To showcase its commitment to developing cleaner, more fuel efficient gasoline powertrain technologies, Robert Bosch LLC recently hosted a gasoline driving systems event at its proving grounds in Flat Rock, Mich. The technology that was on display is guaranteed to still offer optimal performance, the company says. "Although alternative propulsion systems are growing in popularity, conventional internal combustion engines will remain the dominant powertrain option among U.S. light vehicles in the near future," says Sujit Jain, general manager of Gasoline Systems North America, Robert Bosch LLC. "Today's consumers are faced with rising fuel costs and a desire to reduce their impact on the environment. Bosch is committed to developing technologies that meet driver demands while benefiting the environment." During the technology demonstration, Bosch showed several green performance technologies that are currently on the road or will be available in the future: - A start/stop system that switches off the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is at a standstill to help reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 8 percent in urban traffic. Bosch supplies the starter, which is a key component to the system and has been developed specifically for start/stop applications. The system switches the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and seamlessly restarts it again as soon as the driver wants to drive on.
- DI-Motronic, Bosch's second generation gasoline direct injection system (GDI), which offers greater revving range as well as higher torque at a lower speed range. In combination with turbocharging, GDI enables automakers to develop smaller engines, while maintaining performance. These downsized engines with GDI achieve the same output with a smaller displacement, and also consume less fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 15 percent.
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT), which can be used in vehicles from sub-compact cars to SUVs with diesel, gasoline or hybrid drive systems, and allows the vehicle to use up to 5 percent less fuel and emit less CO2. The CVT continuously adjusts the transmission ratio without interruption via a flexible steel belt, placed between two sets of pulley halves, which deliver power from the engine to the wheels. As the vehicle speeds up, the first set of pulleys move closer together, the second set move farther apart and the belt moves toward the axle. The gear ratio changes as the belt rides higher or lower on each set of pulley halves. Due to the fuel efficiency and emissions reduction features, CVT transmissions are attracting growing interest from automotive manufacturers worldwide. Bosch's annual CVT belt production figure is currently 2 million, but the company predicts that by 2015 there will be 8 million newly licensed vehicles equipped with CVT transmissions.
For more information about the Bosch Group and its green technologies, visit the company's Web site. |
