TRW Automotive Unveils Portfolio of Technologies for Hybrid Electric Vehicles
LIVONIA, Mich., Jan. 10 -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE:TRW) today unveiled a suite of technologies designed to support the growth of hybrid electric vehicles. The products and systems range from simple lighter weight components to advanced braking technologies such as TRW's Slip Control Boost, a fully integrated slip control system, as well as electrically powered hydraulic steering systems.
Peter Lake, executive vice president sales and business development, TRW Automotive, said: "We have developed a range of technology solutions to support our vehicle manufacturer customers as they develop hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The supplier requirements for HEVs differ from those for conventional vehicles. Fuel efficiency, packaging flexibility and weight reduction are key factors, and with smaller volumes, vehicle manufacturers want to reduce development costs for individual systems and components."
TRW Automotive has developed two brake control systems options: TRW Slip Control Boost, a fully integrated electronic stability control and brake actuation system, and the TRW Active Hydraulic Braking system, which is compatible with any electronic stability control system and replaces the brake actuation system with an electro hydraulic control unit (EHCU), pedal simulator and master cylinder solution. These systems enable regenerative braking, involving energy being captured during the braking process, which is used to recharge the vehicle's energy storage devices.
For steering, TRW has tailored its electrically powered hydraulic steering system (EPHS) to offer an off-the-shelf product for HEVs. By optimizing an existing technology, development costs and time to market are significantly reduced. With flexible packaging and mounting options, the technology offers much of the functionality of a full electric system including fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions reduction. EPHS can convert a standard hydraulic system for an HEV application.
Phil Cunningham, product planning director, chassis systems, added: "For higher volume HEV platforms designed from a clean sheet of paper, TRW can work with customers to develop a unique fully electric steering system. We offer a range of column and belt drive electrically powered steering (EPS) systems which offer enhanced functionality and further fuel efficiency and CO2 emission reductions compared even with EPHS systems. These options can be cost effective solutions when employed to a higher volume conventional platform which includes a hybrid version."
TRW has also developed an array of weight optimized products within braking, linkage and suspension and occupant safety systems. TRW offers lighter weight braking components including front and rear calipers, aluminum caliper housings and drum brakes and a thin-wide bridge caliper which allows for the use of a larger rotor for the same wheel size. The use of new materials has been pioneered across the TRW suspension range including aluminum control arms and knuckles and precision forged steel control arms with integrated or detachable ball joints. In occupant safety, engineers have sought innovative ways to decrease the number of components, reducing both weight and cost and providing optimized packaging options. Examples include driver and passenger airbag options.
Lake added: "The support we offer customers in this area is not limited to components and systems: we also offer systems integration support. The changes in weight, center of gravity, vehicle dynamic behavior and crash pulse require tuning to the various control algorithms such as crash sensing and electronic stability control. We have met with a number of customers and are exploring numerous ways where TRW's expertise can support the growing HEV market."
About TRW
With 2004 sales of $12.0 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 60,000 people in 24 countries. 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.trwauto.com/ .
CONTACT: Lynette Jackson, TRW Automotive/Europe/Asia, +44.121.506.5315, Manley Ford, TRW Automotive, +1-734-855-2616, or John Wilkerson, TRW Automotive/North America, +1-734-855-3864
