Semi-active suspension coming to production BMWs soon
SWITCHABLE suspension is all the rage at the moment thanks to machines like Ducati's Multistrada. But now BMW has developed a system that decides what settings to use for itself, constantly altering damping as you ride to compensate for acceleration, braking and cornering forces.
Put your technical hats on, here's BMW's explanation of how it works:
Making motorcycles better, safer, and more fun to ride with innovative developments has been one of the BMW Motorrad core competences for decades. As the leader in this technology, BMW Motorrad presents new solutions in quick succession that usually soon become indispensable in series motorcycles. Now a new step in development is in the offing: the semiactive suspension control system Dynamic Damping Control, in short DDC.
As early as 1986, BMW Motorrad achieved a milestone in suspension technology by launching the Paralever swingarm, an innovation that considerably improved rear suspension and the transfer of forces. In 1993, the freshly launched opposed twin “boxer” engine series was the first to be fitted as standard with a front suspension system that operated independently of the rear known as Telelever. Yet another revolutionary step in suspension technology was taken in 2005, when the Duolever offering extreme torsional rigidity for the front wheel was launched.
Bikers were also able to benefit early from pioneering innovations in drive control. In 1988, with the launch of ABS in the BMW K1, BMW Motorrad presented the first antilock brake system to be fitted as standard on motorcycles. Since 2007, the automatic stability control system ASC has been preventing the rear wheel from spinning out of control. In 2009 there followed Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) which also analyses the vehicle's inclination, a first on a series production motorcycle.
And BMW Motorrad has always been that one step ahead in suspension control systems as well. 2004 saw the advent of ESA, the electronic suspension adjustment system, which allowed the rider to adjust suspension elements at the push of a button – also a first on series production motorcycles. In 2009, the successor system ESA II went a step further and was the first to provide spring rate variation.
BMW Motorrad announced the considerable progress it had made in adapting its systems to varying payload and road surfaces by launching ESA II, the new electronic suspension adjustment system. This lets the rider adjust the Duolever, Telelever, and Paralever damping properties as well as the rear wheel spring rate or its "tightness", all at the convenience of pressing a button. The characteristics the rider can select for suspension and damping provide a range of tuning and payload settings for all road conditions that is yet to meet its match. In conjunction with the three tuning variants "Comfort", "Normal", and "Sport", ESA II therefore opened up a new dimension of ride stability with the best response in all operating and payload configurations.
Engine Control Unit - News
Before the rider sets off, activating the ignition first initiates the system check and the flow of information from the engine control, ABS control unit, sensor box (DTC), and the spring travel sensors to the DDC control unit.
Cam and crank shaft position sensors keep the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) informed of actual cam position, and a control solenoid is pulsed to vary the delivery of engine oil to the sprocket actuator, which moves the cam to the desired position.
The well-known and proven Advanced Diesel Engine Control system (ADEC) was adapted for use in the biogas sector. This unit controls the engine in line with prevailing operating conditions and communicates with the higher-level MTU Module Control (MMC)
“With immediate effect, it will no longer be possible to reprogram the ECU configuration between qualifying and the race in the expectation that this will discourage extreme ECU [Electronic Control Unit] setups for qualifying - previously electronic
CarCheckup uses data directly from a vehicle's engine control unit— providing unparalleled data analysis and reports for fleet managers to increase profits.” Authorized personnel can export telemetry information stored in the vehicle's computer system
Protect Your Car Headlight » Engine Control Unit
An Engine Control Unit also known as an Engine Management System. If it controls both an engine and a transmission, it is an electronic control unit which operates various aspects of an internal rapid oxidation engine operation. The simplest Engine Control Unit normally control the quantity of fuel filled into each cylinder each engine cycle. More advanced ECUs can be seen in most modern cars control the ignition timing, the level of boost maintained by the turbocharger in turbocharged cars, and control other functions. For a fuel injection engine, an Engine Control Unit will determine the quantity of fuel to inject based on a number of parameters. If the acceletral pedal is pressed further down, this will open the acceletral body and allow more air to be pulled into the engine. The ECU will fill more fuel according to how much air is flowing into the engine. If the engine is not warmed up yet, more fuel will be injected in a cool engine.
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