Launch of New Evaluation Solution for High-Speed EV Drive Units
JFE Techno-Research, in collaboration with Technical Support Co., Ltd., has launched a new evaluation solution for EV drive units (e-Axles). By combining high-speed dynamo testing up to 24,000 rpm with high-speed camera observation and fluid analysis, it provides new insights into cooling and lubrication designs.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 20:30
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (2h 26m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 06:13 (583h 17m after Collected)
JFE Techno-Research Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazuhiro Seto) announces the launch of a new solution addressing the higher rotation speeds of EV drive units. This is achieved by linking special motor evaluation technology developed based on material evaluation and measurement technologies cultivated in the steel industry, with the high-speed dynamo testing technology for motors deployed by Technical Support Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka; President: Masazumi Yamamoto). This technology captures high-speed footage of the actual behavior of cooling and lubricating oil supplied to gears under high-speed rotation environments up to 24,000 rpm, and evaluates the data in combination with numerical analysis (fluid dynamics analysis). It will provide new insights for cooling and lubrication design under high-speed conditions, where development is expected to accelerate.
【Background and Technical Features】
In recent years, the drive toward higher power density and miniaturization of motors, inverters, and reduction gears that make up the e-Axle has been rapidly advancing, driven by the miniaturization of units to improve flexibility in vehicle body design. Since motor output is the product of torque and rotational speed, the trend toward higher motor rotation speeds is accelerating across the industry with the goal of weight reduction and higher efficiency. On the other hand, higher rotation speeds create numerous technical challenges such as heat generation, vibration, insulation, and strength, making the optimization of gear cooling and lubrication an important theme.
The greatest feature of the new solution launched this time is that it enables detailed observation of how cooling oil dripped onto gears adheres and scatters during high-speed rotation, and how much is supplied to the tooth surfaces. This is achieved by combining the high-speed dynamo testing technology possessed by Technical Support with the special measurement using high-speed cameras and fluid analysis technology possessed by our company, realizing the visualization of gear cooling and lubrication mechanisms and improved analysis accuracy. In the experiment, ATF was used as the test oil, adopting a dripping method with controlled droplet size and supply amount, conducted at room temperature (temperature modification is also possible).
[Test Configuration]
- Test Gear: e-Axle gear
- Test Oil: ATF
- Maximum Rotational Speed: 24,000 rpm
【Background and Technical Features】
In recent years, the drive toward higher power density and miniaturization of motors, inverters, and reduction gears that make up the e-Axle has been rapidly advancing, driven by the miniaturization of units to improve flexibility in vehicle body design. Since motor output is the product of torque and rotational speed, the trend toward higher motor rotation speeds is accelerating across the industry with the goal of weight reduction and higher efficiency. On the other hand, higher rotation speeds create numerous technical challenges such as heat generation, vibration, insulation, and strength, making the optimization of gear cooling and lubrication an important theme.
The greatest feature of the new solution launched this time is that it enables detailed observation of how cooling oil dripped onto gears adheres and scatters during high-speed rotation, and how much is supplied to the tooth surfaces. This is achieved by combining the high-speed dynamo testing technology possessed by Technical Support with the special measurement using high-speed cameras and fluid analysis technology possessed by our company, realizing the visualization of gear cooling and lubrication mechanisms and improved analysis accuracy. In the experiment, ATF was used as the test oil, adopting a dripping method with controlled droplet size and supply amount, conducted at room temperature (temperature modification is also possible).
[Test Configuration]
- Test Gear: e-Axle gear
- Test Oil: ATF
- Maximum Rotational Speed: 24,000 rpm