The innovative Porsche Active Ride active suspension system is available as an option for the E-Hybrid models of the new Panamera.
The basis for this is newly developed active shock absorbers – also with two-valve technology – each connected to an electrically operated hydraulic pump. This generates a volume flow in the damper according to demand and can therefore build up forces between the body and wheels in a lightning-fast, highly precise and targeted manner, which counteract and almost completely compensate for the forces resulting from the road excitation. A weight-saving single-chamber air-suspension system complements this technology.
The Motor Pump Unit (MPU) is an intelligent hydraulic power unit with electric motor – especially for fully active chassis, and combines innovative concepts from electronics and control technology in a compact and robust electro-hydraulic machine. The system consists of a hydraulic 4-quadrant internal gear machine, permanently excited synchronous machine and a directly integrated control unit including software.
The motor pump system, developed by RAPA engineers specifically for premium vehicles and luxury SUVs, supplements the air suspension system with a partially load-bearing hydraulic system. At each wheel, the damper is connected to the engine-pump unit in the vehicle electrical system via hydraulic lines and thus acts as an actuator. This allows the system to actively and individually control the spring and damper forces at each wheel. Damping and level control are adjusted separately for each wheel and effectively compensate not only roll, but also pitch and lift movements. At the same time, it allows the vehicle to be raised or lowered as required to increase or reduce ground clearance, or keeps the vehicle level constant regardless of the load. In addition, the system can even recover electrical energy and actively introduce forces into the chassis. The engine-pump unit is coordinated via a central control unit including software, which also controls the valves and the compressor for the air spring and thus always controls the entire chassis.
Pump: 4-quadrant internal gear hydraulic machine
Motor: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine
Control Unit: 400 or 800 Volt
Hydraulic Power: 1800 Watt
Available as a single component as well as an axle kit
For premium vehicles and luxury SUVs
Fully electric & hybrid vehicle 400 to 800-volt system
Electrical energy can be fed back into the vehicle’s electrical system via the generator function of the motor pump unit
Integrated pressure sensors to detect actual pressure at the two hydraulic interfaces of the MPU
Integrated electronic unit for controlling the MPE, setpoint is simply specified via CAN
