Truck manufacturers often produce vehicles that are customized by truck equipment manufacturers (TEMs), or body builders, as part of the integration process that combines a truck cab and chassis with specialized body equipment designed for specific applications. For example, state governments and private contractors often work with truck dealers, users and third-party equipment manufacturers to design and install plows, spreaders, bucket lifts and other equipment necessary to build and maintain the public highway infrastructure.
Over the past several years, International Truck and Engine Corp. has developed a multiplexed electrical control system that accelerates and streamlines this chassis-and-body customization process.
Called the International Diamond Logic technology platform, this electrical control system is based on multiplexed electrical engineering and has shown the ability to reduce operating costs and enhance performance for highway maintenance vehicles and other vocational fleets. Over the past three years, Diamond Logic has been improved and upgraded, enhancing the system's ability to streamline vehicle integration and customization, connecting the engine, transmission, cab and body on one wavelength of performance.
This integration process may often be as simple as having a TEM feature-specific switch activate an unused output pin on a vehicle electrical system controller (ESC) to activate a specific piece of body equipment. It also may be much more complex, creating software "interlocks" that disable switches or activate signals on pins or in network messages under certain conditions. For the body builder and user, the advantages could be as simple as eliminating the need to splice into a wire, or as complex as eliminating the need to pull the dashboard out of the vehicle, do some custom wiring and replace the dash. The system also eliminates the need for expensive, add-on third-party modules. Because of the variety of body configurations across vehicle vocations, it became apparent that a more customizable and programmable electrical system should be pursued.
Improving the health of self-diagnosing modules
The first stage of Diamond Logic technology, launched in 2001, introduced a multiplexed electrical system that contains new technologies in components such as solid-state power switches, self-calibrating gauges and low-current switch devices used for driver controls like rocker switches and HVAC controls. The system is expandable through the use of remotely mounted power modules and air solenoid modules.
In addition, these self-diagnosing intelligent modules identify problems in the operation of the truck or its equipment, reducing overall repair troubleshooting time by as much as 80%. For fleet managers and technicians, that means improved reliability, wider intervals between maintenance and repairs and a longer lifespan for the vehicles.
In 2002, the system was upgraded with Diamond Logic Application Solutions, which streamlines customer productivity by allowing the user or equipment manufacturer--in conjunction with a dealership--to order factory installed electrical features that are specifically targeted at controlling body equipment.
The term "configuration" refers to custom logic that provides a specific electronic functionality for a vehicle. For example, a configuration might be something as simple as lighting switches or as complex as the controls for highway plow equipment.
These features are offered in broad categories such as PTO controls, multiple modes of remote engine speed control, multiple-interlock switches, audible and visual alarm systems and high-amperage output features. In addition, other body integration features are available such as remote start/stop and electric trailer braking. All of these features make body integration faster and easier with increased functionality.
This upgrade in technology allows equipment parameters to be programmed among a set of pre-determined tasks, automating and customizing the truck's performance. By electronically controlling operating limits, the potential for equipment damage--and its associated cost--is greatly reduced. For example, an operator can program a PTO to disengage at a certain pre-determined engine speed or have cargo and work lights automatically turn off after a pre-set time period.
Builder makes assembling easy
Diamond Logic Builder was unveiled this year, marking another major step forward in the functionality of Diamond Logic technology. Based on close collaboration with TEMs from many vocations, this new PC-based program will allow body builders and users to write custom software, using an easy-to-operate graphical interface, that controls body equipment in a manner unique to an individual customer's operations.
Beyond offering a set of pre-programmed features, Diamond Logic Builder enables the body builder to develop a custom logic solution with very little effort. Thus, "Relay Logic" designs, or the use of third-party body control modules, become a thing of the past. Software developed using the Diamond Logic Builder program is reuseable and may be applied to multiple vehicles within the same fleet. The hardware modules are factory installed and pre-wired; the body builder creates the software solution that satisfies the user's body control requirements.
While improving reliability and durability, simplifying maintenance and lowering operating costs have been the primary focus of the initial stages of Diamond Logic. This latest advancement significantly streamlines truck chassis and body equipment integration--and performance--for body builders and users.
Add-on equipment and body wiring is connected outside the cab at various locations to remote power modules. These modules provide a means to get body switch information into the system and provide solid-state power switch control outputs for driving body equipment. Rocker switches to control these remote power modules are factory installed in the cab. A package of switch labels is provided to customize the purpose of each switch. Therefore, the body builder will no longer be drilling in the cab to route wires or find locations for body switches in the instrument panel. This process extends the system's diagnostic capabilities into the body equipment controls, which translates to less time spent troubleshooting and repairing problems arising from demanding and rigorous working conditions.
It can turn into anything
The range of programmable and customizable features means the Diamond Logic electrical system technology delivers benefits at every step of the vehicle customization process, but the most valuable benefits are not realized until a truck and its equipment is put to the test in rigorous highway applications.
First, the user benefits from an electrical system with fewer wires, fewer connections and low-current switching, as well as on-board and off-board diagnostic capabilities.
Second, these same capabilities extend to the body equipment, with increased functionality in a lot of cases due to the ESC controlling and sharing information from all the modules on the vehicle, including the body equipment.
Most importantly, users reap increased productivity because a single vehicle can adapt to multiple applications and equipment configurations. For example, a highway maintenance truck can disengage its spreader box and plow harness at the end of the winter, replace it with a dump body or bucket lift for the summer season. The wiring harnesses in the vehicle need only a slight adjustment, such as an added ground wire in one of the configuration's harnesses that signals the ESC which configuration's functionality is desired. The system then reacts like a chameleon by adapting to the appropriate configuration.
The flexibility of the Diamond Logic system allows both simple and complex customization with features that go beyond easy integration of chassis and body electrical systems to accommodate an infinite variety of vehicle configuration options. The result is a higher level of performance, reliability and functionality for vehicles operating in the construction and maintenance of the nation's roads and bridges.
