With 1,146 registered patents, the Schaeffler Group ranks fifth in the German Patent and Trademark Office’s list of patent applicants that is published annually. In this list, 747 patents are for new products from Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG with its brands INA and FAG and 399 patents are from the Schaeffler brand LuK. You will find more information here: www.dpma.de.
This means that among the new applications for patents by the Schaeffler Group, important developments such as the world’s first electrohydraulic valve control system UniAir (developed and manufactured by INA), FAG’s pioneering wheel bearing concept with face spline or LuK’s dry double clutch are now protected by patents. Important components for the hybridization of motor vehicles as well as the dual mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum-type absorber, which is a further product innovation for the drive train vibration damper in production for 25 years, are among the patents included in the time period relevant for the publication. All these elements play a role in reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
“Energy efficiency has always been a core element of our activities, both as a provider of several products for a wide range of industrial sectors as well as a supplier for vehicle manufacturers. Accordingly, reducing CO2 emissions also forms an important part of our product range”, says Prof. Dr. Peter Gutzmer, President Technical Product Development at the Schaeffler Group.
When considering the automotive sector, a very wide range of products for engines, transmissions and chassis help achieve significant improvements in fuel consumption and harmful substance emissions. These products contribute to increasing energy efficiency both actively, such as UniAir or the double clutch transmission, and passively. Components that make a passive contribution include the dual mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum-type absorber or torque converters with turbine dampers. These components reduce the idling speeds of automobiles without influencing the driving comfort. The noticeable reduction in the idling speeds has a significant effect on the fuel consumption.
“Innovations form the foundations of our success”, says Prof. Dr. Peter Gutzmer. “This means future trends have to be recognized and the company’s strengths have to be extended to new areas”. Accordingly, the importance of mechatronics sector is increasing. This is documented impressively by the increasing number of products – and patents – related to the hybridization of automobiles and the issue of electric mobility.
“The focus is always on people here in a corporate culture that fosters creativity. Ultimately, each innovation begins life as an idea”, says Prof. Dr. Peter Gutzmer. In the Schaeffler Group, 4,800 employees work on the development of new products and technologies at 32 locations worldwide.
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