With the exhibit advanced Drive, Schaeffler is giving detailed insights into its wideranging product portfolio.

The mobility of the future will also be defined in Japan by a range of optimized drive trains based on the internal combustion engine, hybrid solutions and electric mobility

Schaeffler envisages potential for optimization in internal combustion engines of up to 30 percent

Schaeffler makes decisive contributions to reducing fuel consumption and harmful substance emissions

Efficient future mobility is the motto of Schaeffler’s appearance at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show (November 30 – December 11, 2011). Schaeffler is showing the concept study advanced Drive in the Japanese city. This exhibit provides an insight into Schaeffler’s extremely varied product range for energy-efficient and forward-looking mobility using products for power trains based on the internal combustion engine as an example.

Based on the diversification strategy used by supplier to the mobility industry Schaeffler, these components for increasing efficiency cover a wide-ranging spectrum of modern automobility. This is because Schaeffler offers innovative solutions for optimizing the drive train based on the internal combustion engine as well as key components for hybrid vehicles and advanced solutions for electric vehicles.

With the eDifferenzial and a hybrid module – as produced in volume in this application for a Japanese customer – Schaeffler is showing two products in Tokyo, which are representative for a large number of Schaeffler products that are relevant to hybrid applications and electric mobility. The classical parameters for vehicles with conventional drive trains based on the internal combustion engine, such as driving dynamics and driving safety, but also weight reduction and driving pleasure, are also gaining importance in electric mobility. The eDifferenzial from Schaeffler is a good example in this respect. It enables so-called torque vectoring, which involves selective distribution of the drive torque thereby providing unique driving dynamics in electric vehicles.

“Without any doubt, the number of electric vehicles and automobiles with hybrid drives will continue to increase”, says Prof. Peter Pleus, Member of the Executive Board Schaeffler and responsible for Engine Systems, “but over 90 percent of all automobiles worldwide will still have internal combustion engines in 2020. “In most of these automobiles, internal combustion engines will also serve in future as the single or primary drive source or they will serve as range extenders. These internal combustion engines still have a great deal of room for improvement in terms of fuel consumption – up to 30% in practice. And even if Japan can look back on a growing tradition of hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, close attention is paid in Japan to optimizing the energy efficiency of internal combustions engines.”

When considering these improvements in detail, this potential can be achieved by optimizing the thermodynamics, minimizing pump losses and frictional resistance, using ancillary equipment controlled according to requirements, targeted thermal management, downspeeding, downsizing and the start-stop function. “Start-stop functions with a mild hybrid providing a proportion of the driving force will feature in automobiles across the board in a very short time”, says Prof. Peter Pleus. “Start-stop systems place special requirements on different components. We are prepared for this trend.” Schaeffler's concept study called advanced Drive demonstrates this system and other products for the efficient drive of today and the future.

“The requirements that efficient and forward-looking mobility place on suppliers to the automobile industry involve increasing levels of complexity in components, modules and systems", explains Prof. Peter Gutzmer, Member of the Executive Board and CTO at Schaeffler. “The continuing requirements for increased energy efficiency mean that the focus is on reducing weight, optimizing friction and the increasing wide-ranging variability in the valve train.”

Energy efficiency is deeply-rooted in the DNA of Schaeffler. Ultimately, optimizing frictional resistance is the primary purpose of a rolling bearing. In addition, reducing fuel consumption and emissions is the primary motivation of valve train components, which Schaeffler has been manufacturing for decades. The company’s product range has long incorporated a wide variety of components, modules and systems that can achieve significant improvements in energy efficiency. This includes double-clutch solutions, dual mass flywheels and torque converters with centrifugal pendulum-type absorbers, CVT components, electromechanical actuators, numerous products for variable valve trains, belt drives with optimized friction characteristics and other solutions for engines, transmissions and chassis. Sustained research and development activities in our global network of Schaeffler development centers enable the product range to grow on a continuous basis.

“With its efficient future mobility motto, Schaeffler continues to consistently pursue the path it has always traditionally taken”, says Dr. Juergen M. Geissinger, CEO. “Schaeffler is in an excellent position in this respect”. We will further develop our capacities in research and development as well as in manufacturing and orient ourselves towards the demands placed on us by the automobile of today and tomorrow.. With a view to our innovative product range and the demands of global energy-efficient mobility, Schaeffler will gain more than proportional benefit from the growth in worldwide automobile manufacturing. Schaeffler is a global supplier of expertise for efficient future mobility. We will also use the Tokyo Motor Show to talk with potential future employees, because our global positioning means we offer excellent career opportunities for engineering students and experts alike. In the next years we are looking for 3.000 engineers and skilled workers for our planned growth in Asia.”

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