| m21sniper |
01-28-2010 07:33 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryD
(Post 5151235)
Wayne:
You are seeking what seems to be a lost engineering art that was taught to me as "Machine Design". You might remeber this where the engineer spends time making sure the interface witht he human makes sense and allows for human control during both normal and abnormal operating conditions.
You highlight a serious issue with many "so called" designers. I am often shocked by the designs I get from some of the younger folks we hire to do design for us.
Often, they are so focused on the new features they neglect to consider the failure modes and how "non-savvy" people (for lack of a better term) will be able to use the thing safely.
The keyless issue you raise is a perfect example. On many levels it seems to be a solution searching for a problem. When implemented, creates a whole new set of problems.
For any machinery, in industrial settings I am expected to install a EMO (Emergency Machine Off) switch that when pressed will IMMEDIATELY kill the operation of the machine. These switches are typically hard wired to bypass the controls an cause a stoppage immediately. Often is is simply pulling the plug or cutting hte air supply. The controls do not mediate the stopping action. It does not require me to press it for more than a moment for me to accomplish this goal. The switch is typically a muchroom style so the operator knows he has sucessfully operated the switch when things are going horribly wrong and all he wants to do is MAKE IT STOP NOW!
If you have a keyless car, you need a switch like this to address any number of emergency situations. It could be programmed to put the tranny in neutral, kill the engine or do any number of things to cause the vehicle to stop putting energy to the wheels and allow it to stop. Most important, it does with without using the main control system but acts directly to stop the power inputs.
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Yours and wayne's posts are both excellent reading, and i agree with you both 100%
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
(Post 5151216)
I read somewhere that witnesses to the CHP officer crash said that the rear of the car was on fire at the brakes when the car went speeding by. Makes a bit of sense, the car crashed shortly thereafter, went into the river and then exploded into a mess of flames.
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Wow, the Toyota exploded too huh?
Gotta love that Toyota "quality."
I think it's high time people stopped running their mouth about how they could have done better than the trooper in his shoes. Obviously, his car wanted to kill him, and would not take no for an answer. His brakes were obviously on fire from over-heating....so hard was he pushing that pedal. Since the retarded start button wouldn't kill the engine, and his brakes UTTERLY FAILED to stop the vehicle, the only other possible option was smacking the car into nuetral. I wonder if it has some sort of circuitry to prevent the car being put into neutral at WOT. I bet it does.
I bet that cop didn't have one single option as his car decided to kill them all but to hold on and pray.
Too bad for him he didn't buy a Ford, he'd still be alive.
BTW, it appears the accelerator maker is Chinese, not American. They have several factories in China. If these are Chinese made it only reinforces my previous feelings about Chinese products- especially electronics, and specifically switches- being unreliable junk.
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