IFOY FINALIST FOCUS: DSR (Descent Speed Regulation) by STILL

Continuing with our run-through of each of the IFOY Award nominated finalists ahead of the winners announcement on 30th June at BMW World, we look at STILL’s DSR (Descent Speed Regulation) solution, the third of three entries in the Special of the Year category.

IFOY category: Special of the Year

STILL Descent Speed Regulation (DSR) is a three-stage assistance system for platform trucks and tractors which facilitates safe descent for the driver, especially with heavy trailer loads. Depending on the configuration, it manually or automatically regulates the speed of the vehicle to a value that can prevent dangerous situations.

Description

DSR is an assistance function that supports operators of towing and transport vehicles in their daily work. Especially when driving downhill, there is a risk of dangerous situations. DSR can prevent these.

The first configuration level is DSR Basic. Here, the driver must activate the system manually via the STILL Easy Control operating unit. When activated, a previously set maximum speed is maintained, even when driving downhill. The hydraulic service brake is actively engaged if the vehicle threatens to become too fast when travelling downhill. Even if the driver does not step on the brake pedal, the vehicle is braked.

The second configuration level is DSR Eco. In this configuration, the system does not have to be activated manually, but is always on stand-by in the background. The system activates automatically when a slope is detected. With DSR Eco, a gradient indicator is continuously shown in the display. The speed is limited to one predefined value when a slope is detected.

The third configuration level is DSR Premium. Here, in addition to DSR Eco, the load weight is estimated and shown on the display. With DSR Premium, the vehicle regulates the speed when driving downhill depending on the slope and the towed load. So, the speed is not set to a predefined value, but to the appropriate value for the respective situation. This allows for optimum performance coupled with maximum safety at all times.

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IFOY TEST REPORT

With the Descent Speed Regulation, DSR for short, Still introduces a unique assistance system for trucks and tuggers that facilitates safe driving on ramps even with heavy trailer loads. The system monitors and regulates the speed of the vehicle – manually or automatically, depending on the configuration. There are three different versions: DSR Basic, DSR Eco and DSR Premium.

With DSR Basic, the driver activates the system manually via the Still Easy Control operating unit. When activated, a preset maximum speed is maintained, even when driving downhill. The hydraulic service brake is actively activated as soon as the vehicle threatens to go too fast when going downhill. Even if the driver does not depress the brake pedal, the vehicle brakes. DSR Eco goes one step further. In this version, the programme does not have to be activated manually, but is always on stand-by in the background. It is activated automatically when an angle of inclination is detected.

The slope and load are calculated by evaluating the speeds and torques of the drive units and the data from an acceleration and speed sensor. With DSR Eco, a slope indicator is constantly shown on the display. If an incline is detected, the speed is automatically limited to a preset value.

The luxury version, DSR Premium, was nominated for the IFOY AWARD. Here, in addition to DSR Eco, a load evaluation is also carried out and shown on the display. With DSR Premium, the vehicle regulates its speed when driving downhill depending on the gradient and the load being towed. The speed is therefore not reduced to a predefined value, but optimally adapted to the respective situation. In this way, the vehicle always achieves the best possible performance with maximum safety.

The maintenance-free, hydraulic oil-bath brakes on the front and rear axles operate electrohydraulically. The brake on the front axle is designed as a brake-by-wire system. The brake demand is registered via a potentiometer on the brake pedal, whereupon the braking process is initiated hydraulically via an electric pressure-reducing valve.

The electrical control of this pressure valve makes it possible to brake very precisely and also to actively intervene in the service brake. Thanks to this technical concept, the DSR system can regulate the speed when driving downhill – even without active intervention by the driver.

DSR reduces the need for the driver to apply the brakes and thus the risk of overheating. In addition, the system monitors driving behaviour, which significantly reduces the risk of unsafe situations.

IFOY Test Verdict

IFOY INNOVATION CHECK

Market relevance: The development of the Descent Speed Regulation (DSR) supports very well the increasing safety requirements of the users and helps to prevent consequential costs due to negligent driving behaviour. The possible effects of exceeding the maximum permissible speed of heavy tow trains are high and therefore actually justify a very high market relevance. It should be noted, however, that inclined tracks for tow trains are not very widespread and the development of DSR does not have to be applied everywhere.

Customer benefit: The indisputable benefit results from the safe and reliable detection of steep sections and the load-dependent reduction of speed. Systems for general speed reduction lead to a loss of throughput and to a reduction in the motivation of drivers, who feel patronised by such a system and may switch it off. The increased safety for the driver, but also for uninvolved road users, is just as high as the consequential costs for vehicles or the transported goods due to serious accidents. The benefit is limited at best, since material flow planning already tries to avoid downhill stretches, which is why they occur comparatively rarely in the field of application.

Novelty: The safe and reliable detection of both the inclined sections being travelled on and the attached load has never been solved in a comparable way before. The successful combination of existing sensor principles and measuring sections as well as their evaluation in a computer unit, together with a powerful actuator system, result in a very good innovation.

Functionality / type of implementation: The aforementioned recognition and evaluation of the driving characteristics leads to an impressive driving behaviour, which could be experienced in a comprehensible way on a driving route with a 10 per cent gradient. The driver information display shows the driving mode and the determined parameters and thus makes the behaviour of the assistance system easy to understand.

Verdict: The product provides an innovative solution to avoid accidents by determining the actual towing weight and the actual inclination of the driving path. It is not relevant for all users, but helps safely and well on existing downhill stretches.

market relevance +
customer benefit +
novelty ++
functionality / type of implementation +
[++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / – – not available]

For an overview of all the finalists, visit www.ifoy.org

CLICK HERE to find out more about STILL’s DSR (Descent Speed Regulation) solution.