IWD Concept by ZF as a Control Network

10/30.07 -- In modern passenger cars, components and systems by ZF increase safety, driving/riding comfort, and driving dynamics. These properties can be further reinforced when several ZF systems are used in a control network. One example for such a network is the IWD (Intelligent Wheel Dynamics) concept by ZF.

The target of all active control systems is achieving optimum road contact for all tires, in any given driving situation. The input torque is dosed by the transmission and individually distributed by means of Torque Vectoring among the wheels. The steering system pre-determines the wheel setting and the individual tire contact force is modified by the chassis, the damping, or the level-control system, as well as by the Active Roll Stabilization system.

Intelligent power distribution instead of braking intervention

But ZF even takes another step ahead: The company combines those control systems, which are utterly important for the tire force potential, in an intelligent network. With the ZF-IWD (Intelligent Wheel Dynamics) concept, the Torque Vectoring driveline is networked with the active steering system and the active suspension components (the CDC electronic damping system) as well as the Active Roll Stabilization (ARS) system. Already during the conceptional phase of the overall system, design and controlling of sub-systems is considered. Resulting added value for the driver: The IWD almost completely solves the conflict of aims between agile driving behavior and a high level of driving stability. Precisely, the following results are attained: A higher safety reserve at the same level of dynamics, or, enhanced dynamics at the same level of safety reserves. Thus, critical situations can be mastered in a confident manner, primarily, if evasion maneuvers must be performed at higher speeds.

Advantages for 4WD vehicles

When it comes to Driveline and Chassis Technology, ZF – like no other company – is destined for such a holistic approach because almost all chassis and driveline control systems stem from a single source The IWD networking approach even exceeds these basic networking principles because it also integrates engine and brake controls. Here, the effect of the IWD aims at reducing the number of braking interventions (such as usually effected with traditional stabilization systems). Thus, conflicting aims of autonomous individual systems are remedied. The vehicle becomes more comfortable, safer, and more dynamic – in parallel!

With its networking approach, ZF further underscores its off-road vehicle expertise. In the case of such a drive, variable distribution of input torque across the entire driveline is enabled. Longitudinally, this distribution is effected via an intelligent Torque-on-Demand system and, most recently, also transversally via the newly developed ZF-Vector-Drive axle transmission.

Source: ZF

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