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 TRW Automotive demonstrated a number of ways in which it is sup-porting vehicle manufacturers to reduce fuel consumption and emissions - beyond powertrain solutions. In addition to developing fuel efficient steering, braking and heating ventilation and air conditioning technologies, TRW demonstrated how its driver assistance systems could be used to support driver behavior and further optimize fuel consumption.
Peter Lake, executive vice president, Sales and Business Development at TRW said: "There is more to fuel efficiency than just powertrain. While 60 to 70 per cent of the fuel's energy input to the vehicle is lost in the powertrain and driveline, the remaining 30 to 40 per cent offers great opportunities for improved energy use. This includes driving habits, which can have a major impact on fuel consumption. We could think about the concept of a 'Green Button' within the vehicle, which automatically ensures that the driver is travelling in the most fuel efficient mode”.
Lake added, “Several of TRW's current systems could be used to manage improvements in fuel efficiency and emissions levels. Working on the theory that a driver could select a 'fuel efficient mode,' systems would respond to optimise both safety and fuel efficient driving patterns. It has also been demonstrated that driver assist systems can help to improve traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion - a potentially significant contribution to reducing harmful emissions”.
For example, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) would maintain a safe driving distance while optimizing acceleration and deceleration rates with fluctuations in traffic flow to achieve maximum fuel efficiency.
Research carried out on vehicles equipped with ACC technology over a five-month period revealed that fuel consumption was reduced by three per cent. In addition, map and positioning data could communicate with the ACC system to manage power and acceleration based on information regarding the grade of upcoming hills or sharpness of bends. Intelligent camera systems can read traffic signs and communication devices can receive signals from road infrastructure to anticipate speed reductions or traffic signals to begin deceleration and optimize energy recovery during stopping. As another example, TRW's video-based Lane Guide System would ensure the most efficient road trajectory to eliminate wasteful friction caused by additional steering maneuvers.
A look at TRW fuel efficient technologies and they include Slip Control Boost (SCB) and ESC-R in the area of chassis development. Termed as regenerative braking systems, (ESC-R and SCB) provide full stability control and work seamlessly within a hybrid system to provide brake blending between the friction brake system and the deceleration provided by the electric motor. Regenerative braking is used in full hybrid powertrains to recover brake energy to help recharge the batteries rather than dissipating the energy through heat in the friction brakes. Regenerative braking can provide up to 7 per cent fuel efficiency benefits, and TRW's systems are key enablers to implement full hybrid powertrain systems that can provide over 30 percent fuel efficiency benefits. With TRW Electrically Assisted Steering systems, energy for the steering assist is provided via an electric motor rather than via a hydraulic pump driven by the vehicle's engine. Therefore, energy consumption of the power steering system is about 75 per cent to 85 per cent lower than a conventional hydraulic steering system, thereby reducing overall fuel consumption by up to 4 per cent. In addition, by decoupling the steering system from the internal combustion engine, EAS systems are a critical enabler to start-stop systems, hybrid electric vehicles, and electric vehicles that cannot rely on engine power to provide steering assist at all times.
In the area of driving behaviour and related analysis, TRW's systems include radar sensors and GPS. TRW's 24 GHz and 77 GHz radar sensors offer ACC functionality, which ensure consistent driving behavior and result in a positive impact on fuel consumption. Furthermore, TRW systems can be linked with GPS information indicating upcoming curves/inclines and ensure the correct gear is chosen. TRW's video sensors offer lane guide functionality, which allows the driver to steer in the most direct route within the lane - using less energy from the steering system. Traffic sign recognition capabilities can also optimize driving patterns. The direct and indirect Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems inform the driver when tyres are under inflated to improve rolling resistance and reduce fuel consumption by up to 2 per cent.
In the area of climate control, TRW has developed an efficient comfort control system. The efficient comfort control system minimizes energy draw on vehicle powertrains, while maintaining occupant comfort through advanced HVAC control algorithms, contributing up to 5 per cent fuel efficiency gains.
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