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Continental Supplies Safety and Body Electronics Systems for New Mercedes-Benz M-Class and R-Class

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#1 ·
Continental Supplies Safety and Body Electronics Systems for New Mercedes-Benz M-Class and R-Class

<B>Continental Supplies Safety and Body Electronics Systems for New Mercedes-Benz M-Class and R-Class </B>

<B>As a systems supplier, Continental Automotive Systems offers a strong package of services.</B>

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, September 12, 2005. Many systems developed by Continental Automotive Systems jointly with Mercedes-Benz and produced by the Continental Division play a great role in the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the upcoming R-Class. They include components for the brake system, air suspension-chassis, intelligent cruise control, body, safety and powertrain electronics. “The decision by the premium manufacturer, DaimlerChrysler, to equip two important high-volume vehicles with such a large number of our technologies, speaks well for the quality and the high standards of our products," said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, President Continental Automotive Systems and Member of the Executive Board, Continental AG. "Optimal system capability through networked Continental know-how and the integration of these systems in the vehicle with reduced expenditure of time and money also argued in favor of including Continental into the development of the two Mercedes vehicles to such a high degree.�



A radar sensor measured the distance to the vehicle in front as well as its speed.

<B>Brake technology: electronic, mechanical and hydraulic systems</B>

Mercedes-Benz puts its trust in the Continental Teves-ESP MK 25 in the M-Class sport utility vehicle and the R-Class Grand Sports Tourer. In addition to the functions ABS (anti-lock brake system), TCS (traction control system) and ESC (electronic stability control), this system also includes some features that are a real asset for vehicles used off-road or for towing trailers. The Deflation Detection System (DDS) uses the data from the wheel speed sensors to provide an early warning of a dangerous loss of tire pressure. Hill Start Assist supports the driver when starting off or maneuvering on hills, when driving off-road and in many everyday situations such as stop and go driving or on uphill grades. If the driver removes his foot from the accelerator pedal when starting off, Hill Start Assist secures the car against starting to roll unintentionally by maintaining the brake pressure until enough drive torque is available at the wheels.

By analyzing numerous sensor signals, the ESP trailer stabilization detects when a trailer starts to oscillate and threatens the driving stability of the car-trailer combination. In this case, the electronic system reduces the speed and stops the oscillations. For the M- and R-Class, Continental Automotive Systems supplies not only the electronic brake control unit but also the active brake booster with a brake assistant function and the tandem master cylinder with a crash ramp via which the pedals are pulled back by a rotational movement produced by the entire actuation unit in the event of a frontal impact, thus significantly minimizing the risk of injury for the driver. The Automotive Systems Division also supplies high-performance floating caliper brakes, brake discs and brake hoses for both axles and the mechanical Duo servo parking brake.

<B>Engine cooling and oil monitoring: powerful fan, reliable sensor</B>

The radiator fan of the M-Class is adapted to the excellent off-road characteristics of the SUV. With 850 watts and an electronic control unit, it makes sure that the engine will not overheat even at high outside temperatures at low speed on rough terrain. Weighing only 3.6 kilograms and with a motor length of only 73 millimeters, the component from Continental Automotive Systems is very compact and creates space in the front end that was also used in the R-Class to enhance pedestrian safety. The most powerful diesel versions use a special fan that ensures maximum cooling through the flow-optimized arrangement of the ram flap.

Drivers of the M- or R-Class have no need to worry about their car’s oil level or their next service check. If the oil is low or it is time for an oil change, a warning appears in the instrument panel. The oil condition sensor from Continental Temic provides the data for this purpose. It measures not only the fill level and temperature of the engine oil but also its current condition through capacitive impedance measurement.

<B>Adaptive cruise control: relaxed and safe cruising with ACC</B>

Distronic was first introduced in the S-Class and was later offered in the E-Class. It is now also available in the M- and R-Class. Using radar measurement and highly sophisticated electronics, it measures the distance to the vehicle ahead and the relative speeds of the two vehicles towards each other. If the distance is too low, it actively reduces the speed by interventions in the engine electronics and the brake system. If the distance changes rapidly, it prompts the driver to brake. Once the situation has settled down, Distronic is reactivated and accelerates to the selected speed. In this way, the system demonstrably protects the driver from fatigue. Even when Distronic is deactivated, driving safety is increased. When the radar and signal processing, which are now combined in one housing, register that the safety distance has dropped below a critical level, the driver receives a warning and can react accordingly.

<B>Air suspension: greater comfort on the road, more off-road ground clearance</B>

The vehicles of the M- and R-Class are equipped with an air suspension system from Continental Automotive Systems – partly on a standard basis. This technology makes it possible to keep spring travel and ride comfort at a consistently high level independent of the load condition. In addition to the electronic control unit developed by DaimlerChrysler, a compressor inflates and deflates the air springs as well as electronically adjustable shock absorbers. This makes it possible to implement shock absorber control based on the skyhook algorithm, meaning that the car body does not emulate the uncomfortable up and down of bad roads but instead is nearly as calm as it would be if anchored to a hook from above (skyhook).

Additional functionalities of the air suspension system include driver-selectable damper characteristics for sporty or comfort-oriented driving, the automatic level equalization for load changes and in addition to automatic body lowering, selectable leveling in stages to minimize fuel consumption at high speeds. If the M-Class is equipped with the off-road package, the driver can lower or raise the body by a total of 125 millimeters in five stages. This not only permits comfortable entry or loading but also gives the all-wheel-drive vehicle the ground clearance needed even in demanding off-road situations. The air suspension system (Airmatic) has a central reservoir developed by DaimlerChrysler as a compressed air reservoir causing the body to be raised especially rapidly – even with the engine turned off.

<B>Seat and steering wheel heating; ignition and starter switch: electronics for safety and comfort</B>

In addition to the central control unit for the equally convenient and safe key interlock system of the M- and R-Class, Continental Automotive Systems also supplies the seat heating electronics. It already proved its quality in the E-Class and in the CLS-Class and makes it possible to control as many as four seats. The module developed by Continental Temic also includes seat ventilation control. It noticeably increases driving comfort even more by actively ventilating the seat by fans and drawing off body heat without drafts. Another option for the M- and R-Class is steering wheel heating that comfortably warms the driver's hands after a cold start in winter. The electronic control developed for this purpose is temperature-controlled, making it just as superior to known systems as is the automatic climate control as compared to standard air conditioning.

The Continental Corporation is a leading supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers. In 2004 the corporation realized sales of € 12.6 billion. At present it has a worldwide workforce of more than 81,000.

As a worldwide leading technology partner to the automotive industry, the Automotive Systems division of Continental AG integrates extensive know-how in the fields of driving safety, powertrain and comfort. In 2004 the division achieved sales of approx. € 5 billion with a workforce of more than 22,500. Automotive Systems incorporates Continental Teves and Continental Temic. Continental Teves develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake, stability and chassis control systems, as well as electronic air spring systems and sensors. Continental Temic is a specialist in chassis electronics, engine management and transmission control units, as well as electric drives and comfort electronics.

# # # end of IAA press release, Continental Teves Automotive Systems
 
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#3 ·
RE: Continental Supplies Safety and Body Electronics Systems for New Mercedes-Benz M-Class and R-Cla

Wolfgang - 9/13/2005 8:57 PM
In addition to the central control unit for the equally convenient and safe key interlock system of the M- and R-Class, Continental Automotive Systems also supplies the seat heating electronics. It already proved its quality in the E-Class and in the CLS-Class and makes it possible to control as many as four seats.
Didn't the E-class have a lot of electronic problems?? If so, then this does article does not impress me. Or is this a new association??
 
#4 ·
RE: Continental Supplies Safety and Body Electronics Systems for New Mercedes-Benz M-Class and R-Cla

saigonsmuggler - 9/14/2005 5:11 AM
Didn't the E-class have a lot of electronic problems?? If so, then this does article does not impress me. Or is this a new association??
The E-class did have some electrical problems, but I didn't find any reports with the E-Class seat heaters mentioned above, and when I drive it they work fine. Do you have any links or experience with E seat heater problems, Thai?
 
#5 ·
RE: Continental Supplies Safety and Body Electronics Systems for New Mercedes-Benz M-Class and R-Cla

Wolfgang - 9/14/2005 12:25 PM
The E-class did have some electrical problems, but I didn't find any reports with the E-Class seat heaters mentioned above, and when I drive it they work fine. Do you have any links or experience with E seat heater problems, Thai?
Nope, just a general statement. I thought that the E-class had many electrical issues. If Cont only deals with seat heaters, then i guess i have to blame someone else for the electrical issues.[:)]
 
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