The flexibility of the Eskam design is not limited to batch sizes, but also extends to geometry. “Because the module is scalable, we can use it in everything from small vans and municipal vehicles to buses and trucks,” says Bräunlich. This would not be possible, for example, using a wheel-hub motor. While wheel-hub motors have advantages – such as a wide steering angles and greater responsiveness – they are not suitable for commercial vehicles, because they do not usually deliver more than 2,000 rpm. And because each wheel needs its own power electronics, costs are higher.
The Eskam module can be used to drive a vehicle's front wheels (left) or rear wheels (right)
The individual parts developed by the various members of the Eskam consortium are finished and ready to go, as are the manufacturing techniques. The consortium is now putting the individual parts together to assemble a demonstrator, and it plans to fit the axle module into a real vehicle for testing by the end of 2015.
