In this interview, Matthew Beecham spoke with Alexander Gädke, Director, advanced engineering, control innovations of ZF Lenksysteme about the company.
just-auto: we can start by asking if you could us through the ZF Lenksysteme roadmap for operating systems talk? I think fuel consumption, packaging, complexity, quality and, of course, cost considerations must all be taken into account?
In recent years, lower fuel consumption is the main driving force to introduce EPS in all passenger vehicles. While all cars are equipped with EPS in the future, there is the possibility of new functionalities in all cars.This can be both security features such as comfort functions.
In order to meet cost, quality and the packaging requirements of our customers, developed ZF Lenksysteme GmbH (ZFLS) a modular kit for EPS. This modular kit consists of the main components of a EPS, for example, ECU, engine, sensor, gear.
net-car: in the early days of EPS, clients and reviewers criticized the poor send feeling, especially fuzziness around the centre position.I believe that these issues are now cleared up?
On the basis of new control algorithms that have been developed for the EPS, it is now possible to create a first-class send feeling. EPS systems (EPSdp, EPSapa) by ZFLS are [a] benchmark regarding performance and send feeling in the market.
just-auto: as I understand it, Ford is increasingly electrical control in its models not only to improve driving comfort and improve fuel economy, but the door open for driver-friendly features such as parallel parking.Electric steering technology Can act as a catalyst for a number of other driver-enhanced features?
There will be a lot of new driver assistance functions are available for end customers in the future. It has already begun with parallel parking assistance (for example, in the VW Golf, Passat since 2005) and continues to functionalities such as lane keeping assistance.
It will also be possible functions for the management of autonomous congestion and probably we drive completely autonomous in the future, at least on the highways. [] The sensors to discover the surroundings (camera, radar, etc.) be room for improvement.
just-auto: I think EPS systems are hydraulic steering-assist systems to push away.How do you see the hydraulic steering sector to evolve in the coming years?
We believe that the hydraulic steering gear is not so quickly from the market so often said will disappear. particularly in the emerging markets will hydraulic power steering is still a problem in the low price segment.
just-auto: If EHPS systems a bridging technology, the question is how long do you define that transitional period?This period Will reach in 2015 or 2020 or will it end in two years time? I think it depends on the platform you have is the introduction of this technology?
EHPS systems will disappear from the market in the coming years.These systems have drawbacks in particular as regards the cost and functionality compared with EPS.For example, it is not possible to features such as parallel parking assist system by a EHPS. fuel economy is also not as good as an EPS.The saving of an EPS in comparison with a HPS system is approximately 99%. A EHPS system saves approximately 80% compared with HPS.
net-car: what is the importance of EPHS systems for hybrid vehicles?
Most of the hybrid vehicles are today heavy vehicles like SUVs.In the past was EHPS necessary because EPS was not powerful enough to send these heavy vehicles.But today our EPS systems have improved [] that we offer EPS systems for all vehicle classes, including heavy SUVs.
just-auto: is there an appetite for expensive EPS in some emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, India and China?How do you see this application uses in emerging markets?
We also see a request for EPS systems in the emerging markets, especially for small vehicles.But these EPS systems will come with lower requirements with regard to functions and control performance compared to Europe or the United States.By reducing these requirements, the cost of these systems are reduced.
just-auto: some analysts estimate that by 2015, the European market for mounting send rates of 25-30% HP between 55-65% EPS and 5-10% could expect EHPS. How do you see the market grows in the next five years?
These values are mounting pretty well on our predictions.
just-auto: as we see it, send via the cable is still an advanced technology with limited application potential. sure, you can prove and realize all kinds of advanced features with it but in the vehicle to bring costs the OEM an immense amount of money. so I guess the question here is: will the end customer are willing to pay for it if he/she almost the same functionality with AFS and EPAS could get combined?
We believe that steer-by-wire is still [the] future. at present there is not a real advantage in such a system. on the other hand, the cost of such a system be much higher compared to an EPS.
just-auto: what's next for power steering? we have seen how the EPS system has become very popular among automakers. technically speaking, however, what is in the pipeline, that is to say next generation?
The EPS is a very young system. There will probably not be a whole new generation within the next ten years. most technical improvements will happen on the site of the component a keyword when we talk about component is lightweight construction. improvement by reducing the weight of an EPS will make it possible to store in the future even more fuel. therefore, new materials are investigated at the time.
just-auto: are there other approaches are being developed that use advanced electronic techniques? What about rear wheel steering maybe supplemented by ultra-capacitors in conjunction with improvements in sensors, power and control?
We believe that rear wheel steering a niche market in the future will be. But ZF works on this system.
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