NEUSS/LAS VEGAS – January 9, 2024. Yanfeng is unveiling the innovative ClickRim modular steering wheel concept at the 2024 CES, setting new standards in design and production. The steering wheel offers customizable surface materials, such as fabric, leather, and artificial leather, thanks to its changeable segments, allowing for individual tailoring to meet specific requirements. In addition to its design versatility, all components used in the steering wheel are recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
Manufacturing a steering wheel is a highly time-consuming and labor-intensive process, with an average production time of 60 minutes per wheel. The wrapping process is the most time-consuming, as traditional steering wheels are wrapped using a complex manual process. This includes applying a foam coating to the metal skeleton, bonding a heating mat, and finally wrapping the surface material. Each step requires precise manual processing, contributing to the overall time and effort required for production.
Transitioning from manual production to a completely automated process
The ClickRim modular steering wheel concept revolutionizes the traditional steering wheel by creating individual segments or half shells that can be easily attached to the rim and to each other. These segments can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, leather, fabric, or natural fibers, and can be combined in different configurations. The innovative feature of this concept is that all lighting, hands-off detection functions, and heating mats are pre-assembled and integrated directly into the shells, making for a seamless and efficient design.
Yanfeng has innovated a new manufacturing process that streamlines production by combining two steps. They have created a process where shells are automatically wrapped with spacer fabrics and leather. The injection-molded part is wrapped with the spacer fabric and equipped with a heating mat. Additionally, the company can integrate the automaker’s logo or vehicle model branding directly into the shell during the wrapping process. While decorative or connecting seams on the steering wheel cover are no longer necessary, they can still be added if desired.
“Our new automated wrapping process allows us to save around two-thirds of the conventional production time for each steering wheel while maintaining efficient costs,” said Patrick Nebout, Chief Technology Officer at Yanfeng Technology. The company’s innovation team worked cross-functionally across Germany, North America and China on the development of the concept for this new, modular steering wheel.
The new modular steering wheel concept ClickRim from Yanfeng is revolutionizing steering wheel design and production. With changeable segments and recyclable materials, the steering wheel can be individually tailored to meet specific requirements.
The traditional steering wheel production process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. However, Yanfeng has developed an automated process that reduces production time by two-thirds while maintaining efficient costs.
Recycling and maintenance of the new steering wheel is now easier than ever, thanks to its modular design. The new steering wheel has passed all standard prototype tests and is ready to be used in the next generation of vehicles in model year 2025.
“Through the cross-business unit collaboration between our interior, electronics and passive safety product departments, we are able to rethink and reorganize processes,” added Nebout.
ClickRim is a key component of Yanfeng’s Circular Steering Wheel, designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Prior to this innovation, the recycling and maintenance of steering wheels was a complicated process. With the new modular design, the individual components can be easily disassembled and returned to the material cycle, including the metal armature, spacer fabrics, and surface materials.
“With each new development, we are faced with the challenge of taking a holistic view of a product’s life cycle – from the product design to the manufacture and use of the product at the end of its life, right through to the return of individual materials into the cycle,” Nebout said.
Zastosowanie tkanin przestrzennych zamiast konwencjonalnej pianki w procesie owijania kierownic pozwoli Yanfengowi zmniejszyć emisję CO2 o 1,0 kg na kierownicę.
Nowa kierownica przeszła wszystkie standardowe testy prototypowe, w tym testy uderzenia głową i blokowania ciała. ClickRim jest skierowany do segmentu premium i średniego.
Ten bliski serii rozwój koncepcji jest gotowy do użycia w następnym pokoleniu pojazdów w modelu roku 2025.
– Zdjęcie dostępne na AP –
O Yanfengu
Yanfeng jest wiodącym globalnym dostawcą dla branży motoryzacyjnej, który skupia się na wnętrzach, nadwoziach, fotelach, elektronice kokpitu i pasywnej ochronie. Yanfeng ma ponad 240 lokalizacji i około 57 000 pracowników na całym świecie. Zespół techniczny składający się z 4200 ekspertów znajduje się w 12 centrach R&D i innych biurach regionalnych, oferując pełne możliwości, w tym inżynierię i rozwój oprogramowania, projektowanie i doświadczenie użytkownika, oraz walidację testów. Skupiając się na inteligentnej kabinie i lekkiej technologii, Yanfeng pomaga producentom samochodów eksplorować koncepcje przyszłej mobilności i dostarczać wiodące rozwiązania kabinowe. Aby uzyskać więcej informacji, odwiedź www.yanfeng.com.
Dystrybucja: pap-mediaroom.pl
