Good day to all good people. Today in the article we will cover in detail modern car security systems. The question is relevant for all, without exception, drivers and passengers.
High speeds, maneuvering, overtaking multiplied by inattention and recklessness pose a serious threat to other road users. According to the data Pulitzer Center in 2015, car accidents claimed the lives of 1 million 240 thousand people.
Behind the dry figures are the human destinies and tragedies of many families who did not wait for their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives and husbands to come home.
For example, in Russian Federation account for 100 thousand of the population 18.9 deaths. Cars account for 57.3% of fatal accidents.
On the roads of Ukraine, 13.5 deaths per 100,000 people were registered. Cars account for 40.3% of the total number of fatal accidents.
In Belarus, 13.7 deaths per 100,000 people were registered, and 49.2% were in cars.
Specialists in the field road safety make disappointing predictions that the number of deaths on the world's roads will rise to 3.6 million by 2030. In fact, in 14 years it will die 3 times more people than currently.
Modern systems car safety measures have been created and aimed at saving the life and health of the driver and passengers of the vehicle, even in the event of a serious traffic accident.
In the article, we will cover in detail modern systems of active and passive safety cars. We will try to give answers to questions of interest to readers.
The main task of passive vehicle safety systems is to reduce the severity of the consequences of an accident (collision or rollover) for human health if an accident occurs.
The work of passive systems begins at the time of the onset of an accident and continues until the vehicle is completely immobile. The driver can no longer influence the speed, the nature of the movement or perform a maneuver to avoid an accident.
1.Seat belt
One of the main elements of a modern car security system. Considered simple and effective. At the time of an accident, the body of the driver and passengers is firmly held and fixed in a stationary state.
For modern cars mobiles are required to wear seat belts. Made from tear-resistant material. Many cars are equipped with an annoying chime to remind you to wear seat belts.
2.Airbag
One of the main elements passive system security. It is a durable fabric bag, similar in shape to a pillow, which is filled with gas at the time of a car collision.
Prevent damage to the head and face of a person on the hard parts of the cabin. Modern cars can have from 4 to 8 airbags.
3.Headrest
Installed at the top car seat. It can be adjusted in height and angle. Used to fix the cervical spine. Protects it from damage certain types car accident.
4.Bumper
rear and front bumpers made of durable plastic with a springy effect. Proven effective in minor traffic accidents.
Take on the impact and prevent damage to the metal elements of the body. In an accident at high speed, they absorb the impact energy to some extent.
5. Glass triplex
Automotive glass of a special design that protects exposed areas of the skin and eyes of a person from damage as a result of their mechanical destruction.
Violation of the integrity of the glass does not lead to the appearance of sharp and cutting fragments that can cause serious damage.
Many appear on the surface of the glass small cracks, represented by a huge number of small fragments that are not capable of causing harm.
6.Sled for the motor
Motor modern machine mounted on a special link suspension. At the moment of a collision, and especially a frontal one, the engine does not go to the driver's feet, but moves down along the guide slides under the bottom.
7. Child car seats
Protect the child in the event of a collision or rollover of the vehicle from serious injury or damage. Securely fix it in the chair, which in turn is held by seat belts.
Modern active car safety systems
Active car safety systems are aimed at preventing accidents and preventing accidents. The vehicle's electronic control unit is responsible for monitoring active safety systems in real time.
It must be remembered that you should not rely entirely on active safety systems, because they cannot replace the driver. Attentiveness and composure behind the wheel are a guarantee of safe driving.
1.Anti-lock braking system or ABS
Vehicle wheels at hard braking and high speed traffic may be blocked. Controllability tends to zero and the probability of an accident increases sharply.
The anti-lock braking system forcibly unlocks the wheels and returns control of the machine. characteristic feature ABS work is the beating of the brake pedal. To improve work efficiency anti-lock braking system when braking, depress the brake pedal with maximum effort.
2. Anti-slip system or ASC
The system avoids slippage and makes climbing hills easier on slippery road surfaces.
3. System of course stability or ESP
The system is aimed at ensuring the stability of the car when driving on the road. Efficient and reliable in operation.
4.Brake force distribution system or EBD
Allows you to prevent the car from skidding during braking due to the even distribution of the braking force between the front and rear wheels.
5.Differential lock
The differential transmits torque from the gearbox to the drive wheels. The lock allows for an even transmission of power even if one of the drive wheels lacks traction.
6.Ascent and descent assistance system
Provides maintenance optimum speed movement when descending or ascending a mountain. If necessary, it brakes with one or more wheels.
7.Parktronic
A system that makes parking easier and reduces the risk of collisions with other vehicles when maneuvering in a parking lot. A special electronic scoreboard indicates the distance to the obstacle.
8.Preventive emergency braking system
Capable of operating at speeds over 30 km/h. The electronic system automatically monitors the distance between cars. In the event of a sudden stop of the vehicle in front and no reaction from the driver, the system automatically slows down the car.
Modern car manufacturers pay a lot of attention to active and passive safety systems. We are constantly working on their improvement and reliability.
The scientific and technological revolution began its run in the middle of the twentieth century, and still cannot stop. This is especially noticeable if you look under the hood of a modern car: vehicles today have become real fortresses on wheels that can protect the driver from many troubles. And not the last role in this whole story with the guarantee of a successful trip is played by car security systems.
Citroen's AFIL system, which tracks the position of the car relative to the markings
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Every day constructors automobile concerns complicate the drawings of cars, making them more intricate and incomprehensible to the average user. Today the ball is ruled intelligent systems security, as well as various means to ensure comfortable driving. And if we take into account that the situation on the roads of the world, to put it mildly, is far from ideal, then it is more and more difficult for a car that is not equipped with modern means of passive and active safety to “break through” to the buyer.
ABS - anti-lock braking system
Task ABS(anti-lock braking system) is to prevent the wheels of the braking vehicle from blocking, as well as to maintain its controllability and directional stability.
When the wheels are blocked, and the car seems to be about to break into a skid, the electronics begin to methodically “release” and “press” brake pads which allows the wheels to turn. The effectiveness of the ABS system depends primarily on how well it is tuned. If, for example, it works too early, the braking distance can be significantly increased.
Operating principle
The way ABS works is quite simple. Wheel rotation sensors emit signals that are sent to a computer that analyzes them. There is an imitation of actions professional driver, which uses the intermittent braking method.
How effective is this system? It should be noted right away that since its appearance, disputes have not ceased over whether it is more beneficial or still harmful. But be that as it may, even the opponents of ABS cannot ignore such useful qualities as a significant reduction stopping distance, as well as maintaining control over a multi-ton car during emergency braking. Yes, when the ABS is activated, it is very difficult to calculate the length of the braking distance, but it is better to stop in complete ignorance for no one knows how many meters before the lamppost than to “kiss” it, knowing exactly how long the car will stretch during braking. The two opposing camps decided to agree that ABS would come in very handy. experienced drivers, and Schumachers will always be able to beat the system. But we are talking about revolutionary scientific thought, so today we can safely say that in the battle “ABS is an experienced driver”, of course, electronics will win an unconditional victory.
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Modern multi-channel ABS allows you to get rid of even the vibration of the brake pedal when the system is on. Once upon a time, the cause of traffic accidents was the abrupt operation of the ABS: the pedal began to vibrate, and the car began to moan, so inexperienced motorists were frightened and released the brake. Today, you need to be extremely sensitive to feel how the ABS, which is part of standard equipment almost all cars. At the same time, it serves as the basis for other more complex electronic security systems.
ASR - traction control
At the system ASR(anti slip regulation) there are many names, the most common of which are TRC, or " traction control», STC, ASC+T And TRACS. This active vehicle safety system works in close conjunction with ABS and EBD and is designed to prevent wheel spin, regardless of the condition of the road surface and the force applied to press the gas pedal. As we said above, many security systems work on the basis of ABS. So ASR uses sensors of the anti-lock braking system, fixing the slip of the driving wheels, reduces the engine speed and, if necessary, slows down the wheels, providing an effective set of speeds. In other words, even if you "drown" the gas pedal to the floor, ASR will not burn rubber and grind asphalt.
Today, cars are even equipped with night vision devices.
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The main purpose of ASR is to ensure the stability of the car during a sharp start or when driving uphill on any road. "Scrolling" of the wheels is leveled due to the redistribution of torque power plant on those wheels that currently have better grip with the road surface. ASR is subject to certain restrictions. For example, it works exclusively at speeds not exceeding 40 km / h.
Flaws
It is impossible not to mention some of the shortcomings of this system. So, ASR will greatly interfere with experienced drivers trying to pull out a stuck car “in buildup”. The system will slow down and release gas out of place and out of time. Cases are known when traction control system so “strangled” the engine that the car could not move at all.
Or, for example, active drivers. Im ASR puts spokes in the wheels when controlled skid, controlling this drift with traction. But this is nothing compared to the benefits that the system brings: it locks the differential, brakes the wheel loaded in the corner, and equalizes the speed of rotation of the wheels, allowing you to make the most efficient use of the torque of the "heart" of the car.
Many automakers today are forgetting about street racers and making ASR non-disableable. But can something stop our inventive drivers? They simply remove the fuse and indulge their racing ambitions. However, there is a “but” here: if you are sure that ASR will prevent you from putting speed on a leash, we remind you that this system used in Formula 1 cars.
EBD - distribute the braking force
EBD(electronic brake distribution), or EBV- This is an active car safety system responsible for the distribution of braking force between all wheels. Again, EBD always works in parallel with the underlying ABS.
It is noteworthy that EBD takes effect before the ABS reaction, or insures the latter if it is faulty. Since these systems are closely related and always work in pairs, the general abbreviation ABS + EBD can often be found in catalogs.
Thanks to EBD, we get optimal grip on the road, a significantly increased directional stability of the car during emergency braking, as well as a guarantee that control over the car will not be lost even in a critical situation. In addition, the system takes into account factors such as the vehicle's position relative to the road and the vehicle's load.
Brake assistant - safe braking
Brake Assist (BAS, DBS, PA, PABS) is an active vehicle security system that works in tandem with ABS and EBD. It turns on at the moment of emergency braking, when the driver does not press the brake pedal hard enough, but quite sharply. Brake Assist independently measures the force and speed of pressing the pedal and, if necessary, immediately increases the pressure level in brake line. This allows braking to be as efficient as possible and significantly reduce the braking distance.
Brake Assist
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The system is able to distinguish the panic actions of drivers or those moments when they put pressure on the brake pedal for quite a long period of time. BAS will not come into operation during sudden braking, which are included in the category of "predictable". Many believe that this system is an assistant mainly for the fairer sex, because lovely ladies sometimes simply do not have enough strength to carry out emergency braking. Therefore, in a critical situation, the Brake Assist system comes to their aid, which “squeezes” the brake to maximum deceleration.
EDL: blocking the differential
EDL(electronic differential lock), which is also called EDS, is the system responsible for the differential lock. This electronic assistant makes it possible to increase general security vehicle, improve its traction characteristics when adverse conditions, facilitate the moment of starting, provides intensive acceleration, as well as movement on the rise.
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The differential lock system determines angular velocity each of the driving wheels and compares the results obtained. If the angular speeds do not match, for example, when one of the wheels slips, the EDL slows down the slipping wheel until its rotation speed is equal to the speed of the other drive wheel. If the speed difference reaches 110 rpm, the system switches on automatically and operates without any restrictions at speeds up to 80 km/h.
HDC: traction control during descent
HDC(hill descent control), and DAC And DDS- electronic traction control system for descent from how many and steep slopes. The functioning of the system is carried out through the braking of the wheels and "suffocation" power unit, however, there is a fixed speed limit of 7 km/h (when in reverse, the speed does not exceed 6.5 km/h). This is a passive system that is turned on and off by the driver himself. The controlled downhill speed depends entirely on the initial speed of the vehicle, as well as on the gear engaged.
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The speed control system allows you to take your mind off the brake pedal and focus solely on driving. This system is equipped with all four-wheel drive vehicles. HDC, which automatically turns on the brake lights, is turned off immediately after the vehicle speed exceeds 60 km / h.
HHC - light lifting
Unlike the HDC system, which helps drivers descend from steep slopes, HHC(hill hold control) prevents the machine from rolling back when driving uphill. Alternative names for this security system are USS And HAC.
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The moment the driver stops interacting with the brake pedal, HDC continues to hold a high level of pressure in the brake system. Only at the moment when the motorist presses the gas pedal hard enough, the pressure decreases, and the car starts moving from a place.
ACC: car cruise
ACC(active cruise control) is adaptive cruise control, used to maintain a given vehicle speed and control a safe distance. PBA(predictive brake assist) is a predictive braking system that works in conjunction with adaptive cruise control.
Cruise control
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If the distance to the vehicle in front decreases, the system starts to slow down until the distance is restored to a predetermined level. If the vehicle in front begins to move away, ACC starts to pick up speed.
PDC - controlled parking
PDC(parking distance control), in common Parktronic- a system that uses ultrasonic sensors to determine the distance to an obstacle and allows you to control the distance when parking.
Parktronic
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The driver is informed about how far is the distance to the nearest obstacle special signals, the frequency of which changes as the distance decreases - the closer the car is to the dangerous area, the shorter the pauses between individual signals. After the obstacle remains 20 cm, the signal becomes continuous.
ESP - guarantee of exchange rate stability
At the system ESP(electronic stability program), probably the most alternative names in which the devil will break the neck of the thigh: ESC, VDC, DSTC, VSC, DSC, VSA, ATTS or Stabilitrac. This active safety system is responsible for vehicle stability and works in conjunction with ABS and EBD.
At the moment when the danger of skidding arises, ESP enters the scene. By analyzing wheel speed, brake line pressure, steering position, yaw rate and lateral acceleration, ESP calculates in just 20 milliseconds which wheels need to be braked and how much engine speed needs to be reduced in order to stabilize the car.
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Electronic systems security systems do not at all turn our cars into highly intelligent robots that can do all the work for the driver. The cornerstone in this case is still the driver, who must be able to soberly assess traffic situation, their capabilities and the capabilities of their car. And, as you know, there is no more dangerous illusion than the illusion of one's own invulnerability.
We recently talked about denoting auto active safety systems. And also about what they are. But what about the development of auto safety? What are automakers focusing on now? What will be the priority in the future? If we take into account new trends, developments designed to fight for safety, then the following picture emerges: active safety systems undoubtedly continue to improve, cars are made to the maximum satisfying the needs of world crash tests, and the requirements of the latter are becoming stricter, and there is also everything more systems capable of not only preventing emergencies, but to predict their potentially dangerous development and take appropriate measures to prevent or tell the driver what to do in a critical situation. In short, additional (in addition to those available to the driver J) "brains", "ears", "eyes", "reaction" and others, taking into account not the "physics" of the car, but the "psychology" of the driver.
What am I talking about? Well, for example, here are some interesting ones:
Automatic braking systems
It can already be found as an option on modern cars. Such a system prevents collisions at a speed of 15-30 km / h (for different models and different manufacturers are different indicators). Typically, cars with this option have a radar that is hidden under the grille, it recognizes obstacles in the way and transmits information to the driver and the car. In the near future, the developers promise, such systems will operate at speeds of 60 km / h and above, avoiding collisions not only with static parked car, but also with dynamic obstacles, for example, with a pedestrian running out onto the road, an animal, etc. New systems will be able not only to stop the car, but even go around the obstacle without interfering with other road users.
More recently, the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested automatic obstacle braking and driver warning systems. frontal collision. As a result, almost all tested models (21 out of 24) showed high results, indicating that manufacturers are seriously working on this feature.
The autobrake can also be paired with an emergency steering system that corrects the vehicle's direction.
How does the driver feel?
The system that controls the owner monitors the health of the driver, warning an accident in time, if the driver suddenly becomes ill, the car, turning on the emergency gang and slowing down, will be able to carefully park on the side of the road without the participation of the driver; and also, if the driver is tired and it is likely that he will fall asleep at the wheel, the system can wake him up with a sound signal.
In a car seat with such a system, there are sensors that monitor the heart activity (and not only) of the driver, or (which also depends on the manufacturer) video cameras are installed that scan facial expressions, blinking frequency and eye movements; and also in the car there may be different devices, sensors, video cameras that track the movement of the car relative to road markings. As soon as the system determines that the frequency of steering and wobble exceeds allowable rate, will interfere with the process. Volvo became a pioneer in the creation of such systems; this manufacturer has such a function called Driver Alert Control.
Parking assistants
It is no longer a wonder that a car can choose a place and park itself. And we talked about this earlier. Moreover, the driver may not even be in the cabin and even leave the parking lot altogether, giving the command to “park” from the car key fob or smartphone with one button / one touch.
Social networks for car communication
Another development that manufacturers are currently working on is to teach cars to communicate with each other on a global scale. The on-board electronics of the car will receive the necessary information from other road users through the social network (information about accidents, incidents, hazardous areas roads, etc.), analyze it, take the necessary actions in time, correct, if necessary, the route of your movement, etc.
The global system has so far received the code name V2V, and its launch is scheduled for 2019 in the United States. The principle of operation of V2V is simple: cars are massively equipped with a special processor with a transmitter, via a wireless network, V2V will send its coordinates, driving speed and other parameters to vehicles within a mile radius. The received information will be analyzed, transmit important messages to the driver.
And European automakers are working on creating a social network Car2X, which will have to unite cars of the brands Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, Honda, Mercedec-Benz, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen, Volvo.
It is also known that some cars of the same brand already receive communication systems with each other and can exchange danger messages, for example, that there is an area with ice on the way or a traffic jam due to a severe accident, etc.
Traffic sign recognition
Many well-known automakers already have such a chip in their arsenal, for example, Audi, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Volkswagen, etc. And these sign recognition systems have a typical design that includes a video camera on the windshield behind the rear-view mirror, a control unit and a screen that displays info for the driver.
The camera covers the area where road signs are located, captures everything and transmits the image to the electronic unit control, which produces the following algorithm of work:
- traffic sign shape recognition;
- color recognition;
- inscription recognition;
- recognition of the information plate;
- analysis of the actual vehicle speed;
- comparison of vehicle speed with the maximum allowable speed;
- visual and audible warning of the driver in case of deviation.
The night vision system is similar. Only here a camera is used, sensors that allow you to receive information from unlit sections of the road.
Autopilot
Well, the global one, which automakers are actively working on now, is the autopilot. That is, cars that can carry passengers without the participation of a driver. And tests are already underway. For example, in May of this year, Volvo launched 100 of its self-driving models onto the streets of Sweden. Now all the data from their trips is being collected in order to improve the efficiency of the use of technology and improve it.
What do you think of it? And what systems would you like to see in your car?
- , 03 Jul 2014
Let's spend short review security systems provided today.
The passive safety systems work at the moment of impact. These include: programmed deformation zones of the body, seat belts and airbags. Seat belts prevent the driver or passengers from flying through the windshield and reduce the risk of serious injury to the face and body when sudden stop. Airbags deploy in the event of a collision to soften the blow to the head and other sensitive parts of the body.
In the 90s, it was considered the norm to equip a car with two airbags: the driver and front passenger. Modern cars have from 4 to 10 or more airbags, each of which provides protection from a specific injury in a specific collision. So side airbags, "deployed" in window openings, prevent head injuries in side impacts and rollovers. And side airbags in the pillars or seatbacks protect the abdominal and pelvic regions from injury. A knee airbag prevents leg injury from impact with the dashboard.
A modern seat belt provides an even distribution of force acting on the human body during a sudden stop. Some Ford and Lincoln models are equipped with innovative seat belt with a supercharged element that reduces the load. General Motors offers a central airbag that deploys with right side away from the driver's seat, providing additional cushioning in the event of a side impact and preventing the driver's head from colliding with the front passenger's head.
Another important element of passive safety, which many do not even suspect - power structure car body. The body has specially calculated deformation zones, which, when crushed in a collision, dissipate the impact energy. This task is assigned to the front and rear of the car. The body of the cabin, on the contrary, is made of high-strength steel structures that do not deform at the moment of impact.
While passive safety systems work directly at the moment of a collision, active safety systems strive to avoid an accident in every possible way. Behind last years great progress has been made in this area. But there are those systems that have been in service for decades. For example, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking, keeping the vehicle stable and steerable when decelerating. ABS continuously monitors speed with sensors on all four wheels and relieves pressure in the brake circuit of a locked wheel.
Traction control, often a secondary function of ABS, prevents slip by reducing engine power ("throttle off") or braking a spinning wheel.
The stabilization system uses a different set of sensors that monitor the vehicle's lateral movement, rotational speed and steering wheel angle, position throttle valve and much more. If the vehicle moves along a trajectory that does not correspond to the control actions, then the system, using the brake of a particular wheel or changing the engine power, tries to restore the given trajectory.
Many modern cars so smart that they know not only the parameters of your movement at the moment, but also the vehicles and objects around you. This is done by collision warning systems that collect information about surrounding objects using sensors: radar, cameras, laser, thermal or ultrasonic sensors. If the system detects that an object is approaching too quickly, the driver will be alerted by sound from the speakers, indicator lights, vibration on the seat or steering wheel. If there is not enough time for a warning, the system will automatically intervene to help you avoid an accident. So in some cars, the brake system is pre-pressurized for emergency braking and the seat belts are pretensioned. Some systems even resort to braking themselves.
Another active safety system is blind spot monitoring. Automakers use various ways warnings. In most cases, this is a blind spot monitoring system with an indication on the exterior mirrors and an audible warning.
There is also a lane control system that warns of leaving your lane with the help of light, sound signal zation or vibration. Some systems, in addition to this, are able to slow down and return the car to its lane. The system, as a rule, works when changing lanes without turning on the turn signal.
In recent years, the list of active safety systems has grown significantly. It was complemented by adaptive headlights that turn the light beam in the direction of the car, illuminating dark sections of roads in a turn. Active high beam can detect the approach of oncoming vehicles and switch to low beam so as not to dazzle other road users.
Mercedes installs the Attention Assist system on its cars, which monitors the driver's condition. The system will beep if it suspects that the driver has begun to fall asleep.
Reversing cameras are commonplace these days and are on the list on many cars. standard equipment. One of the new systems provides monitoring of blind spots while the car is moving. in reverse. When crossing your path with a car in the blind spot, the system will warn the driver of a possible collision. Other manufacturers use multiple cameras on the sides of the car to create a top-down display to help navigate narrow spaces. No less common is the use of radar detectors that measure the distance to objects, warning of approaching by increasing the frequency of the sound signal.
A modern car cares not only about the safety of the driver and passengers, but also the safety of pedestrians. For this, a special shape of the front of the car is used. Active hood struts are also used, lifting it back when hitting a pedestrian.
More recently, airbags have been used on the outer surface of the vehicle. This is how Volvo produced the first car to be equipped with a pedestrian airbag that deploys at the hood-windshield transition to prevent pedestrian head injury. Some automakers, such as BMW, offer an infrared assistance system that recognizes a person or animal in the dark.
Adaptive cruise control helps maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front using radar or laser sensors. Some systems are able to stop the car on their own and then start moving again, working in the "stop & go" mode.
Technology is currently being developed to allow vehicles to share information about crashes, detected pedestrians, and other vehicles. The system will also be able to analyze information about the traffic light operating modes, making adjustments to speed mode, to ensure the free passage of intersections, without stopping at a red light ("green wave").
Systems automotive safety have come a long way since the introduction of the seat belt over 50 years ago. Modern security systems provide a high degree protection. However, there is always room for improvement to reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents and injuries. But first of all, it should be remembered that safety begins with the driver.
The first steps towards car safety.
With the development of the automotive industry, automotive safety has received more and more attention. At first, the car got bright acetylene headlights and a primitive brake system (shoe). This braking system was not suitable for rubber tires, so the cars soon began to install first band brakes, and then drum brakes (which worked only on the rear wheels). Only since 1910 does a brake system appear on all four wheels.
As power increases automotive engines, various automotive devices and systems that help and facilitate driving a car, as well as eliminating many dangerous situations on road. We are talking about wipers, rear-view mirrors, fog lights, which first appeared on the 1938 Cadillac. Buick cars got their first turn signals in 1939. In 1944, Volvo engineers developed a multilayer windshield, which withstood strong impacts and did not crumble into fragments.
After implementation in automotive industry hydraulic as well electrical systems many automakers have begun to actively use new security systems. For example, in 1921, cars began to be equipped with hydraulic brakes, and in 1923, a brake booster appeared on Renault models. Dual circuit brake system first began to be used on cars of the brand "Volvo" in 1966.
Designed by John Boydle Dunlop inflatable tires made of rubber significantly increased the comfort of travel by car. The salon became more comfortable, and the car itself began to demonstrate a smoother and more reliable ride, handling has increased markedly. In 1904, thanks to the efforts of Continental, embossed tires appeared, and 42 years later, Michelin began producing tires with a radial cord arrangement. This version of tires is actively used today.
Passive safety systems.
The development of automotive safety systems is impossible without the improvement of passive safety, the main task of which is to protect passengers from possible injuries. Without direct experimentation, there will be very little progress in this area. Therefore, starting in the mid-twentieth century, automakers began to crash-test their cars. Around the same years, the first seat belts appeared, which were equipped with salons ford cars. An interesting fact is that the first patent for an automobile belt was issued back in 1885 to the American Edward Claghorn, who invented the two-point seat belt. More advanced (three-point) seat belts began to be equipped with Volvo cars in 1956. A little later, the seat belts were improved by making them "movable", which increased the level of safety and comfort of passengers. Pretensioners for seat belts began to be installed only in 1984.
Work on the design of the car cabin can also be attributed to the improvement of the passive safety system. To reduce damage resulting from frontal collision, designers began to use strong and at the same time elastic grades of steel in the manufacture of the body. Steering columns of a new type, developed by Mercedes in 1966, did not cause severe damage to the driver at the time of the accident. In 1971, new energy-absorbing windshields were installed on Saab cars, and in 1977 the doors of the Saab 99 model were reinforced with protective side beams. To protect the neck and head of passengers, since 1968, special head restraints have appeared in the interiors of Volvo cars, which were further improved only in 1995. In this form, they can be seen on the car "Saab 9-5".
Despite everything, the main element of the passive safety system is still airbags, or, as they are also commonly called, airbags. For the first time such systems were introduced in 1973 by General Motors, their main purpose is to protect passengers from injury at the time of the accident. A slightly updated protection system was introduced by Audi in 1986. It was called "Procon-ten". In the event of a collision, both the airbags and the belt tensioners were deployed at the same time, which guaranteed better protection from injury and damage. Further improvement of airbags led to the appearance in car showroom curtain airbags, airbags to protect the knees and side airbags.
Since the mid-70s, special attention has been paid to the safety of children in transport. In 1978, a law was passed in America requiring drivers to transport children in a car in specialized seats. It was only in 1995 that they came to the approval of a single standard for a child car seat.
Since 2005, global road safety organizations have demanded that automakers pay more attention to the protection of pedestrians. In order to reduce the damage that a car can cause to a pedestrian, the design of the front of the car began to be made more vertical, new sensors and sensors were added. An example of such a machine is Honda legend", equipped with a pop-up hood with squibs to protect pedestrians at the time of a collision. In addition, the Honda is equipped with infrared sensors that distinguish people on the road even in poor visibility conditions.
The main functionality of active safety systems.
The concept of active automotive safety refers to the use of a variety of systems and technologies aimed (mainly) at preventing an accident. By acting on the brakes, suspension and steering it is possible to save the car from a collision on the road. A technological breakthrough in active safety was the development of the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). The first versions of this system were presented in the early 70s, but this technology was widely adopted only in the 80s. The first car on which it was installed ABS system, became the model "Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL".
It is difficult to overestimate the effectiveness of the anti-lock braking system. ABS prevents the vehicle's wheels from locking up during braking, allowing the driver to emergency does not lose control over the car and "keeps" it on the road. Currently, the ABS system is used on both foreign cars, as well as domestic ones.
In the early 1990s, Bosch introduced the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). For the first time this system was installed on the "Mercedes S600". Currently, this system is equipped with all cars that pass the crash tests of the EuroNCAP series. The ESP system monitors the acceleration of the car and monitors the rotation of the steering wheel, also controls the operation of the transmission and engine, prevents the car from skidding and keeps it on a safe trajectory, thereby complementing the ABS.
Another component active system safety are automobile tires, the main task of which is to provide not only high levels of comfort and patency, but also reliable grip in any weather. A certain success in the development of tire products can be considered the start of production in 1972 winter tires"ContiContact", which began to be produced by the company "Continental". The materials used in the manufacture of such rubber were adapted to low temperatures, and the tread provided optimal grip on icy and snowy roads.
Prospects for "rubber" cars.
At the present stage of development automotive systems security, the moment has come when many global car manufacturers are collaborating on the creation of new technologies in this area. GPS technologies are actively used, thanks to which it is possible to exchange information between cars: the situation on the road, speed and trajectory.
Developments are underway to improve airbags. New technology Honda's i-SRS allows you to deploy the airbag in stages. Thanks to this, it actually becomes "safe", since it does not injure passengers at the time of its operation.
The developments of Toyota Motors can be attributed to the most progressive security systems. Their system, located in the passenger compartment, monitors the condition of the driver. If she notices any deviations: the driver is distracted, became inattentive, or even began to fall asleep at the wheel, then a warning system is triggered that wakes the driver up.
The possibilities of the cars of the future are truly amazing. According to concept cars Japanese company"Honda", the body of the futuristic car "Puyo" is made of silicone-based materials. Even when hitting a pedestrian, the injury will be minimal, because the car body is soft.
One way or another, you need to worry not only about the lives of pedestrians, passengers or the driver. The car itself is also at great risk. If he is not insured, then this is a big omission. Fortunately, car insurance is now easier than ever, because there are convenient services like OnlineOSAGO. On this resource, you can quickly find the most profitable, affordable and simple insurance option for yourself.
