Overview
Today trucks are designed and optimised towards a limited variance set of usage and for maximum payload. Future trucks-trailers are easily adaptable for each freight, load and mission. And, in the operation phase, the vehicle combination automatically adjusts itself to the actual driving environment (i.e. traffic situation, topology, and payload). This option has large potential to contribute to the achievement of the EC’s targets for reducing the consumption of fossil energy resources, increasing transport - and fuel efficiency.
The objective of the project is to develop and demonstrate innovative and energy efficient trucks and load carriers for long distance transport assignments with an improved load efficiency leading to an overall 25% less energy consumption on a t.km basis and a lower impact on the road infrastructure. This is achieved by the CONCEPT proposed that is based upon the following key innovations: 1. A distributed, modular, and mission adaptable Hybrid-on-Demand (HoD) driveline concept that is applicable to both, existing and future trucks; 2. A pre-standard electric Hybrid-on-Demand Framework that supports a broad market introduction of hybrid commercial vehicles and provides planning certainty for future RTD activities; 3. Mission-based configurable aerodynamic overall truck-trailer design (toolbox); 4. Loading efficiency optimised trailer interior design (toolbox); TransFormers focus on achieving these key innovations within the existing European legal and regulatory framework in terms of dimensions, weight and loads. The main results of the project will be: Key performance indicators and use cases; - Holistic simulation study results for the design of the Hybrid on demand driveline concepts and use for optimal component selection; - HoD driveline concept defined, implemented and demonstrated in truck (semi) trailers; Tool box with a set of aerodynamic solutions and trailer concepts for optimised transport efficiency (loading).
WP 1 - Use cases and requirements
The objective and aim of this WP1 is to identify the major needs and expectations from the industry, users and Authorities for a new configurable and adaptable truck coping with an increasing need for optimised load efficiency for each mission. The end user group will be an important key input in this work. This WP will provide basic information based on key performance in- dicators that will help to compare current situation with further develop-ments. And will be the input for WP 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
WP 2 - Holistic simulations
The challenging tasks of tool interfacing and the configuration of such a holistic simulation are addressed within WP2. On the basis of a holistic system simulation the evaluation of the component selection/ dimensioning of electrification com- ponents is possible as well as the design and evaluation of purpose designs. Providing essential inputs for the evaluation / demonstration task; amount of fuel reduction of special truck; trailer assemblies and/or impact of specific components or approaches on the overall truck-trailer's system. For the
development and the design of the Hybrid-On-Demand (HoD) drive-line concept a primary component selection is carried out in an earlier stage of the project. And the Main results are: Updated simulation models, Holistic system simulation for purpose designs and evaluation and Optimal component selection.
WP 3 - Electric Hybrid-on-Demand Framework
The objectives for WP3 are developing the novel modular, distributed, and mission-adaptable Hybrid-on-Demand driveline concept, a first-time design of an electric Hybrid-on-Demand framework, and the demonstration and evaluation of the mission-adaptable distributed Hybrid-on-Demand driveline within real-world test vehicles.
WP 4 - Mission Adaptable Truck Trailer Architecture
The Mission Adaptable Truck Trailer architecture focuses on optimising the cargo filling and dynamically adapting the aerodynamic form depending on the fill rate. Optimising the fill rate can gain about 10% in transport efficiency. Main outcome: Optimised aerodynamic architecture fortractor-semitrailer configuration; validation of technical and economic feasibility. Overview over the technical and economical possibilities for the semitrailer design with focus on optimised transport efficiency, theoretical validation of the driving controls strategy and safety/stability assessment by simulation and benchmarking and Prototype semi