10th May 2023
As part of its ongoing programme to develop ground-breaking electric drive systems that combine exceptional efficiency with outstanding performance, DG Innovate has made its first delivery of state-of-the-art hub drives. Suitable for vehicles weighing up to 11 tonnes, the drives develop torque of 6,000 Nm and have been extensively tested to confirm their ability to operate at full output for extended periods and to withstand shock loads of up to 30G without ill effects.
Featuring compact construction and exceptional power density, the new drives are the latest evolution of DGI’s Cobalt 3 hub drive technology which allows all torque-producing components to be completely housed within the wheel rim. The drives incorporate DGI’s unique multiple parallel system architecture, which effectively splits the torque-producing elements into a large number of segments. This provides important benefits in relation to fault tolerance – the drive will continue to operate with only slightly reduced torque output if any segment fails. In relation to thermal characteristics, the system uses direct oil cooling to provide maximum continuous power even in hot climates, as heat generation and cooling is distributed over the whole hub assembly.
The hub drives supplied by DGI incorporate double-calliper full torque disc brakes, eliminating the need for a separate braking assembly. They are partnered by robust high-power inverters, also developed and supplied by DGI, capable of providing up to 1200 A at 800 V. The inverters, along with DGI dynamic vehicle controller, offer full dynamic torque vector control together with innovative anti-skid functionality, which helps to ensure maximum vehicle manoeuvrability and safety even in the most demanding of operating conditions.
While supplied for arduous offroad applications, DGI EV drive systems using the same cutting-edge technology are suitable for use in a wide range of vehicle applications, particularly those involving heavy vehicles, such as earthmovers, that are frequently called upon to operate in challenging environments.
