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A suspension system that could define future electric bus chassis.
At the recent Busworld Europe 2023, Hemscheidt, a company part of the Hubner Group, presented a revolutionary breakthrough for electric bus suspension systems that eliminates the use of compressed air. Hemscheidt engineers discovered that compressed air mechanisms consume a lot of energy for the vehicle's chassis suspension and damping; they also take up a lot of space. Therefore, the company has studied the use of oil as a hydraulic fluid for hydropneumatic suspension and damping; this way, it can achieve a balance between comfort, stability, and the ability to absorb road irregularities.
Now, the specialized magazine Busplaner has recognized the company, part of the Hubner Group since 2007, for its hydropneumatic suspension and damping system in the vehicle components (vehicle technology) category.
Oil allows for greater energy efficiency
The use of oil allows for greater energy efficiency than compressed air. This is because oil, as a carrier hydraulic fluid, is continuously reused in the closed hydropneumatic suspension and damping system. This allows more than two-thirds of the energy typically used for raising and lowering the bus to be reused.
In addition to saving energy, the suspension and damping system increases driving comfort and stability, even on uneven surfaces. And, for example, in the event of large load shifts when loading or unloading passengers, a hydropneumatic suspension system levels the bus in fractions of a second.
The hydropneumatic suspension and damping system is the basis of a chassis technology for buses and commercial vehicles that can operate without compressed air. What makes this system special is the use of bio-oil as the hydraulic fluid, instead of compressed air, which requires much more energy. An oil-based system of this type operates more energy-efficiently and, at the same time, requires much less space on the chassis.
Following the system's presentation, the advancement of the new suspension and damping system mechanism that eliminates compressed air has received a very positive reception. Hemscheidt is therefore holding extensive discussions with several customers who are convinced of the added value this system offers and are interested in using it in their vehicles. These are the same reasons that have earned the company the award.
The HÜBNER Group supports the transition to mobility and the implementation of electromobility with numerous solutions for buses, commercial vehicles, and rail vehicles that reduce vehicle weight and improve aerodynamics. Furthermore, HÜBNER applies a comprehensive approach to sustainability, from product development to production, maintenance, and service.
