Saietta Group displays raft of eDrive innovations at IAA Transportation

Saietta Group is showcasing a raft of breakthrough heavy-duty eDrive innovations at IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover (A52 in Hall 21 at IAA Transportation 2022). Each demonstrates the company’s expertise in fast-track delivery of turnkey solutions for truck and bus OEMs.

An all-new Central Motor Concept makes its global debut. The pioneering package – integrating the motor, power electronics and gearbox – is an optimal all-in-one solution for global truck manufacturers transitioning to zero-emissions.

Also presented for the first time at IAA Transportation is a fully-integrated eDrive solution for lightweight commercial vehicles up to two tonnes. It integrates into a single compact unit Saietta’s Axial Flux Technology (AFT) motor, in-house developed power electronics unit, a modular gearbox, and bespoke axle architecture.

A new high-tech AFT in-wheel motor concept and a new eAxle Concept for heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers has also been unveiled for the first time.

“This is the first time that Saietta is exhibiting at the IAA Transportation show, but a major part of our business has been here many times before,” said Wicher (Vic) Kist, Saietta’s Chief Executive Officer.

“In late 2021, we acquired and integrated the well-established e-Traction business into Saietta Group. Now known as Saietta Heavy Duty eDrive (HDE), the addition of its technologies, facilities and talented people has been transformational for the group. Crucially, we’ve worked hard with our new colleagues to unlock its untapped potential to apply their expertise in the development of turnkey solutions for the heavy truck market.

Central Motor Concept
Saietta’s state-of-the-art Central Motor Concept has been designed to address three core engineering challenges facing heavy-duty commercial vehicle manufacturers: systems integration, optimal packaging and weight reduction.

The Central Motor Concept has been designed as a fully modular, flexible solution. The technology platform can be tailored to specific OEM requirements to deliver optimum peak and continuous power, torque and speed.

In addition to its superior power density, the Central Motor Concept is lighter and more compact than other similar systems. Thanks to the in-built modularity, the package can be carefully ‘right-sized’ to fit specific packaging requirements of each application.

Developed by Saietta’s HDE division in the Netherlands, the innovative Central Motor Concept houses an inverter, cooling system, high-speed motor and a planetary gear fixed-ratio transmission in an optimal all-in-one package.

The inverter is an advanced silicon carbide semiconductor field-effect transistor (SiCFET) type, with a water jacket cooling system. And the high-speed motor is a robust and durable interior permanent magnet (IPM) design.

A number of high-tech components are incorporated into the Central Motor Concept to support vehicle manufacturers seeking complete systems integration. The package includes an integrated oil pump, standardised mounting flange, integrated tachograph sensor, DC HV input connectors and a position sensor assembly.

New heavy-duty eAxle Concept
A high-tech fully integrated eAxle Concept is also being premiered by Saietta. It has been developed for heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers that are seeking an innovative, advanced and modular drivetrain solution.

The eAxle Concept benefits from two electric motors – with added gearing – strategically placed back-to-back in the middle of the architecture. Both motors are connected to one wheel hub. The innovative design maintains the axle’s high torque vectoring capabilities whilst being packaged within the same footprint design as a conventional axle driven by a diesel motor.

As a result, Saietta’s eAxle Concept houses the entire powertrain at the rear of the axle, allowing OEMs the opportunity to make use of the newly acquired space to best suit their individual needs, including the addition of extra batteries and battery cells; a range-extender system; or optimizing cargo capacity.

Fully integrated eAxle for LCVs
Another solution presented for the first time is a fully integrated eDrive for lightweight commercial vehicle applications up to two tonnes GVW. A re-developed and re-designed AFT140 electric motor is packaged with integrated power electronics, modular gearbox and bespoke axle architecture.

This is a plug-and-play eDrive solution that can be rapidly integrated into existing and newly developed light commercial vehicle platforms.

The enhanced AFT electric motor range provides manufacturers of light-duty vehicles with the starting point for the rapid development of a bespoke, fully-integrated eDrive solution.

Saietta is developing a leading-edge in-wheel motor solution targeted for use within the rapidly expanding last-mile delivery vehicle sector. The high-tech design utilises the company's patented AFT motor design to deliver high torque and power at low speeds. The motor, transmission and mechanical brake packages into 15-inch wheel allowing for more space for cargo or passengers.

Saietta says its in-wheel motor technologies offer an ideal solution for vehicle platforms that require maximum space efficiency by pushing the eDrive outboard into the wheel envelope. Such a configuration suits last mile e-commerce delivery and refuse collection vehicles, and autonomous people carriers.