Modern automobile technology pursues three goals: high efficiency, energy saving, high comfort and high safety. As one of the most important subsystems of automobiles, the development of steering systems has also been striving to achieve these goals. Compared with the traditional hydraulic power steering system (HPS), the electric power steering system (EPS) can save fuel consumption by about 3% to 5%. It has the advantages of exquisite structure, energy saving, environmental protection, safety and comfort, and is the development direction of automobile power steering systems.
Infineon, as the world's second largest supplier of automotive semiconductors, has been committed to developing new products to adapt to the development of electric power steering systems. This article first introduces the market analysis of the steering system and the classification and basic functions of EPS. Then on this basis, it introduces Infineon's solutions and products for EPS systems based on two different motors. Finally, this article analyzes the two EPS New directions and solutions and new product technologies that Infineon will adopt.
1. Steering system market analysis
In the development process of automobiles, the steering body has gone through four stages: from a simple pure mechanical steering system (Mechanical Steering, MS) to a hydraulic power steering system (Hydraulic Power Steering, HPS), and then appeared electro-hydraulic power The steering system (Electrically Powered Hydraulic Steering, EHPS), and the electric power steering system (Electric Power Steering, EPS) is currently being widely used.
Compared with the traditional hydraulic power steering system, the electric power steering system mainly has the following advantages:
1) Low energy consumption: EPS does not have a steering oil pump, and the motor only provides power when steering, so power consumption and fuel consumption can be minimized. Compared with hydraulic power steering system, it can save 3% ~ 5% fuel, so the fuel economy has been greatly improved.
2) Good road feel: EPS can provide the best force under various driving conditions and reduce the disturbance to the steering system caused by road roughness. And because the EPS system uses rigid connections, the hysteresis characteristics of the system can be controlled by software, so it has a good sense of road.
3) Easy installation: EPS eliminates oil pumps, belts, seals, hydraulic hoses, hydraulic oil, seals and other parts, and its motor and reduction mechanism are installed in the steering column or in the steering gear, so that the entire steering system Reduced weight, compact structure and easy installation.
4) Good return performance: The EPS structure is simple and accurate, the internal resistance is small, and the return performance is good, and it can be compensated by software, so that the best steering return performance can be obtained, and the steering stability of the car can be improved.
5) Wide range of applications: EPS can be adapted to various vehicles, and is currently mainly used for cars and light trucks. For new energy vehicles, especially pure electric vehicles, the EPS system is the best choice.
6) Construction of vehicle network: EPS has CAN / LIN network interface, which can be combined with other electronic control systems of the car, such as active suspension, brake anti-lock brake (ABS) and driver assistance system, etc., to share its electronic devices Function, to achieve more complex functions, such as the ultimate goal of car intelligence: driverless.
Table 1 below is the forecast of the world-renowned consulting company Strategy AnalyTIcs for the global steering system. It can be seen that EPS will occupy more than 50% of the market share.
Table 1: 2007-2018 Global Steering System Market Forecast (Million Sets)
In terms of regions, EPS was mainly used in Europe, America and Japan in the past. But from 2015, China will surpass Europe, America and Japan to become the world's largest EPS market. See Table 2 below.
Table 2: 2007-2017 Global Steering System Market Forecast by Region (Million Sets)
In terms of different models, EPS can be applied to all general passenger cars, and the average annual growth rate from 2007 to 2017 is 15%. However, due to the rapid growth of the demand for EPS for large cars and light trucks, Table 3 shows that from C The share of small cars below the level fell from 86% in 2007 to 66% in 2018.
Table 3: 2007-2018 Global Steering System Market Forecast by Type (Million Sets)
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