Power Steering System offers software-controlled functions.
Press Release Summary:
With Electric Power Steering System, various functions can be selected by manufacturer and programmed within software to optimize driver safety or mitigate vehicle error states. Pull Drift Compensation detects if vehicle is drifting to one side and makes adjustments, while Active Disturbance and Road Shake Compensation reduces vibration in steering wheel caused by uneven road conditions. Other functions include Semi Automatic Parking, Torque Steer Compensation, and Driver Steer Recommendation.
Original Press Release:
TRW Offers Enhanced Functions Through Electric Power Steering Software Upgrades
LIVONIA, Mich., -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), today announced a range of advanced steering features which can be programmed within the software of an Electrically Powered Steering (EPS) system to assist the driver. Any number of the functions can be selected by vehicle manufacturers to help enhance driver safety or mitigate vehicle 'error states'.
Frank Lubischer, vice president, TRW steering engineering commented: "With the given mechanical and hydraulic constraints of traditional hydraulic steering systems, there are limits to what can be achieved - compromising the ability to implement functions and steering feel characteristics beyond conventional physical boundaries.
"One of the beauties of electric steering is that these functions are controlled through software - and can be programmed quickly to allow for the desired outcome. For example, the amount of power steering assist can easily be varied - full assist at slower speeds for tight turning maneuvers such as parking, or a stiffer, sportier response at high speeds such as highway driving, and these modes can be chosen by the driver. Likewise, the electric steering system can be programmed to respond intelligently to varying vehicle and environmental conditions - such as different tire types, payloads, or road surfaces."
Electric steering safety enhancements are also achievable through integration with other systems. When combined with driver assist technologies, such as camera-based systems for example, electric power steering can help assist the driver in staying in the intended lane by providing a torque through the steering wheel that guides the driver back toward the center of the lane. A full lane guide system can actively assist in keeping the vehicle in the center of the lane.
TRW's range of advanced steering functions includes:
-- Pull Drift Compensation (PDC) - can detect if the vehicle is drifting to one side (through a suspension error or from a side wind or cambered road), and will make automatic adjustments
-- Active Disturbance and Road Shake Compensation - helps reduce vibration in the steering wheel caused by uneven road conditions and imbalanced torque at the wheels.
-- Torque Steer Compensation - correcting the tendency in some front-wheel-drive vehicles to pull to one side under the influence of high engine torque.
-- Semi Automatic Parking - when linked to proximity sensors EPS can 'automate' the sometimes challenging task of parallel parking.
-- Personalization - enables the driver to switch between a different tuning of the steering system such as 'city mode' which would require less steering effort, or a standard mode for faster driving conditions requiring a stiffer steering feel.
-- Arbitration and Limitation - a centralized function which arbitrates between feature requests and limits the sum of torque requests. If one system becomes active for example, another feature would be deactivated in order to avoid negative impacts.
-- Variable Ratio - a feature which can help the vehicle to be more responsive in different driving situations.
-- Driver Steer Recommendation - provides an interface to the braking system in order to request an additional driver torque overlay to the steering system.
About TRW
With 2010 sales of $14.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 26 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at www.trw.com.
Web Site: www.trwauto.com
