Stuttgart, Germany. It is often difficult to find free space in the warehouse. Forklift drivers constantly have to maneuver in tight spaces between racks and stacked pallets. This leads to accidents that result in damage to goods or forklifts, material losses and even accidents. But a much worse consequence than material damage is accidents. According to a study by the German Association for Employers’ Liability Insurance in Trade, Shipping and Logistics (BGHW), injuries are most likely to occur when a forklift is reversing in a space of 1 to 3 meters. In Germany alone, according to official statistics, the number of accidents involving forklift trucks reaches 12 thousand per year (source: WEKA). “Since the driver’s view of the forklift truck is incomplete, the Bosch multi-camera system comes to the rescue,” says Andrew Allen, head of the Trucks and SUVs division at Bosch. For the first time, the system will be publicly presented at the LogiMAT exhibition.

Full picture of what is happening

Thanks to the Vision Enhancement System, the multi-camera system provides a 360-degree view around the forklift, even if it is carrying bulky loads. This greatly simplifies the task of gripping and moving loads in confined spaces. The system helps the forklift maneuver and more accurately estimate the distance in motion. In this way, drivers can complete logistics tasks easier, more efficiently and safer.

The multi-camera system consists of a control unit and four short-range compact cameras. Working together, they capture 8×8 meters of space. The cameras were originally developed for the Bosch passenger car segment, but have since been adapted to meet the specific needs of the logistics market.

Cameras provide a complete view around the forklift

Cameras are located at the front, back and on each side of the forklift truck. With a viewing angle of about 190 °, they capture the entire vehicle environment. Drivers see on the display a realistic image of their vehicle in the form of a detailed 3D model. When the forklift is moving, the display adjusts the environment in real time. The manufacturer can pre-configure the screen to display single views or 360-degree views, as well as set up full or multi-screen display modes. Depending on the task at hand, the driver can choose the best view from the preprogrammed options.

Unformat

It’s not safe to use summer tires in winter, but that doesn’t stop everyone. There is also a category of drivers who can travel with a winter kit all summer long. And although it is not expressly prohibited, it is strongly discouraged to do so: the rubber compound contains much more natural rubber, which provides the tires with softness in low temperatures – among other things, this means that winter tires wear much more on the asphalt in the heat.

Camber and tire pressure

Perhaps the most common cause of tire problems is incorrect wheel alignment. Not all drivers follow the recommendations to correct the wheel alignment angles after each intervention in the car’s suspension. If this check is not done in time, it may subsequently turn out that the front or rear pair of tires “eaten” from the edges.

Incorrect wheel alignment can compete with an equally popular cause of rapid wear – improper tire pressure. Tire pressure should be checked every three weeks and must be checked before a long trip.

Defective suspension

Setting up the chassis kinematics is an extremely complex and demanding process, during which many factors are taken into account. Only after that the new car model gets a ticket to the conveyor. At the same time, damage to the suspension during operation can immediately affect the condition of the tires: this is also indicated by the multiple zones of increased tread wear. Such symptoms are an indication for visiting a service station and checking the car’s suspension.

Aggressive driving

Forcing curbs at speed leads to deformation of the tire carcass, which, although it has a margin of safety, does not return to its previous shape after certain loads. In the most severe cases, a dent or rupture remains on the tire, making it impossible to use it, but even if everything looks good on the outside, damage from jumping over curbs violates the geometry and the tires will probably last much less. Nokian Tires has solved the problem of damaged sidewalls and developed the Aramid Sidewalls technology. The use of ultra-strong aramid fibers increases the sidewall’s resistance to punctures and cuts, provides even greater tire mileage and gives more confidence to drivers on the road.

And of course, you should pay attention to your driving style. The faster the car goes in a corner and the higher its mass, the more the tires wear off, providing the necessary grip and keeping the car on the trajectory.

Consequences of improper storage

The condition of tires can be worsened not only by improper operation, but also by violation of the requirements for their storage. Tires should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated and damp place. In addition, tires without rims cannot be stacked or suspended, and tires on rims must be placed vertically. If the necessary conditions for storing off-season kits are not available, then you can use the “Hakka-hotel” service provided by VIANOR tire centers: you can come, change your shoes and leave the tires for storage. All you need to do is make an appointment to visit a tire center, leave your car and wait while Vianor specialists take out winter tires from the warehouse, carry out tire fitting and send summer tires to the warehouse.

Electric vehicles, like mobile phones, use lithium-ion batteries. At low temperatures, these batteries use more energy, so the battery will drain faster. The electrolyte thickens and the electrochemical processes in the battery are slower. Poor electrolyte conductivity increases the internal resistance of the battery, which produces much less energy output. But good batteries can work even at -50 ° C.

An electric car is highly dependent on the battery, which in turn expends a lot of energy to cope with weather conditions. More load means less power reserve. It is necessary to constantly maintain the temperature balance of the battery. For this, battery coolers and heaters are used.

Let’s take an example of the JAC iEV7S electric car – one of the most affordable electric crossovers in Ukraine with a power reserve of 300 kilometers. Electric motor power – 85 kilowatts. That’s roughly 115 horsepower. The JAC is powered by a Samsung lithium battery, is liquid-cooled and heated, and has a capacity of 40 kWh. The battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 150 thousand km of run. During this time, the degradation should be no more than 80%.

When braking, the recuperation system is activated – this is when the battery recharges the battery from deceleration. It works at a speed reduction of 70-90 km / h. You can enhance recovery and save power in eco mode.

At -10 ° C, active driving style can cover 160-170 kilometers using heated seats and an oven. If you turn on the economy mode, move with minimal acceleration and moderate stove operation, you can stretch the power reserve by another 25-35 kilometers at subzero temperatures.
Recommendations for handling electric vehicles in cold weather

Technical inspection before frost

Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the wheels. Poor tread increases the effort of the braking system, which consumes more energy. If the tire pressure is insufficient, this will make the car heavier and more energy will be wasted when driving.

Choosing the right place to store your car

The electric car should be parked in a heated garage where the temperature is maintained. If the room is warm, the battery does not discharge as quickly. It takes less time to charge your car in the garage, which will help reduce energy costs.

Driving at low speeds

If energy-saving modes are added to the functionality of your electric car, then it is better to use them more often.

Energy recovery function for saving

Friction brakes waste energy. In winter it is recommended to use regenerative braking. The vehicle will slow down without using the brakes. Many owners of electric cars note that regenerative braking allows you to save up to 10-15% of the battery charge.

What exactly does chip tuning give?

an increase in engine power in the cruising speed range (up to 10-12% for an aspirated engine and up to 25-30% for a turbocharged engine);

· Increase in torque;

· Change of the working range of revolutions (raising the cut-off threshold);

greater elasticity of traction;

reduced fuel consumption;

removal of the speed limit;

add responsiveness to the gas pedal;

will cure failures during acceleration (turbo lag is smoothed for turbocharged internal combustion engines);

adjusts the car to the driving style.

For all gasoline engines: improved response to the gas pedal, now when pressed, there is no thoughtfulness. Added torque in the low and mid-range, that is, in the driving range itself. Where idle lift is required to reduce parasitic vibrations. For cars equipped with automatic transmission, after adaptation to a modified engine program, a quick gear change occurs both to an upward and a downward one with sharp accelerations – the machine stops thinking for a long time when a kick-down occurs.

For all diesel engines: improved dynamic performance over the entire rev range. Improved response to the gas pedal. Will cure overclocking failures. For turbocharged internal combustion engines, it smooths out turbo lags

Important! After chip tuning, it is necessary to fill in high-quality fuel. For gasoline ICE-95 and higher, for diesel engines – a proven brand with a price number from 45 to 55.