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Hitachi - Inspire the Next

HIAMS in the U.S.A.

Brake System

Since vehicles first began to move, stopping safely has been a priority. Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., Inc.is one of the first companies to develop vacuum boosters with mechanical brake assist device (2-Ratio Vacuum Booster). We continue to push future brake technology to new levels. Recently, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. developed its own electromechanical brake system as the brake system of the future. This will have the same brake functions as the electrohydraulic brake-by-wire, which are conventional brake functions and all the brake control functions, including antilock brake system (ABS) stability control, brake assist, and autonomous intelligent cruise control. It will also be possible to have additional functions such as electric parking braking. There are many other advantages to the new system: less space is required in the engine and the driver’s compartment; it is more environmentally-friendly because no brake fluid is needed; it has a potentially better pedal feel; it can be operated by means of a joystick. All the necessary technologies for the electromechanical brake system, namely conventional disc brake technologies, electric and electronic technologies, communication technologies, control technologies; and wire-harness technologies are available.

Disc Brake Caliper

Dick Brake Caliper

Cast Iron/Aluminum Alloy Caliper
  • Low noise and Light-weight
    • Applicable side push spring (Low frequency noise measures)
    • Optimized caliper rigidity design
  • Low dragging
    • Optimized seal-groove design
  • Reducing weight
  • Improvement of Dragging torque
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Less brake noise and vibration

Realization of Front Disc Brake Caliper to satisfy low noise, light-weight and low dragging performance. The caliper regulates the deceleration of the disc fixed to the wheel by adjusting the thrust force acting on the pads via the reduction gear mechanism and the rotational-rectilinear motion conversion mechanism by controlling the current of the motor stator and then the rotation of the motor rotor.

Brake Master Cylinder

Brake Master Cylinder

  • Improvement of fuel economy
    It can contribute to improve fuel economy because by FF (Fast Fill) effect which can cover the fluid consumption of lower dragging caliper
  • Improvement of brake pedal feeling
    It can make shorter pedal stroke by FF (Fast Fill) effect per large bore
    Reduced pedal stroke verses conventional straight bore design by “Fast Fill” effect of large stepped piston and valve
  • Reducing weight
    It can reduce the weight of actuation by downsizing Booster
    Provides ability to implement increased seal roll-back calipers, Judder performance without penalizing vehicle pedal feel

Vacuum Brake Booster

Vacuum Brake Booster

  • Weight reduction and brake pedal stroke reduction
  • Dynamic response progress
  • High flow rate function with shorter loss-travel and added collision safety by minimized total length
  • Improved fuel economy through weight reduction
  • With sudden braking, the raising rate of deceleration is improved, resulting in better braking distance and safety
  • Applicable to TCS/VDC system by creating High Flow Rate with shorter Loss-Travel

Electric Actuation (E-ACT)

Characteristics

As an alternative brake actuation, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. has been the first in the world to develop and commercialize its own electric brake actuator that uses a servo mechanism that does not rely on vacuum from the engine. Instead an electric motor assists the pedal force provided when the driver operates the brake pedal. Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. has been improving e-ACT cost and performance. This electrically assisted actuation (e-ACT) includes a function for working in cooperation with the regenerative brake on an HEV or EV. To improve fuel economy, safety, and driving comfort, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. is developing and promoting low-cost e-ACT products that feature small size, light weight, and ease of installation to allow this technology to be utilized by a larger number of vehicle models in the future.

Features & Benefits

  • e-ACT
    World's first electric brake actuator launched in 2010 for Nissan Leaf EV and M35 Hybrid
  • Increased regenerative capability.
  • Increased assist power.
  • Compact and lightweight; Cooperative regenerative and vacuum free electro-mechanical actuation system; modular and scalable integrated structure; designed for global market; harmonized to optimize system hydraulic performance and reduce activation noice.
  • Improvement of fuel /electricity consumption by sufficient cooperative regenerative deceleration
  • Achievement of comfort / safety by ITS function and cooperation with ESC
  • Electric actuator controls pressure of master cylinder based on integrated stroke sensor signal and demand from CAN communication
  • Same installation space as conventional actuation system
  • Wide vehicle coverage by using module structure of actuator and software
  • Can be combined with standard ESC and/or low drag caliper
  • Jump-in mechanism is available

Image:e-ACT

Electric Parking Brake (e-PKB)

Electric Parking Brake

  • Enhanced safety with reliable workings
  • Enhanced comfortableness with simple operation
  • Higher functioning with automatic workings
  • Improved fuel economy through weight reduction
  • Total weight reduction
  • Motor actuator on rear caliper controlled by Engine Control Unit (ECU) according to the signal from PKB switch or Controller Area Network (CAN)
  • By adopting Original rotation-translation conversion structure
    Low operating noise
    Motor actuator downsizing (High layout performance)

There is an ongoing trend toward the use of electric parking brakes (e-PKBs) with the aim of providing simpler operation and greater flexibility in interior layout. To make automatic parking brakes possible, Hitachi has minimized brake noise, increased the speed with which the parking brake can be released, and adopted its own actuators, which combine transmission efficiency with an ability to maintain clamping force. Through these initiatives, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. is considering safety and the environment by reducing the weight of the overall brake system, making the calipers and motor smaller and lighter, and also ensuring that the system works with idling stop systems and collision prevention and minimization systems.

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