A heavy snowfall fell in Korea recently. The snowy landscape is beautiful, but it is also not welcome to drivers. This is because the cold, frozen roads covered in snow can cause dangerous accidents.
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| Multi-pileup accident in winter <source: Yonhap News> |
It is said that 4-wheel drive cars are strong on snowy roads, but this is not a perfect solution, so drivers prepare for driving on snowy roads by using various methods such as installing snow chains and winter tires. In this issue, we will learn about car snow-Snow equipment and patents that will keep cars safe on snowy roads.
Getting out of snowy roads with 4-wheel drive!
4-wheel Steering System
Do you know about the car drive methods that
are divided into front-wheel, rear-wheel, and 4-wheel? Simply put, the front
wheel drives the front wheels, the rear wheel drives the rear wheels, and the
4-wheel drive is a steering method that drives all four wheels.
The drive method we will focus on today is 4-wheel drive. 4-wheel drive implements balanced and stable driving regardless of road conditions or road curves because all four wheels touch the ground at the same time. It is particularly effective on snowy roads. It is difficult in heavy snow, but driving is possible at snow depths of 1-2 cm.
What patented technology is based on 4-wheel drive?
Let's take a look at the 4-wheel drive system
developed by Hyundai Mobis. The name of this technology is ‘Apparatus and
method for controlling four-wheel independent drive and steering vehicle’. This
technology consists of a wheel steering module that allows each wheel to steer
independently and a torque and steering processor that generates wheel power
depending on road conditions.
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| wipsglobal.com KR10-2023-0070215, Apparatus and method for controlling four-wheel independent drive and steering vehicle |
The features of this technology include a
function that adjusts the wheel torque and steering geometry of the vehicle,
helping the wheels adhere to the ground and improving the stability of the
vehicle by distributing the same load.
This time, let's take a look at the 4-wheel drive system developed by Hyundai WIA. This technology is that converts to a 4-wheel drive system that can block unnecessary rotation in 2-wheel drive mode to increase energy efficiency. It is said that it can implement a 4WD-LOW mode that rotates at low rotation and high torque, and can also implement a 4WD-LOW-LOCK mode that improves rough terrain escape performance.
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| wipsglobal.com KR10-2021-0146924, '4 Wheel drive system' |
In fact, recently, complete vehicle brands
have developed variable driving systems that can drive like 4-wheel drive even
on 2-wheel drive without distinguishing between 2 and 4-wheel drive, including
‘grip control’, and are installing them in their cars. You can see the picture
above.
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| Grip control function installed in Peugeot cars <source: Peugeot Motors> |
Snow chains that firmly hold tire slipping
In fact, the 4-wheel drive system is not
omnipotent on snowy roads. You need to prepare separate equipment for heavy
snowfall or roads with a lot of snow already accumulated. So, snow chains are
essential equipment in winter. So, what kind of patents are there for snow
chains?
The most basic principle of snow chains
These snow chains are largely composed of a
body that can be wrapped around a wheel, a fastening part, and a
wear-prevention part that fastens the wheel and tire without damaging them. The
exact fastening method is to fasten a chain made up of several protrusions to
the tire to prevent the tire from slipping even in the snow.
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| wipsglobal.com KR10-2018-0027003, 'Snow Chain' |
Let's take a look at other chain
technologies. These are easy-to-attach snow chains.
Specifically, they are devices developed to
allow convenient attachment or detachment of snow chains without lifting the
tires of a car over the chains. Unlike existing chains, this chain is
characterized by a hydraulic chamber that combines hydraulic power and
elasticity to increase the ease of attachment and detachment.
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| wipsglobal.com KR10-2020-0135408, 'Snow chain with easily attachable and detachable structure' |
In addition, there is a device that uses
spray as a snow road preparation device with an outstanding idea. The exact
technical name is ‘Vehicle with spraying nozzles for preventing tire sliding
and tire cleaning’. Some people may use snow chain spray as a temporary
measure. This technology is designed to prevent vehicle slipping by installing
a spray nozzle device on the car. Looking at the technology, this technology involves installing a spray nozzle device inside the rear
wheelhouse. When the vehicle is driving on snow-covered roads, a calcium
chloride solution is sprayed onto the tires to prevent slipping. On dry roads,
a washing liquid is sprayed to restore the tires to their original condition.
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| wipsglobal.com KR10-2010-0058805, 'Vehicle with spraying nozzles for preventing tire sliding and tire cleaning' |
Winter safety driving realized with smart
technology!
In this issue, we’ve looked at a variety of
smart technologies for safe driving in the dangerous winter season, from
4-wheel drive to snow chains and spray. We hope you have a happy new year with
thorough car maintenance and safety equipment!
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| clipartkorea.co.kr |
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