Recently, one of the famous brands in the trailer industry, Gongxiang Trailer, claimed to have launched the world's first hybrid trailer, which is jointly established by Gongxiang Group and the Automotive College of Tongji University, using a typical P4 technology solution, using electric drive axle, power battery, electronic control, BMU controller and other modules, the drive motor is installed on the semi-trailer axle, so as to achieve auxiliary drive and brake energy recovery functions.
To put it simply, this is actually a trailer with pure electric drive, according to the official data released by the gong ringing trailer, this "hybrid" trailer, equipped with a peak power of 160kW motor, the maximum output of 217 horsepower, can effectively improve the power level of the vehicle, in addition, this pure electric power system can also achieve kinetic energy recovery function, not only can assist the braking of the vehicle, but also collect the energy generated during the braking process, stored in the battery pack that comes with it, to further enhance the economy, It is said that the fuel saving rate can reach up to 15%.
At the 2018 Hannover Motor Show WABCO launches the eTrailer for electric trailers
At first glance, the world's first "hybrid" trailer feels very advanced, but in fact, as early as the eve of the 2018 Hannover Motor Show, WABCO launched a similar product eTrailer.
By integrating a high-power (300kW) electric drive system in a semi-trailer, and embedding the control system (e-Drive) into the braking system of the main car and the trailer for synergy, WABCO can allow the vehicle to generate electrical energy by recovering braking energy during the deceleration process, and store it in the battery, and then used in the acceleration, uphill, driving and trailer electrical equipment of the vehicle, especially the cooling system of the refrigerated truck, which can improve the operating economy of the vehicle to a certain extent.
The current trailer products in normal operation, when braking will convert the kinetic energy of the trailer into heat loss, and the hybrid trailer (eTrailer) that matches the e-Drive system can connect the trailer EBS (TEBS) and the EBS of the tractor through the existing communication line, control the e-Drive system in the trailer, and judge the ratio of energy recovery to braking force to achieve optimal economy.
In order to maximize energy recovery, in the electronic braking system (EBS) system, the braking energy recovery will take precedence over mechanical braking, but this will also be judged according to the driver's intention to meet the real braking needs. This can recover about 72% of the deceleration energy, reduce diesel fuel by up to 6.5L/100 km, and improve economy by 10%-20%.
To achieve trailer kinetic energy recovery and pure electric drive, this requires a more complex control system, including the power supply electronic system, thermal management and the functions of the overall braking system (EBS, ESC and ADAS) for triggering external braking, the core of eTrailer is to deeply integrate the ability recovery of electric drive into the overall vehicle deceleration and stability control of the EBS system of the tractor and trailer.
WABCO also tested the prototype of eTrailer's hybrid trailer on the test track in Germany, testing the stability of a variety of working conditions, including up and downhill, long and short distances, different road surfaces, different weather conditions, in addition to verifying its economy, more importantly, the stability of the entire system, in order to prevent the phenomenon of twisting and pushing head during driving and braking.
In fact, in the final analysis, it is to test the matching degree of the main hook, which is the basis for the implementation of this technology.
○ Figure丨Worthen electric trailer axle
In addition, the domestic manufacturer Guangdong Fuhua brand Wasing Axle also has a similar product launch, also exhibited at the 2018 Hannover Motor Show, Wasion's current design of the electric trailer shaft, not to drive the vehicle, but to specifically recover the kinetic energy during the driving process, to charge the battery on the trailer, can be used for the trailer of the electrical equipment, such as electric tail plate, refrigerated cargo box cold machine and so on.
Hybrid trailers have to solve multiple difficulties to achieve
Speaking of the hybrid trailer launched by the gong ringing trailer this time, first of all, it is said that the world's first is not really necessarily, but it is undeniable that this is indeed a forward-looking research and development project, from the perspective of WABCO products, such electric or hybrid trailers do have a significant improvement in the economy of the vehicle, especially conducive to the field of self-owned electrical equipment on the trailer, such as the field of refrigerated vehicles.
But in order to achieve such a hybrid trailer with power and energy recovery, there are still many difficulties to be solved, on the one hand, the problem of main hanging matching, how to overcome the problem of vehicle twisting and pushing head in the process of driving and braking, how to more efficiently link the main car, trailer system, so that it has better stability, matching degree, etc., these solutions can truly achieve the purpose of improving economy, according to the current domestic tractor and trailer owner hanging matching degree, the major main car factories and trailer factories still have to work hard;
On the other hand, there is a gap in laws and regulations, which is also a problem encountered by WABCO's eTrailer hybrid trailers, which have no laws and regulations to support their legal driving on the road.
Gong ring trailer this launch of hybrid products, the starting point is good, in line with the general trend of environmental protection, carbon neutrality goals, it is worth paying attention to, if the product test is successful, and can better control the cost, I believe there will be no small market. (Text/Chen Fengchuan)