German components and mobility major Schaeffler is exhibiting its new portfolio of products for two-wheelers at EICMA 2024 for the very first time. The 110th EICMA international trade fair for motorcycles will be held from November 7-10 in Milan, Italy (with press and trade visitor days on November 5 and 6).
The motion technology company’s showcase at the event is themed ‘Mind. Set. Future.’ and will be located at Booth B26 in Hall 15. It will feature an array of innovative powertrain solutions, control units and sensors that are also meeting the market trends of electrification and connectivity.
Extensive product portfolio for a growing market
The Schaeffler product portfolio on display at the show covers a wide range of applications – everything from chainless drives for e-bikes to low-voltage electric scooters and side-by-side vehicles, to components for motorcycles with efficient combustion engine technology, to bearing and sealing solutions.
“We are very excited to have a Schaeffler booth at EICMA for the very first time. The two-wheeler and powersports business that we gained from the merger with Vitesco offers major potential for growth in what is a dynamic market,” says Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis at Schaeffler AG. “Global two-wheeler and powersports production, which is currently sitting at around 70 million units per year, is set to grow to more than 80 million units by 2030. And production of electrically powered two-wheelers will more than double to around 30 million units over the same six-year period. Our offering in this space is fully aligned with the requirements of this regionally differentiated market.”
Schaeffler to unveil new hybrid scooter concept
Schaeffler will be using the trade fair for the world premiere of a hybrid scooter concept that it developed in partnership with scooter manufacturer Kymco based on their model DTX 360. Kymco provides the expertise in mechanical integration, while Schaeffler contributes its know-how in the field of control systems.
The scooter sports two compact electric drive control units (eDCU) which ensure intelligent management for the e-machine of the Kymco DTX 360. The M4REK control unit for the combustion engine has an integrated electronic throttle control and sensors for controlling the airflow. The master controller (Powertrain Domain Control Unit, PDCU) calculates and distributes the torque requirements to the various control units in the powertrain.
“The hybrid scooter illustrates the high degree of systems know-how in 2-wheeler powertrain applications that Schaeffler has gained from the merger with Vitesco,” Matthias Zink says. “We believe this segment offers the largest potential for hybrid drives. Together with Kymco, we have developed a technically complex solution that offers an attractive riding experience and optimized fuel consumption.”
Solutions for low- and high-voltage vehicles
Schaeffler is responding to the electrification trend with turnkey solutions for powertrains in low- and high-voltage applications. The company will be at the EICMA trade fair with an e-scooter exhibit showcasing its system solutions for 2-wheelers with 48-volt drives.
These solutions are designed for continuous power outputs ranging from 3 to 7 kW. The system comprises an eDCU control unit and a 48-volt electric machine. The latter features an inductive rotor position sensor (iRPS) – a technology that ensures a high degree of control accuracy.
“Together with the new battery management (BMS) this integrated system ensures that the drive is fully optimized for the riding profile typical of e-scooters,” explains Torsten Bellon, head of the 2-Wheelers and Powersports business unit at Schaeffler. “Our integrated solutions are cost-efficient and compact in design, so they free up precious space. These are key considerations in the low-voltage segment, which is on track for strong growth, particularly in Asia.”
In the high-voltage segment, Schaeffler leverages its electrification capabilities from its automotive business. One particular outcome of this will be on show at EICMA with a side-by-side vehicle (SSV) exhibit. This visualization is powered by the highly integrated EMR4 axle drive (the fourth generation of the ‘Electronics Motor Reducer’), which was developed for the passenger car segment. The electric drive system in the vehicle is complemented by an electric coolant pump as well as a “OneBox” – a solution that combines the PDCU master controller and the charging communications unit (CCU) in a single, compact module. “In the powersports segment, we anticipate growing demand for high-power electric drives, especially in the USA,” says Torsten Bellon. “Thanks to our modular and scalable solutions from the automotive electromobility segment, we are able to offer proven and readily available technologies that meet this market’s high expectations in terms of power and performance.”
The connectivity megatrend
Schaeffler is contributing to the growing trend towards expanded connectivity functions in offroad vehicles and two-wheelers with new integrated solutions. Torsten Bellon explains: “Digitalization is also making itself felt in the two-wheeler and powersports segment. Owners of these vehicles want real-time information about maintenance, consumption, and geographic location. And that’s where our integrated connectivity solutions come in. At the same time, we are investing in the ongoing development of our connectivity products and services to ensure they meet the increasing cyber security requirements that first come into force in Europe in 2029.”
Motorcycles with combustion engines will continue to be relevant
Strong as the electrification trend may be, unit production numbers of 2-wheelers with internal combustion engines will remain largely constant through 2030. That is why Schaeffler is continuing to develop engine and transmission system components to improve the efficiency of these types of motorcycles. At EICMA 2024, the company is displaying a KTM offroad motorcycle that features the M4C control unit. The compact multi-functional control units are the centre of the engine management system and is compatible for both two-stroke and four-stroke engines. It controls the fuel injectors and all the relevant sensors and actuators, like the electronic throttle control.
Torsten Bellon says: “We are a recognized supplier of systems for conventional motorcycles, and we will continue to work with our customers to research emission and fuel consumption reduction technologies for these vehicles and develop them to series production readiness.”
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