Bosch
Engineering GmbH is systems development partner to nanoFlowcell AG for the
development of the Quant e-Sportlimousine electric sports sedan. The sedan will be unveiled at the Geneva
Motor Show on March 4, 2014.
Founded
in late 2013, nanoFlowcell AG is an innovative Research and Development Centre
based in Vaduz, Liechtenstein (Germany). The focus of nanoFlowcell AG’s research
is on the advanced development of drive technology and the classification of
flow-cell technology. In the simulation laboratory of the nanoFlowcell DigiLab
in Zurich, mastermind and development chief Nunzio La Vecchia and his team
examine important aspects of quantum chemistry on the basis of molecular
engineering. For years they simulated experiments with charge transfer, then
conducted trials using digital models, before finally synthesising them for
further testing. The current research vehicle, the Quant e-Sportlimousine,
enables the developers to study the mechanisms of charge transfer for the
innovative storage technology – the nanoFlowcell – during vehicle operation, as well as to
fine tune charge strategies for recuperation and further develop the
regeneration of cell charging and safety as well as quality controls.
The
wholly-owned Bosch subsidiary’s key task is to design the powertrain system for
this prototype four-seater sports car, with the development work focused on
system integration, energy management, and the control system for high-voltage
and low-voltage components. Bosch Engineering is applying its expert
understanding of the interrelationships between drive system, chassis, and
multimedia to develop a vehicle system architecture that is tailored to this
electrically powered sports sedan. This includes designing a complete on-board
communication system to guarantee high-performance, fail-safe data
communication between vehicle systems and components.
Bosch
Engineering is also responsible for developing the vehicle control unit for
energy management, the antilock braking system, the instrument cluster, and the
body computer for managing the central vehicle electrical system. Bosch
Engineering specializes in meeting the unique requirements of small-scale
series and high-performance vehicles, drawing on components and systems taken
from Bosch large-scale automotive series production as part of its solutions.
The company’s engineers and developers are collaborating closely with nanoFlowcell
AG in flexible project teams to develop new functions and to design electronic
systems tailored to the requirements of an electrically powered sports sedan.
This entails integrating all electric and electronic components into a single
high-performance, fail-safe system. The aim is to work with the research and
development centre based in Liechtenstein on further developing the vehicle
systems for the Quant as well as the control system for its storage technology.