NTN-SNR's in-wheel motor system wins global Innovation Award

NTN-SNR makes components such as drive shafts and bearings with built-in sensors for conventional petrol and diesel-engined vehicles, but its main thrust for the future is in the realm of electric vehicles. The ability to control power to each wheel independently makes it relatively easy to use the in-wheel motors as an innovative vehicle stability control system too.

Steering wheel uses electric signals

Besides its in-wheel motors the company makes a small single motor that is highly efficient and is developing next-generation steer-by-wire systems that transmit steering wheel movements using electric signals. NTN-SNR is also working on an electro-mechanical braking system.

The NTN-SNR in-wheel power system was selected as the winner by a panel of eight experts from a total of 117 entries, with 59 of the products entered coming from Germany and 58 from 15 other nations. NTN-SNR won the parts category besides the overall award and there were eight other category winners.

The other category winners are:

• Systems: Delphi of France for its Telematics system which uses basic wireless-communication technology that enables the after-market to "speak" with the customer via a device installed in the vehicles. The feature includes vehicle diagnosis, breakdown service, service appointment reminder, vehicle health monitoring and incident management.
  
• Tuning: The Prins Direct LIquiMax System which permits vehicles with direct injection petrol engines to use much cheaper liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as a single fuel (monovalent) or to be able to switch between petrol and LPG (bivalent) for lowering fuel consumption and reducing emissions.
  
• Repair - diagnostics: Volkswagen's high voltage testing module which is essential to ensure all cars in the e-Motion range are properly maintained. All the testing functions for e-vehicles are housed in a small, hand-held device.
  
• Accessories: Steelmate, a Chinese company, won this award for its tyre pressure monitoring system which uses sensors in special valve caps and has a monitor that is pushed into the car's cigarette lighter, which means the system can be installed in a few minutes.
  
• Original equipment products and services: Robert Bosch of Germany, working together with Peugeot Citroën (PSA) has developed the world's first hybrid system working with diesel engines for significant cuts in fuel consumption - up to 25%. The new Split Axle Strong Hybrid System is a combination of an internal combustion engine and electric rear axle drive and can be integrated into existing drive systems with relatively little effort.
  
• Service station and car wash: The Kärcher supplementary wheel cleaning programme for self-service car wash centres guides the customer through the washing process using a cleaning agent applied with a high pressure gun. The alkaline wheel cleaner removes dirt without damaging the wheels or their coatings.
  
• Repair and Maintenance: Hunter Engineering of the United States took the honours in this category with its RFT GSP9700 wheel balancer that has an integral roller to simulate a road-load test before balancing.