Intelligent integration of decentralised energy resources, local storage and direct consumption are key factors in achieving the transformation of the energy system. In this study, we present a ...modular simulation concept that allows the planning of decentralised energy systems for buildings and building blocks. In comparison to related studies, we use a simulation model for energy planning with a high time-resolution from the perspective of the energy system planner. In this study, we address the challenges of the grid connection in combination with an increasing number of electric vehicles (EV) in the future. The here developed model is applied for an innovative building block in Germany with a photovoltaic (PV) system, a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, battery storage and electric vehicles. The results of the simulation are validated with real-life data to illustrate the practical relevance and show that our simulation model is able to support the planning of decentralised energy systems. We demonstrate that without anticipating future electric vehicle charging, the system configurations could be sub-optimal if complete self-sufficiency is the objective: in our case study, the rate of self-sufficiency of the net-zero energy building will be lowered from 100% to 91% if considering electric vehicles. Furthermore, our simulation shows that a peak minimising operation strategy with a battery can prevent grid overloads caused by EV charging in the future. Simulating different battery operation strategies can further help to implement the most useful strategy, without interruption of the current operation.
Current statistics show that distraction is a central cause of traffic accidents. Safety systems with distance control currently available on the market have great potential for preventing accidents ...and significantly reducing their severity. However, depending on the driver’s level of attention, the systems warn too early or too late, which impairs use acceptance. Adaptive systems allow for personalization according to driver’s attention level. Studies were carried out in a driving simulator in order to compare the system adaptations with regard to acceptance for attentive and distracted driving phases. Seventy-two participants took part in the study, with a between-subjects test design. Acceptance ratings shows highest acceptability for the adaptive systems in distractive situations. We conclude that personalization of attention-adaptive systems shall be implemented in case safety benefits are proven.
The exterior design is one of the most important selling propositions in the automotive premium market. Because of progressing digitization in the automotive industry, it is increasingly assessed ...using virtual 3D models. In this context, Virtual Reality (VR) is a key technology of continuously growing importance. However, complicated interaction in VR proves to be a major drawback in industrial settings. In this paper, we report insights of our user centered approach aiming at appropriate VR interaction techniques supporting designers, engineers, and management executives optimally in design assessment. Our approach splits into two iterations according to the main interaction tasks Visual Inspection and Model Comparison. In each iteration, alternative interaction techniques were conceptualized, implemented as prototypes, and evaluated in a user study in terms of Usability, User Experience, Intuitiveness and Task Load. In the first iteration six interaction techniques for Visual Inspection, two speech-based, two gesture-based, and two touch-based variants, were studied. Incorporating the results, the second iteration explores three interaction techniques for Model Comparison utilizing (1) a portable touch remote, (2) hand and body gestures, and (3) a multimodal mix of both. The final concepts yielded high ratings by the participants, but showed significant differences between rational and emotional aspects. We conclude that the acceptance of VR in automotive design could be facilitated by refining and applying these interaction techniques.
In the booming market of electrified mobility, product cost plays a crucial role for the competitiveness of electric vehicles. Approximately 70% of the product costs are determined in the product ...development phase 1. Therefore, an early cost evaluation is necessary to check the achievement of cost target and if needed to modify the design as early as possible. To get a holistic view, as one part of the manufacturing cost for lamination stacks, the stamping tooling cost should to be taken into consideration.
This work investigates the cost of progressive die in the lamination stack production. By following design of the lamination and the production scenarios selected for stamping, the tooling cost can be estimated based on the dimension and complexity of the stamping part. Besides design parameters, the production scenario also influences the tooling design and its cost. The area of the stroke station is very different while applying segmenting technology for stator stamping process compared with stamping the stator ring. The proposed model also presented an approach to evaluate the complexity of the stamping part design, which is crucial for determining the number of progressive die stations.
By knowing what the driver will do next, it is possible to assist drivers only as much as necessary. Especially in level two safety relevant collision avoidance systems, it is beneficial to know if ...the driver will do an evasion or a braking maneuver on his own to avoid a collision with a pedestrian or another object in the environment. This work presents an algorithm that outputs the probability of a sporty or comfortable braking or evasion maneuver, a follow lane maneuver or no change in driving behavior at all. Furthermore, the algorithm predicts respective trajectory courses of these discrete maneuvers from the vehicle we are looking at (ego vehicle). By evaluating information about the environmental context, driving data and the current visual and manual driver state in a Bayesian network, the probabilities for ego vehicle trajectories are predicted. The generation of the discrete trajectories is based on the single-track model combined with current driver information, such as reaction time. In order to map drivers' natural behavior in predicting ego vehicle trajectories, a study on driver collision avoidance maneuvers was conducted and analyzed in 2018. In total, 45 subjects performed 1260 braking and 1890 evasion maneuvers, in two different manners (sporty and comfortable). Validation of the algorithm in real world showed reliable prediction of ego vehicle trajectories courses and probabilities in different driver states.
The product development process within the automotive industry is subject to changing and varying demands due to external influences and internal strategic decisions. Influences and decisions, such ...as a shift from hybrid vehicles to fully electric architectures, turn into explicit requirements. For a manufacturer to remain competitive, these requirements need to be fulfilled within the early design phases of the development process. The car body substructure and body shop in particular have the highest interdependence with the automotive product development process. To reduce the resulting complexity of managing various requirements for each car body type, car manufacturers use modular design to create partitioned subassemblies. Although there is a wide range of strategies for the modularization of individual requirements, none of them offers the possibility of considering multiple influences and identifying interdependencies between formed modules. To solve this problem, we provide a structured approach for the early planning and design phases as means of achieving this multi-criteria modularization. We transform results from the requirement elicitation into dependency matrices to weight, compare and synchronize critical and relevant requirements. Thus, it is possible to analyze interdependencies to gain knowledge for the design of new product and production modules. In cooperation with the Mercedes-Benz Cars division, we validate our approach and create a domain-specific blueprint for car body substructures. Therefore, we are able to deepen the understanding, give part-specific recommendations and provide a new decomposition of modules of future vehicle architectures.
The product development process within the automotive industry is subject to changing demands due to internal and external influences. These influences and adjustments especially affect the car body ...and its inherent joining technology, as critical stages of variant creation. However, current literature does not offer a suitable analytical method to identify and assess these critical influences. We propose an advanced analytics approach that combines data mining and machine learning techniques within the car body substructure. The evaluation within the Mercedes-Benz AG shows that our approach facilitates a quantitative assessment of unknown interdependencies between car body modules and corresponding joining techniques.
Frugal describes a new strategic approach which is often praised to be the key to emerging markets. More than four billion people will live in these extremely price-conscious markets in the near ...future. Therefore, processes for frugal products become more and more important in engineering departments of high-tech manufacturers who want to expand to emerging markets as they are struggling with local saturated markets. However, in order to meet the needs of price-sensitive customers a frugal product should be focused on core functionalities, a significant price reduction and also on an optimized performance level taking into account the expected life time and local conditions. In order to do this successfully, a new mindset for these emerging markets and, along with this, the necessity to loosen up their traditional development processes towards a more agile approach with for example the Design Thinking (DT) process is often claimed in literature. As these literature contributions are mainly based on descriptive fundaments, this paper presents an adapted process which links the basic ideas of Design Thinking and Frugal Innovation with the focus on production systems for emerging markets. The application of the process is shown by a use case.
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