Modular driveline concept for underground mining loader

This paper is part of an ongoing HybLab project funded by the Multidisciplinary Institute of Digitalization and Energy (MIDE) of Aalto University School of Science and Technology. First results and plans were presented in EVS24 [1]. The focus in this paper is to describe what kind requirements must be taken in to account when designing and dimensioning an electromechanical driveline for an underground mining loader. For case work machine is chosen 18t loader which was presented in EVS24 [1]. Also concept for a modular driveline concept will be presented. Basic idea in the concept is to avoid over dimensioning of electric drives by using electromechanically actuated mechanical links between the drive units. The concept gives possibility to optimize dimensioning of each electric drive in driveline so that the best efficiency is in use in normal mean power drive conditions. When one drive needs peak power then mechanical power can be driven via mechanical links from other drives. Disengageable mechanical links gives also possibility to avoid internal countertorques in driveline caused by steering geometries and differences in tire diameters. The concept will be presented in the EVS25. The first results and experiences from the electromechanical driveline will be presented in EVS26.