Modular Electric Motor technology with integrated Digital Gears for increased driving performance

Project Information

MEM-DG

Grant agreement ID: 761851

DOI

10.3030/761851

Project closed

EC signature date 31 January 2017

Start date 1 February 2017

End date 31 May 2017

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

QUANTUM ELECTRIC OY
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MEM-DG (Modular Electric Motor technology with integrated Digital Gears for increased driving performance)

Reporting period: 2017-02-01 to 2017-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Electric motors have been around for more than a century but there has been little improvement in their mechanical construction, modularity and functionality. In electric vehicle applications, costly mechanical gears such as planetary gears and reduction gears are needed to make the system operate with required speed, rpm and torque. Mechanical gearboxes are often vulnerable for erosion and damage. Quantum Electric has developed a modular electric motor system with an integrated digital gear. The new electric motor is modular, compact and highly reliable and operates with high efficiency because of the innovative digital gear function. The digital gear extends motor efficiency up to several times comparing to traditional electric motors. All key components are modular which makes the motor easier to build, scale-up, customize and recycle. The universal component architecture saves money in raw materials by 20%. The digital gearbox extends both battery lifetime and driving range of the electric vehicles and it is more reliable in operation. This new range extender technology is remarkable benefit for the whole EV industry. Quantum is entering the electric motor market which is valued at an estimated €27 billion and intends to licence their technology to car manufacturers, primarily for application in Light Duty Vehicles. Within the overall innovation project, Quantum intends to optimise the engineering of the E-Gear system; industrialise its production; and perform an in-vehicle test to demonstrate and validate the technology.

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

Quantum undertook a full analysis of both the technical and business potential of the QE-Drive engine establishing early on the potential ways to commercialise the robot through Europe and calculating five year financial projections based on the technology licensing. Quantum analysed its current level of development, making some changes to the design and specifications of the engine to be produced. Quantum reviewed and adjusted the overall project objectives according to these changes and the remaining technical activities required for commercialisation. During the PH1 project Quantum established both engineering and industrialisation plans. Within the business feasibility, Quantum analysed their business model and established contacts with many industry players that will be fundamental to both the successful delivery of the Phase 2 project and through commercialisation.

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 expected outcome of the project is to start full commercialisation of Quantum’s QE-Drive engine at the end of Phase 2 as a reliable innovation validated with in-vehicle testing. The QE-Drive solution will offer a highly disruptive solution to the automotive industry offering car manufacturers resource and cost savings and end users increased driving range, improved performance and reliability. Quantum will also create jobs and boost economic growth for European SMEs and the overall automotive industry.

Prototype engine