BWI adds automatic mode to active roll control system

BWI Group has added an automatic mode to its Semi Active Roll Control (SARC) system that enables a vehicle’s anti-roll bar to disconnect and reconnect on demand while driving at speed. The system allows chassis engineers to tune roll bars purely for handling, as the bar remains disconnected during normal driving and reconnects in less than 200 milliseconds when required.

The update addresses challenges posed by increasing vehicle mass, with SUVs accounting for more than half of new car registrations in Europe in 2024 and battery electric vehicles typically around 30% heavier than equivalent internal combustion models. Heavier vehicles require stiffer stabiliser bars, forcing engineers to compromise between roll stiffness for handling and compliance for comfort.

The system uses a compact rotary actuator paired with a self-contained hydraulic mechanism. This architecture enables the bar to connect or disconnect even when wheels are unevenly articulated, with automatic self-centring provided by BWI’s EZ-Latch technology.

Bruno Perree, Engineering Manager at BWI Group, said: “Chassis engineers are continually trying to improve road handling and comfort, but the two goals are often incompatible. The latest update to SARC removes that compromise, allowing engineers to optimise the roll bar purely for handling as it will be disconnected the majority of the time.”

SARC is in production on several platforms including the GWM Tank series.

Source: BWI Group