International Journal of Automotive Engineering Vol. 8(2017) No. 3

THOR-NT prototype lower abdomen including Abdominal Pressure Twin Sensors was evaluated in 40 kph sled tests. In baseline tests, the dummy was seated according to UMTRI procedure in the front passenger seat of a mass production car. Three other derived test conditions used either a slouched seat back angle or two different knee bolster thicknesses. A pressure peak of 1 bar was recorded when the lap belt was correctly positioned on the pelvis bones whereas up to 3.7 bars were recorded in slouched seat back for the lap belt on the abdomen. Overall, the prototype could discriminate restraint conditions.

A new diesel particulate filter (DPF) with a highly porous membrane made of alumina submicron particles, which are aggregates of alumina nanoparticles, was proposed to eliminate the radical increase in pressure drop caused by the soot accumulation in surface pores at the beginning of soot trapping and to improve the initial filtration efficiency of the DPF. The alumina membrane was manufactured by introducing particles-suspended nitrogen gas into the conventional DPF. The particle size of alumina and the particle-carrying gas velocity, which are significant parameters to determine the permeability of the layer, were optimized to make a low pressure drop membrane.

Attending to cultural diversity is important for products and technology intended for global placement, such as automobiles, yet many products (and associated interfaces) lack genuine cultural differentiation. For example, in-vehicle navigation systems are typically identical in form and function across world markets, differing only in the local language and map database. To capture and explore culturally-salient design factors, we utilised a scenario-based design methodology, involving 6 experienced drivers from the UK and Malaysia. Participants were asked to portray their ideal navigation system interface designs – by drawing pictograms and devising accompanying spoken messages – to direct drivers along 3 prescribed routes in the UK, Malaysia and Japan. Routes were presented using video and paper maps, with the order of presentation counterbalanced between groups; participants were not told in advance from which country each route was derived. Proposed designs highlight differences at a country level, which are consequently interpreted from a cultural perspective. For example, Malaysian drivers included a higher density of navigational elements in their designs, particularly in their home environment, compared to UK drivers. Malaysian drivers also created more incremental designs, particularly on the approach to a manoeuvre, suggesting a desire for greater navigational support at this point in the journey. Landmarks were consistently incorporated in designs, but differences were noted in cultural salience. Additionally, the phrasing of instructions (e.g. “go straight on”), nomenclature for road elements (e.g. ‘roundabout’) and distance declaration conventions (e.g. units) differed at a country level. The findings can be used to inform the design of culturally-attuned in-vehicle navigation systems.

In this paper, it is demonstrated that the proposed robust path following controller enhances maneuverability and stability of small electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with in-wheel motors through the JSAE-SICE benchmark problem No. 3. In order to achieve high maneuverability, maximum tire force is explicitly considered using octagonal approximation. Verifications are conducted using full vehicle model so that the practical vehicle performance is evaluated. In addition to evaluate the total vehicle performance, we apply the controller to all benchmark scenarios and show its maneuverability and stability of small EV are enhanced.