This year’s IAA motto “A moving experience” and the Schaeffler Group’s slogan “Together we move the world” make an excellent match. Products of the Schaeffler brands INA, FAG and LuK are representative of a wide range of sophisticated inventions in conjunction with everything that moves. This is also demonstrated by the exhibits that Schaeffler Group Automotive will display at the 63rd International Motor Show (IAA Cars) in Frankfurt (September 17-27, 2009).
Schaeffler’s focus at IAA will be on innovative components that help to make automobiles safer and more energy efficient. In the Schaeffler Lounge (Tulip Lounge, Hall 5.01, intermediate level), Schaeffler Group Automotive will present the following innovations:
* the world’s first electro-hydraulic fully variable valve control system – UniAir (INA), start-up series for the Alfa MiTo MultiAir (September 2009)
* efficient DSG gearbox with dry clutch – DK (LuK), start-up series for the VW Golf with seven-speed DSG (January 2008)
* a clearance-free and cost-effective wheel bearing solution – wheel bearing with spur gear teeth (FAG), start-up series for the BMW X1 (September 2009)
All these new products make a significant contribution to building the automobile of the future. They improve energy efficiency and thus also help to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Moreover, they improve higher driving precision and thus benefit safety and driving comfort. And these innovations are not just a pipedream, they are already a reality: Following comprehensive development efforts, all three systems and components are in volume production now.
Volume production of the UniAir system, developed by Schaeffler, started in May 2009. The world’s first electro-hydraulic fully variable valve control system optimizes the combustion process. This helps to reduce fuel consumption and emissions significantly whilst improving the performance capacity and response behavior of the engines at the same time. Therefore this joint project between Fiat Powertrain and Schaeffler’s INA brand enables the successful implementation of innovative downsizing solutions that can help to achieve a reduction in fuel consumption of up to about 25 percent. The fully variable valve control, called MultiAir by Fiat, will make its market debut in the Alfa MiTo MultiAir.
The DSG gearbox with dry clutch also makes a significant contribution to efficiency increase. Developed by Volkswagen in close cooperation with Luk, this gearbox is superior to a manual transmission in every respect: It is more economical, sportier and easier to use. Altogether it incorporates nearly three dozen individual parts from the Schaeffler Group’s range of products – from needle roller bearings, angular contact ball bearings and tapered roller bearings all the way through to the dual mass flywheel and the double clutch. The dry clutch of this 7-speed gearbox, which weighs only 70 kg, is the key to an even higher efficiency increase.
The gearbox combines the freedom of a manual-shift gearbox with the comfort of an automatic transmission; and all this without suffering the efficiency losses observed in conventional automatic gearboxes. The high order rates for models available with this DSG gearbox as well as various prestigious awards (such as the “ADAC Yellow Angel 2008” in the “Innovation and Environment” category) provide convincing evidence of the high acceptance for this trailblazing technology that will soon be introduced by further automobile manufacturers.
Schaeffler’s FAG brand has presented a milestone in the field of wheel bearings by bringing its wheel bearing concept with spur gear teeth to market maturity. Compared to components with conventional radial gear teeth, the new concept offers 10 percent weight reduction and in addition enables clearance-free and simple mounting. Thanks to these significant advantages, wheel bearings with spur gear teeth will, step by step, replace the hitherto standard radial gear teeth design.
The Schaeffler Lounge is open to journalists and professional visitors on the two press days (September 15 and 16) and on the trade days (September 17 and 18).
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