Dynamic front-end accessory loading control system for laboratory vehicle simulation

The ability to simulate customer usage accurately in the laboratory during the design process is important to the rapid and cost effective development of world-class automotive powertrain packages. The key in early laboratory powertrain development is the need to accurately simulate torque consumption characteristics of the front-end accessories. The Dynamic FEAD loading control system provides the test engineer with the control of the air-conditioning compressor clutch, air-conditioning discharge and suction pressures, power-steering pump pressure and temperature, and alternator current. It is a portable system that is easy to install and operate. The system is the product of an intensive development project to identify the appropriate system requirements and a control system design to properly addresses the wide spectrum of dynamic loads encountered during vehicle operation. This paper describes the fundamental system design, host integration, and the current automotive testing applications