Instrument Panel Research Articles

An experimental analysis of situation awareness for cockpit display interface evaluation based on flight simulation

Aircraft cockpit display interface (CDI) is one of the most important human–machine interfaces for information perceiving. During the process of aircraft design, situation awareness (SA) is frequently considered to improve the design, as the CDI must provide enough SA for the pilot to maintain the flight safety. In order to study the SA in the pilot-aircraft system, a cockpit flight simulation environment is built up, which includes a virtual instrument panel, a flight visual display and the corresponding control system. Based on the simulation environment, a human-in-the-loop experiment is designed to measure the SA by the situation awareness global assessment technique (SAGAT). Through the experiment, the SA degrees and heart rate (HR) data of the subjects are obtained, and the SA levels under different CDI designs are analyzed. The results show that analyzing the SA can serve as an objective way to evaluate the design of CDI, which could be proved from the consistent HR data. With this method, evaluations of the CDI design are performed in the experimental flight simulation environment, and optimizations could be guided through the analysis.

Measuring the external benefits of homeownership

The subsidization of homeownership is justified on efficiency grounds only to the extent that it provides benefits to people other than the homeowner. We use the clustered neighborhoods subsample in the American Housing Survey to measure that benefit in the form of higher housing prices in neighborhoods with higher ownership rates (and lower vacancies). We attempt to account for unobservable neighborhood and house attributes that may be correlated with occupancy and ownership through instrumental variables, switching regressions and panel methods. Estimates indicate that a housing transition from renting to owning creates approximately $1300 in measured benefits.

Harmonic response computation of poroelastic multilayered structures using ZPST shell elements

This paper uses a multilayered shell element to compute the dynamic response of multilayered poroelastic structures such as car instrument panels, car floors, or car roofs. It is based on the P-order Shear deformation Theory with an added Zigzag function (ZPST). Biot’s theory is used to describe the poroelastic layer and standard couplings are realized between elastic and poroelastic layers. A method based on Padé approximants is also used in order to reduce the computation time. This acceleration technique enables to achieve fast frequency sweep computations compared to a standard direct method. Finally, numerical validations on plates and curved geometries are presented.

STUDENT INTEREST IN TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE (SITS) SURVEY: DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION, AND USE OF A NEW INSTRUMENT

This study presents the systematic development, validation, and use of a new instrument for measuring student interest in science and technology. The Student Interest in Technology and Science (SITS) survey is composed of 5 sub-sections assessing the following dimensions: interest in learning science, using technology to learn science, science careers, technology careers, and attitudes toward biotechnology. Our development process included review of existing instrumentation, pilot testing, and expert panel review. The resulting instrument was administered before and after implementation of a biotechnology intervention which used a computer-based game to engage learners in the use of biotechnology to address a societal issue. We employed item response theory (IRT) to explore instrument validity and precision. Results of the psychometric analyses suggest that the SITS survey has a well-defined structure and meets IRT assumptions. Difficulty and discrimination parameters as well as reliability analyses indicate that SITS items provide useful measures of student interest. Finally, we use the SITS to explore the extent to which the intervention used in this study supports changes in student interest and association between students’ interest and related content knowledge. Implications for the future use of this instrument are discussed.

Model Analysis and Optimization Design for Mg-Based Instrument Panel Beam Assembly

Based on the basic structure in the practical installation condition, the static model of the instrument panel (IP) beam assembly is developed. To reduce the weight, Mg is substituted for steel as the material of the structure. The finite element software is used to evaluate the constraint modal performance, rigidness and strength withstanding the specific load. After the comparison of model analysis with different materials, the Mg-based IP beam assembly is optimized to achieve the performance the steel-based one has. The process offers the reference to the lightweight design of Mg-based IP beam assembly.

Multidisciplinary design optimization of vehicle instrument panel based on multi-objective genetic algorithm

Typical multidisciplinary design optimization(MDO) has gradually been proposed to balance performances of lightweight, noise, vibration and harshness(NVH) and safety for instrument panel(IP) structure in the automotive development. Nevertheless, plastic constitutive relation of Polypropylene(PP) under different strain rates, has not been taken into consideration in current reliability-based and collaborative IP MDO design. In this paper, based on tensile test under different strain rates, the constitutive relation of Polypropylene material is studied. Impact simulation tests for head and knee bolster are carried out to meet the regulation of FMVSS 201 and FMVSS 208, respectively. NVH analysis is performed to obtain mainly the natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes, while the crashworthiness analysis is employed to examine the crash behavior of IP structure. With the consideration of lightweight, NVH, head and knee bolster impact performance, design of experiment(DOE), response surface model(RSM), and collaborative optimization(CO) are applied to realize the determined and reliability-based optimizations, respectively. Furthermore, based on multi-objective genetic algorithm(MOGA), the optimal Pareto sets are completed to solve the multi-objective optimization(MOO) problem. The proposed research ensures the smoothness of Pareto set, enhances the ability of engineers to make a comprehensive decision about multi-objectives and choose the optimal design, and improves the quality and efficiency of MDO.

Numerical and experimental evaluation of automobile environment during the cooling period

The thermal environment in an automobile, which is mostly dependent on convection and radiation, plays an important role in the automobile environment. Eventually, a good understanding of the flow behavior, heat transfer characteristics and the effect of air-conditioning on the windshield is important for clear visibility, occupants’ comfort and safety. Numerical and experimental procedures were applied to determine a detailed description of the fluid flow and temperature distribution due to both windshield defrosters and instrument panel registers. The CFD results were compared with the experimental results at some particular position and on the inside windshield screen to verify the integrity of the CFD model. The locations of maximum velocity as well as the characteristics of the re-circulation regions are correctly predicted. The results show that the current design of the defroster nozzle delivers the maximum airflow in the vicinity of the lower part of the windshield. Highly nonuniform air blowing out of the defrost duct onto the windshield and nonuniform temperature was developed on the windshield. It was found that the temperature dropped down to a comfortable range within 15 minutes starting from the time at which the HVAC blower was switched on. When radiation is coupled with convection, the numerical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental investigations. The deviation between the numerical and experimental results is within 6%.

Simulation of Signals with Field Signal Simulator

In the recent trends the field signal processing is an emerging technology for data acquisition systems, controlling application systems and automation system in real time environment. Versa Modular European (VME) and CRIO based hardware to simulate the field signals for the computer based control and instrumentation panel. Simulator is used to transmit multiple number of signals at a time. FSS software is a generic software to simulate the field signals for a computer based control and instrumentation system. Its general purpose nature easily extends its capabilities to build and perform unit under test(UUT's) ATP specific test routines. Field signal simulator (FSS)is also an Automatic Testing Equipment (ATE). The main the Scope of this project covers real time computer (RTC) systems used for Signal Processing & Control application and the simulation techniques used to achieve automation by testing these RTC systems. It also includes RTC hardware and the software used for process & control applications. Simulation hardware & software used to test VME system is also included in the scope of this study.

Corporate Taxation and Productivity Catch-Up: Evidence from European Firms

Firms that lie far behind the technological frontier have the most to gain from imitating the technology or management practices of others. That some firms converge relatively slowly to the productivity frontier suggests the existence of factors that cause them to underinvest in their productivity. In this paper we explore how far higher rates of corporate taxation affect firm productivity convergence by reducing the after tax returns to productivity enhancing investments for small firms. Using data for 11 European countries we find evidence for such an effect; productivity growth in small firms is slower the higher are corporate tax rates. Our results are robust to the use of instrumental variable and panel data techniques with quantitatively similar effects found from a natural experiment following the German tax reforms in 2001.

자동차 에어백의 제어부품 불량에 의한 고장현상 및 후방 추돌에 관련된 에어백 미전개에 대한 사례 연구

이 논문의 목적은 현장에서 발생되는 자동차 에어백 시스템의 고장사례를 모아 분석하고 연구하는 것이다. 첫 번째 사례에서는 에어백 시스템의 클럭 스프링과 에어 백 모듈 사이 배선 핀의 납땜부가 이탈되어, 배선 접촉불량에 의해 핀이 흔들릴 때마다 에어백의 작동불량 현상이 발생되는 것을 확인하였다. 두 번째 사례에서는 에어백 컴퓨터 내부의 단품 소자의 손상으로 인해 에어백 작동불량 현상이 발생된 것을 확인하였다. 세 번째 사례에서는 조수석 시트 벨트 프리텐셔너(pre-tensioner)의 내부 핀과 저항을 연결해 주는 납땜부 이탈로 인해 에어백 경고등이 점등된 것을 확인하였다. 네 번째 사례에서는 승용자동차가 화물자동차의 후면을 추돌하였을 때 때 범퍼는 상대편 차량보다 낮아 아래로 끼어들게 된다. 이 때 사고의 충격은 차량의 프레임부분에 전달되지 않기 때문에 충격센서가 설치된 프레임부분에 충격이 적게 전달되어 에어백이 작동하지 않은 것을 확인하였다. The purpose of this paper is to study the failure cases in relation to system of Air Bag in vehicle happened in the field. In the first example, it was separated the soldering parts connected the wire pin between air bag module and clock spring of air bag. Whenever the pin shake by the car's vibration, the driver verified the malfunction phenomenon appeared air bag warning lamp on instrument panel in front of driver's seat. in car inside room. The second example, it verified the warning lamp lighting phenomenon of air bag by produced the circuit plate non-contacting of single an element in air bag electronic control unit. The third example, it verified the light of air bag warning indicator lamp by separated with soldering parts connecting inner pin and resistance terminal of seat belt pretensioner using passenger seat. The fourth example, when the passenger car crash a back of truck, the former bumper get jammed under the latter as the roof height of car low less than that. Therefore, the impact of Car's collision verified that don't transfer with body frame of vehicle because of no attachment impact sensor in it.

자동차 칵핏 모듈용 플라스틱 소재의 열화 동특성 평가

플라스틱 소재는 온도, 습도 및 자외선 등 다양한 환경의 영향으로 인해 기계적 물성변화가 심하기 때문에 체결부의 견고함이 느슨해지고 형태의 변형에 의해 부품간의 마찰 등을 유발하여 잡음이 발생하게 된다. 따라서, 본 논문에서는 자동차 칵핏 모듈에 사용되는 다양한 플라스틱 소재에 대해 온도변화에 따른 동 특성시험을 통해 유리전이온도, 저장탄성계수, 손실계수 등을 측정하여 상온 및 열화조건에 따른 물성변화를 파악하였다. 시험결과, 온도가 높을수록 저장탄성계수는 감소하고 손실계수는 증가하는 경향을 나타내었다.

The Development of the Durable Test-Bed of the Hydraulic Pump

An energy recovery method during the durable test is put forward in this essay, and the durable test-bed of the hydraulic pump is developed. The efficiency and accuracy data acquisition is realized by using High-Speed High-Resolution sensor and data collection module. Control automation is come true by using PLC, industrial tablet PC and electric command device. The instrument panel constructed by LabWindows/CVI made the operation more concision, flexible and easy-to-use. This test bed has been put into use for a year and shows that the system can realize duration and efficient test of hydraulic pump easily and reliable.

Multi-Objective Optimization of the Loading Path in Tube Hydroforming Process Using NCGA

According to the limitations of conventional method of optimization design for the process parameters in the hydroforming process, a new simulation method has been proposed for the optimization of the process parameters, which is the integration of the neighborhood cultivation genetic algorithm (NCGA) and the dynamic explicit algorithm based on finite element method (FEM). The new method has been adopted for the optimization of the hydroforming loading path of an instrument panel beam and the process parameters are the internal pressure vs. time and the axial feeding displacement vs. time. It is concluded that the acquired loading path through the new method is more optimal than the one through the trial and error method. In addition, the new method can simultaneously generate multiple Pareto-optimum solutions in one computation and provide more freedom for the designer's decision making of the process parameters.

A study on the influence of the designs and configurations of the displays on a motorcycle instrument panel on cognitive effects in Taiwan

Motorcycles are highly mobile and the most common vehicles in Taiwan. This study was aimed to investigate the influence of the designs (pointers and graduations) and configurations of each display on the instrument panel of a motorcycle in the market on the cognitive information of a rider in hopes of generalizing rules for instrument panels consistent with ergonomics. In this study, different instrument panel configurations were divided into Experiment 1 (Group A-J) and Experiment 2 (Group K-L) to respectively measure the performance of speedometer, fuel meter, and lights display in reaction time (second), cognitive error, and user satisfaction. According to the research result, Groups I and H were predominant in Experiment I, but the satisfaction of them was low, so the secondary groups, namely Groups C and G, were more suitable. In Experiment 2, both the cognitive effect and satisfaction of Group K were the highest. Consequently, it was concluded in this study that the configurations of motorcycle instrument panels consistent with ergonomics should include the following factors: 1. thin pointers; 2. speedometer on the left; 3. fuel meter on the right; 4. lights display on two sides.

Ground deformations and soil–structure interaction of a multi-propped excavation in Shanghai soft clays

Ground deformations and soil–structure interaction were monitored at a comprehensively instrumented diaphragm wall panel constructed at a greenfield site. The diaphragm wall retains a 14·5 m deep multi-propped excavation in soft clays in Shanghai, P. R. China. At this greenfield site, the maximum ground surface settlement (δv-max) at the end of excavation ranged from 0·25% to 0·32% of the final excavation depth (He), and the influence zone of ground surface settlement was more than 2·5He behind the wall. Both the measured δv-max and the influence zone of ground settlements at this site are generally larger than for excavations in other, more densely built areas of Shanghai. Force and moment equilibrium analyses of the instrumented panel validate the reliability of the measured earth pressures and prop forces. The measured prop loads from this greenfield site are generally larger than those reported from similar excavations in Shanghai. Earth pressure measurements reveal that concreting of the diaphragm wall panel increased the lateral earth pressure coefficients at the soil/wall interface by a factor of more than 1·4. The stress paths for the retained soil within the propped region generally moved towards the passive state during the last few stages of main excavation, and soil near the formation level approached the passive failure state prior to the completion of excavation.

Platelet Function Testing in Atherothrombotic Disease

Platelet function testing was introduced more than a century ago with the invention of bleeding time; a test which has now been replaced by more accurate methods. Light transmittance aggregometry is traditionally regarded as the gold standard for evaluating platelet function. However, lately the position of light transmittance aggregometry has been challenged by a panel of new instruments. Aspirin and P2Y12-inhibitors are antiplatelet drugs used for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, an increasing recognition of the fact that not all patients respond adequately to these agents has prompted a focus on individualising antiplatelet treatment. Platelet function testing enables the detection of patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity and facilitates individually tailored antiplatelet therapy, yet platelet function tests have still not been adopted into routine clinical practice. The present review outlines key milestones of the development of platelet function testing and provides an up-to-date overview of currently available tests and important studies evaluating their strengths and limitations in a clinical context.

Analysis and Research on Driver’s Comfort in the Process of Getting on and off the Car

Due to the Low Body and Small Door, Driver’s Comfort in the Process of Getting on and Off the Car Must Be Taken into Account when Designing the Car Body. the Research on Driver’s Comfort in the Process of Getting on and Off the Car Is an Important Direction of Vehicle Ergonomics. and it Is Also One of the Important Projects of Man-Machine Engineering Checking at Present. there Are Quantities of Factors Influencing Driver’s Comfort in the Process of Getting on and Off the Car, such as the Relative Position between the Driver’s Seat and the Steering Wheel, Together with the Instrument Panel, the Size Dimension and the Tilting Degree of the Doorframe of One Side of the Car, the Threshold Layout Position of the Front Porch of a Car, the Coordinates of the Point "R".

81. Relationships of Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers and dysphoric moods in female veterans

A cross-sectional study of ethnically diverse female veterans (n = 53) was conducted. These veterans had a mean age of 49.8 years. A demographic scale and panel of psychosocial instruments were employed. Blood was drawn for inflammatory markers and Toxoplasma gondii titers. Chronic T. gondii infection has been associated with behavioral and mood changes in several populations, but has not been studied in veterans. Sixteen percent of this sample screened positive for PTSD and 20% for depression. T. gondii chronic infection, defined as a titer of 10 IU/ml or higher was present in 16% of the sample, and 5% had levels consistent with reactivation of this brain parasite (>200 IU/ml). The titers associated with chronic infection were correlated significantly with depression (p < .03), anger (p < .001) and total disturbance (p < .03). Women screening positive for depression and/or PTSD had four times higher titers than non-depressed women. In addition, T. gondii positive women reported significantly more experiences of military sexual trauma (p < .04). These data provide a snapshot of older women veterans with a 22% T. gondii infection rate. These women may have been exposed in the middle east where infection rate is much higher than in the US. This parasite localizes in the brain and may influence risk taking, reaction time, depression, schizophrenia and suicidality risk. The role of this organism in military related psychological and neurological sequelae deserves attention.

77. High C-reactive protein levels in active duty soldiers are associated with depression, PTSD and combat exposure

Fifty two active duty soldiers were enrolled in a warfare virtual reality training scenario developed by Meggitt’s Training Systems (Suwanee, GA). This abstracts reports on baseline data gathered before the training scenario. Venipunctures were completed and blood was analyzed for cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Participants also completed a panel of instruments including the CESD, the Combat Exposure Scale (CES), and the PCL-Military, which screens for PTSD. Hair was analyzed for cortisol. The mean age of participants was 25 years old, 90% were Caucasian, and one was female. Only four had completed college degrees. Sixty seven percent had been deployed and 33% currently led combat troops. There was a range of ranks and years of service. The baseline mean level of CRP was 10.9 mg/L (range of 0.7–93). Normal CRP is under 3 mg/L. There were positive correlations of CRP with CESD score ( r = .3, p = .03, CES score ( r = .34, p = .05) and PTSD ( r = .3, p = .03). There were six participants with scores indicating high probability of severe PTSD, and these soldiers had the highest levels of CRP. Few cytokines were correlated with these variables and means were in normal range. Hair cortisol measurement is pending. CRP is associated with inflammation. The relationships uncovered here suggests that deployment associated distress is associated with an inflammatory marker that predicts later disease.

Integrated metal forming and vibration analysis of sheet metal parts

Modern software programs are routinely used by industries to study the characteristics of and to reduce the cost of sheet metal parts that are used in automotive and other applications. Virtual simulations that are based on complex math models and state-of-the-art computational tools play a very important role in reducing the high costs associated with prototypes and the time to market the product. Formability studies of a sheet metal part determine if a part is formable by changing the factors that affect its formability. Vibration (or modal) analysis is performed to determine the frequency and mode shapes of the component or the assemblies. A gauge optimization study is performed to determine the optimum gage thickness assigned to components of an assembly while constraining the frequency of specified modes to a desired level. Usually these studies are done separately by different engineering departments in a typical automotive industry. In this paper, a single component from an instrument panel (IP) reinforcement assembly is analyzed by integrating the three different studies mentioned above. It was found that the thickness of the bracket and the coefficient of friction in the stamping process should be kept as low as possible to reduce the chance of splits occurring in the bracket. An optimum thickness for the same bracket as part of an assembly can also be determined using a gauge optimization study so that the assembly was stiff enough while minimizing its mass. Thus, an integrated analysis using simulation tools helps in better design of the parts and subassemblies, which ultimately helps stay in competition to produce quality products.