One of the mobility solutions of the near future on display at the Schaeffler stand at Automechanika was its 48V Hybrid Module. The leading OE and aftermarket components supplier and systems developer says that efficient mild hybrid 48-volt drivetrains can have a major role to play in making the combustion engine fit for tomorrow’s mobility needs.

With car electrical requirements growing at pace, 48 volt systems offer a combination of increased power and smaller lighter cables making them attractive to vehicle designers. 48 volts systems also fit well with a mild hybrid design, offering sufficient power to pull away, to roll along electrically in a traffic jam or to actively coast. A 48-volt hybrid module can reduce fuel consumption by over 15 per cent compared to conventional power units. As a result, CO2 emissions are also reduced and all a modest costs.

Schaeffler has already developed many different 48 v hybrid module solutions for a variety of different vehicle configurations. For example it’s P2 module is designed to fit between the engine and transmission and consists of an automated disconnect clutch and electric machine operated by an electromechanical central release mechanism to transmit engine torques.

A one-way clutch is used to transmit the traction torques from the engine to the transmission, while torques are transmitted toward the engine via the clutch. This allows the clutch to have a compact design despite the high torques and enables the corresponding benefits in terms of space and cost.

These hybrid modules essentially allow existing combustion vehicles designs to be converted to a hybrid configuration at a relatively low cost and with all the fuel consumption an emission reduction benefits this can offer. Schaeffler says the 48 V architecture allows different driving strategies to be selected in order to reduce CO2 emissions and increase driving dynamics, such as emissions-free, purely electric driving up to 35 km/h in areas where traffic is restricted. The concept also offers the possibility of torque vectoring or distributing the drive forces to specific wheels. This can improve a vehicle’s agility and safety as when combined with front wheel drive, the electric axle effectively provides the vehicle with four-wheel drive capability.