NSK Develops High-Reliability, Low-Torque Ball Bearings for Continuously Variable Transmissions
NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) today announced that it has developed high-reliability, low-torque ball bearings that help to improve the fuel efficiency and reliability of belt-type continuously variable transmissions (CVTs)*1. NSK is targeting annual sales of ¥2.0 billion from the products by 2015.
*1 Belt-type CVTs are a form of transmission that changes speed continuously without employing gears. A belt is used to transmit engine power at an ideal transmission ratio according to the engine rpm.
Belt-type CVTs are increasingly being deployed in markets such as Japan and China in recent years, as they offer excellent fuel efficiency combined with smooth driving performance. There is demand to develop CVTs that offer even greater efficiency, with global prices for crude oil expected to rise and in order to meet tighter fuel efficiency standards. In addition, transmission oils are expected to become lower in viscosity and offer lean lubrication resistancein pursuit of better fuel efficiency, which will in turn necessitate bearings with higher reliability.
The new ball bearings anticipate these market needs and offer significantly less friction loss, while delivering greatly improved reliability under low-viscosity and lean lubrication conditions. NSK will seek to actively expand sales of the ball bearings to automakers in Japan and other markets.
*1 Belt-type CVTs are a form of transmission that changes speed continuously without employing gears. A belt is used to transmit engine power at an ideal transmission ratio according to the engine rpm.
Belt-type CVTs are increasingly being deployed in markets such as Japan and China in recent years, as they offer excellent fuel efficiency combined with smooth driving performance. There is demand to develop CVTs that offer even greater efficiency, with global prices for crude oil expected to rise and in order to meet tighter fuel efficiency standards. In addition, transmission oils are expected to become lower in viscosity and offer lean lubrication resistancein pursuit of better fuel efficiency, which will in turn necessitate bearings with higher reliability.
The new ball bearings anticipate these market needs and offer significantly less friction loss, while delivering greatly improved reliability under low-viscosity and lean lubrication conditions. NSK will seek to actively expand sales of the ball bearings to automakers in Japan and other markets.
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