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Instantaneous combine grain yield monitors need to provide reliable yield measurements since yield as a function of location is key information needed to manage fields by management zones. A scale and a yield monitor measured the same stream of grain and provided similar results when compared to each other. Data from either device may be misinterpreted if care in calibration and operation is not taken. Careful operators who pay attention to calibration, maintenance, and manufacturer's instructions will be required.

Work solenoids are widely used in household appliances. The environment and design of this type application does not lead to solenoids for the earthmoving industry. This paper presents the environmental effects to be considered when designing a solenoid for the earthmoving industry. It further explains the need for, and type of, test necessary to validate the design. Finally a review of production quality procedures, necessary to insure reliable production parts is discussed.

Measuring water quality and preventing drawbacks caused by deteriorated water quality in tap water fluid power systems is a unique problem. Tap water is a suitable environment for waterborne microorganisms. It also contains dissolved and undissolved organic and inorganic matter. Wear particles in the tap water fluid power systems are a separate problem, however closely linked to problems above mentioned. Contamination and the quality of the pressure medium in the system is a function of local characteristics of tap water, operating parameters, system and component design and contamination introduced to the system. To study effects of water quality on tap water fluid power systems, and to evaluate methods for measuring water quality and particle counting, a pilot scale hydraulic system was constructed. The pilot scale system emulates typical operation of a commercial tap water fluid power system.

This paper focuses on the manufacturer's conflict in the conceptual design of commercial vehicles between highly customized special vehicles and the greatest possible degree of standardization. Modularity and standardization are crucial success factors for realizing high variance at the best cost efficiency in development and production as well for achieving the highest quality standards at reduced efforts for technical validation. The presented virtual design approach for commercial vehicle concepts allows for purposeful design and integration of new concepts and technologies on the component level in an existing product portfolio - not neglecting manufacture's portfolio requirements concerning standardization and modularity. The integrated tool chain helps to bring trade-offs to a head that exist in balancing between dedicated vehicles with best customer-relevant characteristics and standardized vehicles with the highest degree of commonality.

Door slam test is one of the important durability tests in door design and development. Door requires to meet certain performance requirements like it should close properly (no metal to metal contact), there should not be any leakage, and closing operation should be smooth & with minimal effort and it should survive the life of the vehicle. Virtual simulation of door slam test, correlation with physical test results and effect of various parameters like seals stiffness are demonstrated in this study. Slam Analysis was carried out in LS-Dyna solver before physical test. This not only helped in avoiding initial structural design flaws, but also helped us in deciding door latch position, effect of mass distribution in the door and study of force distribution between primary seal, secondary seal and door latch. Primary and secondary seals played a critical role in the analysis. An intended length of both the seals was tested first to get its stiffness curve.

An agricultural tractor is often modified for special farming applications such as horticulture where the standard design is not suitable or accessible. In such cases, farm equipment manufacturers are demanded frugal and cost effect Engineered farming solutions. One such design is the innovative High Ground Clearance Tractor (HGCT) kit offered to increase the Tractor height without damaging the crop during farming operations. In this paper, the author proposes a durability assessment method to evaluate the HGCT kit attachments to meet the durability criteria. Road load data acquisition is done to measure the acceleration and strain levels for various horticulture operations such as tillage, spraying and transportation. Actual operating conditions are simulated with the help of four poster durability setups inside the lab which helps to reduce the field testing for design iterations.

The design complexity of today's vehicles places tougher demands on the electrical interconnection system, particularly within the engine compartment. This paper outlines three areas of product development specifically aimed at improving the performance of such systems. These are: ENVIRONMENTAL SEALING AND PROTECTION of multiple wire splices, wire bundles, and connectors. VEHICLE WIRING, with particular regard to high temperature resistance on critical components such as ABS systems. ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI) PROTECTION via the use of shielded cables, and simple and reliable shield termination/splicing techniques. Together, these new materials and products combine to provide tougher, smaller, higher temperature resistance and environmentally sealed electrical interconnection systems.

Heavy duty valvetrains have evolved over the last 20 years with the integration of engine braking into the valvetrain. Jacobs Vehicle Systems have developed the High Power Density (HPD) engine brake that increases retarding powe, especially at low engine speed. The system works by converting the engine from a 4 stroke during positive power into a 2 stroke for retarding power. This more than doubles the retarding power at cruise engine speeds reducing the need to downshift in order to control the vehicle, compensates for reduction in natural vehicle retarding due to aerodynamic and friction enhancements, and enables the same vehicle retarding power with a smaller displacement engine as engine downsizing becomes prevalent. This paper describes lessons learnt during a recent vehicle demonstration project undertaken by Jacobs including performance, durability, integration with the engine powertrain, controls development, calibration, management of air system and transient operation.

A review of the design and application of a commercial Electronic Shift Control for Power Shift Transmissions as used on Off-Highway Vehicles that are produced in low volumes. While product design is important and of interest, the key to installed reliability has proven to be the effective use of the vehicle battery and ground bus.

The only way to operate a construction machine efficiently is to improve the cost effectiveness. First, it is necessary to clarify the policy regarding owning and operating costs which directly concern cost effectiveness, and the location and standards for measuring reliability and maintenance activities which we face in connection with cost effectiveness. Next, it is important to have efficient maintenance support activities to improve the mechanical availability for the customer. However, for the customer, the support activity most concerned with maximizing profit is not simply maintenance problems. It is necessary to have support activities which go back to the source of the user's implementation processes. We would like to introduce what kind of systems are available for these support systems, and as it is now impossible to operate the systems without using the power of computers, we would like to give examples of comprehensive systems using hardware and software.

The SAE J1708 communication link available of roost heavy vehicle electronic modules is being used to reduce cost, increase reliability, and enhance flexibility of many products prior to customer use. The link is being used in the design stages of product development for testing and monitoring. In production, serial communications is used for calibration programming, functional testing, serial number tracking and field return analysis.

Nearly every area of vehicle electronics is experiencing a design and implementation revolution. Drive-by-wire concepts, controller area networks, and “on-line” information systems are rapidly changing the way we view vehicle electronics. Advancements in technology enable improvements or even revolutionary changes in the way products are designed. Enhancements in semiconductor technology are enabling an evolutionary change in the design of products for all types of vehicles. Electrical systems are supporting the movement towards higher voltages, more features, and more power. Today, heavy duty signaling applications may have as many as 20 bulbs connected to the flasher, forcing designers to look towards higher reliability, solid state switching methods.

How shall we improve the quality and reliability of the software we produce? We believe that the critical factor is an understanding how software is constructed, and why it is constructed in that way. Once something is understood, we can begin to build better tools to support and mold the process. This paper outlines a view of how the software process proceeds, why it proceeds that way, and how we can use this perspective to build better tools.

Turbocharging has become a recognized means of increasing the power output of gasoline and diesel passenger car and commercial engines. The application of turbochargers involves the consideration of many factors in the engine and vehicle systems. The optimization of these systems requires wide knowledge and experience in turbomachinery, engine design, performance analysis, emissions, and reliability. Various new technologies are continually being developed to improve the potential of engine boosting. Discussed herein are some of the history, application and performance of turbochargers. Advantages and disadvantages of various systems are presented, as well as state-of-the-art developments.

The truck transportation industry is a vital part of the economy and social structure of many countries. It is in society's best interest to encourage the most efficient, low cost, and reliable truck transportation system possible. The system is made up of two major components, trucks and highways - the design of one affects the other in many and sometimes subtle ways. It is imperative that the highway be considered in truck design and vice versa if the entire system is to be optimized. Designers of both highways and trucks need a better understanding of the interaction between the two.

Electronic controls continue to propagate on vehicles in the truck industry. Many people, including engineering design personnel, do not fully understand the design, development, test, and manufacturing process for electronics. This paper specifically reviews design and test techniques necessary to produce a reliable electronic package. Potential benefits of a superior mechanical package include ease of installation and service, simple manufacturing process techniques, and protection from surrounding environmental conditions.

All friction materials swell. That is, they temporarily increase in thickness with an increase in temperature. Brake block swell is usually greatest the first time the brake heats them above 150°C (about 300°F). Block growth also involves a change of thickness from heating. But growth is permanent. It is determined by measurements taken at ambient temperature, before and after the block is heated. This paper introduces and defines several types of truck brake block thermal instability, and describes their effects on brake performance. Methods to measure thermal instability of brake blocks are described. Data are presented for several original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket brake blocks. Information is given on the ways truck brake block thermal instabilities may affect brake performance and durability. Through better awareness and understanding of these thermal effects, better brake performance can be achieved with OEM and replacement brake blocks.

Inertia relief approach is often used to predict fatigue life of automotive structures. This approach, which completely ignores resonance effects, can provide reliable results, if the natural frequencies of the system are higher than loading frequencies by more than four times. In this paper, a method is proposed to augment the inertia relief results by including modal resonance effects. This new method has the same accuracy as that of the direct transient dynamic analysis with the efficiency of inertia relief approach. Here, inertia relief and normal mode results are obtained using commercial finite element codes and the modal resonance parameters are calculated in a manner suitable to handle long time histories of proving ground loads.

Freight trucking has always embraced continuous improvement although the general public may be largely unaware of the tremendous changes that have occurred to date in vehicle safety, efficiencies, emissions mitigation and asset utilization. Today’s freight industry is in the early stages of dramatic technological advances in areas such as connectivity, automation and electrification. Fleet and manufacturer perspective on these transformational technologies are universally supportive, driven both by economic and regulatory factors. The early stages of these technological revolutions are characterized by a multitude of competing concepts confusing choices, complicated by a significant number of competing vested interests obscuring objectivity, and clouded by billions of dollars of venture capital. The objective of this report is to provide unbiased insight into the freight industry’s thoughts on these transformational technologies.

Increasing acceptance of tractor cab air conditioning is evidenced by the rapid population growth of air-conditioned agricultural vehicles. Both field- and factory-installed units made available by numerous manufacturers provide wide variations of system capabilities to meet various customer requirements. The present air conditioning state-of-the-art utilizing the vapor compression system supports manufacture of functional units of adequate capacity to meet most agricultural cab requirements. However, the severe applications to which most off-the-road (including agricultural) vehicles are subjected in comparison with automobiles require some unique design innovations. Further development of system components to provide increased system reliability and durability will result in increasing customer acceptance and satisfaction.