TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS

SEMINAR ON

“TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS”

ABSTRACT:

Car accidents dominate the transportation industry in regards to the number of

deaths that occur on the road, accounting for 94 percent. With over half a million car

wrecks every year, safety aspects, such as traction control, are being constantly developed

to keep drivers safer. By understanding modern-day safety features, drivers can stay well-

informed of potential aftermarket options for their vehicles to keep them safe. Traction

Control Systems is the modern day solution to the problems such as unnecessary skids

power loss due to less traction and railway track traction control. Whilst the old methods

such as limited slip differentials are getting inefficient to handle the critical driving

situations, need for a more advanced traction control system arises and henceforth comes

into picture the Electronic Traction Control System or the TRAC System.

This paper puts light to the modern Traction Control system basics, working,

benefits and applications while appreciating the history of the traction control systems

and present world utilizations.

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INTRODUCTION:

Traction refers to the maximum frictional force that can be produced between surfaces

without slipping. In auto mobiles traction is responsible for the movement of vehicle. In

the design of wheeled or tracked vehicles, high traction between wheel and ground is more

desirable than low traction, as it allows for more energetic acceleration without wheel

slippage.

Traction control is a technology designed to help your vehicle maintain traction, no

matter how slippery the road surface. Technically, it is a mechanical, hydraulic, or electric

system that maintains or controls traction to any wheels driven by the engine. Unlike

mechanical traction control systems of the past such as limited slip differentials, today’s

systems are nearly all computer-controlled as they actively watch wheel slip. An option

formerly reserved for performance, you can find traction control on all types of vehicles

today.The purpose of the Traction Control System is to prevent wheel spin from occurring

due to acceleration. The maximum torque that can be transmitted to the wheels is determined

by the coefficient of friction generated between the road and the tires. If torque exceeds that

level, the wheels are likely to spin. Conditions for Traction operation may include slippery

road surfaces, acceleration while cornering and hard acceleration.The basic idea behind the

need of a traction control system is the difference between the slips of different wheels or

an apparent loss of road grip that may result in loss of steering control over the vehicle

which leads to slipping of the vehicle and loss of power which results in uncontrolled

cruising. Difference in slip may occur due to turning of a vehicle or differently varying

road conditions for different wheels. And thus need to be controlled for a safer way to

cruise.
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BLOCK DIAGRAM OF TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TRAC):

Fig 1
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WORKING OF TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM:

A simple input output process block diagram is given in figure 1 and various inputs

are shown on the left side. The process control unit is represented in the middle part if the

figure. Right side blocks of the diagram shows the various controlled outputs for the TRAC

system.

The main inputs for a TRAC system are wheel speed sensors, battery level sensor,

TRAC OFF switch, stop light switch, and the throttle position sensor. These inputs give

speed signal, remaining battery signal, OFF signal, stop signal and throttle level signal

respectively.The processing part consists of an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) or a

TRAC Electronic Control Unit (TRAC ECU) and an Engine Control Modulator (ECM).

The TRAC ECU will have an interconnection with ECM in order to communicate to the

engine throttle position control. These processing units process and analyze the input

signals and take necessary output actions if required.

The controlled outputs of a TRAC system are solenoids actuator, pump motor

actuator, slip indicator light, TRAC OFF light, ABS warning light, injectors control, and

solenoid valve actuator.

The control action can consist of one or more actions such as reducing or suppress

the spark to one or more cylinders, reducing fuel supply to one or more cylinders, brake

one or more wheels, close the throttle where vehicle is fitted with ECM controlled throttle,

and the boost control solenoid can be actuated to reduce boost and therefore engine power.

The controlled action of the one or more of the above outputs can help in traction control

of the vehicle resulting in a slip proof cruising of the vehicle irrespective of the external

weather conditions.
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SCOPE:

Spinning the tires not only makes the car harder to drive, but it also causes higher tire temps

and excessive tire wear. Lifting off the throttle or counter steering to correct for this 5%

mistake, not only upsets the rhythm, it slows the car down. Typically, if a driver makes a

5% mistake with the throttle, he/she has to correct 20-25% to fix it. But if the tire slip is

detected within one cylinder worth of crank rotation, as the Davis Technologies systems

do, then a small reduction in power can reduce or stop the tire slip.

The Non Self-Learning systems, such as Traction Maintenance System (TMS),

periodically compare the rate of acceleration of the crankshaft to an Adjustable Fixed Rate

(AFR), known as Threshold. If the Engine RPM rate of change is in excess of that

Threshold, then a correction is made; therefore, reducing the slip. Basically, the TRAC

system looks for spikes in RPM that are caused by wheel slip. If these spikes are large

enough, then a correction is made, reducing the slip. By adjusting the Threshold, the driver

can tune the system to the desired "feel".

Self-Learning systems, such as our TMS-750-SL, TMS-5500-SL, and TMS-9500-

SL series, which were introduced by Davis Technologies, can compare the rate of

acceleration of the crankshaft to a calculated threshold value that is constantly updated

based on the average of the previous measurements. This update occurs on every crankshaft

revolution. Through this very advanced control process, the system constantly accounts for

track conditions, tire condition, even driving style to constantly update the internal settings.

These settings are updated as many as 200 times a sec0ond to keep the unit calibrated to

exactly the right settings regardless of changing conditions. This allows the system to adjust

to the correct settings even if one corner has more grip than another or one grooves to

another.
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BENEFITS OF TRACTION CONTROL:

Traction control systems bring overall improvement in the braking system of the

car. Here are a few of the benefits:

1. Traction control brake systems are helpful in avoiding accidents over low-traction

road surfaces.

2. The system assists in maintaining control over the car during sudden twists and

sharp turns on the road.

3. Slippage of the wheels during aggressive braking is prevented avoiding accidents.

4. A reduction in stopping distances after the brakes are applied can help in traffic.

5. TRAC system maintains directional control after breaking and reduces skidding.

6. Traction control is beneficial when roads are wet and icy as it helps in accelerate

from a stop.

7. Traction control is helpful when you're driving a powerful car as it regulates the

power to the tires, keeping the car on the path you set.

8. Wheels cannot lock up suddenly as the grooving is avoided by ABS system control.

9. In case of huge truck applications TRAC system can help in accelerating as well as

stopping efficiently.

10. When accelerating, it gives you more traction because when you accelerate, more

weight shifts towards the rear.

11. By applying pressure to the slipping wheel, power is sent to the drive wheel with

the most gripping.

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APPLICATIONS:

There are many sectors in which Traction control system finds itself useful. Here

are few practical applications of TRAC System:

1. In road cars: Traction control has traditionally been a safety feature in high-

performance cars, which would otherwise need very sensitive throttle input to keep

them from spinning the driven wheels when accelerating, especially in wet, icy or

snowy conditions. In recent years, traction control systems have become widely

available in non-performance cars, minivans, and light trucks.

2. In race cars: Traction control is used as a performance enhancement, allowing

maximum traction under acceleration without wheel spin. When accelerating out of

turn, it keeps the tires at the optimum slip ratio.

3. In motorcycles: Traction control for a production motorcycle was first available

with the Honda ST1100 in 1992. By 2009, traction control was an option for several

models offered by BMW and Ducati, and the model year 2010 Kawasaki Concours.

4. In off road vehicles: Traction control is used instead or in addition to the mechanical

limited slip differential. It is often implemented with an electronic limited slip

differential as well as other computerized control of the engine and transmission.

Generally used in railway track traction control systems.

5. Traction control is not just used for improving acceleration under slippery

conditions. It can also help a driver to corner more safely. If too much throttle is

applied during cornering, the drive wheels will lose traction and slide sideways.

This will be avoided by TRAC system and helps the driver in cornering.