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Research and Markets: Global Market Review of Foundation Brakes Forecasts to 2017

DUBLIN--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/0051f7/global_market_revi) has announced the addition of the "Global Market Review of Foundation Brakes Forecasts to 2017" report to their offering.

“Global Market Review of Foundation Brakes Forecasts to 2017”

The apparently simple issue of braking continues to be a major issue for engineers. Drivers are, of course, concerned that in an emergency, their vehicles should stop as quickly as possible. There is a practical limit to braking performance, set by the ability of the tyre contact patches to transmit the forces involved without sliding. However, advances in tyre design, soon to be complemented by the ability of electronically controlled braking systems to distribute effort according to wheel load (if, for example, the brakes are applied while the vehicle is cornering), mean that limit is now potentially very high, at least on dry road surfaces. This is throwing the onus very much back to the braking system developers.

The forces driving innovation in foundation braking are:

  • weight reduction
  • residual torque reduction
  • NVH continuous improvements
  • performances
  • style
  • mechatronics

Brake manufacturers continue to focus on designs that improve brake feel and reduce engineering costs. Executives at Continentals hydraulic brake systems business told just-auto: One means of saving weight when designing brake components is to replace materials such as cast iron or steel, with lighter materials, such as aluminium, other light alloys or even plastic. However, the use of alternative materials is currently restricted to aluminium since extremely high demands are made of these materials. During its life, a brake will be operated several million times, subjecting it to great pressure; the material is also exposed to moisture and road salt and so far only cast iron, steel and aluminium have shown that they are able to cope with such demanding conditions. More efficient design techniques and intelligent lightweight construction can produce slimmed-down components without limiting their functionality. Specialised CAD software makes it possible to optimise component structures on the computer.

Following Chapter 1's Introduction, Chapter 2 The market, provides an overview of latest market trends and profiles the major OE manufacturers. It goes on to provide manufacturers' OE market shares by region and we update just-autos product fitment forecasts, predicting in some detail how the OE market volume for brake disc and drums will evolve in Europe, Japan and North America from 2007 through to 2017.

This chapter includes exclusive, lengthy interviews with senior executives of Brembo, Continental, and TRW.

Chapter 3 Technical review This chapter sets out a review of recent innovations in the foundation brakes arena. This chapter includes an exclusive interview with IFR Automotive.

Extract:

j-a: In what ways do hybrid and electric vehicles change future braking system requirements?

Continental: Working in conjunction with a hybrid drive system, [Continentals Regenerative Brake System] allows energy recovery during braking. The basic concept and the components of conventional brakes are broadly kept the same.

The generator function contained in the vehicles hybrid drive initially takes over the braking function and converts the braking energy into electricity to charge the battery. Only when the deceleration is not sufficient are the conventional brakes activated via the Regenerative Brake System. The SBA [Simulator Brake Actuation] simulator conveys optimum pedal feel to the driver at all times. The system is ideal for all hybrid vehicles as well as electric and fuel cell vehicles.

TRW: From a foundation braking perspective, nothing changes. From a brake control perspective, we have to be able to blend friction braking with regenerative braking for strong hybrids. TRW offers two systems SCB (in production in the US), a vacuum-less hydraulic apply system; and ESC-R, which can be vacuum-based (for mid-upper segments) or vacuum-less (for small segments). As a hybrid or electric car does not have background noise, which can mask brake noise, there are also new NVH requirements to expect.

Chapter 4 Manufacturers This chapter provides profiles of the major manufacturers, namely Advics, Akebono, Bosch, Brembo, Continental, Delphi and TRW.

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 The market

  • Market trends
  • Market players
  • Advics
  • Akebono
  • Bosch
  • Brembo
  • Q&A with Brembo
  • Continental
  • Q&A with Continental
  • Mando Corp
  • TRW Automotive
  • Q&A with TRW Automotive
  • TMD Friction
  • Market shares

Chapter 3 Technical review

  • Defining the elements
  • Recent innovations
  • Q&A with IFR

Chapter 4 Manufacturers

  • Advics
  • Akebono
  • Bosch
  • Continental
  • Delphi
  • TRW

Appendix Glossary of terms

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/0051f7/global_market_revi