Schaeffler Mobility for Tomorrow: Electrified Concept SUV
Cost-effective Solutions to Meet CAFE 2025
DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent poll of major North American automakers and tier suppliers*, 64 percent of respondents do not feel confident that their teams will develop technology fast enough to meet the coming CAFE targets at a price and complexity that U.S. consumers can bear. Doing its part to meet CAFE challenges and continuing its Mobility for Tomorrow strategy, Schaeffler Group North America unveiled the second phase of its North American concept SUV that targets a 35-mpg combined city/highway rating at its press conference this morning at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
"During the second phase, our engineers added powertrain electrification to augment the mechanical optimization efforts that were completed in the first phase," said Philip George, director of advanced development, Schaeffler Group North America. "Today we're excited to announce that as a result of our phase two efforts, the vehicle is well on its way to achieving a 35-mpg combined city/highway rating that targets the 2025 CAFE requirements for this vehicle size and class, while utilizing technologies that are both cost-effective and will be production ready within this decade."
Schaeffler's concept vehicle, named "Efficient Future Mobility North America," is based on a 2013 Ford Escape with AWD, a 2.0-L EcoBoost engine and a 6-speed automatic transaxle.
Focused on developing technologies that cost effectively meet industry requirements, the phase two improvements were carefully selected to minimize the otherwise expensive task of electrifying the powertrain. Furthermore, the novel architecture that was selected allows components, such as auxiliary transmission pumps and individual, electrically driven engine accessories, to be eliminated thereby offsetting overall system on costs.
"With the need to implement electrification of the powertrain in high volumes in order to reach the CAFE standards of tomorrow, it is increasingly important to find a solution that offers a high degree of function while minimizing implementation costs," said George. "Investigating concepts that alter the paradigm of today's hybrid vehicle is a step that is required in order to successfully reach these challenging targets. Via the completion of phase two, Schaeffler will have both the proven fuel-reduction solution and system integration expertise to help automakers most efficiency meet 2025 CAFE requirements."
Phase Two Improvements
Notable phase two alternations include:
- A parallel hybrid system including a selectable power flow between the transmission and the 48-volt MGU equipped accessory chain (the concept will retain phase one's torque converter-equipped automatic transmission and the 2.0-L combustion engine);
- A novel Schaeffler clutching system that enables independent operation of the engine and the accessory chain, thereby improving both mechanical and electrical kinetic energy recovery;
- A system that, by combining the 48-volt MGU with the accessory chain, allows for the electrification of all accessories and the transmission pump without the need for individual motors or additional components;
- An updated component layout to more easily accommodate vehicle model variants; and
- A ride height adjustment system for improved aerodynamics.
About Schaeffler
Schaeffler with its product brands INA, LuK and FAG is a leading global provider of rolling bearing and plain bearing solutions and of linear and direct drive technology, as well as a renowned supplier to the automotive industry of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions and chassis. The group of companies with operations around the world generated revenue of approximately EUR 11.2 bn in 2013. With more than 80,000 employees worldwide, Schaeffler is one of the largest German and European technology companies in family ownership. With 170 locations in 49 countries, Schaeffler has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, sales companies, engineering offices, and training centers.
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 400 North American engineers and technicians, who are supported by a team of more than 6,000 global engineers, drive development in the region 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.
*Poll of 250 people representing the major North American automakers and tier suppliers conducted at Schaeffler's 2014 Symposium in September 2014.
SOURCE Schaeffler Group North America
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