AKEBONO REPORT 2015

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Development of New Brakes for Greater Fuel EfficiencyWe are developing a new automobile braking system that enablesgreater fuel efficiency while offering weight savings. In addition we aim to contribute to resource savings by reducing the numberof parts needed in these brakes.P Electro-Mechanical BrakesThis new brake system employs an electric operating mechanismto press down the disc brake pads. The system eliminatesthe master cylinder hydraulic control unit and several other partsused in a conventional hydraulic brake. This improves fuel efficiencyby saving weight. Moreover this system can contribute to environmentalpreservation by eliminating the need for hydraulicbrake fluid which must be properly disposed of whenever repairsare made.P Low Drag CaliperIn a conventional disc brake there is always slight contactbetween the brake pads and the rotor even when the brakes arereleased. This creates rotational resistance of the rotor and negativelyaffects fuel economy. Also if the gap between the rotor andpad alters however subtle the change it affects how far thepedal must travel to initiate braking. This reduces driver confidence.The low drag caliper incorporates specially designed componentsto ensure that the pad to rotor gap is preciselymaintained at the micron level. In this way brake drag is reduced contributing to improved fuel economy.Upgrading Ai-Ring to Secure Competitiveness inthe Global MarketP The New Ai-Ring ConceptOne of Japan’s largest test courses possessed by an automobilepart manufacturer Ai-Ring is equipped with verification facilitiesthat enable Akebono to carry out various types of brake testingusing actual vehicles. A construction project aimed at upgrading thewhole facility is now under way with an eye to completion inMarch 2016 and will include new multiple tracks used for newproduct development. Once completed the new Ai-Ring willenable us to test brakes in conditions even closer to actual drivingenvironments thereby helping us to better verify our advances. Inaddition dynamometer brake testing equipment will be added with the aim of implementing bench testing dyno testing andvehicle testing in a single facility. While establishing a global developmentstructure Akebono will enhance its R&D competitivenessthrough this facility upgrade. Moreover Ai-Ring will help us integratetesting techniques employed at R&D bases worldwide whileproviding a place for training designers and engineers.The upgraded Ai-Ring will serve to accelerate our progressiveinitiatives by enhancing the critical development capabilities neededto achieve technological differentiation. At the same time wewill also utilize this facility to develop brakes that help save energyand resources.Brakes for a “Space Elevator”A carbon nanotube is a lightweight material boasting superiorstrength. This innovative material offers the possibility of constructinga “space elevator ” a futuristic transportation systemconnecting earth and space. The current concept of a space elevatorincludes the establishment of space stations in geostationaryorbit to enable ground-space transportation. Projects are nowunder way at universities and other research institutions worldwidestudying this concept. In Japan Akebono is providing technologicalassistance to JAPAN SPACE ELEVATOR ASSOCIATION ageneral incorporated association established in 2008 by proposingdesigns for the brake systems such an elevator would require.Arrow indicates theelectro-mechanical actuatorAi-RingIntegration of testingtechnologiesSafe testingprocessesEfficiency(to accelerate development)Human resourcedevelopmentStreamlining(transportation)TechnologicaladvancementGlobalnetworkConceptual map laying out the functions of the new Ai-RingConceptual drawing of the structureof a space elevator(Provided by JAPAN SPACE ASSOCIATION)