Hybrid Car Review

TRW is working on it's ability to support hybrid technology and growth. They're working on creating lighter components and better braking technology, allowing for better mileage and better power in the future.

News Release
TRW Automotive Unveils Portfolio of Technologies For Hybrid Electric Vehicles


LIVONIA, Mich., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings
Corp. (NYSE: TRW) today unveiled a suite of technologies designed to support
the growth of hybrid electric vehicles. The products and systems range from
simple lighter weight components to advanced braking technologies such as
TRW's Slip Control Boost, a fully integrated slip control system, as well as
electrically powered hydraulic steering systems.
Peter Lake, executive vice president sales and business development, TRW
Automotive, said: "We have developed a range of technology solutions to
support our vehicle manufacturer customers as they develop hybrid electric
vehicles (HEVs). The supplier requirements for HEVs differ from those for
conventional vehicles. Fuel efficiency, packaging flexibility and weight
reduction are key factors, and with smaller volumes, vehicle manufacturers
want to reduce development costs for individual systems and components."
TRW Automotive has developed two brake control systems options: TRW Slip
Control Boost, a fully integrated electronic stability control and brake
actuation system, and the TRW Active Hydraulic Braking system, which is
compatible with any electronic stability control system and replaces the brake
actuation system with an electro hydraulic control unit (EHCU), pedal
simulator and master cylinder solution. These systems enable regenerative
braking, involving energy being captured during the braking process, which is
used to recharge the vehicle's energy storage devices.
For steering, TRW has tailored its electrically powered hydraulic steering
system (EPHS) to offer an off-the-shelf product for HEVs. By optimizing an
existing technology, development costs and time to market are significantly
reduced. With flexible packaging and mounting options, the technology offers
much of the functionality of a full electric system including fuel efficiency
and CO2 emissions reduction. EPHS can convert a standard hydraulic system for
an HEV application.
Phil Cunningham, product planning director, chassis systems, added: "For
higher volume HEV platforms designed from a clean sheet of paper, TRW can work
with customers to develop a unique fully electric steering system. We offer a
range of column and belt drive electrically powered steering (EPS) systems
which offer enhanced functionality and further fuel efficiency and CO2
emission reductions compared even with EPHS systems. These options can be
cost effective solutions when employed to a higher volume conventional
platform which includes a hybrid version."
TRW has also developed an array of weight optimized products within
braking, linkage and suspension and occupant safety systems. TRW offers
lighter weight braking components including front and rear calipers, aluminum
caliper housings and drum brakes and a thin-wide bridge caliper which allows
for the use of a larger rotor for the same wheel size. The use of new
materials has been pioneered across the TRW suspension range including
aluminum control arms and knuckles and precision forged steel control arms
with integrated or detachable ball joints. In occupant safety, engineers have
sought innovative ways to decrease the number of components, reducing both
weight and cost and providing optimized packaging options. Examples include
driver and passenger airbag options.
Lake added: "The support we offer customers in this area is not limited to
components and systems: we also offer systems integration support. The
changes in weight, center of gravity, vehicle dynamic behavior and crash pulse
require tuning to the various control algorithms such as crash sensing and
electronic stability control. We have met with a number of customers and are
exploring numerous ways where TRW's expertise can support the growing HEV
market."