Wednesday 26 March 2014

Initiatives for Improving Traffic Safety

To achieve Toyota’s ultimate goal of completely eliminating traffic casualties developing safe vehicles is of course important, but it is also essential to educate drivers and pedestrians regarding traffic safety and to create a safe traffic environment. Toward achieving a safe mobility society, Toyota believes it is important to promote an Integrated Three Part Initiative, involving people, vehicles, and the traffic environment, as well as to pursue “real-world safety” by learning from accidents and incorporating that knowledge into vehicle development. Toyota has also defined its Integrated Safety Management Concept as the basic philosophy behind technologies for achieving the elimination of traffic casualties and is moving forward with developing such technologies.

Electronic power steering

Electric Power Steering (EPS) is favored over hydraulic power steering in most new vehicles. Eliminating the power steering pump can reduce weight and improve fuel economy. EPS also offers greater handling and steering feel while improving vehicle safety by adapting the steering torque to the vehicle's speed and providing active torque in critical driving situations.
The central electronic elements of today's electric power steering systems are modern 16- and 32-bit MCUs designed for safety-critical applications. Freescale's 16-bit and Qorivva 32-bit single and dual-core MCU provide enhanced computing power and specialized peripherals for complex electric motor control functions. Integrated power supply solutions are also important elements of a power steering control unit. They provide connectivity to automotive busses, such as CAN and LIN. For MOSFET power stages control, integrated pre-drivers are typically used to interface with the MCU directly or via SPI.

type of eps

Electric Power Steering
Electric Power Assisted Steering 
Freescale Electric Power Steering (EPS) block diagram