ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division is presenting its latest electric vehicle technologies ahead of IAA Transportation 2022.
The new products include ZF’s CeTrax 2 electric central drive, an integrated, modular e-driveline system for heavy-duty commercial vehicles; an advanced electric power steering (EPS) system for trucks, coaches, and city buses; and eWorX, ZF’s electrified commercial vehicle power take-off (PTO) system for driving on-board work equipment.
“From electrified drivelines to electrified power take-off systems and electrically enabled actuation systems, ZF provides customers with smart turn-key solutions that significantly contribute to their vehicle electrification strategies as well as supporting architectures for conventionally designed vehicles,” said Christian Brenneke, SVP of product engineering with ZF’s CVS division.
“Providing a ‘one-stop shop' for commercial vehicle electrification, ZF’s broad product portfolio, combined with extensive Group-wide expertise, enables the delivery of cost-efficient products that are designed to lower the total cost of ownership,” Brenneke added.
CeTrax 2
ZF’s CeTrax 2 electric central drive leverages in-house developed components and features two high-performance oil-cooled e-motors as well as two integrated 800 Volt silicon carbide (SiC) inverters. CeTrax 2 uses a three-speed gearbox able to perform powershifts.
CeTrax 2 allows manufacturers to offer both conventional ICE and electric drivelines on the same vehicle platform, according to ZF. In addition to enabling the quicker electrification of existing vehicle platforms, the system enables high power and torque, a light-weight design (approximately 385 kg), and enhanced e-drive efficiency of up to 96%, the company added. The system also offers continuous power of 360 kW and peak torque of 24,700 Nm for vehicles up to 44 tons.
CeTrax 2 gear changes are calculated by the integrated ECU and automatically executed by the e-actuators. Series production is set to commence with a major global truck manufacturer in 2023, ZF stated in a press release.
Electric power steering
ZF said its new EPS provides a cornerstone technology for the commercial vehicle industry’s transformation towards electrification. Building on the group’s passenger car experience, the EPS is suitable for a broad range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks as well as coaches and city buses, according to ZF.
Replacing the hydraulic pump with an integrated e-motor makes the steering system independent of the vehicle's drivetrain and removes the need for hydraulic fluid. Enabling zero local emissions for battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles, it also optimizes the driving experience with its quiet electric operation, the company stated.
Available in 24V and 48V variants and supporting outputs up to 8,000 Nm, the modular EPS has a scalable design to meet diverse packaging requirements. ZF said its EPS is currently ready for steer-by-wire and, with a redundant architecture, can accommodate future autonomous driving functions. As an active steering system, EPS can integrate with advanced driver assistance systems to support safety functions, including continuous lane keeping.
PTO for electric trucks
ZF’s electrified commercial vehicle PTO system, eWorX, has been harnessed to drive onboard work equipment. As a fully integrated system, eWorX offers a modular, standardized, and intelligent system that combines all the functions required for the electrification of onboard equipment in a single compact unit, the company stated.
Providing a known mechanical interface, eWorX supports vehicle body manufacturers by removing the need to deal with the drivetrain of an electrified vehicle while equipping it with work equipment.
According to ZF, the eWorX solution delivers zero local emissions and significantly reduces noise levels, which facilitates easier operation in cities and residential areas.
