided to develop projects based on ESG policies. Aligned with this need, an initiative that ended up becoming a reality was the “e-Sys” electrification solution, by the company Suspensys. This solution includes a power source (battery), an e-powertrain (motors, inverters and drive axle) and an intelligent control system (VCU with embedded code and sensors). The main motivational drive was the hybridization of semi-trailers, in order to generate a reduction in fuel consumption in cargo transport in Brazil, in addition to the consequent reduction in the emission of particles into the environment and promoting the safety of the operation. It was also adopted, as a premise of the project, that the electrification system was totally independent of the truck’s electronic system (stand alone system), in order to facilitate the operation of the fleet owner.

With the announcement of the Euro 7 proposal, it is now clear that nitrous oxide (laughing gas, N2O) emissions must be considered and complied with the certification of exhaust aftertreatment systems (EATS) of commercial vehicles (CV). This paper describes the possible formation pathways for N2O in the EATS for different drives and uses measurement results to show the boundary condition and the magnitude of formation as well as the possibilities for influencing or preventing its formation.

In order to evaluate the THOR-50M as a front impact Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) for vehicle safety design, the ATD was compared to the H3-50M in matching vehicle crash tests for 20 unique vehicle models from 2 vehicle manufacturers. For the belted driver condition, a total of fifty-four crash tests were investigated in the 56.3 km/h (35 mph) front rigid barrier impact condition. Four more tests were compared for the unbelted driver and right front passenger at 40.2 km/h (25 mph) in the flat frontal and 30-degree right oblique rigid barrier impact conditions. The two ATDs were also evaluated for their ability to predict injury risk by comparing their fleet average injury risk to Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS) accident data for similar conditions. The differences in seating position and their effect on ATD responses were also investigated.

With the law on autonomous driving and the associated ordinance, it has been possible in Germany since June 2022 to grant operating permission to vehicles with automated driving function and to admit them to road traffic. For public transport, automated shuttle buses offer the opportunity to maintain the existing service despite a shortage of personnel and to close gaps in supply. The safety of vehicle occupants, other road users and third parties is a key concern in the operation of automated shuttle buses. As part of the project RABus “Real laboratory for automated bus operation in public transport in urban and rural areas”, which is funded by the Ministry of Transport Baden-Württemberg, the operational reliability of automated shuttle buses (SAE Level 4) in public transport is being scientifically investigated. In the implementation of automated driving, obstacle detection/avoidance is a safety-critical driving function.

With the introduction of the emission legislation Euro VI for commercial vehicles (CVs), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with urea water solution (UWS) as the reducing agent has become a standard to minimize the nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from internal combustion engines. The urea processing and mixing unit has been developed and optimized in order to avoid deposit formation and ensure a high level of urea processing over the whole operation range, especially at lower temperatures. However, there are physical limits to the conversion of urea in conventional processing units during very low engine operating conditions. With the EHC Fractal Heater, Purem by Eberspächer has developed a heating measure that, in addition to its main function of accelerating the light-off of catalytic converters, also comes with the possibility of improving the UWS processing, especially under these low-load conditions.

Due to the emerging technologies and globalization, expectations of the customers on commercial vehicles are getting increased over the period. It is an important duty of an OEM to deliver a perfectly configured product to suit the customer requirements. When it comes to configuration of a vehicle, engine power is one of the key factors which indicate the performance of that vehicle. There is a tough competition between every OEM to increase the engine power for enhancing the overall operational performance. One method to increase power is to improve its volumetric efficiency. This is achieved with help of turbocharger and Charge Air Cooler (CAC). CAC improves volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air-charge density. Any failure on CAC leads to lower the volumetric efficiency and increase in turbocharger loading. This paper deals with the validation of CAC assembly using different test conditions by analyzing potential failure modes against the field issues.

The Tractors are inevitable in the world due to its remarkable contribution majorly in farming process and other applications. the farming equipment needs to perform multiple applications to enhance the productivity and increased horsepower demands all-wheel drive (Refer fig. 1) or four-wheel drive option in the tractor. So, it is becoming a mandatory feature. The main objective of this study is, improving the torsional fatigue life in front axle spindle shaft by modifying the spline design and optimizing induction hardening heat treatment process in such a way that the other part of the system will have a minor or no design change. It helps us to reduce the part count variability, lower manufacturing cost and development time.

Leaf springs are used for vehicle suspension to support the load. These springs are made of flat sections of spring steel in single or in stack of multiple layers, held together in bracketed assembly. The key characteristics of leaf spring are defined as ability to distribute stresses along its length and transmit a load over the width of the chassis structures. The most common leaf spring steels are carbon steels alloyed with Cr and micro-alloyed with Ti, V and Nb. The specific thermomechanical process and alloying elements result in specific strength and fatigue properties for spring steels. The unique properties which facilitate use of spring steel in leaf spring suspensions are ability to withstand considerable twisting or bending forces without any distortion. The microstructure of these steel determines the performance and reflects the process of steel manufacturing. The performance is mainly determined by evaluating fatigue life durability.

Materials play a key role in our day to day life and have shaped the industrial revolution to a great extent. Right selection of material for meeting a particular objective is the key to success in today’s world where the cost as well as sustainability of any equipment or a system have assumed greater significance than ever before. In automotive industry, materials have a definitive role as far as the mobility and safety is concerned. Materials that can absorb the required energy or impact can be manufactured through different manufacturing as well as metallurgical processes which involves appropriate heat treatment and bringing correct chemical compositions etc. However, they can also be formed by simpler methods such as combining certain materials together in the form of layered combinations to form light weight composites.

The dump body of the off-highway dump truck is the large, prime structure, used to carry overburden and coal in mines. The body structure is subject to severe vibration, impact load, and oscillation events due to rough terrain conditions in the mines and the loading of rocks from a certain height from the shovel. Presently, the body mounting design is chassis pivot pin mounted, rubber rail seated, and has guide plates to lock transverse movements. Despite all these mounting arrangements, the body structure oscillates (or rattles) due to multiple field factors. The most effective solution to the problem is to provide an additional oscillation-arresting structure so that body stability is achieved and undesirable body-frame impact is avoided.

Fuel tank is considered as safety component in the vehicle, and it has to be tested to meet the safety requirements as per AIS 095. Earlier, fuel tanks were manufactured by using Hot dipped cold rolled steel material and the weld zones are applied with Anti-corrosive coating. Few fuel tanks were reported with Corrosion problems. The root cause analysis was carried out considering the raw material, manufacturing process, transpiration, storage and usage. As an improvement, the new fuel tank is designed to eliminate the limitations of the existing fuel tank. 3D modeling was done to check space and mounting requirement in the layout and used for volume calculations. FE analysis was performed to check structural stability. Emphasis given on Interchange-ability to cater the new fuel tanks in place of old as spares requirement. The fuel tank has developed with Alumina steel material.

Motor grader is self-propelled, versatile machine widely used for road construction and maintenance in mining and construction applications. It required working in rugged terrain with uneven and slippery surfaces. Probability of rollover in motor grader is more due to the vehicle profile and high centre of gravity. In light of the above, Roll over Protective Structure (ROPS) is essential to safe guard the operator from any fatal injuries / life during the operation of the equipment at different terrain conditions. Considering DGMS (Directorate of General Mines and safety) requirements, a rugged two post Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) was designed as per ISO 3471 criteria for ROPS and Falling object Protection Structure (FOPS) as per ISO 3449 Material selection for ROPS and FOPS is one of significant factor in design process by meeting the design criteria. It should have dual characteristic, firstly, it is expected to tough enough to withstand sudden impact forces.

Globally, automotive sector is moving towards improving off-road performance, durability and safety. Need of off-road performance leads to unpredictable overload to powertrain system due to unpaved roads and abuse driving conditions. Generally, shafts and gears in the transmission system are designed to meet infinite life. But, under abuse condition, it undergo overloads in both torsional and bending modes and finally, weak part in the entire system tend to fail first. This paper represents the failure analysis of one such an incident happened in output shaft under abuse test condition. Failure mode was confirmed as torsional overload using Stereo microscope and SEM. Application stress and shear strength of the shaft was calculated and found overstressing was the cause of failure. To avoid recurrence of breakage, improvement options were identified and subjected to static torsional test to quantify the improvement level.