ZF TRW wins award for heated steering wheel technology

Multi-move robot machinery replaces all manual operation with fully automated process

ZF TRW wins award for heated steering wheel technology
Revolutionary product and process innovation with proprietary tooling simplifies production process.

ZF TRW has announced that it will start production of its innovative heated steering wheel technology – conductor insert heating system (CIHS) – with a major European vehicle manufacturer in 2017.

The design can be combined with ‘Hands On Detection’ (HOD) to enhance safety and comfort, and support the development of automated driving.

Bridging the gap between product design and performance, CIHS technology represents a revolutionary product and process innovation in the manufacture of heated steering wheels.

Greater freedom in component design is achieved by the elimination of heat induction carrier material while product performance is enhanced by placing the heating wire directly on the steering wheel surface.

These processes allow for a reduction in weight and complexity and permit the inclusion of many additional steering wheel functions, as specified by the customer.

Guido Hirzmann, group leader said: “The steering wheel also plays a critical role in driver comfort and control as the vehicle’s primary Human Machine Interface.

“Automated driving and the increased demand for driver assistance systems are changing the way we drive and are playing a significant role in making our roads safer.

“This latest ZF-TRW innovation supports this trend and can provide an important safety system across all vehicle segments for minimal additional cost while adding the comfort advantages of a heated wheel.”

ZF-TRW say product quality is improved through simplifying the manufacturing process and using state-of-the-art, fully automatic multi-move robot machinery.

New robot machinery

Finite element simulation allows verification of the product heating performance prior to launching any process or testing activities.

A cutting and wire laying tool inserts the conductor into the steering wheel rim in one step before a fusing tool connects the system.

Finally, a fully automatic end of line tester ensure quality.

Product completion fulfilled the most stringent OEM requirements and independent OEM testing has confirmed that both product function and heating performance have been improved by up to 45 per cent.

To find out more about ZF, follow the ‘more details’ link below.

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