• Schaeffler and Bosch Automotive Steering Systems Corporation established a development partnership
• Schaeffler Intelligent Rear Wheel Steering System has excellent driving comfort, safety and system energy efficiency
• Matisse-Zink: "This is an important milestone in Schaeffler becoming a technical partner in the field of chassis systems
"Herzogenaurach, Germany, September 23, 2020, Schaeffler Group, a global supplier of automotive and industrial products, and Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Systems Co., Ltd. established a development partnership. Both parties will work on intelligent rear-wheel steering systems. Cooperation in the field. The cooperation aims to promote the company’s business development in this field by creating an integrated solution for rear-wheel steering.
Dr. Keiwan Kashi (right), President of the Schaeffler Group Chassis Electromechanical System Business Unit, and Dr. Stefan Waschul, Head of Passenger Vehicle Steering Systems, Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Systems (left), signed a development cooperation agreement on behalf of the two parties
Schaeffler's rear-wheel steering system unit has the advantages of high efficiency and light weight
According to the content of the cooperation between the two parties, Schaeffler will provide mechatronics rear-wheel steering system (iRWS), and Bosch will use its expertise in software and electronics to provide steering control units. Matisse Zink, CEO of the Schaeffler Group Automotive Main Engine Division, said: “Both parties will use their respective advantages to build a rear-wheel steering system that brings high added value to customers. This is what Schaeffler has become a chassis An important milestone in the process of technology partners in the system field."
Rear Wheel Steering System: Evolution and Development of Mechatronics Technology
In 2015, Schaeffler successfully launched the Mechatronics Intelligent Active Roll Control System (iARC). Dr. Keiwan Kashi, President of the Chassis Electromechanical System Business Unit of the Schaeffler Group, said: “We directly apply the relevant experience of this product to the development of mechatronics rear-wheel steering systems. By combining our electromechanical expertise with the Combining our core capabilities in mass production, we have successfully developed an efficient rear-wheel steering system, which can be tailored to customer needs."
Schaeffler's mechatronics intelligent rear-wheel steering system can improve driving comfort and safety, which has obvious advantages in today's rapidly developing urban traffic. When the rear wheels turn opposite to the front wheels, the system can reduce the turning radius of the vehicle, thereby greatly improving the vehicle's flexibility in small spaces, such as when parking in a crowded city. In addition, the auxiliary steering function of the rear axle improves the handling, stability and riding comfort of the vehicle, as well as the safety of the vehicle. Schaeffler's rear-wheel steering system uses lightweight technology with a maximum total weight of only 8kg. The core of the system is a planetary screw mechanism, which has a self-locking function to ensure that the rear wheels maintain the driving direction without the driver's steering operation. The planetary screw also has excellent efficiency. In addition, the system has been optimized for noise, which is especially suitable for low-noise electric vehicles.
Bosch steering control unit helps improve driving safety
In the cooperation between the two parties, Bosch is responsible for providing the steering control unit. The unit integrates the control electronics module, motor and software system, adopts a modular design and is expandable. It is the basis for realizing the driver assistance function of Schaeffler's new generation of rear-wheel steering system. Bosch steering control unit has been widely used in the front-wheel steering of millions of vehicles and is a market-proven high-performance product.
The control unit uses Bosch's security technology, which can effectively defend against network attacks. In addition, the system also supports OTA remote upgrade. Dr. Stefan Waschul, head of passenger car steering systems at Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Systems Co., Ltd. said: "The third-generation steering control unit we just launched last year has achieved good market performance in front-wheel steering applications. Through this cooperation , We can apply our expertise in this field to rear-wheel steering, and contribute our extensive experience and technical expertise in software and electrical and electronic architecture. These have made us a market leader in steering control systems."
Bosch has decades of experience in software development and steering control, and has a large number of successful customer application cases. According to the signal from the steering wheel torque sensor, the electronic controller of the steering control unit calculates the optimal steering assist, and then transmits the assist torque through the motor. In addition to the torque applied by the driver on the steering wheel, the system also considers many other vehicle parameters in the calculation.