NSK’s latest electrical power steering (EPS) system for the automotive industry differs from previous versions in that it has been developed specifically to conform to ISO 26262. Within the regulation, safety measures are defined for completed electrical and electronic systems, and the development process.
Intended for use in compact vehicles, the newly developed EPS platform not only offers elevated levels of safety and reliability, but extremely dense packaging that ensures a 10% reduction in space requirements compared with the existing variant (40% less than NSK’s first EPS). This has been achieved through the use of package-less semiconductors and solid state relays without mechanical contacts, this in turn has allowed the use of smaller heatsinks, ultimately reducing the number of components used. NSK states that additional benefits of the latest generation EPS include the integration of steering angle sensors into the steering torque sensors, thus delivering compatibility and the potential to interface a high number of steering and driver assistance systems.
NSK’s existing EPS system is already used in the Toyota iQ, Volkswagen Polo and Renault/Nissan models.
