8th
November 2007 - TRW Extends
Electric Parking Brake Technology Across Wider Vehicle Range With
Electric Drum-in-Hat (eDIH) Park Brake
TRW Automotive Holdings
Corp., the global leader in active and passive safety systems, is
unveiling a new electric drum-in-hat (eDIH) park brake concept that
frees up valuable interior space, allows for easier installation with
fewer components, and integrates with other safety systems to bring the
safety and comfort benefits of electric park brake technology to a range
of larger vehicles. The system is anticipated to be production-ready by
2011.
"TRW is in a unique
position to combine its market-leading expertise in electric park brake
technology with our drum-in-hat rear brakes where we hold a market
leadership position in North America," said Josef Pickenhahn, vice
president, braking engineering for TRW. "We are extending the range of
electric park brake solutions to vehicles requiring drum-in-hat parking
brakes to include all of the enhanced performance characteristics,
comfort and convenience advantages that electric systems offer."
The eDIH system, along
with other TRW electric park brakes, eliminate the need for hand levers
or foot pedals in the cabin interior to engage the park brake. You
simply use a switch to activate the system. This frees up valuable
interior space and allows for greater freedom of vehicle cockpit design,
along with improved crash characteristics in the pedal area.
Additionally, the TRW
eDIH is a fully electric park brake system, not a cable puller, as is
the case with a number of competitive systems. The connections are
purely electrical and there are no cables, which add significant cost
and complexity during the vehicle manufacturer's assembly process and
can cause reliability issues.
Safety is also
significantly enhanced by electric park brake systems. These systems
better protect against vehicle roll away because the maximum clamp force
is always applied. And in emergency stopping situations, rear wheel
anti-lock can be applied to prevent spinouts, something not offered by
conventional mechanical park brake systems.
Additional functions
such as Auto Hold and Hill Hold provide drivers a greater degree of
safety, comfort and convenience. When activated, Auto Hold holds the
vehicle in a stationary position until the driver presses the
accelerator pedal -- making it unnecessary to keep the brake pedal
depressed in situations such as traffic jams. Hill Hold does not allow
the vehicle to roll on a hill either from a parked position or in
situations such as traffic lights.
The eDIH system is
ideal for larger vehicles which require a greater clamp force for
parking than is currently available from electric park brake caliper
systems. This vehicle segment already uses a high percentage of
drum-in-hat style rear brakes that can easily be adapted to the eDIH
system. The eDIH system can effectively park vehicles up to the 19,000
lb. GVW range.
In addition, a number
of high-end performance vehicle manufacturers prefer drum-in-hat rear
brake solutions and are currently considering the eDIH system as an
alternative to their current park brake solution. A major consideration
is the ability to tune the service brakes separately from the park brake
with no compromise in the performance of either system.
"The improved
performance, ease-of-assembly and lower warranty costs of electric park
brake solutions like the electric drum-in-hat make these systems an
excellent long-term solution for vehicle manufacturers while providing
greater safety, comfort and convenience for vehicle owners," concluded
Pickenhahn.
About TRW
With 2006 sales of
$13.1 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive
suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through
its subsidiaries, operates in 28 countries and employs approximately
63,800 people worldwide. TRW Automotive products include integrated
vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering
systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and
airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and
aftermarket replacement parts and services.
All references to "TRW
Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW
Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise
indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at
www.trw.com.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This release contains
statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from
those contained in forward-looking statements made in this release. Such
risks, uncertainties and other important factors which could cause our
actual results to differ materially from those contained in our
forward-looking statements are set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (the "10-K") and on Form 10-Q
for the quarters ended March 30, June 29, and September 28, 2007, and
include: production cuts or restructuring by our major customers; work
stoppages or other labor issues at the facilities of our customers or
suppliers; non- performance by, or insolvency of, our suppliers and
customers, which may be exacerbated by bankruptcies and other pressures
within the automotive industry; the inability of our suppliers to
deliver products at the scheduled rate and disruptions arising in
connection therewith; interest rate risk arising from our variable rate
indebtedness; loss of market share by domestic vehicle manufacturers;
efforts by our customers to consolidate their supply base; severe
inflationary pressures impacting the market for commodities; escalating
pricing pressures from our customers; our dependence on our largest
customers; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; our substantial
leverage; product liability and warranty and recall claims and efforts
by customers to alter terms and conditions concerning warranty and
recall participation; limitations on flexibility in operating our
business contained in our debt agreements; the possibility that our
owners' interests will conflict with ours and other risks and
uncertainties set forth under "Risk Factors" in the 10-K and in our
other SEC filings. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update
any of these forward-looking statements.
Source: TRW Automotive Press
Release