Automatic light sensors Adrian Skowron #6

The cars become more futuristic everyday as well as they become more users friendly. Extra features are added to help the driver with basic functions like remembering to turn on/off headlights. It is a modern convenience in many of today's cars. They eliminate the need for the driver to manually switch the headlamps in certain driving situations. While we have that function, the driver is still able to turn that off and control the lamps himself.  It is a handy option because as it gets darker outside or even in the early mornings some people just forget about the head lights for the visibility. With the automatic function the driver doesn’t have to worry about that any more.

​            How the Automatic Headlamps works?

The automatic headlamps are activated through a photoelectric sensor which is embedded into the instrument panel. The sensor is located at the base of the windshield under the defogger grill. The sensitivity of the sensor is either set by the auto manufacturer or the driver. The sensor is activated by the lighting conditions at dawn or dusk. The lights may switch off up to five minutes after the engine has been turned off.

Fig [1]

Switch Controls

As I said before, the driver has the ability to turn off the functions of the automatic headlamps by operating the light switch. If the driver turns off this function and leaves the lights on, the car will notify you by a constant beeping sound so that the driver can turn them off and avoid the battery to be drained. [2]

Fig [3]

[3] http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/advice/finding/2015/february/the-a-z-guide-to-headlights/

[2] https://www.quora.com/How-do-automatic-headlights-work

[1] http://www.nissanusa.com/buildyournissan/vehicle-images/2016/JKE/XGC60NIS122C0/dd19068cc0841f3571bcb75e2838bddd/JUKE/SL/Automatic-headlights/Exterior

ABS System Adrian Skowron #5

So what is ABS?

So, ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System and it was designed to help the driver maintain some steering ability and avoid skidding while braking. The Anti-lock Braking System was first introduced in the mid -1980s. In today’s world we can easily say that it became a ”standard" equipment in every single car there is. The Anti-lock Braking System helps with stability and allows steering while maximizing braking. As well as that, it allows the diver to maintain control of the vehicle while is skids. Since four-wheel ABS prevents all wheels from skidding, it allows you to steer the vehicle and still maintain braking.

Fig [1]

How it works?

ABS uses wheel speed sensors to determine if one or more wheels are trying to lock up during braking.  If a wheel tries to lock up while it skids, a series of hydraulic valves limit or reduce the braking on that wheel. This helps to prevent skidding and allows the driver to maintain steering control and slow down the vehicle. It also has the ability to build the pressure back up via the hydraulic motor. The system reacts remarkably quickly, and compared wheel speeds many times a second. ABS systems can work on just the front wheels or all four but it depends on what car you own. As I mentioned above, ABS is standard in today’s cars as it will allow you to manoeuvre from dangerous and unexpected road situations.[2]

[1] https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tp-tp13082-abs1_e-214.htm

[2] http://www.drivingfast.net/technology/abs.htm

Car ECU Adrian Skowron 4#

ECU also known as engine control unit can be easily that it’s the brain of the car. In these days most cars are equipped with ECU which is a type of electronic control unit which decides almost everything which makes your car. The ECU controls horsepower, torque, how much carbon dioxide is being exhausted, how much fuel to pump, idle speed, ignition timing, and even the time in which all the valves open up. It does this by reading values from a multitude of sensors within the engine bay, interpreting the data using multidimensional performance maps. [1]

                                        [FIG2]

Beginning of ECU

The “Kommandograt” created by BMW in 1939 was one of the first attempts to use such a unitized and automated device to manage multiple engine control functions simultaneously. This ECU device helped to replace the 6 controls used to initiate hard acceleration with one control in the 801 series-equipped aircraft. As it was a first attempt in implementing this device of course it didn’t go smoothly as planned, it had some problems. Basically, it would surge the engine, making close formation flying of the Fw 190 (Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger), a single-engine single-seat German fighter aircraft, somewhat difficult, and at first it switched supercharger gears harshly and at random, which could throw the aircraft into an extremely dangerous stall. [2]

Modern ECU

All cars are equipped with ECU now days. Electronic Control Module uses a microprocessor which has a capability to process inputs and outputs coming from the engine sensors, immobilizers, ABS systems and many more. The hardware part of ECU is made of a PCB (printed circuit board) with several of components installed. The main part of the ECU is a micro controller chip on which software is saved. The big advantage is that it can be reprogrammed by upgrading code or physically replacing the chip. In now days ECU are responsible for futures as cruise control, air condition, transmission, entertainment systems, and many more depending on the car manufacturer

Ref [3]

[1] http://www.examiner.com/article/what-is-an-ecu-and-why-every-car-should-have-it-upgraded

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_control_unit

[3] http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a7386/how-it-works-the-computer-inside-your-car/

Air bags Adrian Skowron #3

Every dy all over the world car accidants happen on dauly basis. The well know seatbelts are ther to protect us form the crash inpact but it just wasn’t enoughf to guarantee saefty of a driver as well as the passangers. Now cars are equiped  with front airbas as well as side airbags to protect the drivers form all sides regardles of where the car was hit. The concept of the airbag is basicaly a soft pillow to land against in a crash. This invention has been around for many years now but it is constantly improved to provide safety for every one including children, passengers in the front and back. The first concept was applied to airplanes which an inflatable was crash-landing device filed with air, during World War II. Then, in the 1980s, the first commercial airbags appeared in automobiles. [2]

                                        [FIG2]

So, let get more in to some technical stuff and how an airbag works. The airbags inflates when a car crash occurs while protecting the driver's head and body from hitting the steering wheel or other parts of the vehicle's interior. The invention of airbags reduces death crashes by 25% and reduces serious head injuries by over 60%.  

                                         [FIG3]

The airbag or the cushion is made of nylon material and folded in a specific way, allowing it to unfold quickly and safely during a crash. Vent holes on the back of the cushion ensure the occupant a soft landing into the bag. The airbag is hidden inside of the steering wheel of the driver while the passengers’ bag is hidden in the dashboard. [3]

[3]https://www.autoliv.com/ProductsAndInnovations/PassiveSafetySystems/Pages/Airbags/DriverAirbags.aspx

[2] http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/airbag.htm

Car evolution Adrian Skowron #2

1

A car, an invention which changed the world and the way people commute from one place to another. Early motorized wagons soon replaced animal-drafted carriages, especially after automobiles became affordable for many people when the Ford Model T was introduced in 1908. The history of the automobile began in 1769, when first steam engine automobile was created which was capable of human transport.

·         In 1806, the first cars powered by an internal combustion engine running on fuel gas appeared, which led to the introduction in 1885 of the ubiquitous modern gasoline- or petrol-fueled internal combustion engine.

·         The year 1886 is regarded the year of birth of the modern automobile – with the benz patent-motorwagen, by german inventor Carl Benz.

·         Cars powered by electric power briefly appeared at the turn of the 20th century but largely disappeared from use until the turn of the 21st century.

[REF1]

The invention of a car revolutionized the world in the way we commute to different places as well as transport goods in short time. First it was a steam car, than a fuel car and now we can see cars capable of running on electricity of even both fuel and electricity (hybrid cars). The evolution of the car changed a lot over the past centuries form its shape, how fast they can go and have safe and user friendly they can be. Now days it’s a pleasure to drive a car as it can offer so much to the driver since it was first presented to the public.

[1] http://blog.world-mysteries.com/science/127-years-of-modern-automobile-evolution/

entertainment systems in the car evolution story Adrian Skowron #1

Radio systems were installed in the cars to provide people entertainment. Till the 1950s radios were working using AM signals. First big step for audio systems was introducing FM (today’s signals) which were developed in late 1953. Next big development was tape players and so cd players in the 90s. In the most modern cars we can find audio systems which can be controlled from smartphones, using Bluetooth. Modern systems also provide navigation systems and dvd players.  

Many vehicle owners choose aftermarket car audio systems to improve audio quality inside their cars or trucks. In conjunction with speakers, amps, and other components, the right head unit can make an audible difference. Some car stereo systems come equipped with USB ports and Bluetooth, making it easier to connect external devices and stream music. Before purchasing a head unit, consumers can research available models to ensure they choose their ideal car stereo system. Below there are photos showing Car Radios evolution over the years.

80’s Radio. [FIG1]

90s Radio [FIG2]

 90s/00s Radio [FIG3]

Modern stereo system [FIG4]

 Modern Audio system with satellite navigation, Bluetooth etc.[FIG5]

                                               

[FIG1]http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/02/another-reason-the-old-days-werent-so-great-car-audio/

[FIG2}http://www.amstereo.org/aftermkt.htm

[FIG3][http://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t7246-disco-radio-1-5-din-alpine

[FIG4]http://www.ebay.com/gds/Top-10-Car-Stereo-Systems-/10000000204957176/g.html      

[FIG5]https://www.pinterest.com/explore/car-audio-classifieds/

Time to Roll the DICE. Jenny Ball #6

Since Mercedes Benz really brought us the first car in 1886, it seems right to end a series of blogs with Mercedes latest innovative technology and their futuristic ideas for cars and where embedded systems fit into this idea. 

Mercedes software engineers have developed a dynamic and intuitive control experience system called DICE. A full scale production of this system in their car however, is said to be 20 years away from the very first production. However, the DICE idea has been rolled out at exhibitions [1].

The DICE system is basically Iron Mans Jarvis in a car! There are no buttons, knobs anything, the dash is a fully computerized, gesture controlled system. The dash board is fully customizable with distinct categories such as: media, social, places etc which can be synced with the drivers phone (contacts, messages, calls, social media), can play music and movies and even provide local information about restaurants, locations, make reservations etc. 

[2]

This system is made possible proximity sensors. Proximity sensors work on the basis of when they detect an object within their range, they send out a flash of infrared beam which reflects off the object back to the sensor, this maps and monitors the movement of the object [3]. The movement is then essentially transferred into an electrical signal.

[4]

Gestures for the control of the specific aspects of the car are all pre-determined. These are hard coded into the system so that these are the only gestures which are recognizable to control the dash board. These gestures include: hold your hand up and move left and right to move between objects, push forward with your hand held up to select, swipe right with object selected to remove it off the screen [5]. 

[6]

Although these proximity sensors are what detects motion, there is a whole other bucket of embedded systems going on behind the scenes to create this futuristic car. The main partner of the sensors is a projector to project the imagery on the windscreen. This allows the driver to continue driving and looking at the road while things simply prop up on different parts of the screen after being gestured to. These images must be recognizable, but must not obstruct vision. This also must take into account the shape and curvature of the windscreen on which the projection is made. 

Even though this prototype is still about 20 years out, Mercedes have developed the cockpit in a simple square capsule to display the concept. There are also design ideas for the full futuristic look on this Mercedes. 

 [1]

[1]

Since the system has already began prototyping, it is clear that there will be some obstacles. These may include, hand size, hand motion, hand position, how to know when the driver is just moving or gesturing a control and many many more. These are all things with the software engineers will surely loose at least a few nights sleep over. In the long run, if this system ever leaves for a generalized production line, it could be the first real step into the future of embedded systems in cars. 

[1] https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/benz/innovation

[2] http://tdworld.com/blog/what-does-energy-control-center-operator-ecco-do

[3] http://thegadgetsquare.com/1334/what-are-proximity-sensors-types-and-how-it-works/

[4] http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1272536

[5] http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/mercedes-benz-dice-concept-brings-gesture-controls-to-the-cockpi/

[6] http://blog.caranddriver.com/2012-ces-hands-on-with-the-mercedes-benz-dice-interior-concept/