Meritor WABCO Introduces New Stability Enhancement Systems Aiding in Vehicle Control and Roll-Over Reduction (December 13, 2002)
Meritor WABCO Introduces New Stability Enhancement Systems Aiding in Vehicle Control and Roll-Over Reduction EAST LIBERTY, OH. (Dec. 13, 2002)
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems announces the availability of its new Roll
Stability Control (RSC) and Roll Stability Support (RSS) systems. The new systems
are designed for linehaul tractor/trailer combinations and provide intervention to
reduce the likelihood of a rollover situation. The RSC tractor system will be available January 2003 through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The trailer system, RSS, will be available through trailer OEMs in mid-2003.
Dennis Sandberg, president of Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, said, “As pioneers in vehicle control systems, we are proud to be at the forefront of this next level of stability enhancement technology. While drivers are still the key element in the equation, we have put our expertise to work to complement their capabilities and provide an added peace of mind.”
Roll Stability Control System
The RSC system focuses on a vehicle’s center of gravity and the lateral acceleration limit or rollover threshold. Meritor WABCO engineers studied the dynamics of a rollover and developed algorithms calculating the critical lateral acceleration limit. When critical lateral acceleration thresholds are exceeded, RSC intervenes to regulate the vehicle’s deceleration functions. Track and field testing demonstrated the system’s ability to slow the vehicle, giving the driver better control and maneuverability.
Intervention by the system occurs in three forms – engine, retarder and brake control. An accelerometer mounted directly to the anti-lock braking system (ABS) electronic control unit (ECU) monitors the vehicle’s lateral acceleration. RSC constantly monitors driving conditions and intervenes if critical lateral acceleration is detected. The system provides control of engine and retarder torque as well as
automatically activates the drive axle and trailer brakes.
“Our technology team has analyzed several stability enhancement designs and we
believe the RSC provides an effective combination of vehicle control functions to help reduce the likelihood of a rollover,” commented Sandberg. He added that while RSC
is an aid, drivers are still the most important element and must ensure the physical limits of the vehicle are not exceeded.
Roll Stability Support
RSS is an independent system for trailers and offers electronic assistance to reduce
the likelihood of rollover. The technology is integrated in the trailer electronic braking system (EBS) requiring no additional hardware. Similar to the tractor’s RSC system, the RSS focuses on lateral acceleration and wheel speed, monitoring the critical acceleration limit. If this limit is exceeded, the trailer brakes are automatically applied helping to reduce the vehicle’s speed.
“The introduction of trailer RSS is one more building block in providing comprehensive vehicle stability control systems. As the industry continues to move toward more advanced foundation braking, our systems will be in place, ready to meet this challenge,” said Sandberg.
The RSC and RSS systems are just two elements offered by Meritor WABCO and
ArvinMeritor as part of their complete braking system. Other braking system
components include: anti-lock braking system, electronic braking systems, air dryers, brake control valves, air compressors, foundation brakes, automatic slack adjusters, friction materials, and hubs and drums.
Meritor WABCO* is a joint venture of ArvinMeritor, (NYSE:ARM) and the WABCO
Automotive Products Group of American Standard Companies Inc. (NYSE:ASD).
American Standard is a global manufacturer with market leading positions in three
businesses: Trane®, the United States' leading supplier of central air conditioning
systems and service for commercial and institutional buildings and a premier brand
for residential buildings; American Standard® and Ideal Standard®, the world's
largest manufacturer of plumbing products; and WABCO®, the leading supplier of electronic braking and control systems to the world's manufacturers of heavy-duty
trucks and buses. The company employs approximately 58,000 people in 36 countries. American Standard is included in the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index.
ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier $7-billion global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company
serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment
manufacturers and related aftermarkets. In addition, ArvinMeritor is a leader in coil
coating applications. The company is headquartered in Troy, Mich., and employs
32,000 people at more than 150 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. ArvinMeritor
common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at: http://www.arvinmeritor.com/.
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*Meritor WABCO products are available in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Contacts:
D. Mike Pennington
1-248-435-1933
mailto:david.pennington@arvinmeritor.com
Christina A. Kraning
1-248-435-1294
mailto:christina.kraning@arvinmeritor.com
Press Release PDF