In recent years, commercial vehicle manufacturers in developed countries in the world have invested heavily in the development of next-generation products. By adopting new and high technologies, they have maximized the technological level of heavy-duty automotive products. Currently, manufacturers with representative products, such as Dai-Ke, Volvo, Man, Duff, Scania, etc., whose leading products are at the international advanced or advanced technology level, in comfort, safety, dynamic, Economic, reliability and environmental protection have obvious advantages. In order to meet the challenge, each heavy-duty automobile manufacturer in China has also concentrated on the development of new products in recent years, improving the leading product technology level and enhancing its competitiveness.
The year 2003 was the sixth year after the rapid development of heavy-duty trucks in China. Due to the slower growth and fiercer competition, the existing domestic major heavy-duty truck manufacturers improved the technological level of the leading products through various channels and strived to strive for Continue to maintain a dominant position; newcomers also strive to make their new products a bright spot in the market.
Comprehensive analysis, product technical progress is mainly: through the strengthening of the vehicle's driving system, to achieve high tonnage of the vehicle; by improving the interior and appearance of the cab, to achieve the gentrification of the vehicle; by improving the engine technology, to achieve low emissions and vehicles Energy-saving purposes, and increasingly high power; through the use of electromechanical integration devices to improve vehicle safety and lightness; through the use of multi-axis travel system or air suspension structure, to meet the vehicle axle load limit and improve ride comfort Claim.
1 High Tonnage, Chassis Configuration and Performance Convergence Technology
According to relevant statistics, in 2003, the load-carrying capacity of 20-25t trucks increased by 114% year-on-year, and the number of trucks with more than 25t vehicles increased by 41% year-on-year. The high tonnage of vehicles is an irresistible trend. In order to meet the requirements for high-tonnage loading, domestic major heavy-duty vehicle products have adopted enhanced design enhancements such as reinforced axles, reinforced suspensions and reinforced frame assemblies.
Steyr truck technology imported from Austria in the 1980s covered 19-40 tons of gross tonnage range. After more than 10 years of digestion and absorption, it has basically realized localization; main assemblies such as engines, clutches and transmissions Drive axles, etc. are all mass-produced for use by numerous manufacturers. China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Co., Ltd. fully owns this technology, therefore, it has obvious technical advantages and market advantages in this field.
As Shaanxi Automobile and Sichuan Steam and China National Heavy Duty Truck originally belonged to a group company and most of the products were shared by technology, the market share of three of the trucks with more than 20 tons was relatively large.
The "Four Big" series of FAW Liberation has comprehensively intensified and strengthened the cab, engine, transmission, suspension, and axles, and strived to increase the tonnage; in addition, through selection of Steyr components such as engines , transmissions, etc., to create high-tonnage platforms.
Dongfeng Liuzhou Automobile's "Ba Long" series models have been gradually introduced, especially high-tonnage heavy-duty traction vehicles, becoming a new bright spot in the heavy-duty truck market.
Beiqi Foton Motors has built a high-tonnage product platform by leveraging its advantages in the assembly of cabs and through the selection of a large number of Steyr components such as engines, transmissions and drive axles. In early 2003, the production and sales volume of heavy-duty trucks of Beiqi Futian once rose rapidly.
2 Improve the interior and appearance of the driver's cab
Many domestic manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles introduced in 2003 paid more attention to the upscale design of interiors and appearance. Interior design fully reflects the "people-oriented" concept, practicality, safety and comfort are the highest requirements; exterior design pursuit of the overall style of the design, through the streamlined large rounded shape design, to achieve dynamic, strength and affinity and other features, with a perfect color , totally natural.
China National Heavy Duty Truck launched the new Steyr products, the interior adopts the layout of aviation instruments, which fully embodies the humanized design concept; it is equipped with a variable-angle steering device, which is easy to operate, safe and reliable; equipped with high-power air conditioners and wide body sleepers, Improve comfort; external appearance is beautiful and stable, quite kingly momentum. In addition, side and rear diversion devices, electric rear-view mirrors, noise reduction devices, high-grade fabrics, and mahogany trims are also used. The heavy-duty Yellow River Prince model launched by Sinotruck adopts the cab technology of the German MAN Commercial Vehicle Company. The shape is streamlined, exquisite, compact and generous. It has a large internal space, low left and right channel height, adjustable steering wheel angle, and a circular shape. Features such as instrument panel, central air-conditioning device, comfortable ride and convenient operation.
Shaanxi Automobile has introduced the F2000 cab technology of the German MAN Commercial Vehicle Company, which is currently the state-of-the-art technology.
Beiqi Foton invested hundreds of millions of yuan in the development of a new imitation of the 50-ling cab, making its interior space as spacious as possible. The dashboard is sleek and warm, luxurious, and sleek, making it popular with users.
FAW liberation launched a wide-body cab series, the "four" series models.
Dongfeng introduced the Nissan cab main model.
In addition, Chunlan Group has introduced a series of models featuring the driver's cab.
3 Improve engine technology, achieve low emissions and energy conservation, and become increasingly powerful. The environmental protection situation is grim and oil shortages have become increasingly prominent, forcing international and domestic companies to formulate more stringent engine emission limits and energy-saving measures. This is mainly reflected in improving dynamics, improving fuel economy and improving emission indicators.
3.1 Power
Internationally, high-power engines have been introduced. In 2003, Sweden's Volvo Truck Company introduced the FHl6 series of trucks, which are equipped with a new generation of D16C engines with a maximum power of 610ps. The TGA series models introduced by MAN in the same year are equipped with 530ps engines; the DAF95XF series models are equipped with 12.6l engines; 530ps.
At present, in domestically produced heavy-duty vehicles, the maximum power engine installed is the WD 618.42 supercharged and intercooled diesel engine produced by Steyr Engine Technology of China National Heavy Duty Truck Weifang Diesel Engine Plant. Its power is 420 ps. The actual use shows that it is domestically produced. After the need for further improvement.
The total displacement of China's heavy-duty vehicle diesel engine is generally above the enthalpy level, with the maximum displacement reaching 11.596L. The cylinder diameters of diesel engines are mainly 108mm, 100mm, llOmm, 112mm, 114mm, 125mm, 126mm, 130mm, and 135mm. The smaller, displacement (6-7L) engine is mainly used for economical heavy-duty vehicles, such as liberated Shuangqiao 9 Pingchai, Dongfeng 8 Pingchai, heavy-duty Feilong, Sichuan Auto Little Tornado and other models, respectively equipped with Dachai 6100 series machines. Type, Cummins B series models, Yuchai 6108 series models, etc.; Medium displacement (8-9L) engines are mainly used for heavy vehicles with good performance and moderate price, such as China National Heavy-duty Steyr series, Liberation 9 Pingchai series and Futian Auman series, etc.; larger displacement (9L or more) engines are mainly used for medium and high-end heavy-duty vehicles, such as China National Heavy-duty Truck Steyr King Series, Dongfeng Hangzhou Nissan Diesel Series and North Mercedes-Benz Series.
3.2 Economical
Most of China's heavy-duty vehicles are powered by in-line six-cylinder diesel engines. Compared with foreign engines of the same type, domestic models have lower power ratings, higher emissions indicators, lower reliability, poor fuel economy, and overall technical levels that are 8-10 years behind.
Relevant statistics show that the average fuel consumption of homemade heavy-duty vehicles is much higher than that of similar models with international advanced technology. On the one hand, it depends on the vehicle's driving structure and the matching of the transmission system. On the other hand, it depends on the fuel economy of the engine. The minimum fuel consumption rate of domestic heavy-duty vehicle engines is generally around 215g/kW.h, while the lowest engine fuel consumption rate of internationally advanced technology is generally 191-196s/kW.h. The gap is obvious. The comparative test data for the four European heavy-duty tractors are shown in the table.
project
(Total weight 34t)
Fuel consumption at constant speed (L/100km)
Technical maintenance interval mileage (km)
75km/h
85km/h
Duff 85CF430
22.0
25.3
120000
Man TG-410A
21.7
23.4
80000
Mercedes-Benz axor1845
23.0
24.7
100000
Renault premium
22.7
24.8
80000
The constant-speed fuel consumption (L/100km) of vehicles with the same tonnage is generally around 30-35, which is higher than 20%, and some models even exceed 40. Domestically produced heavy-duty vehicles have a large gap in terms of fuel economy compared with international advanced models. In view of the severe situation of China's oil shortage, it is an urgent task to improve the fuel economy of domestic heavy-duty vehicles.
3.3 Environmental protection
The environmental protection of heavy-duty vehicles mainly refers to the level of emission limits that the engine achieves. At present, Euro III emission limit regulations are implemented in Europe, and Euro IV emission eye value regulations will be implemented by 2005.
China will implement the EU I emission limits regulations at this stage, and will start implementing the EU II emission limit regulations by September 2004. Domestically produced heavy-duty vehicles are generally 5-8 years behind in environmental protection. As China’s emissions from heavy-duty vehicles with large-displacement engines are increasingly impacting the environment, domestic heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers have launched or selected engines that meet Euro II emission regulations in 2003 in response to environmental requirements in countries and different regions.
Among domestically-made heavy-duty diesel engines, China National Heavy Duty Diesel Corp. launched WD615 series engines produced at Weifang Diesel Engine Works and Hangzhou Engine Works to launch models that meet Euro II emission requirements; and WD618 series engines produced by Weifang Diesel Engine Factory have also met Euro II emission requirements. Models, and through the use of high pressure common rail technology in the development of Euro III emission models.
FAW Group has successfully developed the "Aowei" CA6DL four-valve high-power diesel engine with intellectual property rights; in cooperation with Austrian AVL company, it has adopted international new technology to develop high-power products with the heavy-duty diesel engine of international commercial vehicles at the end of the 1990s, with power coverage. 260ps—350Ps, emission reaches Euro II standard, adopts electronically controlled fuel injection technology, reaches Euro III standard, and has Euro IV potential, fuel consumption is only 195g/kW.h.
The C-series diesel engine jointly produced by Dongfeng Chongqing Auto Engine Factory and Cummins Co., Ltd. meets Euro II emission and achieves mass production.
Guangxi Ford Diesel Machinery Co., Ltd. has imported Ford diesel engine manufacturing technology from Brazil. After localization and joint design improvements, it meets Euro II emissions and achieves mass production. Currently, Euro III emission models are also under development.
The D6114 diesel engine developed by Shanghai Diesel Engine Factory through joint design has also achieved Euro II emission and achieved mass production. In addition, the company and Hino Co., Ltd. have established Shanghai Hino Engine Co., Ltd. to jointly produce Euro III and above P11C ( 320p$ or more) and J08C (32Langs or less) series products; in addition, its subsidiaries introduce advanced manufacturing technologies such as superchargers, fuel injection pumps, and fuel injectors.
In general, China's heavy-duty vehicle engines are further reducing emissions, lowering fuel consumption, reducing noise, and developing large-displacement, high-power diesel engines.
4. By using electromechanical integration technology, the safety, comfort and ease of operation of the vehicle are improved.
The gap between the technical level of China's heavy-duty vehicles and the international level is mainly reflected in the number of developments and installations of mechatronic devices. In foreign countries, the development of electromechanical integration technology for trucks is not as good as that of cars. In other words, the technology applied on cars is adopted on trucks, and there is no technology applied on cars. It can also be used on cars. However, with the continuous improvement of user demand and technological advancement, more and more mechatronic technologies have been adopted on heavy-duty vehicles, which helps to increase the technological content of products.
4.1 Security
With the continuous increase in the number of automobiles and the rapid development of power and environmental protection, the improvement of safety is very urgent. A large number of advanced technologies; such as acoustic, optical, and electrical technologies are applied to improve the safety of automobiles. The heavy-duty vehicles produced in developed countries generally adopt the following safety devices: seat belts and airbags (applicable to safety protection in the event of high-speed collisions), smart seat belts and airbag systems (according to the degree of collision, the determination of seat belt tension The degree of tightness and the amount of airbag inflation), Anti-lock braking system (ABS), ASR, Electronic brake control system (EBS), Auxiliary braking device (mainly engine exhaust brake and retarder) ), Ranging System, Camera System, GPS Satellite Positioning System, System, Headlight Auto Dimming System, Safety Car Seat, Rollover Warning System, Energy Absorbing Body, and Preventing Driver from Sleeping System and Wheel Stage Auto Monitoring System.
In China-made heavy-duty vehicles, the brake anti-lock brake system (ABS) and the anti-skid control system (ASR) have been started to match. The core components of China's production and imported parts coexist. Eddy current retarders, automatic clearance adjusting arms, disc brakes, car driving recorders, etc. have also been applied to a certain extent. GPS and other devices are still in the pre-research phase.
4.2 Comfort
The comfort of European heavy-duty cabs has reached the level of cars, and the space of activities is much more spacious than that of cars. Various facilities are readily available. In addition to conventional luxury instruments and interiors, tractors engaged in long-distance transportation are equipped with audio, air-conditioning, communication equipment, satellite navigation, hot and cold beverage cabinets, TVs, wardrobes and other devices; the driver's seat is The multi-degree of freedom is adjustable, and the air spring buffer support is installed below to make the driver comfortable and safe.
The development of China’s economy puts higher demands on the comfort of domestic heavy-duty vehicles. At present, there are not only audio equipment, air conditioners, and communication equipment on domestic heavy-duty vehicles, but also gradually installed micro-freezers, televisions, and GPS systems. In addition, the application of electronically controlled air suspension devices has begun to appear.
4.3 Manipulability
Operational convenience has always been the “bottleneck†of heavy-duty vehicles in China, and the contrast between domestic and imported vehicles in driving control is very large. Under the condition of ensuring reasonable product costs, China’s heavy-duty vehicles have begun to use engine electronic injection control devices, electronically controlled mechanical gear shift devices, electric windows and doors, electric heating mirrors, electric cab turning devices, and electric spare tire lifting devices. In addition, centralized lubrication systems and automatic bleed-air system devices have a number of applications. 5f adopts multi-axis and air suspension structures to meet axle load limits of vehicles and improve ride comfort requirements.
China's over-limit overload management was put back on the agenda in 2003, which had a significant impact on the leading models of domestic heavy-duty vehicles. Liberated newly developed four-axle heavy-duty trucks, especially four-axle trucks, have once become sales highlights; Sinotruck, based on the introduction of the Steyr four-axle heavy-duty trucks, has carried out technological upgrading and serialization expansion, and successively launched the STATA. Erwang series dump trucks, trucks and chassis of cement mixing trucks have a strong market demand. Other manufacturers such as Chongqing Heavy Duty Truck also launched a four-axis model. China National Heavy Duty Truck, FAW Jiefang, Beiqi Futian and other manufacturers are developing five-axis road transport vehicles in order to occupy the high ground of road transport. The fifth axle of this model uses a floating axle technology.
Drawing on the experience of foreign high-level road transport, high transportation quality and the minimization of road surface damage require vehicles that are highly configurable and smooth. European heavy-duty vehicles generally use air suspension, so that vehicles have a good high-speed smooth ride. According to this trend, China's heavy-duty vehicles, especially heavy-duty traction vehicles, are beginning to use air suspension devices; in 2003, China National Heavy Duty Truck Corporation was the first to introduce 4x2 traction vehicles with air suspension.
5 Product Technology Trends
The general development trend of China's heavy-duty trucks' product technology is high-grade, electronic, large-tonnage, and environmental protection, with the focus on economy, power, safety, comfort, and reliability.
a. With the development of our national economy and the improvement of our living standards, people put forward higher and higher requirements for the “grades†of heavy-duty vehicles, not just as production tools. The year-by-year increase in domestic sales of high-priced, high-end heavy-duty vehicles is the best example. The majority of domestic heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers are increasingly focusing on the beautification of the cab appearance and the spacious and comfortable improvement design of the cab interior decoration; the external shape adopts the streamlined large-radius main stream shape model, and the headlight, radiator grille, and shade Covers, shrouds, etc. are carefully designed to emphasize the overall appearance. The interior design adopts a humanized design method and strives to achieve a high level of sedan interior decoration. Joint ventures with multinational companies with advanced technologies and the promotion of core technologies for leading products will be the mainstream for a period of time in the future.
b. In order to meet safety requirements, the use of ABS, ASR, centralized lubrication systems, and automatic bleeder and deflator systems in heavy-duty vehicles is increasing. The operating conditions and operating systems of each major assembly are increasingly electronically controlled; mobile communication and tracking network systems are beginning to find application.
c. With the improvement of China's expressway network and the start of the country's strategic infrastructure, projects such as the Western Development, South-to-North Water Transfer, and West-to-East Gas Pipeline projects have huge construction volumes. In order to improve transportation and construction efficiency, high-power engines are commonly used. , DWT strives to maximize. Large-tonnage, high-power, high-end heavy-duty special-purpose vehicles suitable for specialized transportation will become mainstream models.
d. With the increase in car ownership, environmental protection and energy issues have become increasingly severe. Therefore, the national emission limit standards are increasingly stringent, and users are increasingly concerned about the size of fuel economy indicators. At present, most domestic engines have reached the Euro II emission limit standard, and some models have reached the Euro III emission limit standard. It is expected that by 2010, the Euro IV emission limit standard will be met. Domestic major manufacturers through the technical cooperation with international multinational corporations or involved organizations to develop new engines, in order to improve the domestic emission limits of the standard engine technology standards, while improving the series of models of fuel economy indicators.