[RavenAvi]

Audi is in the process of developing a new kind of prototype suspension to recover and capture the kinetic energy generated by the constantly-moving dampers inside the system, much like regenerating brake energy. This will aid in harnessing more wasted energy generated from a car's movements on the road, and also cut down on the overall fuel consumption.

Dubbed as the "eROT" (electromechanical rotary dampers), this new suspension system has rotary dampers which are connected to lever arms which absorb the motion of the wheel and transmit it through a set of gears to an electric motor mounted in the rear axle.

Dr.-Ing. Stefan Knirsch, Board Member for Technical Development, AUDI AG:

“Every pothole, every bump, every curve induces kinetic energy in the car. Today’s dampers absorb this energy, which is lost in the form of heat. With the new electromechanical damper system in the 48-volt electrical system, we put this energy to use. It also presents us and our customers with entirely new possibilities for adjusting the suspension."

According to Audi, the recuperation output from this system is 100 to 150 watts on an average during normal testing on German roads, ranging from 3 watts on a freshly paved freeway to 613 watts on a rough secondary road. Under customer-driving conditions, this corresponds to CO2 savings of up to three grams per kilometer.

The eROT system responds quickly and with minimal inertia. As an actively controlled suspension, it adapts ideally to irregularities in the road surface and the driver’s driving style. A damper characteristic that is virtually freely definable via software increases the functional scope. It eliminates the mutual dependence of the rebound and compression strokes that limits conventional hydraulic dampers. With eROT, Audi configures the compression stroke to be comfortably soft without compromising the taut damping of the rebound stroke. Another advantage of the new damper system is its geometry. The horizontally arranged electric motors in the rear axle area replace the upright telescopic shock absorbers, which allows for additional space in the luggage compartment.

The eROT system enables a second function besides the freely programmable damper characteristic: It can convert the kinetic energy during compression and rebound into electricity. To do this, a lever arm absorbs the motion of the wheel carrier. The lever arm transmits this force via a series of gears to an electric motor, which converts it into electricity.

The new eROT technology is based on a high-output 48-volt electrical system. As currently configured, its lithium-ion battery offers an energy capacity of 0.5 kilowatt hours and peak output of 13 kilowatts. A DC converter connects the 48-volt electrical subsystem to the 12-volt primary electrical system, which includes a high-efficiency, enhanced output generator.

Initial test results for the eROT technology are promising, thus its use in future Audi production models is certainly plausible. A prerequisite for this is the 48-volt electrical system, which is a central component of Audi’s electrification strategy. In the next version planned for 2017, the 48-volt system will serve as the primary electrical system in a new Audi model and feed a high-performance mild hybrid drive. It will offer potential fuel savings of up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers.

Official Press Release

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

According to Audi, the recuperation output from this system is 100 to 150 watts on an average during normal testing on German roads, ranging from 3 watts on a freshly paved freeway to 613 watts on a rough secondary road.

They should get this to India ASAP.

Given our road conditions, these cars might even produce surplus electricity to power the owner's homes and a few neighbouring blocks as well.

And given the politics involved in improving our infrastructure, we're probably looking at tapping the cheapest unlimited energy source. Bangalore guys will be proud of their speedbreakers, Mumbai guys will happily drive over potholes, and overall satisfaction levels of road users will shoot through the roof.

[srishiva]

People would search and go over humps and potholes to get the batteries charged. If they can make these batteries removable, we can use them at home

I would have assumed they would have the generation withing the moving dampers instead of having a rotary mechanism.

Edit: Ok, they have converted the telescopic damper into horizontally arranged motors