TRW's integrated brake control system gains heightened customer interest

LOCKE TOWNSHIP, Mich., Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) is demonstrating its latest innovation in braking – the Integrated Brake Control (IBC) system - at a customer event in Locke Township today. TRW's IBC is a vacuum independent technology which can simplify the brake system while enhancing performance.

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Josef Pickenhahn, vice president, Braking Engineering commented: "Since we introduced this technology over a year ago, we've received significant interest from customers and now have development contracts running with major European vehicle manufacturers.

"The system offers excellent braking performance that will make a considerable difference, for example, when combined with future driver assist systems, such as radar and camera, to enable features such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). With these functions becoming more important – in particular with tougher Euro NCAP requirements for 5 star ratings and increased requirements for 'Top Safety Picks' in the U.S. - we believe that our IBC will be the braking solution of choice for the future."

The IBC replaces – in a single integrated unit – the electronic stability control (ESC) system along with the vacuum booster and the associated cables, sensors, switches, electronic controllers, and vacuum pumps where they are required for low-or no-vacuum configurations.

At the heart of the system is an actuator that is driven by an extremely fast-acting brushless electric motor. This is monitored by a rotary encoder that provides the control ECU with data on revolutions turned, rotational speed and position. Also integrated into the system is a separate hydraulic circuit designed to communicate the driver's braking intent to the system via an electronic signal while retaining the traditional feel of a hydraulically operated brake.

Pickenhahn continued: "The brushless electric motor gives the system its remarkable braking performance and ESC capability.  This provides an exceptionally fast pressure rise rate which translates into a one g vehicle deceleration in less than 150 milliseconds."

IBC also offers considerable packaging and weight savings compared with current ESC systems – weighing just under 4kg in contrast with 7 kg for a conventional component set.  It is planned that TRW's IBC will be ready for production for 2016 model year applications.  

About TRW

With 2011 sales of $16.2 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 26 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide.  TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services.  All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.  TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at www.trw.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  All forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (our "Form 10-K"), and our Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2012 and June 29, 2012, such as: any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our financial condition, results, cash flows or reputation; any shortage of specialty resins, castings or other supplies causing a production disruption for any customers or us; general economic conditions causing a material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results or the viability of our supply base; the unsuccessful implementation of our current expansion efforts adversely impacting our business and results; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting our profitability; increasing costs negatively impacting our profitability; the loss of any of our largest customers materially adversely affecting us; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic and political uncertainty in some regions, adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; any inability to protect our intellectual property rights adversely affecting our business or our competitive position; costs of product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to adversely alter contract terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; costs or liabilities relating to environmental, health and safety regulations adversely affecting our results; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers adversely affecting our operations; any disruption in our information technology systems adversely impacting our business and operations; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our Form 10-K and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any update or revision to any of the forward-looking statements.   

SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.