Technology Offer

Vehicle Overcharge Monitoring Unit - Black Box
Reference: IRCPK/10/TO/18
Organization: Cracow University of Technology
IRC Name: IRC South Poland  
Country: Poland
Entry Date: Tue, October 16, 2001
Last Update: Tue, December 03, 2002
Deadline: Thu, October 16, 2003
Abstract:

An experienced Polish company has developed a unit designed to measure and store load values during vehicle exploitation. The unit allows checking if the vehicle is submitted to overcharges, it supervises the exploitation conditions. It allows to determine and prove the reason for vehicle failure. There are available various versions for different vehicle types (trucks, buses, trains and trams). The company is looking for a Commercial Agreement with Technical Assistance.

Description:

A unit designed to measure and store overload occurrences during vehicle exploitation (�Black Box�) has been built by a high-tech Polish engineering company with 10 years of experience in the fields of monitoring systems, noise and vibration measurements and control, damage detection in structures, and software development.

This unit allows checking if the vehicle is made subject to overcharges. It was originally designed to supervise the exploitation conditions during the guarantee period of new vehicles. In the case the damage occurs, it is possible to determine and prove the reason of the failure. Other applications are also possible: for example the determination of average loads in public transportation. Various versions for different vehicle types (trucks, buses, trains and trams) are available on demand.

The load is measured indirectly as a pressure in air springs or by means of properly located extensometers. The unit provides static or quasi-static measurement conditions (the measurement is performed on speed in range 0-10 km/h). Measured values are stored in internal memory and protected from unauthorised access. Possible variants of the recorded data are following:

- Time series of the load value
- Maximum value of the load in the given period of time
- Load value and time data (when and for how long the load limit was exceeded)
- Other variants on demand

In average conditions, the amount of memory is enough for two years exploitation.

Stored data can be imported from the internal memory to a PC computer with the use of supplied software. Subsequently the initial analyses can be performed as well as the data export to other packages (e.g. MS Excel).

Both hardware and software were designed for maximum flexibility. The unit's configuration depends on the particular application. The unit elements: hardware, software and the sensor to be applied can be tuned to the needs.

Innovative Aspects:
- Wide scope of applicability in compact, heavy-duty housing
- Compatibility with a wide range of sensors
- Protection against unauthorised access to recorded data

Main Advantages:
- Limitation of the destruction of the roads by trucks
- Limitation of air pollution by (over)loaded trucks
- Reduction of new trucks prices (as a result of lower warranty service costs)
- Possibility to optimise municipal public transportation
- Customisable, user-friendly software

Technology Keywords:
  • Automation, Robotics Control Systems
  • Digital Systems, Digital Representation
  • Electronic circuits, components and equipment
  • Data Processing / Data Interchange, Middleware
  • Data Protection, Storage Technology, Cryptography, Data Security
  • Sensory/Multisensory Technology, Instrumentation related to construction technology
  • Railway Transport
  • Design of Vehicles
  • Road Vehicles
Current Stage of Development: Already on the market
Exploitation of RTD Results: PRIVATE RESEARCH
Intellectual Property Rights: Secret know-how

Comments
Organisation/Company Type:  
Organisation/Company Size: <50
Brief Market Application Codes:
  • Automation/Robotics
  • Measurement methods
  • Transport
  • Environment protection
Comments
Detailed Market Application Codes (VEIC): Keywords
  • Data processing, analysis and input services
  • Automobile parts
  • Industrial measurement and sensing equipment
  • Industrial trucks and tractors
  • Trucking
  • Leasing of railcars, buses, cars, etc.
  • Motor vehicles, transportation equipment and parts
  • Other transportation
Highlights
Applicable for vehicle users, leasing companies, public transportation companies, various vehicle owner companies, vehicle manufacturers, etc.
Collaboration Type:
  • Commercial Agreement with Technical Assistance

Comments
The prospective partner should provide:
- device installation and training at the user's site
- definition of user's needs for future development
The company is looking for partners in the automotive industry & service sector and transport branch
Preferred Countries for diffusion: ALL
Additional Information:  
Contact Name: Kubik
Contact First name: Artur
Phone: +48 12 628 28 45
Fax: +48 12 632 47 95
Email: mailto:akubik@transfer.edu.pl