JTEKT has successfully developed a hub bearing unit with low torque and high sealing performance even in cold regions. We will put the new products developed this time on the global market including extremely cold regions, and contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society.
1. Development background
In recent years, in order to achieve carbon neutrality, the manufacturing environment led by the automobile industry has more than ever needed to reduce energy losses. The low-torque of the wheel hub bearing unit that supports automobile wheels has also become an indispensable technology directly related to fuel consumption.
On the other hand, the nitrile rubber used for sealing part accounts for about half of the torque generated by hub bearing unit. It is used as sealing material in hub bearing unit and various fields, but its low friction property is contrary to the physical properties of rubber ( such as strength, heat resistance, wear resistance, etc. ). Therefore, how to realize the two properties at the same time has become a topic.
Generally speaking, nitrile rubber has certain advantages in oil resistance, abrasion resistance, and tear strength, but its cold resistance is inferior to other rubber materials.
With the development of marketization, if the hub bearing unit produced by JTEKT will be used in a harsher environment than the current one, then expanding the use temperature range of the sealing rubber has become an important issue.
2. Features and advantages of the new product
1. Low torque
The technology developed this time to apply rubber to the sealing material has achieved a 10% reduction in sealing torque.
2. High tightness
Because rubber does not lose its elasticity in extreme cold environments below -40°C and can maintain the integrity of the seal, it can prevent muddy water from entering the hub bearing unit even in extreme cold areas such as North America and Russia.
The rubber material developed this time can be used not only in wheel hub units, but also in various industries including other auto parts. JTEKT will continue to contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society.