Continental Presents ContiConnectTM – Smart Solutions for Tyre Management of the Future
05/06/18
Tyre monitoring platform
Web portal display of tyre pressure and temperature for the entyre fleet
Reduced punctures and longer tyre life
The technology corporation, automotive supplier and premium tyre manufacturer Continental today unveiled its new tyre monitoring platform ContiConnectTM. The pioneering technology aims to make fleets safer, more efficient and more intelligent. This efficient solution allows fleet managers to access tyre pressure and temperature data for their entyre fleets via a web portal. The data is updated automatically whenever a vehicle drives past the permanently installed on-site measuring station. ContiConnectTM allows fleet managers to switch their previous manual, routine tyre maintenance processes to automated, targeted maintenance. The system’s proactive warning alert means that any deviations and problems can be identified and resolved immediately, minimizing the inspection and maintenance workload significantly. Selected fleets have already taken part in a test and trialled ContiConnectTM successfully.
One of these fleets is Gemmeke Logistik & Co. KG from Bad Driburg. The company uses its fleet of 30 jumbo vehicles to transport a range of goods such as plastic pipes, cardboard packaging, cans, drinks and rolls of paper for industrial customers. “To my mind, the safety aspect is all part and parcel of a modern fleet,” states managing director Johannes Gemmeke. “ContiConnectTM simply gives me more assurance because I know that I have the tyres under control and the tyre pressures and temperatures are all okay.” Before he introduced the new system, he had a contract with a company that came to the site every eight weeks to inspect the tyres of all 30 jumbo trailers. This was not only expensive, but also often caused a gradual loss of tyre pressure over time. The reason being that the inspectors had to open the valve to conduct the pressure check. This can allow dirt to get inside and cause the valve to leak.
ContiConnectTM reduces the maintenance workload, protects tyres against long-term damage and minimizes the number of punctures. It minimizes tyre wear, while improving fuel efficiency and safety. It also reduces fleet costs and increases operating time.
As soon as a vehicle drives onto the site, any tyre problems are reported to the fleet manager and can be rectified. This prevents long-term damage, maximizes tyre life until the tyres are removed and improves the retreadability of the carcasses. Continental’s tyre sensors detect gradual loss of air, which is one of the most common causes of tyre damage. This reduces the number of puncture cases. “We sometimes had as many as ten punctures a year,” recalls test participant Gemmeke. “We didn’t have a single one in 2017 while using ContiConnectTM.”
ContiConnectTM – a starting point for comprehensive tyre-related data services
Nikolai Setzer, member of the Continental Executive Board and head of the Tyre division, explains: “For Continental, ContiConnectTM represents the starting point to becoming a partner for comprehensive tyre-related data services. This innovative tyre management solution is a tremendous step forward in our transformation from a premium tyre manufacturer to a solution provider. We are supplementing our longstanding experience in the tyre industry with sensor data findings starting with our truck, bus and earth moving tyres.” Henning Mühlenstedt, head of marketing and sales for the bus and truck tyre replacement business in the DACH region, adds: “For our customers, ContiConnectTM means a change from manual, routine tyre care to automatically monitored tyres and targeted, integrated maintenance. This forms the basis for efficient mobility through digital connectivity of the vehicle, wheel, tyre and fleet.”
The tyre data is recorded by sensors, which are fitted to the interior cover layer of the tyre to prevent damage from curbstones, for example, and theft. The technology also ensures that the sensor can measure the tyre temperature and tyre pressure reliably without the interference of heat from the brake systems. When the vehicles drive onto the site, a Yard Reader Station captures the sensor data and transmits it via the mobile network to the ContiConnectTM web portal.
The person in charge, be it the fleet manager or maintenance officer, can conveniently check the conditions of the tyres using the web portal. If the tyre pressure is not okay, the system sends an SMS or e-mail alert as a proactive measure. This allows the relevant people to act straight away to resolve issues instead of wasting valuable time manually checking the tyre pressure.
The tyre sensors can be easily retrofitted. Selected tyre dimensions already come installed with the sensors ex works. This means that it is easier than ever for fleet operators to fit their vehicles with the right equipment to take advantage of Continental’s tyre management solutions.
In addition to ContiConnectTM, Continental has even more intelligent tyre management solutions on offer to cater to the varying business requirements of different fleets. The tyre-pressure monitoring system ContiPressureCheckTM continuously shows the driver the real-time tyre pressures and temperatures on a display in the cab and gives off an alert if there are any deviations. The option of integrating data into the various telematic systems provides the fleet manager with real-time data.
Continental has over 100 years of tyre manufacturing experience and combines this with the latest digital technology to develop intelligent tyre management solutions that lower fleet operating costs while enhancing safety.
(Quelle: Continental)
