The eWorX all-in-one solution is said to offer vehicle body manufacturers a known mechanical interface to drive work equipment. The two companies are also collaborating with crane producer Palfinger to equip a Mercedes-Benz eActros demonstration truck with a skip loader. Additionally, ZF has applied eWorX to an eActros equipped with a hook loader from Meiller.
Both demonstration vehicles will be unveiled at Munich’s IFAT 2022 global trade fair on May 30.
The eWorX system installed in the demonstration vehicles features an electric motor with nominal power of 50kW, an inverter and a control unit with application-specific software as well as a cooling system and a hydraulic pump. eWorX acts as a gateway between the vehicle and its on-board equipment, with communication via a connection to the vehicle’s CAN bus.
The system operates independently from the driving system and so can be used with electric axle drives and central drives. The traction battery of the eActros provides electrical energy to the ZF eWorX system. With this, the eWorX electric motor in turn drives the hydraulic pump for the loaders. A mechanical connection to the traction motor is therefore not required.
As an integrated system, ZF eWorX combines all the functions required for the electrification of on-board equipment in a single unit. ZF says eWorX delivers zero local emissions and significantly reduces noise levels which facilitates easier operation in cities and residential areas.