Mitsuba Accelerates Electric Controlled Motor System Development Time with MATLAB and Simulink

Due to its complex controls, a reversing wiper system is more challenging to design than a conventional system. Additionally, the development process required rework because the previous process relied on paper-based requirements specifications and handwritten code. As a result, the team found most errors in the later stages of development, when fixing them was more time-consuming and expensive.



In order to solve this problem, Mitsuba used Model-Based Design with MathWorks products for control modeling, simulation, verification, and automatic production code generation. The team used Simulink to model control structures, control functions, and test harnesses based on the specification. With Simulink and SimMechanics, they created a plant model including the windshield wiper link mechanism, wiper arm, and body mount. By debugging and testing throughout simulation, before the hardware prototyping stage, Mitsuba developed, verified, and tested in a shorter timeframe. Furthermore, by using models created by Simulink and Stateflow as a system specification, Mitsuba completed the design review process in 10% of the original design review time and reduced paperwork required at the review stage by 90%.



“Even though both Model-Based Design and MathWorks products were new to us, we saw clear improvements in development speed and product quality,” said Takao Arai, engineer in the Electric Engineering Department at Mitsuba. “Model-Based Design enabled us to identify and solve problems at the stage of requirements specification and early designs instead of late in development using final hardware. By employing Model-Based Design, our design reviews are now quicker, and we can identify defects and problems within the requirements specification more efficiently. We reduced rework and were able to develop a high-quality controller in just 20% of the time it took us previously.”



“We are extremely encouraged to learn that Mitsuba drastically accelerated development time of the reversing wiper system by using MATLAB and Simulink for Model-Based Design,” said Takaaki Shigemitsu, senior industry marketing manager at MathWorks Japan. “Their accelerated development and design reviews and reduction in paperwork demonstrate the extraordinary effects of Model-Based Design.”



The reversing wiper system is currently in production, with monthly shipments of 20,000 – 30,000 units. Mitsuba is reusing components of the wiper system and the plant model on current projects. The company has standardized on Model-Based Design for all new projects including motor control products for hybrid and electric vehicles.