Power Steering for heavy electric vehicles
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Cascade Drives AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 011 000 |
| Project duration | March 2019 - November 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The project aimed to develop an electromechanical linear actuator for a steering application in a heavy-duty vehicle; a counterweight material handling truck with a load capacity of 816 tonnes. The vehicle type has a small share of the market for heavy vehicles of 3 million vehicles sold per year, hence a there is volume potential for future sales. The goal of the project was to take the product to TRL8, which means the step before serial order from customer. TRL6 was achieved since vehicle testing couldn’t be realised due to Covid-19.
Expected results and effects
The project has developed a new actuator for controlling counterbalanced trucks with a load capacity of approximately 816 tonnes. Performance has been verified in internal test rig and ongoing long-term tests will verify the design service life. We are convinced that the technology will soon be tested in vehicles; whether it is the actuator developed in this project or ultimately another size built on the same principle remains to be seen. By being able to offer a complete "steer-by-wire" system, a larger market is attracted.
Planned approach and implementation
The collection of requirements from strategic customers became a bit limited when the planned field tests did not fit into the customers´ planning. A major part of the requirement work had to be carried out internally instead. Covid-19 delayed delivery of gears by about 3 months. The delivery was then of inadequate quality and resulted in a further 3 months delay. Marketing at trade fairs / conferences did not take place for the same reason. Test results from test rigs in the final stages of the project are very useful in customer dialogues about field tests.