Search Results

Current market trend indicates an increased interest in replacing mirrors by camera monitor systems (CMS) to reduce CO2 emissions and to improve visibility of surrounding environment to the driver. A CMS is an advanced system composed of an electronic imager, a display, and an intelligent electronic control unit intended to provide at least the same level of functionality of legally prescribed mirrors. A CMS must also take into consideration several factors in the designed system to satisfy an overall system magnification and system resolution. Some factors pertain to the camera, and display inside the cockpit, but some other are related to the physical constraints of the human operator, i.e. visual acuity, height, etc. In this paper, we demonstrate that there exists a fundamental nonlinear equation for a given CMS encompassing factors that influence the performance of the system.

Most of the Driving Assistance functions require sensors that are looking ahead of the vehicle. Among these sensors, cameras, already providing Lane Departure Warning and Night Vision, will play a major role. Since it won't be possible to multiply the number of sensors located behind the windscreen, it is then crucial to perform with cameras as many detections as possible. We describe in this paper some algorithmic methods for performing camera based tunnel and fog detection.

Vehicle multiplexed E/E architectures are increasingly used for new vehicles. Their potential is usually described in wiring harness cost and weight reductions as well as in increased vehicle functionality through sensor sharing. This paper studies two major parallel impacts that may be unleashed by the widespread use of these new E/E architectures: 1. We will illustrate, by use of a case study, that the new E/E architectures are going to induce new loops into the collaborative process of vehicle engineering. The mastering of these new loops will facilitate innovative and cost competitive product creation. 2. Consequently we will argue that the E/E architecture will increasingly gain more significance within the suppliers’ and OEMs’ R&D organizations to the point that they may be finally “reworked” to fit the new E/E architecture paradigm.

Module often synonymous with integration. Once the perimeter of a module is defined, there is a natural tendency to look to full integration using techniques like Value Analysis. This article will illustrate, by using a rear closure rationale, that mechatronic modularization (e-modularization) is only viable if 2 main issues are taken into account from the beginning of the component and module designs: economies of scale in component production and diversity management at module level.

This paper presents the potential for rear closure submodules. Side door modules and lightweight rear closures have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. However the characteristics of future liftgates allow the design of specific mechatronic sub-modules (e-modulesTM). Beside structure, rear closures satisfy three main functions: rear vision, rear signaling and rear access. All are undergoing a generation change that will be outlined in the first part of this paper, system by system. Each time the rationale behind modular integration, whether electronic or mechanical, will be reviewed. The second part presents examples of e-modulesTM that illustrate the potential gains in terms of ease of assembly, packaging optimization and network integration.