Oct. 11, 2023
products
Japanese Machine Component Manufacturer THK to Unveil the World Premiere of Its Original EV Prototype at Japan Mobility Show 2023 - A fusion of THK’s advanced technology and the design of Shiro Nakamura -
THK CO., LTD. (President and CEO: Akihiro Teramachi, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter referred to as "THK"), is set to make its debut appearance at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, hosted at Tokyo Big Sight from Wednesday, October 25. Within THK's booth, a global audience will witness the world premiere of its fully functional electric vehicle prototype, the LSR-05.
This ready-to-drive vehicle boasts a wealth of cutting-edge electric vehicle technologies, all independently developed by THK. The design was masterfully executed by SN DESIGN PLATFORM (President: Shiro Nakamura, hereinafter referred to as "SNDP"), with both companies collaborating to bring a fresh vision for future mobility to life.
Total length: 4995 mm, total width: 1965 mm, total height: 1530 mm
Akihiro Teramachi, CEO of THK, explains why they produced the vehicle: “The LSR-05 represents THK's perspective on the future of mobility. The vehicle was created to validate and demonstrate how our advanced technology can contribute to increasing the value of cars.”
The LSR-05, a crossover four-seater coupe, was created to epitomize luxury, sporty design, and revolutionary technology. The name “LSR-05” encapsulates the essence of “Luxury,” “Sport,” and “Revolution.” Furthermore, this name pays tribute to THK's significant achievement in 1972, when they introduced the world's first linear motion guide*, the LM Guide Model “LSR.” Additionally, the "05" signifies a major milestone, marking THK's 50th anniversary and the fifth generation of the vehicle since its inception.
The platform integrates two of THK's original 93 kW (800 V specification) variable-flux in-wheel electric motors in the rear, complemented by a 220 kW (800 V specification) electric motor in the front, forming part of a four-wheel steering system. This, coupled with features such as active suspension, MR fluid active dampers, and electric brakes, delivers exceptional ride comfort and handling stability.
Shiro Nakamura, President of SNDP and the design director, remarks, "LSR-05 combines a luxurious and sporty exterior with a modern and comfortable interior, all built on THK's advanced technologies."
*A rolling bearing that provides linear movement in contrast to the rotary movement of conventional bearings
Many THK-original advanced technologies for EVs are in the LSR-05.
Stealth Seat-Slide System: SLES
An LM Guide is installed on the inside of the seat and the connector on the floor. By sliding with a dedicated actuator, a long stroke can be achieved even in a compact installation area.
Variable Magnetic Flux In-Wheel Motor: enemo
This inner rotor-type in-wheel motor increases reliability due to driving the left and right wheels independently. In addition, both high-torque and high-speed rotation are enabled thanks to a variable magnetic flux system that utilizes a highly rigid THK ball screw/spline. Furthermore, assembling the THK Curved Guide into the rear steering enables four-wheel steering, which features a large steering angle and contributes to the ideal driving line.
Active Level Control Suspension: ALCS
This system enables vehicle height adjustments and stability control according to the roughness of the road by operating a THK ball screw/spline. It lowers the height of the vehicle when driving at high speeds to reduce air resistance, and it improves power supply efficiency when using contactless charging. It can also raise the height of the vehicle when off-roading or when driving over uneven surfaces.
MR Fluid Active Damper Tube: MRDT
THK offers seismic isolation technology, with a lineup of rotary dampers that utilize ball screws and a viscous element that absorbs and dampens tremors. By combining this product technology with MR fluid, the damping power of the suspension can be controlled electronically to absorb vibrations, and it can be used in conjunction with the ALCS, which controls vehicle height.
Contactless Power Supply: CLPS
Through the DWPT (dynamic wireless power transfer) method, a power transmitter is embedded in the ground, and a power receiver is installed in the vehicle. Lowering the height of the vehicle with the ALCS increases charging efficiency, so power receivers are expected to be smaller and more lightweight. With this method, driving distances can be increased even with shortened charging times and fewer batteries in vehicles.
Electric Service Brake: ESB
This system controls four brakes independently through bi-wiring (electric control). It contributes to significant weight reduction and a compact size by utilizing a highly rigid THK ball screw inside the actuator.
Note) This information was originally released in Japanese on October 11, 2023.
Contact information
Please direct any media inquiries to:
Marketing & Public Relations Unit, THK CO., LTD.
E-mail：thk-sp@thk.co.jp