What's New at Truck & Bus
Power module
Delphi Automotive Systems' Freedom Extra Power Module delivers lower cost in addition to improved durability, serviceability, and fuel economy. The module consists of a composite tray and cover, four absorbent glass-mat batteries, and an electrical bus-bar connection system. The composite tray and cover support and secure the module components, dampen vibration, provide a splash shield, help cool the battery with molded-in air ducts, and are 6 kg (14 lb) lighter than conventional steel. The maintenance-free, spill-proof batteries last up to twice as long as traditional flooded lead-acid batteries.
Saddle mount
HellermannTyton's dual swivel saddle mount is designed for installation between two bundles such as wires, cables, hoses, tubing, and conduits to separate them and prevent chafing and wear. The mount can be rotated by hand, allowing bundles to be crossed and rotated at any angle. Accommodating cable ties up to 12.7 mm (0.5 in) wide, the mount is manufactured from heat stabilized, black nylon 6/6 material that is suitable for higher-continuous-temperature applications.
Simulation environment
AMESim from Imagine Software Inc. is a complete 1-D simulation environment in which engineers can use existing model elements from fluid power, mechanical, thermal, or thermo-fluid libraries to create new component or system virtual prototypes. The software lets users study the time- and frequency-domain dynamic behavior of components or circuits with a user-friendly application-oriented approach. The 15 open libraries, containing components based on physics and applications, feature advanced models that can be combined efficiently to build a complex, multidomain system model. A numerical solver automatically switches between 29 highly optimized algorithms to find the best calculation method based on the model stiffness, discontinuities, and nonlinearities.
ECU test system
IPG's TruckMaker hardware-in-the-loop solution tests electronic control units (ECU) in a virtual environment. Application areas are development and testing of braking systems (ABS, EPB, CBC), stability control systems (ESP, VDC, ROP), steering systems (AFS), chassis systems (ARC, CDC), and drivetrain control systems (ADB, EDL). The simulators consist of TruckMaker simulation software, the host and real-time computers, and the control device test bench. Simulators vary according to customer needs—from desktop simulators for single ECUs up to large-scale simulators for ECU-networks, including complete braking systems or other vehicle modules.
Power connectors
LADD Industries has expanded its range of Deutsch IPD electrical connectors for heavy-duty applications. The modification is designed to accommodate large wire sizes and is suitable for a range of applications in marine, agriculture, and industrial machines, as well as heavy-duty on-highway vehicles. The new insert arrangement is an addition to the HDP20 connector series, which is designed for bulkhead or inline cable-to-cable applications on the engine, under the hood, on the chassis, or under the cab. It offers designers the option of using up to two 6 AWG wires (up to 100 A continuous per line) in a sealed, two-cavity, corrosion-proof connector. With an additional crimp sleeve reducer and insert seal, 8 or 10 AWG can be accommodated.
