NTN : Receives the 2014 “CHO” MONODZUKURI Innovative Parts and Components Award, Automotive Components Award

Mechanical Clutch Unit (MCU*1) for Direct Adaptive Steering

This product is used as a mechanical backup structure for the Direct Adaptive Steering*2 system. The world's first mass-produced automobile with this system was launched by Nissan Motor in 2013. The system has a compact layout consisting of an electromagnetic clutch and roller clutch. The electromagnetic clutch is energized when the Direct Adaptive Steering function is active, releasing the roller clutch and in turn transmitting steering input to the tires via electrical signals. If a malfunction is detected in the Direct Adaptive Steering, power to the electromagnetic clutch is turned off and the roller clutch is connected immediately to transmit steering input to the tires via a mechanical link. The high load capacity design ensures a high level of reliability when the mechanical link is active.

Direct Adaptive Steering stops the driver holding the steering wheel from feeling disturbances to the tires caused by factors such as bumps in the road, providing operability unparalleled by any conventional system. It is predicted that this will reduce fatigue caused by driving and thereby help to decrease the incidence of traffic accidents. NTN's mechanical clutch unit received excellent evaluations as technology that would support this system, and received this award as a result.