HRAM: Hybrid Rear Axle Module, an Innovative Hybrid Differential for P3 and P4 Applications

Abstract

The legislation limits for pollutants emissions are strongly pushing OEMs to electrification of their vehicle fleet. Even high performance car manufacturers are taking on the challenge of using electrification - a trend also observed for premium and exotic vehicles. This electrification job is seen from some manufacturers as an opportunity to increase the vehicle performances while moving to more “green” powertrains. It means that the installation of electric power on the vehicle should certainly not affect the performances of the vehicle models with only an internal combustion engine, but increase the performances while cutting the pollutants emissions during driving. As such it is no easy task, since the hybrid system (battery, inverter, and electric motor) affects strongly the overall vehicle weight and thus its driving dynamics as well as system cost. On top of this most manufacturers look for synergies between hybrid and standard versions in order to minimize cost and investments of the overall vehicle platform. All the arguments above weigh even stronger focussing on high performance cars due to the challenges posed by low to medium production volumes. Because of this, modularity of the specific subsystems plays a key role during the concept selection.