Tech Briefs
Diversified Software launches IVIS
A just-released software package from Diversified Software Industries, Inc. (DSI) that manages in-vehicle information presentations "is so open and flexible that it can support applications today and in the future," said Brian Payne, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Coralville, IA-based company. "If new legislation comes into play, our framework will be able to support the changes."
By using the DSI In-Vehicle Information System (IVIS) Graphical User Interface Design Environment (GUIDE) tool, a designer can configure in a drag-and-drop Windows setting a display for presenting in-vehicle visuals and information. Anything from an analog representation of the instrument cluster to telematics offerings, navigation instructions, radio controls, and HVAC settings can be designed via IVIS. Content and graphical options presented in the in-vehicle displays are automaker selected. IVIS provides the software framework for plug-and-play communications management, data warehousing, and display management.
 An instrument cluster, created to resemble a traffic light, is the visual outlet for a new software infrastructure from DSI. |
"We took a generic approach to supporting hardware and software platforms - allowing our software to support user-specified combinations, not one proprietary platform. Any microprocessor or operating system can be used, depending on the target application. The display solution is flexible as well, supporting different technologies, resolutions, and vendors," said Ron Stahlberg, Manager of Graphics Technology. IVIS also is designed to work with any vehicle databus.
The software framework permits mobile devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants to be linked into the display zone(s). Mechanical interfaces, touch screen, or voice recognition activates the system. IVIS incorporates DSI's proprietary Embedded Graphic Libraries, which provide real-time "anti-aliasing," color management, and precise image compression.
Following three years of DSI development work, IVIS has resulted in a pending patent with 19 claims. Certain claims support an in-vehicle information system that connects to multiple in-vehicle devices and provides the following:
- Data sharing between individual devices
- A display resource to facilitate the showing of information from the individual devices
- Prioritized data items so the system can determine the appropriate data to display based on defined priorities, user requests to the system, and vehicle status
- The ability to have off- and onboard applications providing data to the system
- Data displayed in real time.
"The patent also encompasses the processing methods and architecture for the system," said Jim Griffin, President and CEO of DSI.
- Kami Buchholz
Cryocon, Inc. and Disc Brakes
Australia brake rotor testing
Cryocon, Inc. has announced that Disc Brakes Australia (DBA), headquartered in Silverwater, Sidney, has begun testing with Cryocon's proprietary Deep Cryogenic Tempering (DCT) technology on its brake rotors. DBA is the leading manufacturer of disc brake rotors in Australia and markets rotors in 11 countries. In 1999, DBA won the Australian Automobile Aftermarket Association's Best New Product Award for specialty rotors designed for high-impact vehicles.
DBA intends to improve rotor wear life and improve overall rotor performance. "Current field testing of brake rotors treated with Cryocon's DCT process result in at least a 350% gain in wear life as well as a decrease in warping and damage due to heat checking," said Cryocon's President and CEO Robert W. Brunson.
DCT is a computer-controlled tempering process that improves the wear and performance characteristics of many types of metals, alloys, and synthetic materials. Treated items exhibit dramatic increases in wear resistance, toughness, machinability, thermal stability, and dimensional stability. DCT uses liquid nitrogen that is flashed to a gas to achieve temperatures of -185°C (-300°F). This technique is completely dry and eliminates the condition known as thermal shock, which is a problem related to traditional cryogenic applications involving spraying or dipping.
- Jean L. Broge
Quadrasteer debuts in 2002
General Motors will be the first automaker to offer Delphi Automotive's Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system. It will debut on an as-yet-unannounced GM full-size truck in the 2002 model year. "Although four-wheel steering has been available in car applications, this is the first application in trucks," said Gary White, Vehicle Line Executive for GM's full-size trucks. "This option will provide customers unprecedented maneuverability of a full-size truck."
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By electronically controlling the direction of the rear wheels, Quadrasteer helps shorten the turning circle on full-size vehicles, allowing larger vehicles to maneuver as adeptly as compact cars. Full-size SUV, 13.7 m (45.5 ft) Ford Excursion, 13.3 m (43.7 ft) Toyota Land Cruiser, 12.1 m (39.7 ft) Land Rover Range Rover, 11.9 m (39.0 ft) Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 11.5 m (37.6 ft) Mercedes M Class, 11.3 m (37.0 ft) Honda Civic Coupe, 10.0 m (32.8 ft) Chevrolet Metro, 9.6 m (31.5 ft) Full-size Quadrasteer SUV, 10.3 m (33.9 ft) |
 Delphi Automotive's Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system will debut on a future 2002 GM full-size truck. |
Quadrasteer is an electronic rear-wheel steering system that supplements a conventional front-wheel system. The system has four main components - a front-wheel position sensor, steerable solid hypoid rear axle, electric motor-driven actuator, and control unit. Handwheel position and vehicle speed sensors continuously report data to the control unit, which determines the appropriate angle of the rear wheels. Algorithms are then used to determine the correct phase of operation. Delphi's system operates in three principal phases: negative, neutral, and positive. At lower speeds in the negative phase, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels. At moderate speeds, the rear wheels remain straight or neutral. At higher speeds, the rear wheels are in the positive phase, turning in the same direction as the front wheels.
 Quadrasteer is part of Delphi's Integrated Safety System (ISS), a comprehensive set of technologies that creates a personal safety system to help protect vehicle occupants through various driving states. |
"Quadrasteer provides added stability at higher speeds by steering the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels," said Larry Tomczak, Director of Engineering at Delphi's Steering Division. "This stability reduces the vehicle yaw, or rotational motion, required to accomplish a maneuver, thus stabilizing vehicle response during passing, lane change, or evasive maneuvers even under adverse road conditions."
 Quadrasteer's handwheel position and vehicle speed sensors continuously report data to the control unit, which determines the correct phase of operation. Algorithms are then used to determine the correct phase of operation. |
Towing stability is also enhanced at higher speeds. The positive rear steering reduces the articulation angle between the vehicle and the trailer, which reduces the lateral force applied to the rear of the vehicle by the trailer, reduces the yaw velocity gain, and increases yaw damping of the vehicle and trailer system. The net result is increased stability, reduced trailer sway, and reduced corrective steering to counter external disturbances such as wind gust, semi-truck passing, and irregular road surfaces.
Quadrasteer also increases low-speed maneuverability during negative-phase towing, enabling the trailer to follow the true vehicle path more closely than with two-wheel steering. The system's maneuverability makes driving easier in situations such as city traffic, backing into a boat launch, or parking a camper. When backing a trailer, the negative phase improves the trailer response to steering inputs.
By electronically controlling the direction of the rear wheels, the new steering system helps shorten the turning circle on full-size vehicles. The smaller radius allows full-size vehicles to maneuver as adeptly as compact cars, according to GM. Based on tests with full-size SUVs and pickup trucks, Quadrasteer reduces the minimum turning circle diameter by an average of 19%. One full-size pickup's turning circle diameter was reduced from 14.1 to 11.4 m (46.2 to 37.4 ft), making it comparable to a Nissan Altima at 11.4 m (37.4 ft) and a Saturn Coupe at 11.3 m (37.1 ft).
Completely compatible with four-wheel-drive systems, Delphi's system can be drive selective or fully automatic depending on the automaker's requirements. Using a selection panel, the driver could adjust the performance of the rear-wheel steering for different driving conditions. Selections might include one for general driving, one for trailering, and one for two-wheel steering. The system also provides a controlled return to regular two-wheel steering if the four-wheel steering system is damaged.
- Jean L. Broge
