Operation Modes

Axle Power runs in three Operation Modes that determine how the system supplies power to the Trailer Refrigeration Unit (TRU).
In all three Operation Modes the Energ-e Pack powers the TRU.


Road Mode

  • Truck and trailer with the TRU are moving. The system detects that the trailer is towed by a tractor.

  • The system starts power generation. ePower Axle Generators are generating electrical power.

  • The Axle generators charge the HV battery of the Energ-e Pack and supply the TRU.


Shore Power Mode

  • Truck and trailer with the TRU are parking.

  • The Energ-e Pack is connected to shore power or a charging station.

  • The HV battery is charged and the TRU is supplied with shore power.


Parking Mode

  • Truck and trailer with the TRU are parking or can run on the road, but the ePower Axle Generators do not generate energy.

  • The HV battery supplies the TRU if it is sufficiently charged.



The Energ-e Pack activates and changes to the appropriate Operation Mode autonomously.

The current Operation Mode is displayed by the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) on the top left:

Operation Mode on the HMI (example Shore Power Mode)

Operation Mode Icons

Road Mode. Truck with trailer is moving and generators can produce power to charge the high voltage battery.
Shore Power Mode. Energ-e Pack is connected to shore power to charge the high voltage battery or to power the Trailer Refrigeration Unit (TRU).
Parking Mode. If the high voltage battery is sufficiently charged, it powers the refrigeration unit.
Important Switch to Road Mode may be impeded

  • if the battery is (nearly) empty: State of Charge (SOC) 0%,

  • and if ignition is on for a longer period,

  • and if the vehicle is not moving (no power generated by ePower Axle).


In this event, you have to toggle the ignition signal before starting to drive away the truck. Thereby the ePower Axle Generators begin to charge the battery and supply the refrigeration unit.

Example:

You have a break and leave the vehicle running. Axle Power may not start automatically if one more condition is met, namely the battery is (nearly) empty.

The HMI shows that the battery is nearly empty. The battery State of Charge (SOC) is 0%:

Parent topic: How Axle Power Works