New Sensor ‘Significantly’ Reduces TRW TPMS Costs

TRW Automotive Holdings reports the use of its new design LCCI (Low Cost Clamp-In) sensor for tyre pressure monitoring systems results in “significantly lowered costs for the system.” TPMS units featuring the LCCI are scheduled to be introduced in 2011 model year vehicles in the US.

The new design, explains TRW Automotive, features a valve that screws directly into the housing, allowing for a single housing with multiple valve design capability.  This results in less parts and higher reliability than using a screw and nut. The new design also features laser welding of the cover to the housing, a compliant pin battery and valve connection, and a heat resistant, long life battery capable of operating within a range of -40 to 120 degrees Celsius.   

“This new, low cost sensor design is a first step in our roadmap to fundamentally lower the cost of TPMS, which is good news for a technology with recognised value being mandated in North America and soon in Europe and South Korea. These systems must first and foremost have robust performance across a range of challenging operating conditions, but must also be affordable for vehicle manufacturers and their customers,” said Martin Thoone, vice president, global electronics engineering for TRW.