TROY, Mich., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Delphi Corp.'s (NYSE: DPH) Electric
Power Steering (EPS) business continues to grow with seven production
programs, including the new Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx. Delphi has
extensive design and production experience with nearly 2.5 million units in
production since 1999. Delphi's EPS system is currently available on five
European models, including the European Car of the Year, the Fiat Panda.
Delphi has also secured new EPS contracts during 2003 valued at more than
$1 billion over the life of the contracts.
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Delphi EPS system's unique combination of a compact, modular design with
flexible tuning capability enables Delphi to reduce the number of variations
required for various models within a given platform. Therefore, using a
single, common EPS component set, very specific vehicle or brand
characteristics can be achieved via rapid laptop tuning.
"The flexibility of tuning our electric power steering systems provides a
unique and cost effective opportunity to help distinguish steering feel as it
relates to brand character," said Robert J. Remenar, president, Delphi
Steering. "Within minutes our engineers can tune the system on a laptop
computer for a different feel. The result is specific brand differentiation
through steering feel for vehicles equipped with Delphi EPS."
The system offers consumers value on many levels including helping to
increase fuel economy by up to 4%, increased safety with power assist even
with the engine off, and overall improved steering performance with variable
effort assist for easier parking and comfortable, taut, highway driving.
Delphi EPS uses an electronic control module that analyzes data -- at a
rate of 500 times per second -- from the vehicle's electronic speed sensor and
other sensors measuring torque and steering wheel position on the steering
shaft. Using intricate control algorithms, the control module decides the
direction and amount of steering assist required.
Once the control module determines the level of assistance needed, it
sends a command to the variable speed, brushless motor. The motor then drives
a gear mechanism to provide the necessary steering assist.
The active system continuously adapts giving the driver the optimal
steering assist at all times and in all conditions. At low speeds it provides
more steering assistance for easy turning and parking while at high speeds the
assistance is lessened for tight steering responsiveness.
Some of the advanced features of Delphi EPS help enhance the returnability
characteristics of the vehicle with its assisted return-to-center feature. In
a traditional steering system, when the steering wheel is turned and then
released, the driver typically must help it back to center. EPS uses
motorized assistance to automatically bring the steering wheel back to center.
This feature helps give the driver greater vehicle control. Assisted return-
to-center also allows the suspension designer more latitude in setting
parameters -- no longer does the designer have to make suspension trade-offs
to achieve the necessary returnability characteristics.
Another advanced feature available is active damping. Delphi EPS uses
control algorithms (mathematical formulas) to eliminate possible overshoot,
going beyond center, when the steering wheel returns to center. Active
damping helps give the driver greater vehicle control by returning to center
more quickly and dependably.
"State-of-the-art electronics, including sensor and controller
technologies, have dramatically improved our ability to enhance the
performance of our steering systems," said Remenar. "The expertise we have
gained from engineering and manufacturing EPS will allow Delphi to
aggressively move forward in the development of future advanced steering and
electronics-based, integrated chassis systems."
For more information or for a picture of Delphi's EPS, visit Delphi's
Media Room at http://www.delphi.com/media .
SOURCE Delphi Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.delphi.com/media
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Company News On-Call:
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CONTACT:
Carrie Wright of Delphi Corp.,
+1-989-757-4043, Carrie.Wright@delphi.com
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