The worse the road, the lower the consumption

Ingolstadt, 12 August 2016

The recovery of energy plays an increasingly important role in the mobility of the future. Usually will only brake and shear energy fed back into the battery. But since the shock absorber (other than the springs) on bad roads to warm up, Audi has thought, how one could use this energy. The result is a new shock absorber prototype called eROT.

Electromechanical and rotative

Conventional shock absorbers operate hydraulically and axial: A piston inside a cylinder and presses them therein hydraulic oil through narrow channels and valves. Warmed by the friction the oil and as a result of the shock absorbers, the energy drain unused. The new differences shock absorber, however, is an electro-mechanical rotation. This is essentially a generator: kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy on electromechanical way. Unlike as in the normal shock absorbers the vibrations to be transformed first into a rotary movement so the energy can be more easily used. How much energy can be generated so that depends on the road: the worse the surface, the lower the consumption. The reduction in fuel consumption is small: In test mode resulted in about 100 to 150 Watts, which is equivalent to about 0.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

Well controlled and space-saving

The differences system has other advantages. It is controllable and adapts itself like normal adaptive damper on bumpy roads and riding style. This tensile and compression are no longer linked as with conventional shock absorbers. The rebound (in compression) can be designed soft the rebound (the rebound), however, tightly. Another advantage is the geometry: the rotational dampers are the luggage arranged horizontally in the rear of axle of benefits.

Strong mild from 2017

The new differences technology like the electrically driven compressor (EAV) or an electromechanical version of the active roll stabilization (EAWS) belongs to audis efforts around to the 48-volt electrical system. Also below the high Volt models (plug-in hybrid and electric cars), the Ingolstädter want to promote the electrification. New mild hybrid should move into the range, from each series, there should soon be such a Variant. Already the conventional 12-volt network allows a mild hybrid (with lithium-ion battery and belt-driven Starter/generator). But a 48-volt power allows more energy recovery. In the first stage of the expansion, store the lithium-ion battery energy 0.5 kilowatt hours and can deliver performance up to 13 kilowatts. The 12-volt power is still dominant in this stage. However in the second stage, the 48-volt home wiring. Thus, you can save up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers. Such a mild is already 2017 to become a reality in a new Audi model. (sl)

Related