In a major expansion project, transmission and driveline engineering expert, Drive System Design (DSD), has commissioned three new test cells, which will greatly enhance the company’s test and development capabilities for hybrid and EV technologies.
The state-of-the-art facilities, which are housed within the company’s existing 1,500m2 test base in Leamington Spa, UK, took just six months to design and develop. ATTI was exclusively invited to witness testing inside the largest of the three cells (above) – the 5E rig – which is currently being used in a project for a major European OEM.
DSD chief engineer, Rob Oliver, said, “In recent years the majority of our work has been focused on hybrid and electric vehicles and particularly in the last year there’s been a step-change in the requirements for these vehicles. The new facilities will enable us to go right from the concept stage through to hardware development and validation testing.
“As part of our plans we have invested in equipment to test the electrical machine, the transmission and the electric powertrain as a whole unit. The new development also enables us to test a complete range of transmissions, drivelines and vehicles with higher power outputs. We can allow for variations in track width by adjusting propshaft length, and e-machines are able to slide on their beds to accept wheelbase differences.”
The 5E cell has five electrical machines, the four output motors each capable of 7,000Nm and 700kW, and can handle 4WD HEV transmissions and drivelines ranging in size from passenger cars to trucks and off-highway vehicles.
Three additional cells – the first of which is already in operation, the second to be available as of mid-March and the third at the end of Q2 – each equipped with three e-machines, can be used for testing 2WD vehicle systems and will complement existing facilities, which are in heavy demand.
More available online soon.
March 6, 2017
