With start / stop sailing, Bosch also enables emission-free, noiseless and low-resistance driving over long distances in combustion engines. The innovative technology switches off the burner while driving, which means that it no longer consumes fuel. The engine shuts off as soon as the vehicle is able to maintain its speed by simply rolling - for example, on a slight incline. If the driver presses gas or brake, the engine starts again.
Tests by Bosch have shown that in about 30 percent of all driving times the engine power is not needed at all. The vehicle can therefore sail on around one third of all routes. Although these phases are not taken into account in the new European driving cycle, in real traffic drivers save up to ten percent on fuel. "Start / stop sailing is cheap, can be combined with all combustion engines and significantly reduces fuel consumption," says Dr. Rolf Bulander, Managing Director of Robert Bosch GmbH.
- 30 percent noise and emission free sailing phases
- Function can be combined with all internal combustion engines
- Economical system reduces CO2Emissions in real traffic
- Dr. Rolf Bulander: "Start / stop sailing will be as normal as the air conditioning."
The innovation is largely based on an expansion of the software based on existing sensor information. In addition, the start / stop starter is designed for higher load and a faster restart. The cost of additional components is relatively low and the system can be integrated into just about every vehicle in the world. Whether it is a diesel in Europe, a gasoline engine in North America or a natural gas vehicle in Asia, beneficiaries are the motorists as well as the environment. Reduced fuel consumption means reduced CO2 emissions at the same time. In Germany, 2012 bought around three million new vehicles. According to statistics, the average annual mileage is around 11 500 kilometers. If every new car were to emit only ten grams of CO2 per kilometer less due to the sailing technology, the savings per year theoretically add up to over 30 000 tons of CO2.
Sailing will become the standard
In some cars sailing is already possible "light" by means of dual-clutch transmission. This automatically switches to idle as soon as the driver leaves the gas. So the car rolls, but still consumes fuel because of the idle mode. Bosch traditionally relies on a completely switched-off engine with its globally successful start / stop systems. The first generation switches off the engine only when the vehicle is stationary. In the extended start / stop system, the engine is already turned off during coasting, for example, in front of a red traffic light. Vehicles with start / stop sails, on the other hand, switch off the burner while driving, as soon as the foot is not on gas or brake. This saves even more fuel. And since the engine is decoupled, the vehicle can slide longer than for example with the fuel cut.
"Start / stop sailing will soon be as normal as the air conditioning system," says Bulander.
Bosch relies on the fuel-saving function of many of its innovative products. An example of this is the electronic clutch eClutch. This allows the sailing function comfortable even on vehicles with manual switches. The eClutch disengages automatically and the engine is switched off as soon as a sailing phase is possible. Even with the new entry-level hybrid from Bosch, the Boost Recuperation System, the sailing function is an additional component to save even more fuel. The 48-Volt hybrid with power-boosted generator and compact lithium-ion battery already saves 15 percent fuel through electrification alone. In real operation with sailing with the engine off, an additional ten percent reduction is possible - up to a total of 25 percent fuel savings. Also because of the wide range of applications, in any combustion and hybrid vehicle, the newly developed, fuel-saving start / stop sailing function of Bosch at the "Dinner for Winner" of the journal Automobil Production was awarded as "Most Innovative Technology" in the category "Green".
