Groschopp News & Press

The complete drive module for front- and/or rear-axle comprises two oil-cooled electric motors combined with reducer gears and electronics. At an output power of 2 x 32 kW it can achieve a revolution speed of 20,000 min^-1, while a maximum torque of 2 x 45 Nm is available. "We are delighted to finally have reached the objective of the project", explains   Wolfgang Pflug, CEO of the Groschopp AG and coordinator of the joint research project ESKAM. "During the development phase of the prototype, the size of the drive pushed us to the limits of what was physically possible. That is why it is even more satisfying that we can now introduce a drive that is ready for serial production."

Seven renowned medium-size companies, in cooperation with a Fraunhofer-Institute and three Colleges of Education, have developed this drive module for electric vehicles. The newly developed electric motors made by Groschopp represent a deciding part of the solution: they do not need expensive permanent magnets and achieve a far better efficiency factor compared to traditional E-motors. Another advantage is the scalability of the motor: if a higher motor output is needed, Groschopp can extend the active iron from 150 mm up to 250 mm. "This would be equivalent to an increase of up to 50 per cent in efficiency", according to Wolfgang Pflug. "However, parallel to that, it also necessitates reinforcement of reducer gear and electronics in order to get that 'more output' transferred onto the wheel."

Scalability is available not just for motors, but also for other components of the drive module. This means the drive module is suitable for smaller batch series as well as for mass production. Accordingly, the possibilities for its application are multifaceted. With this drive module, any current vehicle with combustion engine can be converted to electrical operation or remodelled to a hybrid-vehicle. It is also possible to use this drive module in small batch series for new cars or inner city- and delivery cars, which can transport goods up to 1.5 t.

ESKAM-project partners:

• Ebm Maschinenbau GmbH, Meitingen
• Fraunhofer IWU, Chemnitz
• Groschopp AG, Viersen
• Hirschvogel Umformtechnik GmbH, Denklingen
• Hochschule Aalen
• Hochschule Düsseldorf
• REFU Elektronik GmbH, Pfullingen
• Salzgitter Hydroforming GmbH, Crimmitschau
• Uni Stuttgart/ILEA
• Vogel Antriebstechnik GmbH, Oberboihngen
• Wilhelm Funke GmbH, Alfeld

Pressestelle: Köhler + Partner GmbH * Brauerstraße 42 * D-21244 Buchholz i.d.N.