Schaeffler celebrates the official launch of its new generation electric cam phase adjustment system at its Taicang manufacturing base. Image: Schaeffler

July 9, 2024 | Taicang

Schaeffler's new generation electric cam phase adjustment system will be first applied to local brand plug-in hybrid vehicles

The new generation of products has faster and more precise adjustment speed, effectively improving the efficiency and NVH performance of hybrid dedicated engines

Schaeffler has always been committed to the development of electrification, providing better services to customers through continuous product innovation and localized capacity building

On July 8th and 3rd, 2024, Schaeffler held a ceremony at its Taicang manufacturing base to celebrate the official launch of the new generation electric cam phase control system (ECP). The new generation system enhances vehicle driving comfort and further improves engine fuel economy, power, and emissions through faster and more precise valve timing adjustment. This product has obtained multiple local customer projects and will be first applied to plug-in hybrid vehicles of a well-known domestic automobile manufacturer.

In hybrid vehicles, the internal combustion engine remains a key component that affects the overall efficiency and performance of the vehicle. Schaeffler has rich system knowledge and leading technology in the field of engine variable valve timing technology, which can play an important role in supporting customers to develop more efficient engines and meet the requirements of hybrid power applications, "said David Kehr, head of the Valve Mechanism Business Unit of Schaeffler Group's Engine and Transmission Systems Division.

New generation electric cam phase adjustment system: faster and more accurate

In hybrid applications, the engine is transitioning towards the role of a hybrid specific engine (DHE), and the changes in operating conditions pose different technical requirements for engine development. For example, on hybrid cars, the engine starts and stops more frequently, resulting in NVH issues such as noise and vibration. The electric cam phase modulation system can adjust the valve timing before or during engine start-up, reduce the pressure inside the cylinder during start-up and shutdown, and make the engine start and stop smoother, thereby improving driving comfort. In addition, significantly advancing the cam timing can also enable the engine to increase torque faster during acceleration, improving the engine's transient response speed. This not only helps improve engine efficiency, but also enables the vehicle to achieve better driving performance.

In 2015, Schaeffler began production of an electric cam phase adjustment system. Compared to hydraulic drive systems, the Schaeffler electric cam phase adjustment system is increasingly being applied in more and more customer models due to its significant advantages. On this basis, Schaeffler continuously conducts technological research and product upgrades. The new generation of electric cam phase adjustment system put into production this time has higher integration, faster and more accurate adjustment speed, and wider adjustment range.

The new generation system consists of intelligent motors and reducers, with the motors using high lifespan and maintenance free DC brushless motors. The system adopts the latest topology structure, integrating power modules and control software into the motor for the first time. Using Schaeffler's mature control software can reduce customers' software integration and calibration work. The system also supports client software control, which is conducive to the platform application of the product. The reducer adopts harmonic reducers widely used in the industrial field, and Schaeffler was also the earliest supplier to use harmonic reducers in electric cam phase adjustment systems. The latest generation of harmonic reducers not only has a compact structure, light weight, and low noise, but also has advantages such as high reliability and accuracy. In addition, the entire system adopts a modular design, which can adapt to various hybrid specific engine applications according to different customer needs.

Schaeffler has always been committed to the development of electrification through innovative technology

Schaeffler has always been committed to the development of powertrain electrification and can provide comprehensive solutions from components to the entire system according to customer needs, meeting different forms of electrification application requirements. Schaeffler offers innovative products for hybrid specific engines, including an electric cam phase adjustment system, a balance shaft system with rolling bearings and special raceways, shock absorbers, oil-free hydraulic lifters, lightweight roller rocker arms, and other engine components. These products meet the higher requirements of hybrid specific engines in terms of space, efficiency, and NVH.

Wu Hao, Senior Vice President of Schaeffler's Engine and Transmission Systems Division in China, said, "Hybrid technology plays an important role in the development of electrification, and hybrid models have a huge market demand in China. The mass production of the new generation electric cam phase adjustment system shows that we fully leverage our technological advantages in the field of internal combustion engines, continuously innovate our products, strengthen local production capacity construction, better support the development of new car models for customers, and help promote the development of the new energy vehicle industry

(Source: Schaeffler AG)