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NHTSA's Fatal Crash Reporting System (FARS) collects information on all US fatal public roadway motor vehicle crashes.1 However, FARS contains only the information “K”(killed) as injury information for the individuals sustaining fatal injuries. This paper discusses how a 100 fold improvement in injury detail can be obtained with ICD-9 mortality information by linking FARS with the Vital Statistics Multiple Cause of Death (MCOD) database.2 This link, developed by NHTSA, is accomplished on an individual by individual basis. The FARS database contains about 40,000 individuals killed per year, and nearly 25 years of data available. A multi-year linked FARS-MCOD database can contain detailed cause of death for more than 1,000,000 motor vehicle fatalities. The linked FARS-MCOD allows the reasons why people die in MVC to be studied down to specific vehicle make/model combinations.

SAE J1739 is the revised coordinated Big Three (Chrysler, Ford and General Motors) Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Reference Manual for both design and process analyses. It replaces the Big Three FMEA Reference Manual which was released through the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) in 1993. This paper tells why SAE J1739 was developed by Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, describes the historical events leading up to SAE J1739, and describes the key features and the advancements in automotive FMEA application reflected by SAE J1739.

This paper is concerned with the development of statistical models for the gust field in the lowest 300 ft of the atmosphere. It presents some of the highlights of the underlying physics principles, what is known about gusts, and how gusts affect aircraft. The difficulties of developing gust models are accounted for by the lack of data in particular areas and thus direct attention to the work required to provide the needed information.

Recent developments in the prediction of the contribution of wind noise to the interior SPL have opened a realm of new possibilities in terms of i) how the convective and acoustic sources terms can be identified, ii) how the interaction between the source terms and the side glass can be described and finally iii) how the transfer path from the sources to the interior of the vehicle can be modelled. This paper discusses in detail these three aspects of wind noise simulation and recommends appropriate methods to deliver required results at the right time based on i) simulation and experimental data availability, ii) design stage and iii) time available to deliver these results. Several simulation methods are used to represent the physical phenomena involved such as CFD, FEM, BEM, FE/SEA Coupled and SEA.

An early development vehicle experienced an unusually high rate of windshield breakage. Most breaks were identified as due to impact, but the severity of impact was low. It was reasoned that the windshield should possess a greater level of robustness to impact. Many theories were put forth to explain the breakage data. It was universally agreed that the unusual breakage rate could be due to only one condition, but its source was indefinite. The condition present must be tensile stress. One of three situations were considered regarding its source: 1) the tensile stress was present in the glass after manufacture due to improper annealing; 2) the installation of the windshield into the vehicle body put the glass into stress; 3) some combination of the other two sources. A gray-field polariscope was used to measure the stresses of the windshield from both the manufacturing process as well as the installation in the vehicle.

An overstress testing methodology has been developed by Valeo Wiper Systems and followed in order to decrease the project validation time and determine the wiper system mechanism reliability. This methodology could be followed to analyze new projects, as well as quality problems, improvements ideas and to test new materials. The stress levels were calculated by using the cumulative fatigue laws. During the accelerated test the samples were tested until some component or function fail. In order to have representative results, all the failure modes shall be compared with the FEA (Finite Element Analysis) performed with the drawings. The main objective was to verify the possibilities of reliability increasing to have a robust product, and it was necessary to validate the product weak point. The reliability level is determined by using the Life Data Analysis methodology, acquiring the number of the wiping cycles performed until the failure.

This specification covers one type of bronze in the form of round wire 0.500 inch (12.70 mm) and under in nominal diameter (see 8.5).

Impacts with trees and wooden utility poles represent a significant subset of vehicular collisions. For example, while fixed object collisions account for less than 8% of all crashes, they represent nearly 30% of all fatal crashes. Also, nearly half (over 43%) of all fixed-object impacts are into a tree, pole, or post. This paper is viewed as a first attempt to understand the energy absorbing processes operating when vehicles strike trees and wooden poles in order to make reasonable estimates of the magnitude of the tree/pole energy dissipated in the crash. This initial study is comprised of a literature review, a series of scale model pole/pendulum impacts, and an analytical study which is comprised of both a static analysis and a dynamic finite element model (FEM) analysis of a vehicle/pole impact. As a result of this work, a methodology has been evolved for making estimates of tree/pole energy.

This paper presents the results of a strength analysis of a newly developed steel structure featuring a special cross section achieved with the hydroforming process that minimizes the influence of springback. This structure has been developed in pursuit of further weight reductions for the steel body in white. A steel tube with tensile strength of 590 MPa was fabricated in a low-pressure hydroforming operation, resulting in thicker side walls. The results of a three-point bending test showed that the bending strength of the new steel structure with thicker side walls was substantially increased. A finite element crush analysis based on the results of a forming analysis was shown to be effective in predicting the strength of the structure, including the effect of work hardening.

The Two-Stroke engine revival is seen as a way to reduce the size and weight of engines. IFP has been one of the first engine research centres involved since the early eighties in this promising way of a new generation of highly efficient engines. Since this date, a large number of car manufacturers and research laboratories around the world have engaged research and development efforts in this new field. In these conditions, it was essential for IFP to examine the different research works, technological choices, and new ideas. The systematic study of the patents published since 1981 and their statistical analysis represent an interesting tool to follow the main trends of the research in this domain. More than 4200 patents were selected as relevant for this study.

One of the key premises of the ISO 26262 functional safety standard is the development of an appropriate Technical Safety Concept for the item under development. This is specified in detail in Part 4 of the standard - Product development at the system level. The Technical safety requirements and the technical safety concept form the basis for deriving the hardware and software safety requirements that are then used by engineering teams for developing a safe product. Just like any other form of product development, making multiple revisions of the requirements are highly undesirable. This is primarily due to cost increases, chances of having inconsistencies within work products and its impact on the overall project schedule. Good technical safety requirements are in fact the foundation for an effective functional safety implementation.

Yield potential was predicted and mapped for three corn fields in Central Illinois, using digital aerial color infrared images. Three methods, namely statistical (regression) modeling, genetic algorithm optimization and artificial neural networks, were used for developing yield models. Two image resolutions of 3 and 6 m/pixel were used for modeling. All the models were trained using July 31 image and tested using images from July 2 and August 31, all from 1998. Among the three models, artificial neural networks gave best performance, with a prediction error less than 30%. The statistical model resulted in prediction errors in the range of 23 to 54%. The lower resolution images resulted in better prediction accuracy compared to resolutions higher than or equal to the yield resolution. Images after pollination resulted in better accuracy compared to images before pollination.

This specification covers a zinc alloy in the form of die castings.

Conventional attribute sampling plans based upon nonzero acceptance numbers are no longer desirable. In addition, emphasis is now placed on the quality level that is received by the customer. This relates directly to the Lot Tolerance Percent Defective (LTPD) value or the Limiting Quality Protection of MIL-STD-105. Measuring quality levels in percent nonconforming, although not incorrect, has been replaced with quality levels measured in parts per million (PPM). As a result, this standard addresses the need for sampling plans that can augment MIL-STD-105, are based upon a zero acceptance number, and address quality (nonconformance) levels in the parts per million range. This document does not address minor nonconformances, which are defined as nonconformances that are not likely to reduce materially the usability of the unit of product for its intended purpose.

(From Standards Proposal No. 2358, formulated under the cognizance of the EIA Quality and Reliability Engineering (QRE) Committee.)

Increasingly stringent emission levels require better quality facility gas supplies to enable more precise measurements at low levels and reduce variation in test results. The transient and steady state quality of the “zero gas” used in analyzer calibration will directly affect the level of the readings, while variation in the “zero gas” over time will increase the number of tests needed to meet statistical requirements. Facility zero gas supplies for air and nitrogen, at a minimum, require careful evaluation to confirm that the required gas quality is delivered to the test equipment for the desired instrument accuracy. To move from LEV or ULEV to SULEV analysis, a change in methodology of zero gas generation, delivery and handling may be needed to achieve the desired measurement accuracy and repeatability. Traditional tubing, fittings and handling methods can not only limit the possible gas quality, but also contribute to variation.

This specification covers a zinc alloy in the form of die castings.

1 An FEA (Finite Element Analysis) model was developed based on the physical dimension of the MOSFET device to produce a Zth curve closely matching the experimental Zth curve. This Finite Element Analysis model would then be extrapolated down to the region beyond the capability of the hardware of the Zth measurement system

Truck and bus manufacturers have been constantly facing an issue to disassemble the rear axle shaft from the hub when transporting the truck from the factory to the dealership. In addition to that, the dealerships have the very same problem every time they have to replace the brake pads in some truck models, which leads to excessive service time, extra costs and aftermarket complaints. The current problematic fastening system is composed by a lock nut, a flat washer and a coned slotted bushing. The concept of this 30 year old design involves the coned slotted bushing being pressed against a tapered hole on the shaft’s flange. After tightening the lock nut, the bushing clamps towards the stud and it gets stuck in between the shaft and the stud generating the problem described above. This paper shows the R&D process that Tekfor used to come up with the 1-piece fastener named iLokTM nut that replaces the problematic 3-piece fastening system.

SPECIFICATIONS that are realistic for production and result in a product that functions properly can be set with a three-step method evolved from statistical control techniques. The tolerances thus established reduce production costs, as well as costs arising from faulty products, the author states. The author applies the method to a leakage problem encountered on mechanical-hydraulic units. Through the use of statistical control techniques, the cause of the leakage was discovered.