What is the VSM system for?
The VSM integrated management system is a system that can give the driver more control over his car and at the same time provide vehicle stability on the road.
In addition, the use of this system in a car helps to solve several other equally important tasks for a motorist:
- Parking and maneuvering at low speeds is made easier and more comfortable by the system, as less effort is needed on the steering wheel.
- Wheel torque increases at high speed.
- Significantly increases the reactive force of the wheels when they return to the middle position.
- When driving at an angle, this system helps to correct the position of the front wheels. This is also true in difficult weather conditions, when driving is complicated due to strong wind, rain or even ice.
The main difference between this system and similar solutions for the car is the way it affects the car. VSM does this by directing power to the front wheel, while its handling-enhancing counterparts focus primarily on the braking system.
It is very important to use this system when braking in difficult conditions, when one wheel is on a normal road surface, and the second on ice. As a result, it turns out that the car begins to skid to one of the sides, which has an extremely negative effect on its further performance.
With the constant operation of a car without using this system, you may encounter the fact that in any situation on the road you will have to make great efforts to control the car. It is also worth noting that using the system offers the user many benefits.
- Running gear safety, which is provided by reducing the load on its elements during complex maneuvering and parking. This is a great advantage that helps to keep the car in good condition and save money on the replacement of this important automotive component.
- Improved Features to maneuver the driver. This advantage is provided due to the high-quality hardware system, which helps to remove most of the load from the motorist and shift it to mechanical means.
- This is the best solution for novice motorists who still find it difficult to cope with all the difficulties associated with driving. VSM along with automatic transmission will help to solve the issue of automating all driving processes, so this is a very simple and convenient solution.
- The system shows the highest efficiency when the car is moving. for different coverages on different wheels. This means that if one wheel moves on ice, and the second on normal asphalt, then the first wheel will not skid in the direction of movement. Thanks to this, it will be possible to maintain the chassis for a long time, during the ride there will be no imbalance or other unpleasant moments that are the consequences of such a ride.
- High efficiency with fast maneuvering. In such cases, the system also manages to show its best side and achieve high results for users. No wonder customers are choosing to install it more and more frequently.
This system is increasingly used in the creation of new cars along with other control systems, but its main difference, thanks to which it is possible to distinguish it, is the focus on the front wheels.
The rest of the options on the market and implemented in modern machines, affect the brakes which makes for a smoother ride. Unlike them, this system allows the user to gain not only control over their car, but also a high level of handling with easy steering.
This effect is achieved due to the qualitative redistribution of the load between the functional parts of the chassis.
It is also worth noting the fact that the system works by combining the actions of the driver, as well as other integrated systems, which ensures its maximum efficiency and the driver can be sure that he will not skid even on a difficult road.
Due to the many benefits, relatively low cost, the ability to prevent drifts even before they occur - this system has gained high popularity among developers.
In some cars, it completely replaces all others. stabilization systems, but more often it is used together with other solutions to make driving easier. Since it is integrated, it displays important signals on the control panel of the motorist so that he receives up-to-date information about the current state of affairs instantly.
Every day the road can present new challenges, but you will always maintain control over the car on difficult surfaces, climbs, winding roads and during unexpected maneuvers of other drivers thanks to the advanced electronic control system.
Feel absolute security in Sorento Prime. The rigid power structure of the body is created using high-strength steels, and six airbags are included as standard equipment. The highest level of safety is confirmed not only by laboratory crash tests, but also by simulations of real collisions.
360° view function
The system facilitates parking and maneuvering in tight spaces. Thanks to four cameras, the display shows a view of the car from above, which helps the driver to check the vision of the situation from his own angle in any direction while parking or maneuvering.
※ Operating conditions: ignition on, shift lever in D/R/N, speed up to 20 km/h.
ESC (Stability Program) controls the speed and direction of the vehicle.
At the same time, the system constantly compares the received parameters from the sensors (ABS sensor, yaw, acceleration, steering) with the actions of the driver and works out the loss of vehicle traction, which may cause a skid.
When the system (ESC) detects a loss of control, it instantly applies individual braking force to each wheel.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) makes sure that friction is not lost between the wheels of the car and the road surface when braking. When the driver suddenly presses the brake pedal, there is a possibility that the car will go out of control and skid on the road. The main task of the anti-lock braking system is to avoid such a situation.
Lift Assist needed when the car starts moving on a rough road. The system ensures that the machine does not roll back on steep slopes, and has a number of significant advantages. Firstly, with its help, the car on the rise is more willing to start, which saves the driver from having to use the parking brake. Secondly, the safety of both the driver and pedestrians is increased.
How the system works is - when the driver stops pressing the brake pedal, the decrease in pressure in the brake system begins to gradually slow down. The lift assist system will come into action when several factors coincide: the slope of the road exceeds 5%, the car is started, and the driver presses the brake pedal.
KIA Sorento Prime is equipped with front and side airbags that protect the driver and front passenger, as well as two curtain airbags that protect everyone in the cabin.
Emergency braking system I need to ensure that in a dangerous situation on the road, the brake mechanism of the car operates with maximum efficiency. According to statistics, when the emergency braking system is in operation, the braking distance is reduced by 15-20% percent. This is sometimes enough to avoid a serious collision, crash or accident.
System BAS - by the speed with which the driver presses the brake pedal, determines whether an emergency braking situation has arisen on the road. In the electronic control unit, data on the speed of pressing the pedal is transmitted from the speed sensor of the vacuum booster rod. In the event that the signal value goes beyond the set norm level, the rod drive electromagnet is activated. The vacuum brake booster begins to act on the brake pedal - this is how the emergency braking process starts. It takes effect earlier than the ABS system.
Emergency Pretensioning System (EFD)
The seat belts on the front seats of the KIA Sorento Prime are equipped with special EFD pretensioners. In an emergency, the belts are pretensioned to securely hold the driver and front passenger in their seats, providing additional protection in the event of a collision.
ERA-GLONASS emergency communication system
In unforeseen cases, the system will connect you with the operator to clarify whether everything is in order, or call emergency services.
LED headlights with dynamic low beam function
Headlights are able to additionally illuminate the corners, providing better visibility at night. In addition, the swiveling optics adapt to the steering angle, vehicle weight and speed.
In active head restraints a special movable lever is built in, which is located in the back of the chair. When the car hits an obstacle, the momentum pushes the driver into the seat, and their weight presses on this lever. In this case, the countermeasure mechanism immediately begins to work - even before the driver's head leans back, the active headrests move towards it and soften the force of the impact. After that, they take their original position. It is worth noting that for the most effective work, the head restraints must first be adjusted.
Active head restraints are activated when the car collides with an obstacle at low or medium speed, as well as in some cases of a collision with a car from behind. It is in such situations that the likelihood of injury due to the “whip” effect increases.
Integrated Active Management (VSM) helps the vehicle to maintain a stable position during simultaneous braking and cornering, especially on wet, slippery or uneven surfaces, due to the cooperation of the stabilization system and the electric power steering Based on the information collected by the sensors, the stabilization system and the electric power steering come into operation as soon as the car starts slip and return it to a safe trajectory.
High strength steel (AHSS)
The design of the KIA Sorento Prime uses more than 52.7% high-strength steel. This unique grade of steel is used to reinforce the front, rear and sides of the car, as well as in those areas of the body that experience maximum stress.
Rear subframe
The rigid rear subframe ensures high stability on the road.
Vertical rear shock absorbers
The vertically positioned rear shock absorbers help mitigate the negative effect of driving on rough roads and provide even more comfort in the cabin.
Intelligent automatic parking system SPAS
This system is designed to help you with both parallel and perpendicular parking. It automatically recognizes a suitable parking space, turns the steering wheel and estimates the distance to other cars. All you have to do is hit the gas and brake and shift gears of your Sorento Prime.
Blind Spot Monitor (BSD)
The Blind Spot Monitor uses sensors that scan the sides and rear of the vehicle for dangerous proximity to other vehicles in a zone of zero visibility. If an object is detected, the driver will be alerted by a visual signal on the side mirrors and center display. If the driver has turned on the turn signal and another vehicle is detected in the blind spot on that side, a warning horn will sound.
One of the main problems facing automakers is to improve the safety of the car, including while driving. To do this, the machines are equipped with various devices that help the driver to cope with the management in the most difficult situations. One of them is the VSM integrated active management system.
About forces and moments
The torque developed by the motor is sent to the wheels, and the car starts to move. So it is very simplified to describe the process of its movement. However, when starting to move, maneuvering and braking, a wide variety of forces act on the car, and the nature of their impact depends on the speed, road conditions and driver actions.
Sometimes these actions are erroneous and incorrect, which may result in an accident. To avoid this, the developers have come up with more than one electronic device that assists the driver in difficult conditions. Without touching on all of them, it is enough to mention the most famous and well-known:
- ESP - exchange rate stability system (it has a different name for different manufacturers - ESC, DSC, DTSC, etc. The most common abbreviation ESP will be used in the text below);
The operation of any of these active control devices is based on the constant monitoring of signals from sensors. According to them, the controller determines the discrepancy between the real mode of movement of the car and what it should be, it also takes the necessary measures, for example, it slows down, slows down or unlocks the wheel, changes the engine operation mode.
Active Management System VSM
It is worth mentioning another, somewhat specialized, but useful integrated management system VSM. By itself, it does not work, only complete with ESP and ABS. If ABS provides stability during braking, TCP during acceleration, ESP prevents lateral displacement and stabilizes the position of the car during maneuvers, then the VSM system is, as it were, integrated, combining the work of all other components and the actions of the driver. 
The VSM system integrates the steering motor, ESP and ABS. According to the manufacturers of cars with VSM, the stabilization control system counteracts the driver's erroneous actions, i.e. if they perform the wrong actions to drive the car in a critical situation, then VSM will counteract them.
In a more understandable presentation, this means that if the driver turns the steering wheel in the wrong direction during the maneuver, this will require significant effort from him. Whereas with the correct movement of the steering wheel, nothing like this happens.
Tasks that VSM solves
If we try to generalize what tasks such an integrated system solves, we can note the following:
- relief of effort on the steering wheel when parking and maneuvering at low speed;
- increase in steering wheel torque at high speed;
- increase in the reactive force of the wheels when they return to the middle position;
- adjustment of the position of the front wheels when driving on a road with a slope, side wind, pressure difference in the wheels;
- increasing stability (exchange rate).
Thus, the VSM system is engaged in stabilizing the position of the car on the road in the process of movement in the same way as ESP, ABS and other devices similar in purpose. The difference between them will be that VSM through the electromechanical power steering affects the steering wheel, not the brakes. In other words, the impact on the steering wheel and brakes is combined. 
This is especially true when acceleration or braking occurs on different surfaces (one wheel on ice, water or other surface, the other on asphalt). As a rule, as a result, the car begins to pull to the side. To correct the situation, control signals are sent to the steering mechanism to correct the position of the car. In principle, the situation considered is typical for the operation of such a control system. The possibility of a skid may occur again during sudden maneuvering, in which case VSM will also help keep the vehicle from skidding.
It should be noted that such a device is not included in the standard equipment of the car.
An active control system such as VSM primarily ensures the vehicle stays on course when driving on different surfaces under different wheels. In this case, not only signals are generated for braking an individual wheel, but also for steering, thanks to which the car continues to move along a given course, and it is possible to avoid skidding.
Over the past couple of decades, leading industry leaders in the design and manufacture of automobiles have faced a serious problem of low driver readiness to drive a car in high-risk conditions. A lot of facts and police statistics show that the ability to drive a complex, heavy and powerful car so as not to kill yourself and others is no longer enough for the average driver.
The first, focused on a comprehensive solution to the problem, was the integrated active management system VSM. In fact, there was a combination of a new computer unit with a system of sensors and control modules for anti-lock brakes and a system for ensuring exchange rate stability.
What functions are assigned to the integrated active management system VSM:
- obtaining from all available vehicle sensors the most reliable information about the current state of the vehicle;
- comparing the objectivity of the ABS and ESP control commands with the tendencies of the driver's actions and comparing them with the best possible options stored in memory;
- indirect VSM intervention in the operation of the steering wheel, engine, brake system and gearbox.
Important! The VSM system differs from the many options for intelligent assistants in that it helps the driver to act, not limited to information or recommendations.
How Integrated VSM Active Management Works
The idea of introducing an analogue of an autopilot that helps the driver to act, and not just inform, has been in the minds of developers for quite some time, but the full implementation in an integrated form of VSM, as an active control system, was received only after an increase in the power of control controllers and the introduction of electric power steering.
Of course, the VSM system will not turn the steering wheel, steer and maneuver instead of the driver, it does not yet have such an opportunity. And if an obstacle arises on the way or the rules of DD are grossly violated, the active control system will not be able to help. Although more recent developments with an integrated circular radar and a GPS system may well be able to make the right decision by participating in active driving.
The main task, as an integrated or combined structure, of the existing VSM system is to help actively intervene in the operation of the electric power steering. VSM, as a control system, is engaged in stabilizing the position of the machine while driving. While the stable position of the car is considered the main criterion for its safety.
What the driver can expect from the active management of the VSM system:
- an increase in resistance or the required applied force on the steering wheel when driving at high speed. The rudder loses sharpness, and thanks to this, course control becomes more balanced and smooth. Even if you want to try to jerk the steering wheel sharply, the VSM system simply will not allow you to do this, instantly increasing the “weight” of the steering wheel;
- steering the front wheels if there is a risk of the car falling into a skid, skidding or a sharp decrease in the adhesion of one or two wheels to the road surface, problems with the tire or suspension;
- integrated impact on ensuring stability along the trajectory of motion.
In addition to the steering wheel, the system actively uses the capabilities of the brakes, both independently and through the anti-lock module. For the successful operation of the VSM unit, partners also need an ESP module, which is responsible for directional stability, and a slip control circuit.
A classic example that demonstrates the successful operation of VSM is the passage - bypassing a series of obstacles with a snake or driving at high speed with a controlled skid in a fairly deep turn. Such tests were not chosen by chance, because they make up approximately 80% of all shunting permutations of the car on the road.
Theoretically, in a skid, the VSM should redistribute torque to the outer pair of wheels and slow down the inner pair to turn a couple of degrees in the direction opposite to the direction of the skid. So the car is guaranteed to be spared from the threat of a collision with the curb and smoothly complete the turn.
If braking is found to be ineffective or even harmful, the VSM system will disable the ABS, or brake one or two wheels individually. In steering wheel control, the driver will feel that turning in the “forbidden” direction will be prohibitively heavy, and in the optimal direction it will be as easy as possible to accelerate the turn.
This is the so-called system of intuitive response to the situation. In a critical situation, the driver simply has no time to think and analyze, he has to instinctively make decisions, and often the hint of the VSM unit comes in handy.
With a long journey, after 4-5 hours of driving, fatigue will inevitably begin to accumulate. In this case, the VSM system will significantly relieve the driver and insure to a greater extent, avoiding risky situations.
What are the good and bad things about VSM
The basic postulate of the use of various electronic assistants in driving a car is based on an unshakable rule - the most advanced, active and integrated system should not create discomfort in driving. VSM is no exception in this.
Its invisibility in the car has been brought to such a state that many buyers of new cars equipped with an integrated VSM active control system do not notice it even after running the car in and simply begin to doubt its presence.
People are the most difficult link in the chain of events to deploy a new production system and modernize the old one. It is easier to overcome the resistance of workers than middle managers and top managers.
At the first all-Russian forum "Lean production for Russia" /1/ it was witnessed that almost two and a half hundred enterprises have embarked on the path of production optimization and are solving similar problems.
According to the ICSI (Institute for Comprehensive Strategic Studies) study "Dissemination of Lean Manufacturing Practice in Russia", it is ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises, as well as the entire spectrum of mechanical engineering, led by the automotive industry, that are most inclined to implement "lean manufacturing".
Studying the Toyota production system (Toyota Production System, TPS), American analysts based on Japanese developments created their own methods, combining them into the Lean Manufacturing or Lean production system. In Russia, she became known as LIN, she is also “lean production”.
The most popular Lean tools in Russia are quality management (it was used by 69% of those who said they had experience with Lean), workplace visualization elements (30%), and inventory management (25%). Such a set, firstly, is due to bottlenecks in the work of enterprises. Secondly, these Lean tools are relatively easy to learn and implement: they do not require preliminary changes in production and can be implemented in a short time at individual pilot sites.
Figure 1 - Statistics on the use of LIN technologies
Value Stream Map (VSM) is a diagram that displays each movement of the flow of information materials needed in order to fulfill the customer's order /1/.
VSM makes it possible to immediately see the bottlenecks of the process flow and, based on its analysis, identify all non-productive costs and processes. Such maps are created at all pilot sites, and if desired, it is easy to understand where and with what losses it is necessary to put up with.
VSM is designed to see the whole flow and give managers, technologists and workers the opportunity to speak the same language about the problems of different stages of the flow. When building a VSM, you can see all the losses that are in the stream.
Since the VSM reflects the state of the flow at a certain point in time, there are at least two types of maps of different states: the current state and the long-term (future state) state.
Various software tools make it possible to build a VSM in a graphical form, however, all analysis of losses, bottlenecks, etc. is not an automated process.
The concept of VSM is currently considered only in a narrow range of specialties, mainly in CAD specialties and various areas of industrial automation. However, the use of this tool is possible in all places where the final product is available. For example, when creating a software product, configurations of accounting programs, assembling server operating systems, etc. A large number of distance and face-to-face training courses in VSM and related technologies are offered on the Internet. But in many universities this is not given attention.
Understanding and describing the value stream begins with a pencil sketch of the flow of materials and information in the production process of a product. After that, a map of the current state is obtained. This state is not ideal, it is necessary to look for and mark bottlenecks on the map for further modernization. After that, the VSM analysis process begins, which consists in converting the current VSM map into a future state map.
Tools for VSM analysis are rarely used when studying the very concept of VSM. For some reason, it is believed that this tool is quite effective even with manual analysis, there are enough tools for drawing VSM diagrams.
But there are several software tools that can help with the analysis. The most flexible and powerful among them is the add-in for Microsoft Visio called eVSM. It allows not only graphically compiling VSM maps, but also calculating a large number of time parameters, resource utilization, takt time, drawing process work graphs, numerically and graphically comparing the results of certain changes in the circuit (simulating the results of changes). This program is available both in a paid form (about $600) and in the form of a 30-day version and a version for students.
In addition, the program provides an opportunity to solve the transport problem (moving products between stages) using "spaghetti" diagrams.
Combining the very concept of VSM with tools like eVSM helps to study in more detail the problems of managing the creation of various products in many areas of industry, small and medium-sized businesses. And teaching these technologies to specialties that are associated with the management of any production or product creation processes will significantly increase the understanding of optimizing such processes.
We think that when using tools such as eVSM, it is possible, when teaching a wide range of future specialists, to immediately instill in them the basics of "lean manufacturing" and the skills of analyzing real product creation processes.
Bibliography
1 Russian Lean Forum. Lean production, lean, kaizen, TPS: training, implementation, mastering experience. [Electronic resource] - Access mode: http://www.leanforum.ru/ - 12. 01 . 2012
2 Rother M., Learn to see business processes. The practice of building value stream maps / Rother M., Shuk D., - M .: Alpina Business Books, 2005. - 144s - isbn 5-9614-0168-5
