In Friedrichshafen Protanium is launching a system in which the motor is part of a shaft drive. This means that electric bikes equipped with the Protanium shaft motor system has no chain. Instead the pedals drive through gears the shaft that spins the rear wheel through additional gears.
Cardan Drive not new
Shaft drive for bicycles is not new. Time and again it has been introduced. Despite favorable properties as maintenance free and clean it has never been widely used in regular bikes. In particular because of transmission losses. However, with the integrated electric motor such losses could be compensated for which a powerful engine is needed. This is exactly what the Protanium shaft motor offers.
Peak power and torque
The built-in 250 W - 36V motor is capable of a 540 W peak power and maximum torque output of up to 63Nm. These capabilities are achieved through an integrated gear system while two optical sensors, which act as a speed, and a torque sensor, as well as the motor controller are also integrated in the shaft motor system. According to Protanium: “This means that the e-bike will appear ‘clean’ without many cables. It also offers bike manufacturers easy and quick assembly.”
Part of Accell Group
The shaft motor has not been developed by Protanium. That was done by Höhl & Munskö. This German ‘Innovation & Technik’ company has worked years in developing the shaft motor. Protanium Engine Service Center Europe based in Nijmegen, the Netherlands (part of Accell Group NV) has been appointed as distributor of the shaft motor. This company is a supplier of drive systems for e-bikes which, next to the Accell bike brands, offers the shaft motor systems to all manufacturers for which it is capable of delivering customized systems to specific models and use.
