CCJ

August 2014

Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/357935

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 29 of 137

28 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | AUGUST 2014 A t a rain-soaked test track last month in western Germany, commercial vehicle component supplier ZF showcased a wide array of new commercial vehicle systems, including a dual-clutch automated manual transmission and the Smart Truck Maneuvering System designed to allow a driver to position a truck from outside the cab using a tablet com- puter. The new Traxon AMT is ZF's suc- cessor to its ASTronic AMT, which will continue in production for the fore- seeable future. Traxon builds on the advances in software and computing power that have occurred since the ASTronic's introduction, with an eye toward increasing driver safety, comfort and control. "At ZF, we see the engine as the heart of a truck, but today, the automated transmission is the brains of the truck," said Frederik Staedtler, global head of ZF's commercial vehicle operations. "This is one of the guiding principles in the design of the new Traxon AMT." For Traxon's predictive cruise control, software is tied in with GPS navigational systems to accurately track and predict upcoming terrain features, then adjust gear selection and shift patterns as well as throttle input to manage them effectively. If Traxon is alerted via GPS that a steep grade is approaching, the AMT's software will begin building up ad- ditional torque and speed to avoid deceleration. Likewise, if the system detects the vehicle is on a long downgrade, it can dial down throttle levels to maximize fuel economy. A dual clutch is designed to provide smooth, seamless shifts – even when fully loaded at highway speeds – making the automated manual transmission shift and feel like a full automatic transmission with a torque converter. ZF also designed the overall package with five modular components to allow the transmission to be spec'd to meet a wide range of fleet applications from vocational work to long haul. The prototype Smart Truck Maneu- vering System was fitted on ZF's Innova- tion Truck test vehicle that features a hybrid-electric drive mated to a highly sophisticated remote-control system. In tight or potentially hazardous surround- ings, a driver can leave the cab and use a tablet computer to move the truck on electric power; backing, turning and parking can be accomplished from afar. "Increasingly, electronics, software, actuators and electrifi- cation are becoming more important in commercial vehicle development and technology," Staedtler said. "This is a trend ZF understands and is investing heavily in today to build safer, more productive vehicles in the future." – Jack Roberts A longstanding dispute between truck transmission makers over anticompetitive practices has been settled, with the major players agreeing it's time to move on. ZF Meritor, a joint venture between a Meritor Inc. subsid- iary and ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and Meritor Transmission Corp. announced a $500 million settlement agreement with Eaton Corp. relating to an antitrust lawsuit filed in 2006. Meritor will receive net proceeds of $209 million, according to a company statement. ZF Meritor had charged that after the joint venture was formed in 1999, Eaton responded with "a series of exclu- sionary actions designed to reduce consumer access to ZF Meritor transmissions." Eaton's most significant action, ZF Meritor alleged, was to use its dominant position "to induce all heavy-duty truck manufacturers to enter into de facto exclusive dealing contracts," foreclosing 90 percent of heavy-duty transmission sales. "Eaton's conduct forced ZF Meritor … to cease opera- tions," Meritor said at the time. The settlement agreement is subject to ZF Friedrichshafen AG corporate approval. "This is an important outcome for Meritor that delivers significant benefits to the company, our shareholders and our customers," said Ike Evans, Meritor chairman and chief executive officer. Eaton reported that the likelihood of lengthy court pro- ceedings prompted the agreement. "It is in the best interests of Eaton shareholders to settle this matter," said Alexander Cutler, Eaton chairman and CEO. "The settlement results in a permanent resolution of the matter and removes the uncertainty of a trial and a lengthy appeal process." – Kevin Jones ZF unveils new automated transmission, remote-controlled parking Eaton to pay Meritor, ZF $500M to settle antitrust claim ZF's Smart Truck Maneuvering System, designed for tight or potentially hazardous situations, allows drivers to leave the cab and "drive" the truck with a tablet computer.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of CCJ - August 2014