Schaeffler Shows Key Components for Efficient Future Mobility at Auto Shanghai from April 21 to 29, 2013
- Schaeffler pursues a diversification strategy: From the optimization of drive trains based on internal combustion engines through to solutions for hybrid vehicles and electric mobility
- Targeted investments in the growth region China
- High level of engineering expertise: “In the region – for the region”
The automotive sector will be focusing its attention on China, where the Auto Shanghai will open its doors from April 21 to 29, 2013. This motor show is an important marketplace in Asia for Schaeffler: The globally-active automotive supplier will not only be showing successful technologies and products at booth B101 in Hall 5, but will also be explaining how Schaeffler engineers are shaping the automotive future and why Schaeffler is a global supplier of expertise for efficient future mobility.
Schaeffler has consistently invested in China and placed great emphasis on developing its presence there during the last 10 years. The company has built two further plants at its manufacturing location in Taicang during the last two years in order to meet the rapidly-growing requirements of the Chinese and Asian Pacific market. Another new plant is currently under construction in Nanjing. “Asia is and will remain a growth market for Schaeffler. We are extremely well positioned in the region, have made substantial investments in added value locally and enjoy an excellent reputation among our customers”, explains Wolfgang Dangel, Schaeffler’s Member of the Executive Board Automotive. “By consistently expanding worldwide, we capture new markets, secure our lead in the competition and still provide close customer proximity at all times.”
Diversification strategy: Solutions for drive trains based on internal combustion engines, hybrid driving and electric mobility
The heart of the Schaeffler booth at Auto Shanghai is the concept study eSolutions, which shows a large number of solutions for electric mobility. The innovations on show include the Schaeffler E-Wheel Drive – a highly-integrated wheel hub drive, in which all components required for drive, deceleration, and driving safety – like the electric motor, power electronics, controller, brake, and cooling system – are installed inside the wheel rim – and the eDifferential, an electric drive axle with two electric motors, integrated transmission and differential, which allows unique driving dynamics in electric vehicles thanks to torque vectoring.
Increasing development of motorized transportation in growth markets will in part require different vehicle solutions than in saturated markets. In addition, local and legal boundary conditions will push forward the development of new vehicle concepts, e.g. electrically driven city vehicles for large urban areas. For such vehicles, which may rapidly become obligatory particularly in mega cities, the wheel hub drive makes previously unheard-of space savings possible thanks to the fact that all components relevant for propulsion, braking and driving safety are housed inside the wheel. Vehicle manufacturers can use this as a basis for a range of different body designs.
“At Schaeffler, we are convinced that the further optimization of drive trains based on internal combustion engines and the electrification of the drive train will continue to generate an extremely high level of attention. Hybridization will continue to progress, driven in part by increasingly high-performance start-stop solutions. From a technical standpoint, however, attention must still be paid to the internal combustion engine, whether as a primary drive source or as a range extender”, says Prof. Peter Gutzmer, Chief Technology Officer at Schaeffler.
Accordingly, Schaeffler is showing a wide range of innovative products for modern mobility in China at Auto Shanghai. Innovations from Schaeffler that make a significant contribution to increasing the efficiency of vehicles with conventional drive trains are generating a high level of interest. When considering these improvements in detail, this potential in the internal combustion engine can also be achieved by optimizing the thermodynamics, minimizing pump losses and frictional resistance, using ancillary equipment controlled according to requirements, targeted thermal management, downspeeding, downsizing, and the engine start-stop function. A reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 4 percent can be achieved, e.g., by using a Schaeffler thermal management module: This module controls the temperature conditions of the engine and ensures operation in the optimal temperature window in the fastest possible time. The cold running phase is significantly shortened as a result.
Further potential for reducing fuel consumption can be achieved by switching off the internal combustion engine – whenever possible. Schaeffler is a system supplier for engine start stop systems (ESS) and is continuously developing new components and subsystems to reduce the undesired secondary effects of stopping the engine. “The micro hybrid, that is the start-stop function, will feature in automobiles across the board in a very short time”, says Prof. Pleus, Member of the Executive Board Engine Systems at Schaeffler. “Start-stop systems place special requirements on different components, and Schaeffler offers a wide range of customized solutions to fulfill each of these.”
R&D expertise in China
Not only are Schaeffler’s technological solutions tailor-made. Schaeffler’s development and manufacturing capacities are tailored to the customer. Our extensive local presence is also structured accordingly, and operates as an integral part of the global Schaeffler network. In addition to it’s various Chinese production sites, Schaeffler also has a fully equipped research and development center in the motor city Anting near Shanghai. This center has a floor space of 21,000 m² and offers state-of-the-art equipment, software and an optimal infrastructure for diagnosis and test activities. As a certified Schaeffler technology center, this R&D facility is part of the Schaeffler Global Technology Network and offers comprehensive technical support combined with global expertise for customers on site. In terms of engineering skills and systems expertise, Schaeffler engineers in Anting are trained to develop both local and global solutions. The Schaeffler Technology Center in Anting is also a hub for electric mobility. Around 40 dedicated engineers are involved in research, development and testing of new products and solutions for the next generation of technologies in the field of electric mobility.
