What is Dynamic Performance?
“Dynamic performance” covers all aspects of a vehicle’s performance while the car is in motion. Nissan seeks to improve dynamic performance in a comprehensive way, not only as it involves driving enjoyment on the part of the driver, but also as it affects passenger-oriented values such as ride comfort and quietness.
Concept
For Nissan, the idea of “dynamic performance” is to make cars with qualities that will be appreciated by “anyone, any time, anywhere.” In other words, the vehicle should deliver dynamic performance that will be appreciated by drivers and passengers alike, novices and professionals, on mountain roads and city streets, in rain and dry conditions, day and night.
Value in Four Areas
Nissan develops technology that delivers value in four areas under the concept of “anyone, any time, anywhere.”
Dynamic Performance Technology Development
Analysis of objective value from operational “feeling”
Nissan is developing technology that takes into account how people feel while they drive. Nissan’s Hokkaido Rikubetsu Proving Ground includes test courses that simulate ordinary roads so that researchers can perform sensory evaluation while collecting data on vehicle behavior and physiological behavior at the same time, as the driver performs a sequence of operations, such as deceleration, cornering and reacceleration.
Scope of Dynamic Performance Technology
“Dynamic performance” covers a wide range of technologies.
Steering Development Approach
To provide smooth response that allows the drivers to steer the vehicle as desired in a range of scenarios, Nissan considers human ergonomics in developing steering technology.
Development Points
The driver controls the direction of the vehicle based on the steering effort felt when turning the steering wheel (steering angle input). Nissan considers this kind of exchange of information between man and machine when developing technology.
History of Progress in Power Steering Technology
Electro-Hydraulic power steering system
Nissan’s new power steering system provides the natural, smooth feel of a sophisticated conventional hydraulic power steering system while simultaneously improving fuel economy by using electric power instead of drawing power from the engine*.
* Jointly developed with Hitachi Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.
System Configuration
System Overview
Motor Power Converted to Hydraulic Pressure to Assist Steering
By providing power assist via hydraulic pressure, this system delivers a naturally smooth steering feel and, thanks to the flexibility of control allowed by electric power, offers more precise steering power characteristics. It also improves fuel economy since the electric powered pump operates only when steering assist is needed.
Brake Development Approach
Nissan aims to create a natural and secure braking feel to help the driver control vehicle speed as desired in a range of scenarios, from city streets to expressway speeds.
Development Points
Nissan develops brake systems and components to help reduce driver’s fatigue by taking into account human ergonomics.
History of Progress in Brake Technology
Progress continues with a variety of functional enhancements
EDIB (Electric Driven Intelligent Brake)
Nissan has developed a new brake system that exhibits smooth yet firm braking characteristics while taking maximum advantage of the regenerative braking power of electric and hybrid vehicles.
System Overview
Nissan’s Electric Driven Intelligent Brake uses a high-precision motor and computer in place of the usual booster, providing optimum control of friction brake and regenerative braking system operation. This allows maximum use of regenerative braking energy, while maintaining a natural brake pedal feel.
Suspension (Load Control Technology) Development Approach
Nissan is developing suspension technology to achieve vehicle behavior that helps enhance vehicle handling for the driver and suppresses uncomfortable vibrations for passengers under all conditions, whether cornering on mountain roads and city streets or riding on rough road surfaces.
Development Points
With the understanding that the sense of security experienced by the driver and passengers has a close correlation with fluctuation of view, Nissan’s development efforts focus on technology that helps reduces such fluctuation of view. This is in addition to conventional R&D that targets ride comfort by absorbing road vibrations and maintaining handling feel.
History of Progress in Suspension Technology
The evolution of shock absorbers shows an increasing ability to provide handling performance and ride comfort at the same time.
HBMC (Hydraulic Body Motion Control)
Nissan developed this new suspension technology for full-size SUVs which helps balance on road driving performance and ride comfort with off-road capability.
System Overview
Two hydraulic systems connected by cross-link hydraulic pipes to the 4-wheel independent suspension’s hydraulic cylinders absorb road bumps and help reduce body lean when cornering. This helps minimize fluctuation of view of those on board and provides a more comfortable ride. Unlike other similar systems, this does not need a power source, so there is no trade-off with fuel economy.
System Configuration
