Schaefflers new mechatronic system already in use in unnamed SUV
A new mechatronic rear axle steering system from Schaeffler recently celebrated its premiere in an all-electric SUV from a “renowned vehicle manufacturer”. Unfortunately, Schaeffler does not mention the launch customer by name.
Schaeffler states that thanks to the new steering system for the rear axle, the vehicles gain manoeuvrability in city traffic, stability when changing lanes and manoeuvrability when parking. In addition to its first customer, the supplier also convinced other car manufacturers to use the steering system in their vehicles in the future.
The company explains that the key to its new rear-wheel steering system is the planetary roller gear: “a world’s first based on precision mechanical engineering from the company’s in-house industrial technology operations”. The resulting system is particularly compact, lightweight, quiet in operation, and optimized for easy vehicle integration. Further models with Schaeffler’s rear-axle steering system are scheduled to go into series production in 2023 and 2024.
“Thanks to its optimized inner design, our rear-wheel steering system is more compact and requires less installation space in the vehicle,” said Clément Feltz, Head of Chassis business division at Schaeffler. “As a result, automakers can save up to 15 per cent in weight compared to alternative systems.” The design of the system has also been acoustically optimised, which also means less noise, especially in already-quiet electric cars.
We are familiar with rear-axle steering systems in electric vehicles, for example, from the Mercedes EQE or EQS. The special feature of Schaeffler’s new development is said to be a planetary screw drive (instead of the usual trapezoidal screw drive), which is “based on high-precision mechanics from the company’s own industrial technology”. According to the supplier, this makes it possible to produce a system that is particularly small, quiet and light and can be easily integrated into vehicles. In addition to the first customer, this product has also convinced other car manufacturers who will use the steering system in their vehicles in the future.
Schaeffler’s rear axle steering system is made up of two subsystems. At its heart is a high-precision mechanical system with the aforementioned planetary screw drive. Added to this is a power pack that comprises the electronics, electric motor and software. According to Schaeffler, the entire system ensures a smaller steering radius and better manoeuvrability, especially in electric vehicles with batteries in the underbody and the resulting large wheelbases.
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