Simplified dynamics model for axial force in tripod constant velocity joint

Tripod constant velocity (TCV) joints are common components in automotive and mechanical applications. The benefits of the TCV joint are its high plunge capacity and high torque capacity. During power transmission, the friction inside the joint generates an axial force according to the kinematics. This force causes noise and vibration problems. In this study, a simplified multi-body dynamic model based on a phenomenological TCV joint friction model is developed. This model considers the generated axial force (GAF) of a TCV joint with different lubricate conditions. The efficiency and accuracy are verified by comparison with other prediction models and experiments. Thus, this model can be used to design and control the manufacture process of TCV joints.     

Combustion characteristics of LPG and biodiesel mixed fuel in two blending ratios under compression ignition in a constant volume chamber

This study aims to investigate the combustion characteristics of mixed fuel of liquefied propane gas (LPG) and biodiesel under compression ignition (CI) in an effort to develop highly efficient and environmentally friendly mixed fuelbased CI engines. Although LPG fuel is known to be eco-friendly due to its low CO₂ emission, LPG has not yet been widely applied for highly efficient CI engines because of its low cetane number and is usually mixed with other types of CI-friendly fuels. In this study, a number of experiments were prepared with a constant volume chamber (CVC) setup to understand the fundamental combustion characteristics of mixed fuel with LPG and biodiesel in two weight-based ratios and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conditions. The results from the current investigations verify the applicability of mixed fuel of LPG and biodiesel in CI engines with a carefully designed combustion control strategy that maximizes the benefits of the mixed fuel. Based on the results of this study, ignition is improved by increasing the cetane value by using higher blending ratios of biodiesel. As the blending ratios of biodiesel increased, CO and HC decreased and CO₂ and NO_x increases.     

Cold performance of various biodiesel fuel blends at low temperature

This study examines the cold performance of biodiesel blends in a passenger car and a light duty truck at −16 °C and −20 °C. Six different types of biodiesels derived from soybean oil, waste cooking oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil and jatropha oil were blended with different volume ratios (B5 (5 vol. % biodiesel — 95 vol. % diesel), B10 and B20). The cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and the cloud point had an effect on the startability and driveability of both the passenger car and the light duty truck. The startability and driveability of the passenger car with all biodiesel blends (B5) were generally good at −20 °C. In the light duty truck, biodiesel blends (B10 and B20) of soybean, waste cooking, rapeseed and jatropha tended to be good at −20 °C in the startability and driveability tests than the biodiesel blends (B10 and B20) of cottonseed and palm. In particular, the palm biodiesel blend (B10) failed at −20 °C, and the palm biodiesel blend (B20) also failed at −16 °C in the startability test. The cold flow properties of biodiesel dictate that the length of the hydrocarbon chains and the presence of unsaturated structures significantly affect the low temperature properties of biodiesel.     

Fuel economy evaluation of fuel cell hybrid vehicles based on optimal control

The fuel economy of a fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) depends on its power management strategy because the strategy determines the power split between the power sources. Several types of power management strategies have been developed to improve the fuel economy of FCHVs. This paper proposes an optimal control scheme based on the Minimum Principle. This optimal control provides the necessary optimality conditions that minimize the fuel consumption and optimize the power distribution between the fuel cell system (FCS) and the battery during driving. In this optimal control, the final battery state of charge (SOC) and the fuel consumption have an approximately proportional relationship. This relationship is expressed by a linear line, and this line is defined as the optimal line in this research. The optimal lines for different vehicle masses and different driving cycles are obtained and compared. This research presents a new method of fuel economy evaluation. The fuel economy of other power management strategies can be evaluated based on the optimal lines. A rule-based power management strategy is introduced, and its fuel economy is evaluated by the optimal line.     

Influence of hydrography on phytoplankton distribution in the Amundsen and Ross Seas, Antarctica

The phytoplankton of the Ross Sea have been intensively studied, in contrast to that of the Amundsen Sea. This study focused on understanding the environmental variables that influence the spatial patterns of assemblages during late summer, 2007, and late spring-early summer, 2008 in the Amundsen and Ross Seas. Blooms of the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis antarctica, and the silicoflagellate Dictyocha speculum occurred in the southwestern to eastern parts of the Ross Sea, respectively, whereas diatoms dominated in southeastern Ross and the Amundsen Sea. Shallow mixed layers supported the growth of diatoms, but were not the only factor required for diatom bloom development. Modified Circumpolar Deep Water intruded into the subsurface waters (< 200 m) in the southwestern Ross Sea during February 2007, and possibly favored the formation of P. antarctica blooms. Photosynthetic quantum yield data suggest that blooms from the southwestern Ross Sea were approaching stress during January 2008, likely due to iron limitation, in contrast to blooms close to the ice edge in the Amundsen Sea, where iron may be more available to the phytoplankton. A detailed comparison between the Amundsen and Ross Seas may allow a greater understanding of the environmental-induced impacts on phytoplankton distribution and regional biogeochemical cycles.     

基于力学与造价的CFRP-钢组合拉索斜拉桥设计理论

针对1400～2800m主跨斜拉桥整体刚度不足的问题,提出一种新型结构方案——碳纤维增强塑料（CFRP）-钢组合拉索斜拉桥。该方案将CFRP斜拉索与传统钢斜拉索同时应用于斜拉桥中,组合2种材料高强轻质及弹性模量高的优点,以：达．到提高斜拉桥整体刚度的设计目的。通过基于力学与造价的参数分析提出该组合拉索斜拉桥的3种设计原则：等安全系数等效刚度最优、等安全系数等效刚度性价比最优、等造价等效刚度最优,并分别给出详细的设计步骤及设计用图。最后,进行了多种方案1400m主跨斜拉桥试设计。结果表明：CFRP-钢组合拉索斜拉桥在力学与经济性方面均具有一定优势,其工程应用具有可行性,是主跨为1400～2800m斜拉桥的优选方案之一。     

Compensation factor method for modeling springback of auto parts constructed with high-strength steel

To more accurately manufacture an auto-body workpiece, a predictive compensation factor method was used to predict the workpiece’s springback, and the factors influencing springback are introduced. Based on this method, a numerical simulation was produced to simulate the springback compensation after distortion of the workpiece. After analyzing the simulation results, a compensation method was introduced to reduce the springback influence on an actual workpiece. Here, we used a fortified B-pillar, which is a kind of longitudinal stand-frame workpiece, made with a high-strength steel material (TRIP700). The simulation results indicated that the proposed method is feasible and can be efficiently used for predicting the distortion of springback compensation of an auto-body workpiece.     

In and out vision-based driver-interactive assistance system

The overall driving environment consists of the Traffic environment, vehicle and driver states (TVD). advanced driver assistance Systems (ADAS) must consider not only information on each of the TVD states but also their context. Recent research has focused on making more efficient and effective assistance systems by fusing all the information from the TVD states. Based on this research trend, this paper focuses on decision-level fusion to estimate the level of danger of a warning by using visual information of the traffic environment and the driver state. The driver state consists of the gazing region and the facial feature points that are obtained using the active appearance model (AAM). The traffic environment state consists of time to collision (TTC), time to lane Crossing (TLC), and lane color information, which are obtained from the environment in front of the vehicle, i.e., position of lanes and other vehicles. Warnings against lane-off, collision, and driver inattention are generated by fusing this vision-based information from inside and outside the vehicle. The experimental results prove that our vision-based interactive driver assistance system reduces most useless warnings.     

Multivariate modeling of pedestrian fatality risk through on the spot accident investigation

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable users of public roads and represent one of the largest groups of road casualties; their death rate around the world due to vehicle-pedestrian collisions is high and tending to rise. In Spain, as in other countries of the European Union, steps have been taken to reduce the number and consequences of such accidents, with encouraging results in recent years. A key to countering this concern is the accident research activity that has obtained remarkable achievements in different fields, especially when multidisciplinary approaches are taken. This paper describes the development of a multivariate model that is able to detect the most influential parameters on the consequences of vehicle-pedestrian collision and to quantify their impact on pedestrian fatality risk. First, an accident database containing detailed information and parameters of vehicle-pedestrian collisions in Madrid has been developed. The accidents were investigated on the spot by INSIA accident investigation teams and analyzed using advanced reconstruction techniques. The model was then developed with two components: (1) a classification tree that characterizes and selects the explanatory variables, identifying their interactions, and (2) a binary logistic regression to quantify the influence of each variable and interaction resulting from the classification tree. The whole model represents an important tool for identifying, quantifying and predicting the potential impact of measures aimed at reducing injuries in vehicle-pedestrian collisions.     

Electro-hydraulic braking system for autonomous vehicles

Reducing the number of traffic accidents is a declared target of most governments. Since dependence on driver reaction is the main cause of road accidents, it would be advisable to replace the human factor in some driving-related tasks with automated solutions. To automate a vehicle, it is necessary to control the actuators of a car, i.e., the steering wheel, accelerator, and brake. This paper presents the design and implementation of an electro-hydraulic braking system consisting of a pump and various valves, allowing the control computer to stop the car. It is assembled in conjunction with the original circuit for the sake of robustness and to permit the two systems to halt the car independently. This system was developed for installation in a commercial Citroën C3 Pluriel of the AUTOPIA program. Various tests were carried out to verify its correct operation, and an experiment showing the integration of the system into the longitudinal control of the car is described.