The Transmission is the Key to the Engines of the Future
VIENNA, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In the future, engine and transmission developers will have to work more closely together to achieve significant improvements in fuel economy. In his opening speech at the 36th International Vienna Motor Symposium, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Gutzmer, deputy CEO of Schaeffler AG, called on them to do just that. "We must consider internal combustion engines, electrical components, and transmissions as a whole," he told the audience of more than 1,000 participants.
Experts from Schaeffler carried out simulations to demonstrate how the ongoing electrification and transmission design processes influence one another. The first calculation compares a C-segment vehicle with and without a 48-volt hybrid system, respectively. The 1.4-liter gasoline engine is identical in both cases but, while the non-electrified vehicle features a seven-speed transmission, the 48-volt hybrid has only four gears. The use of this electrified transmission provides a fuel economy improvement of 18 percent in the WLTC (Worldwide harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle), which will apply in the future.
In its second simulation, Schaeffler tested a sport utility vehicle (SUV) equipped with a 3-liter V6 engine. While the conventional vehicle features an eight-speed planetary transmission, the electrified version is equipped with a 24 kW electric motor installed in a five-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy improvement achieved in the WLTC is 14 percent in this case, but significant savings can also be achieved even without electrification.
"The optimization of the internal combustion engine therefore remains immensely important for Schaeffler," explained Gutzmer.
As an example, he demonstrated how the use of a fully-variable valve train allows fuel consumption to be influenced by changing the opening and closing times of the valves. The engine can thus be operated without throttling at low loads, which reduces fuel consumption by more than eight percent at specific operating points. At high loads, lengthening the intake valve opening time allows the tendency towards knocking and the need for enrichment to be reduced. Further savings could be achieved in all relevant operating ranges through the use of variable compression.
"When it comes to energy efficiency, variability pays off," explained Gutzmer. "However, it must always be assessed together with the number of gears, the degree of electrification, and the system costs."
Electrification allows a greater number of drive architectures to be achieved. "Because of the wide variety of possible combinations, the automotive industry is under increasing pressure to provide an answer to the question of which drive architecture is the right one," said Gutzmer.
As an automotive supplier, Schaeffler develops technical solutions that allow the overall level of efficiency of the drivetrain to be increased. These include components and systems for modern high-efficiency engines with a high power density, as well as clutches and bearings for transmissions. Schaeffler also makes efficient electrification possible at every voltage level, from 48-volt hybrids through to plug-in hybrids with high-voltage technology.
About Schaeffler
The Schaeffler Group is a leading global integrated automotive and industrial supplier. The company stands for the highest quality, outstanding technology, and strong innovative ability. The Schaeffler Group makes a key contribution to "mobility for tomorrow" with high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The company generated sales of approximately EUR 12.1 bn in 2014. With more than 82,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world's largest technology companies in family ownership and, with approximately 170 locations in 50 countries, has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales companies.
Schaeffler is a recognized development partner for global automakers and suppliers. To serve the North American automotive market, Schaeffler operates development centers in: Troy, Mich.; Fort Mill, S.C.; Wooster, Ohio; and Puebla, Mexico. The company's 500 North American engineers and technicians, who are supported by a team of more than 6,000 global R&D engineers, drive development in the region by utilizing state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment, computational tools and CAD systems. Schaeffler Automotive has headquarters in Fort Mill and manufacturing facilities in: South Carolina; Missouri; Ohio; Ontario, Canada; Puebla and Irapuato, Mexico. For more information, please visit www.schaeffler.us.
SOURCE Schaeffler
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