Meritor WABCO
(Via Truckinginfo.com) — Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems has announced the availability of its new Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Roll Stability Support (RSS) systems — designed for linehaul tractor/trailer combinations and provide intervention to reduce the likelihood of a rollover situation. The RSC tractor system will be available next month through OEMs. The trailer system, RSS, will be available through trailer OEMs in mid-2003.

The RSC system focuses on a vehicle’s center of gravity and the lateral acceleration limit or rollover threshold. Meritor WABCO engineers studied the dynamics of a rollover and developed algorithms calculating the critical lateral acceleration limit. When critical lateral acceleration thresholds are exceeded, RSC intervenes to regulate the vehicle’s deceleration functions. Track and field testing demonstrated the system’s ability to slow the vehicle, giving the driver better control and maneuverability.

Intervention by the system occurs in three forms — engine, retarder and brake control. An accelerometer mounted directly to the anti-lock braking system (ABS) electronic control unit (ECU) monitors the vehicle’s lateral acceleration. RSC constantly monitors driving conditions and intervenes if critical lateral acceleration is detected. The system provides control of engine and retarder torque as well as automatically activates the drive axle and trailer brakes.

RSS is an independent system for trailers and offers electronic assistance to reduce the likelihood of rollover. The technology is integrated in the trailer electronic braking system (EBS) requiring no additional hardware. Similar to the tractor’s RSC system, the RSS focuses on lateral acceleration and wheel speed, monitoring the critical acceleration limit. If this limit is exceeded, the trailer brakes are automatically applied helping to reduce the vehicle’s speed.

The RSC and RSS systems are just two elements offered by Meritor WABCO and ArvinMeritor as part of their complete braking system. Other braking system components include: anti-lock braking system, electronic braking systems, air dryers, brake control valves, air compressors, foundation brakes, automatic slack adjusters, friction materials, and hubs and drums.