The latest developments in smart technology

    Technological innovation is the eternal theme of automobile development. In recent years, tracking the development and application trends of automobile technology, research has found that more than 90% of technological innovations in the automotive industry in the past five years are closely related to automobile intelligent systems, and intelligent technology is becoming the focus of research and development and application of automobile technology. It can be predicted that automobile intelligence will be a revolution in the development of automobile technology and one of the most effective means to seize the commanding heights of the future automobile market.

    In pursuit of high performance of commercial vehicles, commercial vehicle companies around the world, especially European commercial vehicle giants, have achieved unprecedented results in the research and application of automotive intelligent technology. At present, in the heavy-duty flagship products such as the fourth-generation Actros series of Mercedes-Benz in Europe, the new TGX series of MAN, the new FH series of Volvo and the new R series of Scania, intelligent technology has penetrated into various fields of improving economy, power, safety, comfort and handling, especially in improving safety and comfort.

Intelligent technology to improve safety

    1. Intelligent collision avoidance system

    The first problem to be solved by the intelligent collision avoidance system is the safe distance between cars. If the distance between cars exceeds this safe distance, the intelligent collision avoidance system can not only automatically alarm, but also automatically take braking measures.

    There are currently three methods for measuring the safe distance between cars: ultrasonic ranging, microwave radar ranging and laser ranging. Ultrasonic ranging is to use its reflection characteristics. The ultrasonic generator emits 40KHz ultrasonic waves, which generate reflected waves when encountering obstacles. The ultrasonic receiver receives the transmitted wave signal and converts it into an electrical signal. Microwave radar ranging is to use the reflection of electromagnetic waves by the target to find the target and determine its position. The working principle of laser ranging is similar to that of microwave radar ranging. There are two specific ranging methods: continuous wave and pulse wave.

    2. Intelligent braking system

    Intelligent braking system is an advanced form of EBS (electronic control braking system). It has been developed on the basis of ABS and ASR in recent years. It is an electronic control braking system that integrates ABS and ASR control functions. It is composed of some sensors and control devices. EBS is mainly used to improve the braking performance of trucks, especially heavy trucks. The

    Telligent intelligent braking system used in the fourth-generation Actros series of Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks can automatically distribute and control the braking force according to the vehicle load in conjunction with ABS and ASR. Its ramp parking function makes the past phenomenon of slipping or stalling on the ramp a thing of the past.

    3. Intelligent tires

    Intelligent tires of cars are equipped with sensors and computer chips in the tires. They can automatically monitor and adjust the driving temperature and air pressure of the tires, so that the tires can maintain the best operating conditions under different conditions, which not only improves the safety factor but also saves expenses. More advanced intelligent tires can also soften after detecting icy roads to provide better traction; after detecting the wetness of the road surface, they can also automatically change the tire pattern to prevent slipping.

    4. Intelligent airbags

    Intelligent airbags are made by adding sensors and matching computer software to the general airbags. Its weight sensor can sense whether it is an adult or a child based on weight; its infrared sensor can detect whether it is a person or an object on the seat based on heat; its ultrasonic sensor can detect the presence and position of the occupants. The computer software can timely adjust the inflation time, inflation speed, and inflation degree of the airbag according to the passenger's body, weight, position, whether the seat belt is fastened, and the collision speed and degree of the car, so that the airbag can provide the most reasonable and effective protection for the passengers.

    5. Intelligent night vision system

    This system is mainly used at night, and the system automatically turns on when visibility drops to a certain level. It mainly uses infrared technology to make darkness as bright as day, so that drivers can see farther and more clearly in the dark. The structure of the night vision system consists of two parts: one is the infrared camera, and the other is the light display system on the windshield. After installing this night vision device, the driver can see the road conditions as clearly as during the day through the light display system. When two cars meet, it can greatly reduce the adverse stimulation of the strong light of the front car headlights to the driver's vision, and can also improve the driver's ability to distinguish when driving in the fog. In order to see the situation behind the car clearly, the researchers have developed a new type of rearview mirror. When the headlights of the rear car shine on the rearview mirror of the front car, the automatic sensing device can make the surface of the liquid crystal glass reflector reflect softly, so that the driver will not be dazzled.

    6. Driver Intelligent Monitoring System

    This is a monitoring system installed on the car dashboard. It can use eye tracking technology to determine whether the driver is paying attention to the road conditions and issue a timely reminder when the driver is drowsy. The monitoring system uses two cameras to continuously observe the driver's face, including the position of the ears, nose and chin, to calculate the position of the eyes and track the state of the whites of the eyes and irises. The system then compares the current shape of the iris with a computer model to analyze the direction of the driver's gaze and determine whether he is paying attention to the road.

    7. Intelligent "black box"

    The intelligent "black box" of a car can objectively record the operation process of the driver before the motor vehicle accident, and effectively provide the driver with various reactions before the accident.

    This black box is about the same size as a cigarette box, and its components include a cellular phone device that can store, collect and transmit data and an external safety device. After the accident, the black box will automatically open, use sensors to record the speed of the car and the impact position of the car when the accident occurs, and then transmit this information to the central communication system. The black box is embedded with a global positioning system, which is responsible for data processing and transmission functions.

    8. Internet of Vehicles System

    The Internet of Vehicles system refers to the use of advanced sensing technology, network technology, computing technology, control technology, and intelligent technology to fully perceive roads and traffic, realize the interaction of large-scale and large-capacity data between multiple systems, control the traffic of each car throughout the entire process, and control the traffic of each road in all time and space, so as to provide a network and application with high traffic efficiency and traffic safety as the main focus. At present, vehicle-to-vehicle communication and safety control, and vehicle-to-road communication and safety control are the difficulties to be overcome in the development of vehicle-to-vehicle technology.

    In addition to the above-mentioned intelligent safety systems, the rest, such as "EDB (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)", "ESP (Electronic Stability Program, also known as Electronic Controlled Driving Stability System)", "ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)", "LKS (Lane Keeping System)", "DAS (Fatigue Warning Support System)", etc., all belong to the category of intelligent safety technology.

Intelligent technologies to improve comfort

    1. Intelligent suspension

    The intelligent suspension system is controlled by an electronic device, which can adjust the stiffness of the suspension elastic elements and the resistance of the shock absorber according to the road conditions, so that vibrations and shocks can be quickly eliminated. In addition, the intelligent suspension can also automatically adjust the height of the vehicle body from the ground, so that there will be no road obstacles even if the car is driving on a rugged road, so that the driver and passengers feel more stable and comfortable.

    2. Intelligent roll control system

    As an optional equipment for fully air spring-supported side dumpers, the intelligent roll control system continuously adapts the shock absorption characteristics to the current driving state, vehicle load and road conditions through electronic control of the shock absorber, thereby improving the comfort, safety and buffering level of the vehicle during cargo transportation.

    3. Intelligent air conditioning

    The intelligent air conditioning system can analyze and judge the temperature, humidity and air cleanliness in the car according to the pre-set indicators based on the external climate conditions, and automatically turn on the cooling, heating, dehumidification and air purification devices in time and adjust the appropriate air environment in the car.

Intelligent technology to improve power and economy

    1. Integrated intelligent control system of power transmission system

    Integrated intelligent control of automobile power transmission system refers to the application of electronic technology and automatic transmission theory, with the electronic control unit (ECU) as the core, through the hydraulic actuator to control the separation and engagement of the clutch, the selection and shifting operation, and through the electronic device to control the fuel supply of the engine to achieve automatic operation of starting and shifting. Its basic control idea is: according to the driver's intention (accelerator pedal, brake pedal, joystick, etc.) and the vehicle's state (engine speed, input shaft speed, vehicle speed, gear position), according to appropriate control laws (shifting laws, clutch engagement laws, etc.), with the help of corresponding actuators (clutch actuators, gear selection actuators) and electronic devices (engine fuel supply electronic control device) The vehicle's power transmission system (engine, clutch, transmission) is jointly operated and controlled, and finally the optimization of the vehicle's power and economy is achieved. At present, the system is in the research and development stage.

    2. Intelligent gear shift system

    At present, the intelligent gear shift system has been put into use in high-end heavy-duty truck products of Mercedes-Benz and Scania in Europe, and is even used as a standard configuration on some flagship products.

    Scania heavy-duty truck's intelligent gear shift system (Scania Opticruise) adopts a fully automatic gear shift mode, with two configurations of automatic clutch and classic clutch pedal to choose from. The automatic clutch uses electric hydraulic clutch control to achieve the most accurate gear shift.

    The system benefits drivers and operators in many ways. It not only improves driving comfort, so that drivers do not have to always pay attention to engine speed and change gears while driving, so that they can focus more on vehicle control and road conditions, but also drivers can quickly become familiar with and adapt to this automatic gear shift system and drive in a more stable and efficient way. Even drivers who have not received training can quickly become familiar with the operation and greatly save fuel consumption. In addition, the intelligent gear shift system can also reduce the wear of the clutch and other transmission components and extend their service life.

    Scania's intelligent gear shift system is the first automatic transmission system on the market, and it has been improved many times in the years since its launch.

    3. Intelligent engine management system

    Intelligent engine management system is a new technology developed on the basis of diesel engine electronic control system. It uses diesel engine speed and load as basic signals to reflect the actual working conditions of diesel engine, and refers to the injection quantity and injection timing corresponding to each working condition of diesel engine obtained by test and MAP diagram to determine the basic injection quantity and injection timing, and then makes various compensations according to various factors (such as water temperature, oil temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc.) to obtain the best injection quantity and injection timing, and then controls the output through actuators. Ultimately, it ensures that the diesel engine fuel economy and power are balanced to the best.

    4. Intelligent fleet remote management system On

    April 21, 2011, at the Shanghai International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz Trucks exhibited FleetBoard, an intelligent fleet remote management system, in China for the first time. This groundbreaking management system aims to maximize the productivity of fleets and the economic efficiency of freight vehicles.

    FleetBoard uses satellite positioning technology to enable managers to track vehicle information and driver operation behavior in real time, which can greatly improve vehicle fuel economy. It also combines logistics orders, distribution processes, and the company's internal ERP system and inventory information system to maximize shared information and improve logistics efficiency.

    Currently, Fleetboard is installed as a standard configuration on Mercedes-Benz's fourth-generation ACTROS series heavy trucks. Tests have shown that Fleetboard can reduce fuel consumption by at least 5%, and even 15% in the best case. The current Fleetboard version also has an economic mode Eco Support, which can analyze parking status and give improvement suggestions. Eco Support is installed in the travel computer and can be deleted by the driver at any time.

Intelligent technology to improve driver control

    1. GPS global navigation system

    GPS (GlobL pilot system) global navigation system is also called global satellite positioning system. It relies on 24 positioning satellites around the earth to continuously transmit electronic information of three-dimensional position and three-dimensional speed to the ground, and then receives this information through the corresponding receiving equipment installed on the earth, and uses the transfer frame to continue the equipment for analysis to determine the position of the object that transmits the information.

    The GPS navigation system is mainly composed of two parts, one part is composed of the GPS receiver and display device installed on the original car; the other part is composed of the computer control center. The two are connected through positioning satellites.

    2. Intelligent driving system

    The intelligent driving system of the car is equivalent to a robot, which can replace people to drive the car. It mainly uses infrared cameras installed on the front and rear bumpers and both sides to continuously scan and monitor a certain area in front, behind, left and right of the car. The computer, electronic map, photochemical sensor, etc. in the car analyze and calculate the signals from the infrared camera, and according to the traffic information from the road traffic information management system, it replaces the human brain to issue instructions and command the execution system to operate the car.

    3. Smart key

    The smart key of commercial vehicles can emit infrared signals, which can open the door and the fuel filler cap. The more advanced smart key is like a credit card. When the driver touches the door handle, the central lock control system starts to work and emits a wireless query signal. After the smart key responds correctly, the car lock will automatically open. At the same time, the engine will only start when the central processor feels that the key is stuck in the car.

    4. Intelligent maintenance system

    This system continuously records various important data of the operating status, uses these data to calculate the wear rate, and uses this data to indicate the remaining mileage to the next maintenance. It not only makes full use of lubricants and wear parts, but also reduces the parking time required for maintenance, which is conducive to improving fleet management efficiency; the system can also record the driver's operating errors to facilitate diagnosis of fault causes. As early as the late 1990s, the intelligent maintenance system was standard equipment for Mercedes-Benz Actors heavy trucks.