Concept 08
Jungheinrich's Concept 08 concept truck presents our new solutions for energy efficiency and ergonomics in the forklift sector. The development approach is systematically focused on the intelligent storage and efficient use of energy
The Concept 08 truck is a ride-on pallet truck featuring a completely new energy storage and drive concept. The use of lithium-ion batteries and direct drive offers even higher energy efficiency than with the three-phase AC technology already standard in Jungheinrich trucks today.
Revolutionary "floating" drive experience with Concept 08
The new battery technology also allows a significantly more compact structural design, with completely new truck design concepts and enhanced ergonomics. The thumb-operated ergonomic controls ensure fatigue-free operation of the truck in both directions. Thanks to the integration of the drive systems below the low-level platform, the driver seems to "float" on the truck, rather than driving it or walking beside it. A cushioned, noiseless chassis provides a completely new driver experience. The highly efficient direct drive system is a further enhancement of the already extremely effective and eco-friendly three-phase AC technology currently utilised in virtually all Jungheinrich electric stackers. In combination with lithium-ion batteries, this allows for substantially longer truck travel distances and shorter recharging times. In a word: this technology will save our customers a lot of money, as well as protecting the environment.
Significantly reduced energy requirements: from storage to consumption
The holistic approach behind Jungheinrich's new energy and drive concept is based on the intelligent storage and efficient use of energy. The use of lithium-ion batteries means that much less energy will be required, from storage through to use, making a significant contribution towards climate protection. According to Prof. Dr. Christoph Weber, Chair of the Drive System and Electronic Circuit Development at Kiel University of Applied Sciences, this technology can be expected to deliver energy cost savings of at least 15 percent, with no loss of performance.
Video Concept08: Click the arrow to view the video.
The significant economy gains in energy storage are based on a new approach to this problem. Lithium-ion batteries are much more efficient than conventional lead batteries in terms of charging and discharging performance. They have twice the service life, and also require absolutely no maintenance. A special battery management system monitors the cells at all times. These batteries are also much more compact than lead batteries, at one-third the volume and one-quarter of the weight, which will also make the trucks as a whole noticeably lighter.
Lithium-ion batteries: completely recharged in just one hour
In contrast to lead batteries, almost 100 percent of the capacity of lithium-ion batteries is available for use. Any possibility of low discharge is almost completely excluded by the battery management system. Another advantage of the technology lies in the fast charging times for lithium-ion batteries, which will fully recharge in just one hour! This means that, in many cases, it will not be necessary to change the battery.
The potential savings from the top-up charging capability of the new technology are already realised in the Concept 08. The operator simply has to drive the tips of the forks into a specially designed "docking station". This forms a contact between the lithium-ion batteries and the charging device. The recharging process starts and ends fully automatically. So forklift drivers can recharge the batteries during their lunch break, significantly increasing the truck's autonomy and availability.
Direct drive: less noise, higher mechanical efficiency
Today's Jungheinrich electric stackers are driven by highly efficient asynchronous motors. The Concept 08 instead has a direct drive system, with permanently excited high-torque synchronous motors and high-power magnets. Eliminating the need for a transmission system will mean less noise and a further increase in efficiency.
Jungheinrich also sets new standards for the lift drive — a hydraulic-free mechanism fitted with a recirculating ball screw. As well as significantly boosting lift efficiency, this drive is also characterised by very low noise levels.
The new battery technology of the new Concept 08 makes this an extremely compact truck. With a total length of 1765 millimetres (fork length of 1150 millimetres), it is around 630 millimetres shorter than an equivalent ride-on electric low pallet truck. Equivalent walkie devices are also significantly longer than the Concept 08 when the space required for the operator is taken into account. This makes the new concept truck ideally suited for ride-on trucks operating in very tight spaces, providing much higher handling turnover rates for our customers.
Action debut at CeMAT 2011
Jungheinrich has made this design concept a reality. At the CeMAT 2011 tradeshow in Hannover Jungheinrich demonstrated the first series production-capable pallet truck with lithium-ion batteries, the EJE 112i. Click here for more information.