Prospects for Future 4WD and AWD Developments for Pick Ups, SUVs and Passenger Cars in Brazil General Motors Corporation Powertrain

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Neto, Neto, author.

Contributor:

Fornari, Rafael

Rupcic, Jorge

Suzuki, Alexandre

Conference Name:

SAE Brasil 2010 Congress and Exhibit (2010-10-05 : Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 2010

Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to present the origins and thetechnology of the different types of AWD (All Wheel Drive) and 4WD(Four Wheel Drive) systems currently available and the widepotential to incorporate such technologies to the vehicles made inBrazil. In the Brazilian market the 4WD and AWD vehicle options areavailable only on expensive pickups and imported SUVs, whichinclude only a small part of the total market. Conversely, thereare a large number of 4WD and AWD technologies available indeveloped markets that are not currently available in the SouthAmerican markets.Most South American consumers regard vehicles with 4WD/AWDsystems as off-road vehicles to be driven in the countryside, in anoff-road environment. These markets still don`t have a clearunderstanding of the differences between 4WD and AWD, and thebenefits of each.This paper will describe the concepts, the architecture and theoperations of such systems and point out the correct application ofeach ones. Some of these systems are more adequate for off-roadusages while others are more focused on safety on slippery roads.Others are designed to enhance the driveability and vehiclecontrol. On the other hand there are 4WD systems that are moreefficient for commercial vehicles while others are more adequatefor city traffic passenger cars. This paper will also encompass themain components that constitute the 4WD and AWD system and theinterface of such systems with Engine Management Strategy,Transmission Management, ABS, Traction Control and StabilityControl in order to provide more safety, performance and low fuelconsumption. The paper will also present and explain low cost AWDsystem such as the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) usually applied atcrossover vehicles and passenger cars. The cutting edge in AWDTechnology, the Torque Vectoring, will also be presented. Themessage of this paper is to point out the large array of new 4WDand AWD technologies currently available on developed markets andthe great potential we have to bring these technologies to the carmakers in Brazil for the benefit of the customer and the Brazilianeconomy

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

2010-36-0479

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license