Energy recovery technology will play a more and more important role in the future of motor vehicles, automotive suspension also have the same ability. Audi is developing a product called eROT prototype system, it will be based on the hydraulic shock absorber electromechanical rotary shock absorber to replace the, make driving more comfortable.
EROT's development philosophy is easy to understand, Audi's board of directors responsible for technology research and development director Dr. Shi Mingke explained: "every bump in the road can generate kinetic energy in the car. This energy is absorbed by the shock absorber that is currently being used and is lost in the form of heat. We use a new type of electrical and mechanical shock absorption system in the 48 volt electrical system, so that the recovery of the energy can be used. The system also brings new possibilities for us and our customers in the regulation of suspension."
EROT respond quickly, inertia is very small. The active control suspension can perfectly adapt to the uneven road surface and the driver's driving style. The characteristics of the shock absorber can be freely defined by software, thus extending the scope of the function. It eliminates the mutual dependence between the spring back stroke and the compression stroke, and thus is not subject to the limitation of this dependence as the traditional hydraulic shock absorber. With the help of eROT, Audi can achieve a soft and comfortable compression stroke without affecting the resilience of the spring. Another advantage of the new damping system is the geometric structure, the rear axle arrangement of the regional level electric device to replace the vertical telescopic shock absorber for luggage racks to make more space.
In addition to the shock absorber characteristic free programming, eROT system has another function: it can produce compression and rebound in the process of kinetic energy into electricity, the working principle is using a lever arm to absorb wheel frame motion, and then through a series of gears will be sent to a motor thus, the kinetic energy into electrical energy. The German road test show: output power energy recovery averaged 100 watts to 150 watts, in a new paved highway had the lowest output of 3 watts, in a flat two road when the highest 613 watt output. Under the driving conditions of the customer, which is equivalent to 3 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per kilometer.
The new eROT technology is based on a high output 48 volt electrical system. In the current configuration, the system's lithium-ion battery can provide 0.5 kwh of energy capacity and 13 kilowatts of peak output. A DC converter is connected to a 12 V main electrical system, which includes a high efficiency, high output generator, and a 48 volt power system.
The preliminary test results of eROT technology is very good, the future application in Audi production model is logical. The prerequisite for the use of this technology is for the vehicle equipped with 48 volt electrical system, which is the core elements of the Audi electric strategy. This 48 volt electrical system is scheduled to launch in 2017, the next generation version, will be used as the main electrical system in a new Audi models, for the high performance of mild hybrid drive system for energy. It is expected to achieve a saving of 0.7 liters per hundred kilometers.
