New NSK Bearings For Electric Vehicle Transmissions Aid Efficiency And Reliability
NSK has unveiled its new LCube II series of tapered roller bearings for use in electric vehicle (EV) transmission systems. LCube II bearings are specifically designed to improve efficiency by contributing to better fuel economy (lower power consumption), and enhance reliability through higher levels of durability and seizure resistance.
To improve efficiency and fuel economy in EVs, the industry has seen a shift to using less lubricant and/or lower viscosity lubricant in transmission systems.
As a result, tapered roller bearings in EV transmissions are being subjected to increasingly severe lubrication conditions, heightening the risk of depleting the lubrication oil film, which in turn promotes surface damage and potential bearing seizure.
Higher efficiency transmission systems are seen as key to improving EV fuel economy, so NSK set out to develop a highly reliable tapered roller bearing capable of overcoming these hurdles. The result is the new LCube II.
Of particular note, LCube II bearings feature pore-like micro-indents in the rolling contact surface and roller head. This microstructure helps retain an oil film, which significantly inhibits surface damage.
The upshot is that LCube II tapered roller bearings achieve more than eight times higher durability and equal or greater seizure resistance compared with conventional alternatives, even under severely low (thin) oil film conditions.
An additional benefit is that improved lubricant oil accumulation and retention on the roller surface contributes to 10% less friction at low speeds in comparison with conventional bearings. Reduced friction is a further factor that imparts a positive effect on overall efficiency in EV transmissions.
NSK Europe Ltd
- 01636 605 123
- info-uk@nsk.com
- Belmont Place, Belmont Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 6TB GB
About us
Established over 100 years ago, NSK (Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha) is a Japanese-listed company that has evolved from a regional ball bearing supplier to a roller bearing specialist and automotive supplier with a global market presence. Today, NSK employs more than 31,400 employees in 30 countries. As per March 2019, NSK achieved sales of 991,4 billion Yen. This result has been driven by ever-increasing investment in research & development, enabling the company to continuously improve the quality of its products and services. This investment supports NSK’s objective of “No. 1 in Total Quality”. In addition to a complete rolling bearing portfolio, NSK develops and manufactures precision components and mechatronic products, as well as systems and components for the automotive industry, including wheel bearing units and electric power-steering systems. In 1963, NSK’s first European subsidiary, Düsseldorf, Germany, was opened and in 1976, the first European production facility in Peterlee, England. Today, NSK Europe supports pan-European sales with production locations in England, Poland and Germany, logistics centres in the Netherlands, Germany and England and technology centres in Germany, England and Poland. In 1990, NSK purchased the UPI Group including the renowned European bearing manufacturer RHP, with its factory in Newark (UK). Additionally, NSK has developed a comprehensive network of authorised sales distributors. NSK Europe is divided into application-based business divisions: Industry rolling bearing technologies & linear and precision technology (EIBU) as well as bearing modules and steering systems for the automotive industry (EABU & ESBU). In this organisation, NSK Europe's 4,260 employees achieved a turnover of over 1,045 million Euros as per March 2019.
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Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
