BWI Group develops chassis for innovative wheelchair-accessible vehicle

BWI Group helps develop VPG's innovative mobility vehicle

BWI Group provides improved ride and handling for VPG's new wheelchair-users' vehicle

Kettering, Ohio -- Global braking and chassis systems specialist BWI Group has helped engineer key chassis systems for the first vehicle designed and built from the outset for wheelchair users. BWI Group assisted Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) in developing the MV-1 wheelchair-accessible vehicle, including engineering the brake system, the electronic stability control, and fine-tuning the vehicle's ride.

"The MV-1 is an ambitious new OEM vehicle that improves personal mobility for wheelchair users," said Marty Reder, BWI Group's global engineering director for Brake Systems. "BWI's expertise as a full-service Tier One partner is in demand as vehicle manufacturers of all sizes develop an increasingly diverse range of vehicle concepts for new market sectors. Our technical support encourages vehicle manufacturers to work with us to develop vehicles that set benchmarks in their class and establish new territory for their brands."

The MV-1, manufactured by Florida-based VPG, is purpose-built to meet the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act and is supplied direct from the factory with either a gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system. This innovative vehicle provides full access as well as the ability for a passenger in a wheelchair to ride alongside the driver.

"Aligning BWI Group as an integral supplier for the MV-1 assisted VPG in meeting the challenge of introducing a first-of-its-kind vehicle to serve the mobility community," said Matt DeMars, VPG's President and Chief Operating Officer. "BWI Group's understanding of vehicle issues, its portfolio of technologies and its global manufacturing capability made the company an ideal partner for the MV-1, supporting the process from initial concept right through to production supply."

BWI's involvement in the MV-1 program started in 2006 with initial brake system proposals and a full analysis of the chassis kinematics. Over the development period BWI helped VPG optimize the chassis performance. BWI's chassis specialists provided full brake and ride development services, starting with requirements reviews, to creating designs, to fully developing and testing integrated systems for improved vehicle stability, braking and ride comfort.

"The design ensures that the vehicle remains level and stable, even when cornering," said Reder. "We also configured the electronic stability control (ESC) system to further enhance stability and safety, prioritizing these properties over outright performance." Extensive computer simulation, analysis and testing of the braking system and chassis dynamics ensure that the MV-1 provides stability and comfort under a wide range of dynamic conditions. BWI Group's responsibilities also included vehicle level activities such as ESC calibration, ride tuning, and brake system performance testing. With production underway, BWI supplies a range of suspension components, assemblies and modules. The front corners (comprised of knuckles, bearings, rotors and caliper assemblies) are provided as complete modules. BWI also supplies the vehicle levelling system, front coil-over-shocks and rear dampers, brake vacuum booster and master cylinder, ESC modulator, and the yaw/lat combination sensor.

BWI Group is the strong and well-funded company that acquired the business of Delphi Chassis Systems on November 1st 2009. The product portfolio is split into two complementary groups: ride & handling technologies and braking technologies. In both areas, the offering ranges from high value items such as twin-tube dampers and brake system components, through to highly sophisticated active systems and the expertise required to integrate them with premium vehicle programmes. BWI Group's engineering philosophy can be summarised as--innovation with design simplicity': a strategy that is clearly demonstrated in world-class technologies such as electronically controlled braking and stability systems, the MagneRide controlled damping system and the award-winning MR Powertrain Mount.

The substantial product portfolio is supported by technical centres in North America, China, Japan, France and Poland and by applications support centres in Australia, Germany, India, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. This is complemented by hot and cold weather test centres in North America and cold weather test centres in China and Sweden.

Global braking and chassis systems specialist BWI Group developed the key systems that keep the innovative MV-1 wheelchair-accessible vehicle stable and comfortable under a wide range of dynamic conditions.