May 9, 2023
Akebono's NR22 Brake Caliper for Endurance Racing Achieves the Triple Crown of the World's Top Three Design Awards
Tokyo, Japan - (May. 9, 2023) - Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that the NR22 brake caliper for endurance racing has received the Red Dot Award 2023 (organized by Red Dot GmbH & Co.KG of Germany) and the iF DESIGN AWARD 2023 (organized by iF International Forum Design GmbH of Germany). The NR22 has received four design awards, following the FY2022 Good Design Award (organized by Japan Institute of Design Promotion) and the International Design Excellence Awards 2022 (organized by the Industrial Designers Society of America).
The Red Dot Award and iF DESIGN AWARD, along with the International Design Excellence Awards, are the most prestigious design awards, regarded as "the world's top three design awards," and the NR22 has achieved the triple crown with winning all three.
The award-winning NR22 is a disc brake caliper for endurance racing that pursues an excellent balance between weight reduction and high durability. With a shape optimized by structural analysis, the caliper body component achieves a 7%*1 reduction in weight, while also achieving high durability, thereby realizing directness of brake operation. With a mirror-finish surface, the brake caliper is protected from radiant heat and can continue providing drivers with a stable brake feeling even under the high-temperature conditions found during endurance races that continue over long periods of time.
Reduction of automobile weight is a key element that influences such factors as dynamic performance and fuel consumption. For brake calipers used in racing, high durability is required as well as reduced weight. Achieving a balance between these at a high level will also contribute to enhancement of driver feeling.
This expertise is based on technology Akebono has cultivated in motor sports including Formula 1 and World Endurance Championships and has been put to effective use in creating a new method of structural analysis that works to achieve an excellent balance between durability and lightness of weight while also realizing a caliper body form styled according to the functional beauty of the racing car.
Akebono's NR22 Brake Caliper for Endurance Racing
About the Design Award
On October 7, 2022, Akebono announced that the NR22 had received the Good Design Award. This is the first time that an automotive brake caliper has received the Good Design Award*2 . On the same day, Akebono also announced that the NR22 was selected as a Finalist in the International Design Excellence Awards 2022 in the United States.
Reference: 「Akebono's NR22 Brake Caliper for Endurance Racing Wins FY2022 Good Design Award and Selection as Finalist for International Design Excellence Awards 2022」
https://www.akebono-brake.com/static/news/2022/10/07/ne20221007_01.html
*1 Comparison with previous Akebono products
*2 Based on an in-house study
Features of the Award-Winning Product
1．Hydraulic flow path also used as strength member in cross-shaped rib structure that achieves an excellent balance between weight reduction and high durability
The shape is optimized using a newly devised method of structural analysis, and the ribs that cross above the cylinders function as more than just strength members. The rib interiors also serve as hydraulic flow paths, thereby efficiently achieving an excellent balance between weight reduction and high rigidity.
2．Mirror-finish plating prevents temperature rise from radiant heat and enhances heat resistance
By applying a mirror-finish plating to the surface, the caliper body is protected from temperature increase due to radiant heat. In addition to enabling use under high temperatures, this finish highlights the gently curved surfaces and sharp ridges, enhancing the design quality of the product exterior.
3．Optimal piston placement brings out 100% brake pad performance
The size and placement of each piston are optimized by means of proprietary technology for brake pad surface pressure analysis. This helps prevent uneven wear of brake pads and realizes both longer brake pad life and stable brake feeling in the prolonged harsh operating environment of endurance races.
Red Dot Award
The Red Dot Award in Germany, which was founded in 1955, is known as one of the most prestigious design awards that indicates a quality of superior design and is considered as one of the world's top three design awards. The award is consisted of three competitions "Product Design," "Brands & Communication Design," and "Design Concept" for professional evaluation for diversity of design. The award is famous as the world's largest design award, with many entries from a variety of countries and regions each year.
Red Dot Award official website：
https://www.red-dot.org/
iF DESIGN AWARD
Founded in 1954, the iF DESIGN AWARD in Germany is an internationally prestigious design award with a long history and is regarded as one of the world's top three design awards. The award honors design achievements in all disciplines: product, packaging, communication and service design, architecture and interior architecture as well as professional concept, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). This time, Akebono was awarded in the category of "Product".
iF DESIGN AWARD official website：
https://www.ifdesign.com/en/
About the Akebono Group
Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. (TSE: 7238), founded in 1929, is a world leader in advanced brake and friction material development and manufacturing. With a focus on brake products for the automotive industry, we are determined to provide safety and peace of mind to our customers. We are a global supplier of friction materials including brake pads and brake linings, and mechanical parts such as disc brakes and drum brakes. We also supply brakes for motorcycles, rolling stock including bullet trains, forklifts, and other industrial machinery. Our expertise in vibration analysis technology has also been leveraged to expand business in other fields such as the development of sensor products for various applications.
