Link Manufacturing has introduced its ROI Cabmate Semi-Active Cab Suspension, a new generation update of its Cabmate cab suspension that features Link’s Road-Optimized Innovations (ROI) technology.
“ROI represents a product category that is designed to enhance the performance of Link’s traditional suspensions through electronics,” said Michael Hof, Link’s vice president of business development. “We have incorporated an engineered algorithm into the software that increases the efficiency of the suspension. The ROI technology will enable the suspension to respond in real time to driving conditions and events, such as wind shear.”
The ROI Cabmate Semi-Active Cab Suspension employs multiple sensors and is constantly assessing environmental circumstances, while responding simultaneously. An accelerometer monitors the motion of the cab, while a position sensor measures the position and velocity of the cab relative to the frame.
Using Link’s algorithms, the system’s electronic control unit (ECU) interprets the stream of information from all sensors in real time, and responds by continuously adjusting the stiffness of shock absorbers and by filling or exhausting air from the system’s air springs to optimize ride stability and comfort. The entire ROI system operates on less than 10 watts of power.
ROI Cabmate uses this technology to assess the events the truck is going through for a smoother ride—examples include absorbing road shock and vibration.
According to the company, other improvements provided by the new technology include reduced air consumption, improved vibration isolation, fairing alignment capabilities, and weight savings.
“It’s one of the products that I think is going to have a pretty major impact on the efficiency of our fleet, and our driver quality of life,” said Joel Morrow, head of R&D and senior driver for Ploger Transportation, which is road-testing the ROI Cabmate suspension. “The truck rides better, the driver’s happier, they’re healthier, and more productive. When it comes to efficiency, I can shorten wheelbases up on my truck, and I can close the gap between the truck and the trailer, which has a major impact on fuel efficiency.”
ROI Cabmate is production-ready now and is being evaluated by the truck OEMs to offer in the future. The company is also working on a retrofit kit that they are hoping will be available next year.
