Extending On-Demand wheel Drive to On-Road applications

Project Information

E-ODD

Grant agreement ID: 867002

DOI

10.3030/867002

Project closed

EC signature date 17 April 2019

Start date 1 April 2019

End date 31 July 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

BLACK BRUIN OY
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - E-ODD (Extending On-Demand wheel Drive to On-Road applications)

Reporting period: 2019-04-01 to 2019-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Black Bruin is a Finnish SME that holds a leading position as supplier of hydraulic Low-Speed High-Torque (LSHT) motors and high quality On-Demand wheel Drive (ODD) solutions for heavy-duty off-road vehicles.
Our ODD system is easy-to-integrate and provides a superior torque to the wheels at low speed in a continuous and smooth way. It is based in our highly compact LSHT motors, that are integrated within the wheel hubs, delivering torque directly at the wheels. This allows vehicles to climb steep hills and move forward in slippery soil, without damaging the tracks.
The goal of our new E-ODD system is to enhance our LSHT motor design by replacing the inner fluid distribution system with a new one based in very fast electronic digital valves. This will improve motor compactness, range of speed drive, power-to-weight ratio and reduce heat generation. The result will be a distributed traction system capable of freewheeling safely at high speeds, extending use flexibility not only to off-road vehicles but also to on- road. This will allow us to address a much larger market.

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

We checked the technical, commercial and financial feasibility of E-ODD. We analyzed our technical goals, evaluated developments ahead, and drafted a project execution plan to implement our new E-ODD system.
We performed an analysis of the market of off-road and on-road trailer manufacturing and, consequently, drafted our go-to-market strategy. Our commercial plan addresses users and potential customers in the different vehicle applications, and also potential partners. We estimated resources, costs and timing, assessed the risks and defined mitigation and contingency plans accordingly.
We created a business plan which includes evaluation of sales, costs and total investments. We performed an analysis on cash-flow, project breakeven and ROI. As a result, the project has been deemed feasible.

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 unique design of the new LSHT motors will eliminate components reduce maintenance, space, weight and lower the system costs. Moreover, E-ODD will allow heavy vehicles in agriculture, forestry and construction to move efficiently off-road, while saving fuel and avoiding damaging the tracks. Heavy duty on-road trailers will benefit from the advantages of a distributed traction system at a much affordable cost.