Special Edition • September

is a Matter of Detail From the engine to the transmission to the chassis, our engineers analyze every detail of the automobile system. The many ideas we get from this analysis are translated into innovative products created by working closely with manufacturers. In everything we do, our main objective is to increase the performance, safety, and economy of today’s automobiles. Click to enter and explore the world of Schaeffler Automotive: www.schaeffler.com/ Automotive Our ability to respond quickly to specific requirements is what makes us a renowned partner for the automobile industry. But it...

there are many ways to achieve the same Goal Every month, self-appointed luminaries – especially from the political sphere – can be heard proclaiming new solutions for environmentally friendly and “sustainable” drive trains. This sometimes makes it difficult to maintain a clear head and a steady hand when developing marketable solutions for future CO2 regulations. In this field too, a “not only/but also” is more constructive than the categorical “either/or” – despite what the environmental scaremongers might believe. After all, there are many ways to achieve the same goal. With its diversification...

The Voltage is Right The increasing electrification of the drive train compensates for the intrinsic weaknesses of the internal combustion engine and utilizes additional potential for efficiency. However, electric boosters, actuators, and control systems often require high levels of electric power, either briefly or permanently. It is no longer possible to achieve this using existing 12-volt on-board electric systems. Schaeffler’s electric axle can also be operated with 48-volt current. tional outlay with 48-volt systems remains straightforward because special technical safety and qualification...

“Schaeffler has also identified the potential for efficiency offered by hybridized drives with 48-volt components, and we already have a number of solutions available for these”, said Schaeffler CTO Prof. Peter Gutzmer in his assessment of the technology’s market opportunities. Technologies for drive assistance on which focus is being placed include electrical camshaft phasing, hybrid modules, axle drive solutions, and electromechanical torque vectoring units. In addition, Schaeffler is also researching an entire range of other functions that could be optimally integrated into a 48-volt system...

The electric axle also allows torque vectoring, the variable distribution of torque. The flow of force is selectively distributed (lower image), drive torques can be superimposed, and driving safety is thus increased. ization without major outlays. Major advances can be made in terms of drive efficiency, however. The 48-volt electric system makes operating strategies possible that were previously the exclusive domain of vehicles with high-voltage hybrid components: These include so-called “crawling” in traffic jams and parking using electric power, in addition to boosting when moving off, “sailing”,...

Start-Stop Systems – Much More than just  a Starter Start-stop systems are the point of entry into drive train electrification. They perform more functions than just starting the engine in some current vehicles. Schaeffler considers itself as a partner for different startstop concepts with its broad technology portfolio. tart-stop systems are not present day developments: The first vehicles with this technology were presented by Volkswagen and Toyota in the 1970s. However, these systems were not widely accepted: Comfort was considerably impaired when the engine was started and switched off and...

cles without start-stop systems to more than one million in the case of vehicles with a sailing function or hybrid operating modes”, emphasizes Schaeffler CTO Prof. Peter Gutzmer. The crankshaft bearings, for example, now run much more frequently with mixed friction before a stable hydrodynamic lubricant film is formed. This phenomenon also affects the camshafts and tapping elements of the valve train. The situation is also similar for many components in the drive train, such as the dual mass flywheel, which is subjected significantly more often to the resonance that occurs when the engine is...

completely disconnects the starter ring when the engine reaches the required speed and thus does not cause any drag torques during normal engine operation. “A problem that occurs when a belt-driven starter generator is additionally used for boosting and energy recuperation is that rapid switching between boosting and energy recuperation can cause vibrations in the belt drive. This is prevented by a special tensioner on the belt drive, which assists the load reversal”, explains Dr. Eckhard Kirchner, Director of the Extending Systems Product Group at Schaeffler. The tensioner uses an oscillating...

„48-volt Hybrid for Small Vehicles“ Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Gutzmer (59) studied mechanical engineering in Stuttgart with a focus on internal combustion engines and transport and completed his doctorate there. He moved to Porsche‘s development department in Weissach in 1984. In 2001, he joined the Schaeffler Group as a development manager for product strategy. Prof. Gutzmer has held various various positions within the company and is currently responsible for product development at Schaeffler AG. He also has lectureships at Karlsruher Institute of Technology and Tongji University in Shanghai. Volatile...

past. We are expecting significantly staggered development in India because India does not invest nearly as much in its automotive future, has a strong diesel market and buyers are considerably more cost-conscious than in China. India addresses all automotive issues very carefully, while China is aims to rapidly gain market leadership with regard to specific industrial issues. East Asia will be the hotspot for the automotive future with its large number of trend-setting megacities. But electrification is also gathering momentum in Europe and North America will follow. Are these also your markets...