July 27, 2009
Development of ‘Electric actuator’ suited to the electrification of automobiles
[Contributing to improvement of safety and fuel consumption in cars]
NTN Corporation (hereafter NTN) has developed and begun production of an electric actuator suited to the electrification of automobiles.
In automobiles, improvements in (a) Safety performance by advanced controls and (b) Fuel economy by weight reduction with fewer components or by enhancing efficiency are in progress. In order to attain these improvements, some drive systems are changing from mechanical types composed of more than one linkage or lever, or hydraulic types with complex piping, to electric systems.
Conventional drive elements used together with an electric motor is a sliding screw or a in some cases a worm gear. But in recent years, the number of cases using ball screws featuring high rotary/linear motion conversion efficiency has increased.
The new electric actuator unit developed by NTN uses a high efficiency, compact ball screw, which NTN manufactures for electric actuators used in mechanical automatic transmissions and continuous variable valve systems. This new electric actuator unit uses a linear ball bearing for the sliding position resulting in high output performance with high efficiency and response.
In addition, this unit adopts components with superior anti-corrosion properties and the structure integrated within the electric motor is sealed. Accordingly, the design assures high actuation reliability for a long period of time when operated even under severe environments such as mud water, dust etc.
The demands for high efficiency electric actuator units using ball screws are expected to grow and expand in the light of progress in the electrification of automotive systems.
NTN is promoting this new product offering to the global market.
[ Features ]
| 1. High efficiency | : Motor rotary conversion efficiency of ball screw is 90% or more |
| 2. High response | : Actuation time is 0.3 second or less |
| 3. High output | : Generated axial force is Max. 1,200 N |
| 4. High reliability | : High water proof properties using sealed structure and superior anti-corrosion properties through the use of anti-corrosive components |
[ Applications ]
Various electric actuators for engine control, transmission etc.
[ Product appearance photo ]
