Product history
We have built trusting relationships with automakers around the world, and while conducting business globally, we are contributing to the realization of a safer and more comfortable automotive society through manufacturing that changes with the times.
[[ Behind-the-scene story of the development. ]]
E-Clutch is an electronic control technology that is mainly installed on medium to large motorcycles, and enables smooth starting and gear shifting without clutch lever operation (*) by automating the clutch control of manual vehicles. This system is composed of a drive unit consisting of two small motors and gears, a clutch lever shaft, and an engine control ECU (electronic control unit) that controls the engine in cooperation with the MCU based on data sent from various sensors.
(*) Manual operation is also possible.
This development was a first for us. We have been developing control units for motorcycles for nearly 10 years, but only for body systems, and have never experienced powertrain systems such as this MCU. In addition, many of the development processes and tools used were new to us, so it was difficult to see into the future. Furthermore, we ended up delivering the prototype in half the time originally expected, and even though we managed to deliver it, there were times when the integration with the customer's software did not work well, and we had to stick to the customer to recover. Even in a difficult situation, all the members came together and worked with the customer to develop the world's first system.
In previous developments, it was common for the software implementation to be completed before the prototype event held at the factory in the latter half of the development period, but in this development, specifications changed at least 10 times, and the software was delivered 30 times in total. We learned later that the customer had developed the software by changing the specifications more than 500 times over a 10-year period, and we were reminded that this is a control application that was filled with many years of passion. We are very grateful to have been able to develop this product together with such a passionate customer and release a product to the market that can contribute to end users around the world. We will continue to pursue the "best match between people and cars" together with our customers.
| 2011 | Answerback system for motorcycle Two-way remote system for EV/PHV |  |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Brushless motor compatible Electric Power Steering controller: 3rd generation |  |
| 2017 | Smart entry system for motorcycle |  |
| 2018 | Brushless motor compatible Electric Power Steering controller: 4th generation |  |
| 2019 | DC/DC converter for HEV |  |
| 2023 | Electric Power Steering Motor Power Pack * Products that combine a motor and an electronic control unit |  |
| 2024 | World's first! Electronically controlled clutches ECU for motorcycle |  |