Iveco cabs get active 1
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• Iveco's Ulm engineering centre is developing an "active" cab suspension system for use on heavy trucks, following a contract between Iveco Magirus and the German Ministry of Research and Technology.
Considerable progress has been made during the past few years in the design of cab mountings by the application of torsion bar, leaf and coil springs, or air suspension elements — but many of the factors which may affect the long-term health and fitness of drivers continue to cause concern in the road transport industry.
Current thinking envisages a move to active suspension systems in vehicle cabs, and Iveco is looking at highpressure hydraulic rams in the cab mounts controlled by chassis-mounted sensors to operate fast-acting valves which will reduce the frequency of the cab movement.
The new development programme is estimated to cost DM 5.8 million (£1.82 million), of which Iveco will contribute 66%. It is hoped to complete a prototype by the end of 1991 and progress reports will be published, with all results made accessible to interested parties within the commercial vehicle industry.