Ono Sokki Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Yuji Okoshi), a manufacturer and distributor of electronic measuring instruments, has collaborated with Chino Corporation (President and CEO: Mikio Toyoda) to jointly develop the "Thermal-VRS (hereinafter: T-VRS) Thermal Transient Bench" for electric vehicles.
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Mikio Toyoda (left), President and CEO of Chino Corporation
Yuji Okoshi (right), President and CEO of Ono Sokki Co., Ltd. -
New joint development
"Thermal-VRS Thermal Transient Bench"
The T-VRS is a test device capable of evaluating the thermal management systems of electric vehicles. This device allows for the simulation of a vehicle in relation to thermal management components. This enables faster and more efficient thermal management development by utilizing an advanced development environment that integrates real-world and virtual models, contributing to reduced development time and effort, and optimized energy efficiency.
Background of the collaboration
In conventional automobile development, which focused on internal combustion engines, powertrain and HVAC (core components of the automotive air conditioning system) testing was conducted component by component. However, with electric vehicle development now being the mainstream, the two companies have teamed up to develop a testing device that leverages their respective strengths in order to conduct comprehensive vehicle testing.
Key points of this presentation
- Chino Corporation and Ono Sokki Co., Ltd. have jointly developed a thermal management testing device for electric mobility.
- Components related to thermal management can be tested by simulating the actual vehicle environment.
Target Market
- Automobile manufacturers and other companies involved in electric vehicles
About the Thermal-VRS Thermal Transient Bench
In the development of electric vehicles, improving the overall thermal performance of the vehicle (the ability to efficiently dissipate heat and maintain an appropriate operating temperature) requires a significant amount of effort. To improve development efficiency and shorten the time to release electric vehicles, this is achieved by replacing manual processes with simulations in a virtual environment using dedicated software (model-based development). However, it would be even more effective if a test bench that can be used simultaneously with powertrain development could be implemented. Furthermore, we contribute to evaluations aimed at "energy saving," "safety," "long lifespan," and "comfort" with technology that can optimally control and utilize "heat."
Ono Sokki We have expertise in developing realistic simulation models that require predictive values and empirical formulas, as well as in powertrain bench testing in general.
Meanwhile, Chino not only excels in technologies for temperature “measurement,” “control,” and “monitoring,” as well as ensuring reliability through “calibration,” but also possesses many years of expertise in “automotive air conditioning system test equipment and environmental test chambers,” contributing to the implementation of simulation model technologies for Ono Sokki.
The "Thermal-VRS Thermal Transient Bench" is a test bench that enables thermal management testing without the need for an actual vehicle, thanks to the combined expertise of Chino and Ono Sokki. Moving forward, we plan to begin selling this test bench and install it at Ono Sokki 's development and manufacturing base, the "Utsunomiya Technical & Product Center," to develop test benches that anticipate the evolution of mobility.
Sales start date: End of 2026
Mikio Toyoda, Representative Director, President and CEO, Chino Corporation
"The 'Thermal Transient Bench' is a system that combines Ono Sokki Co., Ltd.'s simulation technology for thermal management in automotive power transmission systems with Chino's technology for automotive air conditioning system testing equipment and environmental testing chambers. By reproducing and evaluating actual vehicle conditions without the need for an actual vehicle, it will lead to faster Model-Based Design (MBD) and improved quality. With the realization of this 'Thermal Transient Bench,' both companies hope to expand their market share in electric vehicle development in Japan and work together to move closer to carbon neutrality."
Yuji Okoshi President and CEO of Ono Sokki Co., Ltd.
"We have jointly developed an automotive thermal management evaluation device that combines Chino Corporation's temperature measurement and control technology with Ono Ono Sokki Co., Ltd.'s multi-physical quantity measurement and analysis technology. By using this device, it is possible to simultaneously visualize complex phenomena including temperature and energy, enabling the integration of evaluation processes that were previously fragmented. This will allow for a correct understanding of phenomena from the early stages of development, and advance the decision-making of developers. This testing device aims to solve the carbon neutrality challenges faced by the automotive industry."
About Chino
Founded in 1913 and incorporated in 1936, Chino will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2026. Its core business is the manufacturing and sales of products that can "measure," "control," and "monitor" temperatures ranging from extremely low temperatures (-269°C) to ultra-high temperatures (3500°C). Furthermore, it handles instrumentation business, which combines "measurement," "control," and "monitoring" into devices, as well as calibration business for measuring instruments. At Chino, achieving the "bigger objectives" that customers aim for beyond "measurement," "control," and "monitoring" is called a "loop solution." With temperature-based "loop solutions" at its core, Chino constantly strives to realize a sustainable society for a wide range of industries.
