The Free Drive is a brand new electrical bike innovation that converts your pedal energy into electrical power to run a motor, dishing out with a series or belt drive.
The fly-by-wire drivetrain is a collaboration between Schaeffler, an industrial bearings producer in Germany, and ebike drivetrain maker Heinzmann.
The Free Drive is at present a prototype however, with electrical bikes rising rapidly in reputation, could level to future developments in the sector.
How does the Free Drive work?
The Schaeffler Free Drive is an all-electric configuration and works by changing a bike owner’s pedal energy into electrical power utilizing a generator held in the backside bracket.
The energy generated then travels via internally routed or exterior cables to the rear wheel hub. Here, it’s transformed again into mechanical energy to propel the bike.
The product, which is being developed on the market by Heinzmann, has a claimed steady output of 250W – the most allowed below EU ebike legal guidelines – when in use. It consists of the pedal generator, drive motor, battery and a touchscreen management.
While the setup is a major departure from present ebike drivetrains, methods that convert mechanical power into electrical power for propulsion are frequent in lots of industries, most notably with diesel-electric propulsion methods in locomotives and ships.
What are the advantages of a wired drivetrain?
![00195DFA Schaeffler Free Drive](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/02/00195DFA-eedbf58.jpeg?quality=90&resize=413%2C413)
Most ebikes can’t be charged via pedalling, however Schaeffler claims the Free Drive generates extra power than the 250W motor requires for movement, with the surplus power saved in the battery.
Moreover, the battery is charged by regenerative braking and whereas descending.
The model claims the know-how could be a game-changer for motor-assisted cargo bike design.
Transporter ebikes with mechanical drivetrains require an extended chain between the pedals and rear derailleur. This constrains how the wheelbase of bigger three- and four-wheeled cargo bikes is configured.
The German firm additionally says its chainless system reduces upkeep prices as a result of it has fewer mechanical components that may put on out.
What are the cons of not having a series?
The most important drawback is that the drivetrain is 5 per cent much less environment friendly than a series, based on Schaeffler.
As a end result, the firm says the system’s vary drops by 5 per cent in comparison with a motorbike that makes use of a traditional chain-based drivetrain.
Is the Free Drive probably to enter manufacturing?
Schaeffler and Heinzmann demonstrated the Free Drive on a three-wheeled cargo bike at the Eurobike commerce present in September.
Schaeffler says it has no intention itself to supply full bikes geared up with the system and can give attention to the drive system, with the Free Drive then to be specced on different bikes.
Bike firms have obtained samples and the design could be finalised in mid-2022 after they end testing, based on the model.
Schaeffler claims a few of these two-wheeled producers could begin manufacturing later this yr.
Schaeffler and Heinzmann will situation updates at this yr’s Eurobike in July.