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: TraneŽ, 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 StandardŽ and Ideal StandardŽ, the world's largest manufacturer of
plumbing products; and WABCOŽ, 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
Christina A. Kraning
1-248-435-1294
