Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has developed what it says is the world’s smallest and lightest motor controller unit for electric power steering in automobiles. This next generation motor controller unit integrates the motor and controller into one unit and aligns them on the same axis by improving the internal structure of the controller. This results in the unit being 50% smaller and 30% lighter than the company’s current products with equal output.
Mitsubishi Electric has also upgraded the motor’s steering assistance capabilities by improving the output performance of the motor by 30% through optimization of the electromagnetic design. This new motor controller unit also features a unique patented control algorithm developed to provide superb steering sensation and stability.
Forty percent of new automobiles manufactured worldwide now incorporate electric power steering, which can improve fuel economy by three to five percent compared to those using hydraulic steering. To do this, automobile and steering manufacturers are increasingly calling for motors and controllers that are much smaller and lighter than current components. This not only improves fuel efficiency, but facilitates installation of power steering systems.
—Mark Rakoski, director, Sales and Engineering, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America
Mitsubishi Electric currently is in discussions with a number of automobile and steering manufacturers and expects to commercialize the product in the near future.