Torque Vectoring Platform for Next Generation of Electric Driven Vehicles

Project Information

TVP-eNext

Grant agreement ID: 718074

DOI

10.3030/718074

Project closed

EC signature date 15 February 2016

Start date 1 March 2016

End date 31 August 2016

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

EXOR EVS, STORITVE IN OPREMA, DOO
Slovenia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TVP-eNext (Torque Vectoring Platform for Next Generation of Electric Driven Vehicles)

Reporting period: 2016-03-01 to 2016-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

TVP-eNext project is about the development of a modular and scalable component solution for battery electric vehicles (BEV) and serial hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), which reduces both the cost and the complexity and increases the efficiency of the new generation electric drivetrains and simplifies the effective mechanical, thermal and electrical integration into the vehicle.

The TVP-eNext project will deliver a unique Torque Vectoring hardware-software Platform (TVP) for torque vectoring system for vehicles with electric drivetrains with one electric motor per wheel. This type of new generation components enables software based torque distribution to individual wheels. It simplifies the implementation of the vehicle sub-systems, like Anti-lock Braking System, Traction Control System and Electronic Stability Program and enhances reliability, safety, stability and robustness of electric driven vehicles.

The TVP is compatible with any kind of BEV or serial HEV, such as urban cars, common cars, sport cars, working vehicles, All-Terrain-Vehicles, trucks, buses, urban commercial vehicles and Heavy Duty Vehicles.

TVP-eNext is addressing the trends and needs of the electric vehicle market. Considering the pitfalls of the existing solutions available to the commercial sector, we have addressed the market challenges of the automotive component manufacturers to complement their product portfolio as well as of the automotive manufacturers, where concrete interest in this solution already exists.

The purpose of the TVP-eNext project was to outline the full scope of further development potential, involving the technical and business viability issues, also regarding the analysis of the associated risks and the exploitation of the project commercial`s potential.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the test performance on our Electric Twingo Sport with 2x40kW separated electric motors on rear axle, we were focusing on the following features:
1. Validation results of dynamical model
- accelerating on dry asphalt
- cornering on dry asphalt
2. TCS testing results (Traction Control System)
- TCS on gravel surface driving straight
- TCS during cornering on gravel surface
3. TCS + ESP (2/4) testings
- Testing under normal conditions
- Testing of acceleration on gravel surface
- Testing on gravel surface during cornering
We have continuously optimized the TVP, based on existing vehicle dynamic models, which we have developed and tested. Those tests were performed on our demonstrational vehicle Electric TWINGO (based in the airport facilities in Maribor, Slovenia), which we intend to use for further development of 4WD car during the implementation of SMEInstr, Phase 2 project.

Main activities to assess the best suitable hardware technology were:
We have assessed a number of platforms to establish the appropriateness of the TV platform to be used in our development projects and in SMEInstr, Phase 2.
Out of those analysed we have selected the most appropriate ones, namely:
• add2
• SIGRA Technologies –upon presentation of their solution as well as already established cooperation we are planning to include them in the partnership of our SMEInstr, Phase 2 project
• ETAS –
• Sensor Technik STW
• ICT
We have successfully conducted and analysed the technical capability of our solution. Preliminary results of TVP tests in the past couple of months have confirmed that our solution is technologically operational and ready for further testing and optimisation. Therefore, the feasibility study confirmed, that our technology can really be a push forward especially for small and medium sized component manufacturers and market as a whole (SMEs and bigger automotive players). The findings of the feasibility study are exactly what we predicted at the time of H2020 project application eight months ago.

The market for our solution, moving from emerging to predictive fast growing market, has been thoroughly analysed. As a result of our end-user market assessment, the vehicle types of passenger, sport and rally cars were confirmed as our primary automotive market, that we will approach directly or indirectly through component manufacturers of motors and motor controllers or vehicle control units. We have further identified our stakeholders and continuously communicated the project state-od-the-art and expected results to our potential clients. and A cost-benefit-analysis has been performed and a competitive business model has been drafted.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The TVP, built in the electric drivetrain with one motor per wheel configuration, substantially simplifies the vehicle and reduces energy consumption (during production and exploitation) which consequently leads to the ultimate goal of price reduction.

This type of new generation of electric drivetrain components represents a modular electric drivetrain component compatible with both, BEV and serial HEV applications and enables software based torque distribution to individual wheels. It simplifies the implementation of the vehicle sub-systems, like ABS, TCS and ESP and enhances reliability, safety, stability and robustness of electric driven vehicles. By using the TVP, the sub-systems TCS, ABS and ESP can be implemented in an innovative way by direct controlling the torque on each wheel driven by an electric motor. The TVP enables the implementation of this option in different structures, like 3/3, 2/4 and 4/4.

Hence our major business opportunity is to bring on the market the TVP as a vital part of the next generation of electric drivetrain (one motor per wheel) since it enables the same level of safety and capacity of today's electro-mechanical drivetrains with current solutions of ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and TCS (Traction Control System).

The development of the TVP-eNext is fully in line with the trends and needs of the electric vehicle market and as such represents a high potential for its growth.

Demonstrational vehicle Electric Twingo