Schrader Awarded TPMS Contract
Schrader Electronics Ltd, part of Tomkins Industrial and Automotive Division, has been awarded the contract to supply remote tyre pressure monitoring systems (“RTPMS”) to Mercedes starting in 2006.
TPMS and RFID
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Yokohama Make IAA Debut
Product NewsYokohama marked its IAA debut by featuring its new HiTES pressure monitoring system as the centrepiece of its stand.
Bridgestone and Conti Join Forces to Advance TPMS
Product NewsBridgestone has teamed up with competitor Continental to develop an advanced tyre pressure monitoring system for commercial vehicles. The two companies will join forces to mass produce the system which is expected to be released into the market in 2007. The companies are aiming to position the product as a “global standard.”
TPMS On the Up as of 2005
Product NewsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has proposed that tyre monitoring systems should be installed on 50 per cent of new vehicles sold after 1 September 2005, according to DB Global Equities New York.
The new proposal requires car manufacturers to install a direct tyre monitoring system to indicate when a tyre is more than 25 per cent under inflated and will eventually include 100 per cent of new cars by 1 September 2007. NHTSA estimates the cost of each device at between £26-40.
Industry representatives believe that by 2007 TPMS could grow to a $1 billion (£55 million) per year revenue opportunity. Currently there are at least five major auto parts suppliers competing in this segment of the market: Lear, Delphi, TRW, JCI and Continental. The announcement could also mean good news for Beru, a leading producer of direct measuring systems that provides software to Lear through a licensing fee agreement.
US Authority Proposes TPMS System
Product NewsThe US government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has officially proposed that all new vehicles carry a TPMS. The announcement comes after the NHTSA sent the draft rule to the Office of Management and Budget on 1 July.
SmarTire’s High Pressure European Launch
Product NewsSmarTire Systems Inc has announced it will make its tyre pressure monitoring system for high pressure tyres available in Europe. According to the company, the system is designed to work in high pressure environments of between 150 and 200 psi.
SmarTire chose the Automechanika show in Frankfurt as the venue for its high pressure product’s European debut. Commenting on the news John Taylor-Wilson, VP sales and marketing, said: “The impact of TPMS on large vehicles translates into solid and demonstrable cost savings and benefits to the owners and operators of these vehicles. Combined with the safety aspect of our products, these benefits have already generated considerable market interest in TPMS. SmarTire for high-pressure tyres such as buses, recreational and commercial vehicle applications will be aggressively introduced in the respective European markets.
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RDKS By Siemens VDO For Commercial Vehicles
Product NewsSiemens VDO Automotives has developed a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for commercial vehicles that it will present at the next Automechanika show.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems on the Advance
Product NewsWhen a concept, like Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), is still relatively new, it means that developments are more clearly noticeable. Even in a few months it is possible to trace the concept’s development.
There are two versions of this technology; direct and indirect measuring systems. As you would expect, both have advantages and disadvantages. Direct systems are substantially more expensive but more precise than indirect systems. Indirect systems are cheaper, but less accurate. These systems were originally based on the ABS infrastructure, but are now also based on ESP. Indirect systems cross-link with the vehicle’s electronics so they cannot be installed after manufacture. Conversely, direct systems are components of the wheel and therefore can be re-tooled relatively straightforwardly in the aftermarket.
It is not yet clear which system will be accepted as the standard, something that is largely to do with American legislation. The American road safety authority, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will have to decide which criteria will govern the regulation of these devices before they can become components in newly certified vehicles in the USA.
In the past decisions had to be taken back because interest groups opposed them. Sometimes representatives of the other competing technology protested, sometimes consumer federations did, and on other occasions the automakers makers used their influence. Again and again new arguments arose, most of which contained at least a few good ideas. The consumer federations, for example, argued that drivers have a right to the best technical solution, which supports direct measurement. The manufacturers, on the other hand, referred to the fact that, in the US, ABS is still far from penetrating the market as well as the technology has in Europe (100 per cent of new vehicles produced in Europe are now fitted with ABS). If one side decides to support indirect measuring systems, ABS has to be introduced at the same time, which gives significantly more leverage to the safety argument. In short the decision remains up in the air.
Self-Inflating Tyres
Product NewsAt Automechanika, SKF will be presenting a so-called ‘air wheel bearing’ through which air-pressure can be filled into the tyre. The bearings are used within the Tire Intelligent Pressure Management (TIPM) system, which was developed under the leadership of Michelin. TRW Automotive and WABCO are involved in this tyre pressure control improvement project.
TPMS Becoming More and More Common
Product NewsRunflats are becoming more and more common and not only for high sophisticated models such as the Ferrari 612 Scaglietta, which uses Bridgestone RE 050 RFT – but also for middle class models. However because it is necessary to use a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) when using runflats, these systems are becoming more popular from a lot of companies outside the tyre industry. In the next issue Tyres & Accessories will give an overview of why tyre dealers have to be involved in such a growing market segment.
Canadian Safety Association to Promote SmarTire
Product NewsSmarTire Systems Inc has announced that the British Columbia Safety Council (BCSC) will resell its advanced tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS
NHTSA Submit New TPMS Rule
Product NewsThe NHTSA has sent a new Tyre Pressure Monitoring rule to the US Office of Management and Budget, 11 months after the agency’s original rule was rejected by the US Appeal Court.
SmarTire Secures $5 Million Bus Order
Product NewsSmarTire Systems Inc., in conjunction with is master distributor in China, Beijing Boom Technology Co. Ltd., closed a deal to supply the Taiwanese tour bus industry.
SmarTire Achieves Milestone with its Commercial Vehicle System
Product NewsSmarTire Systems Inc. (OTCBB: SMTR) announced that it has completed the development of a new receiver allowing for the manufacturing of its tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) for commercial vehicles to commence in July 2004.
ALPS Develops Batteryless TPMS
Product NewsJapan-based ALPS Electric has completed development of a batteryless tyre pressure monitoring system and plans to commence mass production this year. The system has been developed in collaboration with the world’s leading tyre and valve manufacturers and will be on display at the ALPS Show, to be held at the New Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo for three days, beginning 26th May.
