Mobility and Vehicle Mechanics

1-11

Authors: Milan Blagojević, Miroslav Živković, Marko Topalović

Modern quality control has become unthinkable without optical measuring systems which are intensively used in automotive industry. This paper shows the analysis of preparation of models in terms of proper positioning in relation to the digitized model and the correct interpretation of the results of quality control. Experimental results verifying the method and the theory are shown. Part of tool for pressing and fabricated physical model of passenger car’s suspension control arm is compared to CAD model. Presented results of measurements show that the optical measuring systems are powerful tool for quality control, analysis and discovering of causes of faults.

23-37

Authors: Saša Milojević, Radivoje Pešić, Dragan Taranović

Natural gas as engine fuel is a commercially very attractive option for medium and heavy duty vehicles. A combination of low gas price and incentives for environmentally friendly solutions are key arguments for bus fleet operators to convert to natural gas powered vehicles. From the second side, fuel can be dangerous if handled improperly. Gasoline and diesel are potentially dangerous fuels, but over time we are learned to use them safely. The same is true with liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas, as well as hydrogen. For commercial vehicles both, compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas are equally relevant options. Recent fire accidents involving natural gas buses have shown that cylinders may explode through compliant with current UN ECE R110 regulation. Such a repeated scenario is certainly not acceptable having in mind the tremendous amount of energy released when a compressed cylinder burst. Recent accidents detailed in this paper highlights potential improvements in current natural gas buses fire safety concepts. Fire safety should not solely rely on cylinder behaviour when exposed to fire but also to additional and upstream fire safety barriers. Thermal fuses cannot be seen any more as an ultimate option to control cylinder burst in case of fire.

51-68

Authors: Ralph Pütz

In the light of the 'megatrends' of electromobility and interconnection the car and commercial vehicle industry is facing dramatic changes which could lead to major upheavals. Triggered by ecological necessity and socially induced paradigm shifts, the understanding of mobility, the status of the environment, limited fossil resources, promising propulsion and fuel technologies as well as the increasing digitalisation and networking of all systems must inevitably be considered within a close system relationship. Sufficient technologies must therefore incorporate a corresponding sustainability in all areas: ecology, economy and social affairs for both subsystems as well as in the overall network context. Thus, for example, electromobility can only succeed in the transition to a comparable internal combustion engine in terms of economic and commercial maturity with a technology leap using post-lithium-ion battery technology. An improved lifecycle assessment can only be achieved in the medium to long term through extensive integration of regenerative energies in the electricity mix. Likewise, the interconnection which, at first glance, is inherent in and, ultimately, overarching within the transport system can probably only succeed in its ultimate aim of autonomous driving by overcoming high safety and regulatory hurdles in the medium to long term. In the context of these developments newly understood mobility and cross sector network synergy effects can be developed in the future on the way to a user perspective. In this respect, market shifts between the classic automobile manufacturers, innovative active suppliers and the IT industry are expected.