The project, developed in collaboration between Showa and Nissin, aims to improve performance and safety, using a functionally coordinated design that increases thermal efficiency and reduces weight. A technology with potential positive impacts on vehicle handling and stability
Hitachi Astemo has chosen Eicma 2024 as a showcase to present an innovation that it could redefine the very concept of a braking system for motorcycles. The group’s stand, which after the merger took place in 2021 has the Keihin, Showa and Nissin Kogyo brands in its portfolioattracted attention with a prototype fork equipped with an integrated brake caliper. An example of how collaborative design can lead to new technical solutions.
coordinated design
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The heart of this innovation is a concept that Hitachi Astemo calls Functional Collaborative Design, that is functionally coordinated designborn from the synergy between Showa, suspension specialist, and Nissin, leader in braking technology. The caliper was integrated directly into the front fork axle, creating a compact and highly efficient unit. This type of approach is not just an aesthetic or space optimization choice: it was designed to improve both performance and safety.
more contact less weight
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One of the most interesting aspects of this project is the 30 percent increase in contact area between the axle support and the caliper. This increased contact allows the fork to also act as a heat sink. In practice, the active use of the fork as part of the cooling system allowed to reduce the average temperature of the caliper by 5 percentcontributing significantly to the stability of braking performance under conditions of prolonged stress.
unsprung masses
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Furthermore, the new Hitachi Astemo solution is designed for reduce the unsprung weight of the motorcycle. Compared to traditional braking systems, the design has been optimized to reduce the number of fixing parts, contributing to cut 200 grams from the overall weight. It may not seem like much, but when it comes to unsprung weight, every gram counts to improve the responsiveness and handling of the vehicle.
definition to be redefined
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Looking closely at the integrated caliper, you can notice the presence of several fins designed to improve heat dissipation. Rigidity has been preserved despite the weight reduction and, above all, traditional terms such as “radial” or “axial” to describe the mounting of the caliper seem to lose relevance in the face of this new integrated design.
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will it be in the future?
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This fork with integrated brake caliper represents an innovation in a sector that often looks to the past to seek new solutions. It will be interesting to see if and how this technology enters production, and what impact it may have on the next generation of motorcycles.
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