Schaeffler develops high-performance bearings for e-mobility

TriFinity: Three bearing rows for maximum modularity
New Delhi: Global automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler recently developed two new products: the TriFinity triple-row wheel bearing and the high-efficiency ball bearing with a centrifugal disc., designed specifically for electric vehicles to attain higher efficiency and service life for all types of the powertrain.

Schaeffler established a new Bearings business division within its Automotive Technologies division at the start of this year. “E-mobility represents a major opportunity for our bearings business,” Dieter Eireiner, Head, New business division, said.

“We are expecting strong growth over the next few years, with major sales potential, particularly for the ball, cylindrical roller, and tapered roller bearings. Innovative bearing technologies are also very important for both heavy and light commercial vehicles because they significantly increase vehicle range,” he added.

TriFinity: Three bearing rows for maximum modularity

Schaeffler’s TriFinity product is a triple-row wheel bearing designed for use in electrified powertrains. It is no bigger than standard two-row ball bearings but can transfer greater axle loads, while also offering a significantly longer service life and improved rigidity. Moreover, this ball bearing design provides an alternative to preloaded tapered roller bearing units.

Switching from tapered rollers to balls leads to significant improvements in frictional torque and rigidity, resulting in a 0.7% reduction in electricity consumption per vehicle in FTP75 test cycles, the company said.

The combination of the TriFinity with Schaeffler’s face spline technology allows downsizing solutions in the form of wheel bearing units with smaller diameters, and hence reduced bearing and seal friction, optimized bearing weight, and a smaller carbon footprint.

Clearance-free face spline technology reduces bearing weight while enabling the component to transmit up to 50% more drive torque, whilst also being quieter and easier to install, it added.

High-performance ball bearings

Schaeffler’s new high-efficiency ball bearing with a centrifugal disc is a high-performance, friction-optimized and sustainable product for electromobility applications. It combines the benefits of both open-bearing and sealed-bearing designs.

With 0.3 Nm less friction and CO2 emission reductions of about 0.1/km per bearing, the high-efficiency ball bearing with the centrifugal disc is a smart yet simple solution that has a major impact on overall performance. It has ten times the service life of an open bearing and represents a significant reduction in costs, the company said.

High-performance ball bearings
“Innovative bearing technologies are a core part of our product DNA and underpin the success of our Automotive Technologies division,” Matthias Zink, CEO of Automotive Technologies, Schaeffler AG, said.. “Schaeffler is looking to fit its efficient and high-precision bearing solutions in electrified powertrains and chassis systems, as well as conventional powertrains, to further enhance these systems and make them more sustainable,” he added.

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