IAA 2007: Environmentally-compatible BERU innovations
BERU products in numerous vehicles at the world’s largest car show help to reduce pollutant emissions, while significantly enhancing safety.
(Ludwigsburg, 17. August 2007) “See, what’s driving the future”: On the 13th of September 2007, this slogan will kick-start the world's largest international car show in Frankfurt/Main in Germany. Innovative BERU products in numerous IAA innovations ranging from Alfa to Volkswagen, already guarantee greater safety and lower emissions.
BERU Ignition Technology: High-tech spark plugs for compact engines
Developers at the Ludwigsburg-based specialist for Ignition Technology, Diesel Cold-Start Technology, Electronics and Sensor Technology have been focusing on environmentally-compatible technologies for some time now. “As a leading specialist in diesel cold-start systems and ignition technology for spark-ignition engines, our company has been committed in a major way to advancing developments in engine technology geared towards improving fuel consumption and reducing exhaust emissions”, explained Dr. Rainer Podeswa, BERU Board Member for Research, Development and OEM Sales.
For example, the latest generation of gasoline engines sees technology trends moving towards greater driving enjoyment coupled with lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. The optimized combustion process and supercharged, compact spark-ignition engines required to do so, demand a great deal from the spark plugs, both in terms of design and choice of material. With its narrow bi-hex spark plugs, innovative ceramic compounds, spark plugs that can position the ground electrodes exactly, and extremely precise production methods, BERU is more than capable of meeting this requirement.
BERU Diesel Cold-Start Technology: fewer emissions, greater output
Optimum combustion and lower soot-particulate and nitrogen-oxide emissions for diesel engines are provided by the BERU Pressure Sensor Glow Plug (PSG), which has already won several innovation awards. The intelligent BERU product consists of the extremely robust heating element of the BERU diesel Instant Start System (ISS) and an integrated sensor, which notifies the engine control electronics of any rapid changes in pressure in the combustion chamber. At the end of 2007, one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers will start installing the BERU PSG as standard equipment in its new vehicles.
A substantial contribution is already being made to providing a clean environment by a number of automobile manufacturers who already fit the diesel Instant Start System (ISS) ex factory. Even at extremely low temperatures of down to minus 25 degrees Celsius, the BERU Instant Start System (ISS) guarantees a ‘spark-ignition engine key-start’, stable idling, clean throttle response and a drastic reduction in soot and nitrogen oxide emissions.
BERU Electronics and Sensor Technology: Definitely environmentally-compatible
The BERU Tire Safety System (TSS), that was awarded the 2007 Allianz Safety prize – the ‘Genius’ – will be available from numerous exhibitors at the world's largest international car show in Frankfurt/Main in Germany as standard or optional equipment. This BERU innovation monitors the tire pressure during a journey and notifies the driver of any drop in pressure, as well as any slow puncture or sudden loss of pressure. This in turn enables the TSS to contribute to greater safety on the road, while also helping to reduce a vehicle’s emissions.
Today, almost every third vehicle is driven with the wrong tire pressure. The environment suffers greatly as a result. For example, experts estimate that a car with a tire pressure that is 0.6 bar lower than it should be will require approximately four percent more fuel. Experts also say that if cars in Germany alone all had the correct tire inflation pressure, then the annual saving in fuel would amount to 200 million liters. That’s roughly the same as a C02 emission level of 490,000 tons. According to computer projections, car drivers in Europe alone could reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the environment by 26 million tons, if their cars had the correct tire inflation pressure! And the cost of prematurely worn tires could be reduced as well. A tire inflation pressure that is 0.6 bar less than specified, shortens the service life of a tire by a full 50 percent.
