NEUSS/LAS VEGAS- Leading automotive supplier Yanfeng has unveiled their new modular steering wheel concept, ClickRim, at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This revolutionary design and production approach is aimed at setting new standards in the industry, offering customizable surface materials and recyclable components.
With the ClickRim steering wheel, Yanfeng is able to cater to specific requirements by allowing individual tailoring of surface materials such as fabric, leather, artificial leather, or other wrapped or molded materials. Not only is this steering wheel a design feature, but all components used are also recyclable.
The traditional production process for a steering wheel is extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive, taking an average of 60 minutes to manufacture one unit. The wrapping process accounts for most of this time, as it involves a complex, manual process of applying foam coating, bonding a heating mat, and finally wrapping the surface material. Each step requires precise manual processing.
However, the ClickRim concept changes this process entirely by introducing individual segments or half shells that are clipped onto the steering wheel rim and connected to each other. This allows for endless possibilities in terms of design, with options for two, three, or four shells that can be made of various materials such as wood, leather, fabric, or natural fibers. The shells also come pre-assembled with lighting, hands-off detection functions, and heating mats.
Yanfeng has developed a new manufacturing process that combines two production steps, resulting in a significant reduction in production time. The shells are now wrapped automatically with spacer fabrics and leather, with the injection-molded part already wrapped and fitted with the heating mat. The company’s logo or the vehicle model branding can also be integrated directly into the shell during this process. The decorative or connecting seams on the steering wheel cover are no longer necessary but can be added if required.
According to Patrick Nebout, Chief Technology Officer at Yanfeng, “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.”
The development of this modular steering wheel involved a cross-functional collaboration between Yanfeng’s interior, electronics, and passive safety product departments in Germany, North America, and China.
Nebout added, “Through cross-business unit collaboration, we are able to rethink and reorganize processes.”
In addition to its innovative design and production process, ClickRim is also part of Yanfeng’s Circular Steering Wheel concept, which focuses on recycling and maintenance of steering wheels. The modular design allows for easy disassembly and return of individual components to the material cycle. The metal armature, spacer fabrics, and surface materials used can all be recycled.
“With each new development, we take a holistic view of a product’s life cycle – from design to manufacture and use, all the way to the return of materials into the cycle,” said Nebout.
The use of spacer fabrics in the wrapping process instead of traditional foam will also help reduce CO2 emissions by 1.0 kg per steering wheel.
The ClickRim steering wheel has passed all standard prototype tests, including head impact and body block tests and is targeted towards the premium and mid-range segment. This close-to-series concept development is set to be used in the next generation of vehicles in model year 2025.
For further information, please contact:
Yanfeng International
Jagenbergstraße 1
41468 Neuss
Germany
Astrid Schafmeister
Tel.: +49 2131 609-3028
E-Mail: astrid.schafmeister@yanfeng.com
About Yanfeng
Yanfeng is a leading global automotive supplier, specializing in interiors, exteriors, seating, cockpit electronics, and passive safety. With over 240 locations and 57,000 employees worldwide, Yanfeng has a technical team of 4,200 experts located at 12 R&D centers and regional offices. They offer engineering and software development, design and user experience, and test validation services. Focusing on smart cabin and lightweight technology, Yanfeng helps automakers explore future mobility concepts and provides leading cabin solutions. For more information, please visit www.yanfeng.com.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.