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8/13/2014 Tech Talk - How Safe is the Elio
Elio Motors Tech Talk v29
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How to Avoid Hitting the Moose? Electronic Stability Control from Mando, of Course!
Let’s face it, hitting a moose is not good for any vehicle (or the moose). So, over the years, car makers in cold-weather climates such as Sweden and Finland developed a test that entailed steering hard to the left, then steering hard back to the right to simulate avoiding a large mass – or moose – on the road. In the US we call the European “Moose Test” the Consumer Reports Avoidance Maneuver (CR Maneuver or CRAM).
Today, the Moose Test is one of the standards for testing Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of the most important safety innovations in recent automotive history. A 2012 study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that more than 2,200 lives were saved by ESC from 2008 to 2010.
Safety is such an important focus of Elio Motors’ development, that adding ESC to the vehicle was an obvious choice. Therefore, having a world-class ESC supplier is an important part of the company’s long-term success. Fortunately, Elio Motors is working with its supplier partner Mando, a recent “Supplier of the Year” recipient.
Working from its Novi, Mich., North American Research & Development Center, Mando has developed an ESC system designed specifically to work with a three-wheel vehicle and to provide safety functionality in line with today’s safest vehicles.
Just What is ESC?
Today’s ESC systems consist of Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS), Traction Control (TCS) and Stability Control. The ESC system continuously monitors inputs from the throttle, on board sensors measuring yaw (a.k.a. “fishtailing”) lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, brake status and steering angle signals to determine if the vehicle is doing what the driver intended. If the ESC system senses the vehicle’s path does not match driver intention, it will adjust engine torque and apply braking to various wheel combinations as appropriate to bring the vehicle back onto the path of the driver’s chosen path.
ESC systems use tiny electrically actuated hydraulic valves to precisely adjust brake pressure to each wheel. During an ABS event such as a wheel spin or poor traction, this precision allows the driver to slow down and stop while maintaining full steering control and maximum brake forces. The ABS system is specifically tuned for any adverse road conditions including rain, snow, ice or oil, dirt and sand patches.
Stability control uses the same precision brake pressure adjustments and can add pressure to wheels independently correcting for cases of under steer, over steer and emergency avoidance maneuvers also regardless of road surface condition. In addition to the stability control braking, the ESC unit will adjust engine torque based upon the vehicle yaw until the vehicle is stabilized and engine torque is restored back to the driver. Traction control utilizes both engine and precision brake control to maximize acceleration and stability on all surface conditions.
What does it all mean to a future Elio owner? Vehicle stability will be enhanced with one of the most important safety technologies available today. And, because Mando (An Automotive Leader of Safety and Convenience Products) has a winter testing facility in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we’ll make sure our owners are in the best position possible to avoid any moose that happens to cross the road.
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Our mailing address is:
Elio Motors
2942 North 24th Street
Suite 114-700
Phoenix, AZ 85016
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Elio Motors Tech Talk v29
View this email in your browser
How to Avoid Hitting the Moose? Electronic Stability Control from Mando, of Course!
Let’s face it, hitting a moose is not good for any vehicle (or the moose). So, over the years, car makers in cold-weather climates such as Sweden and Finland developed a test that entailed steering hard to the left, then steering hard back to the right to simulate avoiding a large mass – or moose – on the road. In the US we call the European “Moose Test” the Consumer Reports Avoidance Maneuver (CR Maneuver or CRAM).
Today, the Moose Test is one of the standards for testing Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of the most important safety innovations in recent automotive history. A 2012 study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that more than 2,200 lives were saved by ESC from 2008 to 2010.
Safety is such an important focus of Elio Motors’ development, that adding ESC to the vehicle was an obvious choice. Therefore, having a world-class ESC supplier is an important part of the company’s long-term success. Fortunately, Elio Motors is working with its supplier partner Mando, a recent “Supplier of the Year” recipient.
Working from its Novi, Mich., North American Research & Development Center, Mando has developed an ESC system designed specifically to work with a three-wheel vehicle and to provide safety functionality in line with today’s safest vehicles.
Just What is ESC?
Today’s ESC systems consist of Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS), Traction Control (TCS) and Stability Control. The ESC system continuously monitors inputs from the throttle, on board sensors measuring yaw (a.k.a. “fishtailing”) lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, brake status and steering angle signals to determine if the vehicle is doing what the driver intended. If the ESC system senses the vehicle’s path does not match driver intention, it will adjust engine torque and apply braking to various wheel combinations as appropriate to bring the vehicle back onto the path of the driver’s chosen path.
ESC systems use tiny electrically actuated hydraulic valves to precisely adjust brake pressure to each wheel. During an ABS event such as a wheel spin or poor traction, this precision allows the driver to slow down and stop while maintaining full steering control and maximum brake forces. The ABS system is specifically tuned for any adverse road conditions including rain, snow, ice or oil, dirt and sand patches.
Stability control uses the same precision brake pressure adjustments and can add pressure to wheels independently correcting for cases of under steer, over steer and emergency avoidance maneuvers also regardless of road surface condition. In addition to the stability control braking, the ESC unit will adjust engine torque based upon the vehicle yaw until the vehicle is stabilized and engine torque is restored back to the driver. Traction control utilizes both engine and precision brake control to maximize acceleration and stability on all surface conditions.
What does it all mean to a future Elio owner? Vehicle stability will be enhanced with one of the most important safety technologies available today. And, because Mando (An Automotive Leader of Safety and Convenience Products) has a winter testing facility in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we’ll make sure our owners are in the best position possible to avoid any moose that happens to cross the road.
You signed up to receive updates from Elio Motors where you filled out a form including your name and email address!
Our mailing address is:
Elio Motors
2942 North 24th Street
Suite 114-700
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Add us to your address book
