The Schaeffler Group has developed a car full of ideas called the “Schaeffler Hybrid”. The vehicle is part of an advance development project that enables a practical comparison of the various options available for e-mobility to be made. The vehicle demonstrates various vehicle configurations and driving conditions. This means the Schaeffler Hybrid not only has a volume produced combustion engine from a basic vehicle, but also has a central electric motor and two wheel hub motors.
“Presenting various concepts with informative comparisons as well as realistic testing played a decisive role in the implementation of the Schaeffler Hybrid”, says Prof. Dr. Peter Gutzmer, Member of the Executive Management Board responsible for technical development at the Schaeffler Group. Accordingly, the various elements can each be switched on and off and comprise a wide range of various driving conditions. These options range from classic operation using a combustion engine, operation as a parallel hybrid or serial hybrid to operation using the electric motor only. The combustion engine can power the vehicle and be coupled for use as a range extender. An automated manual transmission increases the options available. The transmission naturally incorporates clutch products specially matched to the requirements of hybrid vehicles from the Schaeffler brand LuK. The energy store, which is a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery (400 V, 400 A), is charged by means of energy recovery, the range extender as well as via an external power supply (plug-in hybrid). “Another important aspect of this advance development project are the linked development activities of the Schaeffler brands”, says Peter Gutzmer. Specifically, these are INA, LuK, FAG as well as IDAM and AFT.
The central unit is flange located to the automated manual transmission by means of a toothed chain and drives the front wheels. The unit comprises a liquid-cooled 50 kW and 95 Nm electric motor that was designed and manufactured by Schaeffler subsidiary IDAM. eWheel Drive is the name that has been given to the wheel hub motors that were also developed by the Schaeffler Group. The motors mounted in the Schaeffler Hybrid have an output of around 50 kW each and torque of around 530 Nm. The Schaeffler Group profits from its profound expertise in the field of wheel bearings and direct drive technology during the design and manufacture of these high-performance components. Accordingly, these wheel hub motors form a compact unit that integrates wheel bearing, drive and brake. The advantage of these drive units is the fact that they can be integrated in an existing vehicle platform without making any major changes to the vehicle architecture. In addition, the eWheel Drive from Schaeffler makes a convincing case due to its appealing torque development as well as a remarkably low noise level.
“The ‘Schaeffler Hybrid’ will not go into volume production”, says Peter Gutzmer, “rather it serves as a vehicle of ideas. For example, with the “CO2ncept-10%” based on a Porsche Cayenne, we successfully demonstrated advantages in fuel consumption and emissions by reducing friction in the drive train. With the Schaeffler Hybrid, we want to demonstrate that the Schaeffler Group takes a holistic approach to mobility and offers innovative products for e-mobility solutions in its portfolio”.
Along with the components shown in the Schaeffler Hybrid, Schaeffler’s range of products tailored to the requirements of hybrid vehicles and electric mobility includes, amongst others, hybrid clutches (as used in upper-class hybrid SUVs recently presented), electromechanical chassis and steering components, as well as various differentials. These differentials include the space-saving lightweight differential with face spline and electric differentials.
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