With the new Syntegra motor bogie for metro and suburban, rail travel is about to become quieter and more environmentally friendly. It is the first concept to combine drive, running gear, and brake technology. The innovation also dispenses with components that generate noise and are particularly subject to wear and tear, such as a gearbox. What’s more, the compact drive system is 20 percent more energy-efficient than its predecessor.
The motors that power today’s rail vehicles run continuously at high rpms, so a gearbox is needed to convert this power to the slower-running wheels, and the resulting friction losses increase energy consumption and wear. The open-circuit air-cooled asynchronous motors most commonly used today feature many roller bearings and rubber parts that require regular maintenance.