Expanding transmission capacity of can systems using dual communication channels with kalman prediction

The controller area network (CAN) protocol is widely used for in-vehicle network (IVN) systems, and many automotive companies also use the CAN in chassis network systems. However, the increasing number of electronic control units (ECUs) dictated by the need for more intelligent and fuel-efficient functions requires an IVN system with a greater transmission capacity and less network delay. Automotive companies have tried several approaches such as segmenting CAN systems and developing time-triggered protocols. This paper presents a practical method for increasing the transmission capacity and reducing the network delay in CAN systems using dual communication channels with a traffic-balancing algorithm based on Kalman prediction to forecast the traffic on each channel and allocate frames to the one that is most appropriate. An experimental testbed using commercial microcontrollers with two or more CAN protocol controllers was used to demonstrate the feasibility of the Kalman traffic-balancing algorithm. Experimental results show that the traffic-balancing CAN system with Kalman prediction reduced the transmission delay of all priority messages compared to that of a simple method, such as a channel-switching CAN, without sacrificing the performance for high-priority messages.     

Design of a soft switching bidirectional DC-DC power converter for ultracapacitor-battery interfaces

One solution to the low specific power of hybrid electric vehicular batteries is a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) that takes advantage of the high specific power performance of ultra-capacitors. The design of a type of zero current transition (ZCT) soft switching bidirectional direct current-direct current (DC-DC) power converter that can be used as an ultra-capacitor-battery interface in an active parallel schema of a HESS is described. The circuit operation of the ZCT DC-DC power converter is depicted in detail. The HESS controller is designed as a two-layered hierarchical control structure: the first layer is responsible for working mode control of the HESS, and the second layer is responsible for DC-DC power converter control in which a fuzzy logic PID algorithmis employed. Simulation results indicate that this design is a potential solution to the problem of the low specific power of batteries, especially for regenerative braking and electric motor assist. The proposed active parallel schema with ZCT exhibits a significant advantage in power and energy decoupling. HESS with ZCT achieves better efficiency compared to the battery only operation. The experimental results validates the idea that the ultra-capacitor cooperates with the battery in acceleration mode.     

Dynamic analysis of spiral bevel geared rotor systems applying finite elements and enhanced lumped parameters

The dynamics of spiral bevel gears like most high-speed precision gears employed in motor vehicles and off highway equipments are substantially affected by the structural characteristics of the shafts and bearings. The lumped parameter model is one of the common tools applied to perform gear dynamic analysis. Even though the lumped parameter approach is computationally fast and conveniently efficient, it typically uses limited number of coordinates and may not fully account for the shaft-bearing structural characteristics accurately. In this analysis, the finite element formulation, that can generally represent more complete characteristics of the shaft-bearing assembly, is employed to enhance the current lumped parameter synthesis theory using the concept of effective mass and inertia elements. Computational output shows that the enhanced lumped parameter synthesis model is capable of predicting sufficiently accurate dynamic response when compared to the direct dynamic finite element calculations, and much more precise response than previous lumped parameter results, especially when the gear dynamics are associated with the pinion or gear bending modes. Even though this analysis focuses primarily on the spiral bevel geared rotor systems, the proposed methodology and analysis results can be easily extended to other types of gears.     

Simulation of a powertrain system for the diesel hybrid electric bus

The plug-in hybrid electric bus (HEB) is designed to overcome the vulnerable driving range and performance limitations of a purely electric vehicle (EV) and have an improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions than those of a conventional bus and convention HEBs. The control strategy of the plug-in parallel HEB??s complicated connected propulsion system is one of the most significant factors for achieving a higher fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions than those of the HEV. The proposed powertrain control strategy has flexibility in adapting to the battery??s state of charge (SOC), exhaust emissions, classified driving patterns, driving conditions, and engine temperature. Simulation is required to model hybrid powertrain systems and test and develop powertrain control strategies for the plug-in parallel HEB. This paper describes the simulation analysis tools, powertrain components?? models and modifications, simulation procedure, and simulation results.     

Haptic interface for intuitive teleoperation of wheeled and tracked vehicles

In this paper, a novel haptic interface is proposed for general teleoperation of wheeled and tracked vehicles. The new mechanism of the proposed haptic interface, shown in Figure 1, not only allows human operators to easily teleoperate various types of target vehicles, including car-like vehicles, mobile robots, and tracked vehicles, but also improves the operator??s perception of the target vehicle??s operating status and its environment by introducing a ??cornering feel?? to the field of vehicle teleoperation. In addition, the proposed interface enables human operators to give commands to (or drive) the target vehicle in a way that is traditionally carried out by direct control or driving. Experiments were completed to carefully evaluate and test the performance of the proposed interface. The results show that the developed haptic master device is sufficient and suitable for general wheeled and tracked-vehicle teleoperation.     

Investigation of particle emission characteristics from a diesel engine with a diesel particulate filter for alternative fuels

Particle number measurement is a new approach to determine emission, which may be more accurate at very low emission levels than when using gravimetric measurements. An experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of fuel properties on the performance, combustion process, regulated gaseous emissions and particle number emissions of a diesel engine with an uncatalyzed diesel particulate filter (DPF). The effect of the filter on the particle size distribution was reported. The DPF number-based filtration efficiency in terms of number efficiency and fractional efficiency for petroleum diesel fuel and two alternative fuels, BTL and GTL, were analyzed. For nearly all test modes, the filter had a higher number efficiency for diesel than for BTL and GTL. The DPF fractional efficiency showed it was highly dependent on fuel type and varied widely at each size range. For diesel, the filter fractional efficiency was sufficiently high and behaved as predicted by filtration theory. For BTL and GTL, the fractional performance of the filter decreased when unexpectedly low efficiencies within the nuclei mode were exhibited. This research will be helpful in understanding DPF number-based filtration performance for alternative fuels and will provide information for the development of particulate emission control technology.     

Robust detection of preceding vehicles in crowded traffic conditions

This paper introduces an adaptive scheme for robustly detecting multiple preceding vehicles in crowded traffic conditions. The scheme focuses on issues frequently observed in the interpretation of traffic scenes recorded by cameras installed in vehicles: stable extraction of features and accurate classification in spite of the vehicle??s constant vibrations and dynamic changes in the distance between vehicles. To address these issues, we introduce the concept of integral features and a method of utilizing the scene geometry information. Each of the simple attributes, such as edges, shadows, and symmetry, is compiled in the window confined by the scene geometry to improve the expressiveness and robustness of the extracted features. The scene geometry information that is then estimated from the perspective view is extensively utilized in constituent system components, including not only feature extraction/integration but also neural network-based classification and distance-adaptive clustering. In addition, employing the Kalman filter along with a confidence measure makes the detection and tracking of potential vehicles robust. Experimental results prove that the system employing the proposed scheme detects and tracks multiple vehicles more effectively, even in crowded traffic conditions, with a lower rate of false positives.     

Cooling performance evaluation of height-downsized front end module for pedestrian protection

The front end module (FEM) needs enough space from hood to absorb the energy from any pedestrian collision. The FEM with downsized cooling module for pedestrian protection is important to reduce the severity of pedestrian injury. When a vehicle collision happens, the FEM with downsized cooling module is required to reduce the risk of injury to the upper legs of adults and the heads of children. In this study, the performance of cooling module to cool the engine was investigated under 25% height reduction. The heat dissipation and pressure drop characteristics have been experimentally studied with the variation of coolant flow rate, air inlet velocity and A/C operation (on/off) for the downsized cooling module. The results indicated that the cooling performance was about 94% level compared to that of the conventional cooling module. Therefore, we concluded that the cooling module had a good performance, and expected that the cooling module could meet the same cooling performance as conventional cooling module through optimization of components efficiency. This paper also deals with the development of FEM with downsized cooling module for the cooling performance level in vehicles. In the test of front end module??s heat dissipation performance, the prototype presented about 15% decrease under the conditions of all the vehicle speeds than that of conventional one.     

Roof strength performance improvement enablers

Before 2009, rollover in vehicle accidents had not been significantly studied not only because its rate is lower than other types of accidents but also because it had been easy to meet the rollover regulation, the FMVSS 216 Roof Crush Resistance target. The regulation only requires that the strength-to-weight ratio (SWR) be 1.5, i.e., it was acceptable when the roof could withstand a force of only 1.5 times the vehicle??s weight. In other words, rollover is not considered an important safety factor. However, presently, the situation has completely changed. Rollover is now considered a key safety factor. Recently, the number of rollover incidences has been increasing, reaching as much as the number of front, side and rear accidents. Furthermore, the IIHS has begun to require that the roof must withstand a force of 4.0 times the vehicle??s weight, a more severe restriction than FMVSS. To satisfy this requirement, many manufacturers, universities and institutes are studying the topic. This paper focuses on changing the body structure to minimize injury to the occupant when rollover occurs and help rollover safety performance become excellent. This paper draws on a simple analysis that is based on general factors: changes in the material, the addition of welds and additional reinforcements. The best result will be determined, as described by this paper.     

Factors that affect the ability of people with disabilities to walk or wheel to destinations in their community: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

It is essential that the pedestrian environment accommodates all users so they can participate in everything the community has to offer. However, people with disabilities (PWDs) often find it difficult to navigate this environment because of physical and social accessibility factors. While we know a great deal about which factors act as barriers and facilitators to mobility, we do not know enough about how they influence navigation (i.e. planning a route, en route decisions, and route learning) or how they can be improved. A scoping review was conducted to identify these factors, assess their implications, and suggest future directions. In total, 3394 studies were found and screened, 163 full-text articles were reviewed, and 37 articles met the inclusion criteria for the final review. These studies focused on those with visual impairments, navigating crosswalks, and the cognitive elements of navigation. Future research is needed that includes more types of disabilities, considers the navigational process from planning to arrival, and evaluates interventions.