evTrailer 2 – Autonomous Electric Drive Collaboration System for Truck Trailers and Vehicle Trailers
Period: 2022 – 2025
Cooperation:
CuroCon GmbH,
TU Darmstadt (Institut für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Fahrzeugantriebe – vkm),
Fraunhofer LBF,
Oswald Elektromotoren GmbH,
Schwarzmüller GmbH,
Sono Motors GmbH,
Hüffermann Transportsysteme GmbH
Support: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz,
Project Sponsor: DLR
The collaborative research project “evTrailer2” deals with the electrification of semi-trailers. This is intended to relieve the tractor unit and thus reduce CO2 emissions. This can significantly improve the ecological balance of the entire vehicle type. Specifically, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 30% is planned.
At the IMS, the powertrain and, in particular, an innovative and multi-stage gearbox are being developed for this purpose. This makes it possible to achieve a balance between high starting torques and maximum efficiency at increased speeds. The concept envisages a distributed drive system that can independently drive the left and right sides of the semi-trailer. In this context, the effect of “skid steering” is being investigated at low speeds to enable autonomous driving of the semi-trailer. At higher speeds, however, “torque vectoring” is enabled, thereby increasing safety during the journey.
An innovative shifting system based on claw clutches is being developed for gear shifting. A redundant and novel sensor concept enables angle-precise shifting at every operating point, thereby minimizing stresses on the gearbox and offering increased driving comfort at the same time.
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