We talk a lot about fuel efficiency, but it’s places like Bosch who are actually doing something about it.  One of their great advances comes in electronic solutions to help current cars get better fuel economy.

Two of the biggest systems used to improve fuel economy, as well as safety, are Bosch’s Electronic Battery Sensor and Electric Power Steering.   The Electronic Battery Sensor is designed to not only monitor a battery’s current performance, but also its expected performance down the line, giving you a jump ahead on a dying battery and improving the chances you won’t wind up broken down somewhere with a dead battery.

Electric Power Steering, meanwhile, starts with a sensor that registers the movements of driving and sends electrical signals to a motor on the steering column to augment that steering motion, cutting down on the amount of force involved and thus saving wear on the vehicle and improving fuel efficiency by cutting down on jerky movements.

It’s surprising how deeply involved Bosch components are to fuel savings, but you learn something new every day.

Continue reading...

China is aggressively committing itself towards the auto industry through various car technologies and it looks like attention these days has shifted towards the development of advanced steering products. China Automotive Systems today announced that the research and development (”R&D”) center of its subsidiary, Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. (Henglong), has evolved into the leading automotive steering technology research operation in China, as China Automotive Systems enters the global market for automotive steering systems.

After only three years in operation, the R&D center has 28 power steering-related national patents including 2 invention patents and 26 utility model patents, covering products, processes, equipment and other innovations. It has a focus on market-oriented solutions and applications. The new products it developed have been manufactured through CAAS’s subsidiaries for more than 20 domestic and foreign automotive OEMs, and produced cumulative sales in excess of RMB 847 million by the end of 2008.

Among the new steering technologies the center is currently independently developing are: low-noise power steering technology, stabilizing power steering valves, electric power steering (EPS), electronically controlled hydraulic power steering (EHPS), and other innovative technologies. In addition to new products, the R&D center develops proprietary manufacturing equipment and processes for the efficient production of its steering units.

(Source) Press

Continue reading...

For people who want a vehicle that can accommodate and tow large masses, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe is one worth considering. Being sold in the market for roughly $56,000, it does seem like a good deal.

However, as far as fuel consumption is concerned, many are apprehensive. With a 6.0 liter V8 engine, who can blame them? But if there is any consolation, you can be assured that Chevrolet and General Motors have exhausted all means to make this large hybrid become fuel efficient. The Tahoe can run on electric power alone up to 30 mph, and on a combination of romping V8 engine power and electric power when maximum power is needed.

This $56,000 vehicle is loaded with both technology and equipment, and the fuel economy stuff alone includes active fuel management, greater use of aluminum in the engine, and new valve opening technology with variable valve timing and late intake valve closing. But it also includes some simple tricks like electric power steering and an electric air conditioning compressor.

(Source) Oak Hill Gazette

Continue reading...