ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division has unveiled its latest electrification technology, a new and advanced air compressor for commercial vehicles. The new product recently premiered at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in California, USA, and at the Auto Shanghai in China.
Designed for efficiency and smooth operation, the e-comp Scroll is an oil-free, low-noise, and minimal-vibration air compression system for medium and heavy-duty hybrid, battery electric, and fuel cell trucks, buses, and coaches.
Compressed air continues to be a fundamental requirement in commercial vehicles as the industry transitions towards electrification. It supports core and safety-critical systems such as air disc brakes and suspension, as well as other auxiliary functions. In commercial vehicles with electric drives, the air compressor required for these functions is usually driven by its electric motor, unlike conventional vehicles in which the combustion engine powers the compressor.
With electric vehicles operating more quietly than traditional ICE powered vehicles, the noise generated by the conventional piston compressor becomes more noticeable, negatively impacting the comfort of those inside and outside the vehicle.
The e-comp Scroll solves this by using the motion of interlocking scrolls to compress air. This minimizes vibration while limiting noise emissions to around 67dB(A) at the nominal operation point of 250 liters per minute, comparable to the noise level in an office environment.
Powered by an integrated electric motor, the e-comp Scroll efficiently compresses air up to 12.5 bar system pressure in a single stage and is capable of running at variable speeds to meet application demand.
The technology fulfils diverse customer requirements, such as system pressure, free air delivery, size and noise levels. Operating oil-free, the e-comp Scroll eliminates oil leaks as well as oil disposal needs, reducing TCO and protecting the environment.
The system also features an inverter and liquid cooling shell, which maintains the discharge temperature below 90° C (194° F).
Filed Under: Electric Motor, Technology News