44
to traditional
mechanical
systems. The system
works by replacing
the traditional
steering column
with electronic
connections
between the
steering wheel and the steered wheels.
Manufacturers and suppliers of off-
highway and special vehicles and the TÜV
Nord technical approvals organisation
are working together to introduce a cost
effective steer-by-wire system. Markus
Plankensteiner, TTA-Group co-ordinator
explains, “We avoid double development
efforts and costs by exchanging our
expertise, so we can achieve a much
more effective progress in research and
development for steer-by-wire systems and
create a common standard.”
Currently working on the design are
major manufacturers including CNH
and Liebherr and industry component
specialists Dana, Spicer Off Highway
and Danfoss Power Solutions (Sauer-
Danfoss), among others, a group
spokesperson added.
Tom Rudolph, steering product
portfolio manager at Sauer-Danfoss, says,
“Steer-by-wire brings several benefits.
For the OEM it enables increased design
flexibility in particular of the cockpit but
also for the vehicle. The end user
benefits from advanced steering features
that can increase productivity, performance
and comfort.”
Paolo Ferracin, functional safety
manager EE Systems at CNH, says, “This
project of the TTA-Group consortium
supports us in evaluating a cost-efficient
and reliable approach to the functional
safety design for a series production of a
steer-by-wire system.”
■
The Hirschmann
qScale12
INTERNATIONAL AND SPECIALIZED TRANSPORT
■
DECEMBER 2013
COMPONENTS
qSCALE I2 is
capable of processing
details of the crane
from just a few
initial data inputs,”
Hemmann explains,
“The operator is
guided through
the calibration
process step-by-step,
specifying test points,
loads and operation
instructions through
an automated
programme. The
calibration process is completed within a
few hours.”
Information such as configuration and
crane data are available on the console
and a PC. The qSCALE I2 Low-End
SLI has TÜV acceptance on tests and
overload trips. “Internally the system uses
mechanical, deflection and friction models
to achieve a load accuracy of 50 kg and
a radius accuracy of 10 cm to meet SAE
J159,” a company spokesperson adds.
Staying visual
Updated standards have also impacted
on crane technologies, especially in the
area of visibility issues. This problem has
influenced the design and production of
crane cameras, a technology that is starting
to gain popularity with end users.
LSM Technologies, a specialist in
safety viewing and radar detection
systems, offers Orlaco cameras to meet
this growing demand. The cameras have
been designed to resolve operator visibility
issues in tower, crawler and mobile cranes
according to
ISO5006
and
EN13000
, the
manufacturer says.
“They are designed for lower deck travel
and manoeuvring, both on and off road,”
a company spokesperson says, “They can
also be used for upper deck winch and
load views or blind lifts of the hoist rope
and hook.”
“As a result of this system, safety is
increased because there are no more ‘blind
lifts’ as the operator has a view of what
is happening behind them or on top of
buildings” a spokesperson adds, “They can
see what obstacles are there and there
is also a view of the details close or
around the hook.”
The cameras have autofocus, a 216
times zoom and a night vision feature
for work in the dark.
Keeping green
These technologies have been put
into production as a result of updates to
standards. Others have been introduced
because of engine emissions laws. Knud
Meldgaard, Danfoss Power Solutions
product marketing manager, explains,
“The impact of emissions regulations
has led to a growing market demand for
higher operating pressures and radial
load capabilities, contributing to more
durable components.”
As a result of these requirements,
Danfoss Power Solutions introduced the
TMTHW wheel motor for heavy-duty
machines. The motors reduce energy
consumption by compensating for the
lower power levels of emissions law
compliant engines, the manufacturer says.
It works by minimising pressure drop and
delivering a constant operating torque.
“The motor system has a consistent
300 bar pressure drop capability across its
315 to 500 cubic centimetre displacement
range, and intermittent pressure drop of
up to 350 bar,” a company spokesperson
explains. “It fits to most medium power
open and closed circuit piston pumps.”
Steering the future
Another product development being
driven by changes to legislation is steer-by-
wire systems compliant with the
EN ISO
13849
standard.
The Steer-by-Wire working group of the
TTA-Group consortium is a collaboration
between off-highway manufacturers
and special vehicle industry companies
that have joined forces to promote such
a system.
The group argues that steer-by-wire
offers major advantages compared
The configuration tool used in the Hirschmann qScale12
