PowerPack – Ideal intermediate solution on the path towards e-mobility.

Knorr-Bremse, together with a business partner, provides electro-hydraulic PowerPacks or motor pump units. This component serves the purpose of supplying the amount of oil and pressure that is required for safe and reliable operation of the hydraulic steering system of the commercial vehicle. Since our PowerPacks are completely independent of an internal combustion engine, they represent the ideal intermediate solution to avoid a complete transition to a purely electric vehicle platform.

USPs:

  • 0.4 L/100 km fuel savings in comparison to engine-driven pumps
  • Easy integration – no HV protection required
  • Great steering feel (Rapid response time of <100 ms from standby to max. flow)
  • Low weight
  • Modular design
  • Fail-safe operation (ASIL-B)
  • Independent of combustion engine

Excellent energy efficiency due to power-on-demand principle and engine-off sailing

Knorr-Bremse PowerPacks function based on a power-on-demand principle completely independent of an internal combustion engine. Consequently, they only operate if the existing driving situation requires steering support for the driver. To obtain the required information, the PowerPack communicates directly with the vehicle via the CAN bus. That way, substantial fuel savings of up to 88 % or up to 0.4 l/100km in comparison to an engine-driven pump are enabled. Of course, demand-based operation requires the PowerPack to promptly resume operation for safety purposes as well as a smooth steering feel. That is why our motor pump units are engineered for rapid response times. They reach 90% of the maximum flow rate within only 100 ms from standby mode. This virtually non-existent delay of power supply both meets safety standards and ensures the abovementioned smooth steering feel at all times. Furthermore, said independence of the vehicle engine enables features such as engine-off sailing. Engine-off sailing refers to the possibility to turn off the vehicle motor in special driving situations to reduce fuel consumption. As the maneuvrability of the truck must be guaranteed at any time, such features require steering support independent of the vehicle engine.

Easy assembly with no need for high voltage (HV) protection measures

In addition to the abovementioned fuel savings, the superb energy efficiency of our motor pump units enables the power supply that is required for steering support at a relatively low voltage level. Consequently, Knorr-Bremse PowerPacks can be integrated very easily and render obsolete all measures for HV protection during assembly with the vehicle.

Modular solutions for all vehicle classes

Knorr-Bremse provides modular solutions that fit all gear sizes of light, medium and heavy duty trucks. For heavy and medium duty applications, our PowerPacks consist of two electric motors, each coupled with an electronic control unit (ECU) and a pump. Due to lower steering forces, light duty trucks only require one electric motor and control unit. Regardless of the vehicle class, we provide optional, customer-specific mounting brackets.

Key benefits of the Knorr-Bremse PowerPacks:

  • Reduced fuel consumption
  • CO2 emission savings
  • No need for HV protection
  • Weight-saving design
  • Ultra-reactive response time (<100 ms from standby to 90% of max. flow) enables great steering feel
  • Modular approach
  • Independent of internal combustion engine
  • Optimal performance due to adjustment of pump to vehicle and handwheel speed

Technical details

  • Up to 18 L/min pump flow
  • - 40 °C – 120 °C operating temperature range
  • > 185 bar max. pressure
  • 10.7 kg net weight
  • 24 V and 28 V solutions