Product development is fun! How does it all work, what function should the product serve and what do the users want? In its product development, Golden Motor has focused on "hard core" engineering. How to make the most optimal motor and controller. What kind of battery technology etc. The result was a very powerful and compact package.
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The challenge has been access to resources that can design products adapted to the Nordic market. We have a different climate and different preferences. China has come a long way in many areas and we have never been afraid to bring in a Chinese product. China is big and there are good and bad producers. Golden Motors is one of the better ones, but we were not happy with the product from an aesthetic point of view and we saw clear potential for improvement.
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We therefore initiated a collaboration with BÃ¥rd Eker and Eker Design. After our long-term test in the summer of 2019, the product was taken apart bit by bit. What can be done better, is it the right choice of material, do connectors work and how will the product survive for many years in Norwegian seawater? Based on this analysis and our own experiences, we established a list of improvements that we, together with Golden Motor, implemented in production. We are now confident in the product's functionality and reliability. Below you will find examples of how we worked with Eker Design.
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Focus 1 - Reliability in Norwegian hazardous waters!
Engine development
Focus 2 - Function and aesthetics!
Eker Design runs up to 70 design projects a year. They range from products from concept to production. In addition to ensuring quality and reliability after the comprehensive "tear down" analysis, we wanted to design a product that we ourselves would like to buy.
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We wanted a simple and aesthetic design. Eker Design carried out a concept phase where we analyzed and rejected many models, but ended up with two versions. The concept of a centered "throttle" arm and sunken top cover was chosen.
Touch screen inspired by Tesla on arm was discarded for a simpler and more reliable switch.
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We continued to work with ergonomics. For us, it was important to have a simple design and a design that can be easily lifted and carried around. We therefore shortened the arm and moved the entire motor housing closer to the driver. This ensures a more compact appearance and a much easier movement of the engine from eg inflatable boat up to the pushpit on a motor sailor
Everything is of course constructed in 3D. Here we show an overlay between the original design from Golden Motor and the Impulse version of the engine.
Ergonomics, simplicity and function
The entire arm is now designed in solid cast aluminum. The arm is centered and tiltable. The number of parts is reduced for cost optimization and reliability. The lid on the arm is injection molded in one piece - simple and reliable.
We have put considerable effort into the design of the house. In addition to looking good, it naturally needs to work. Thermal analyzes have been carried out, flow analyzes for production friendliness and prototypes in 3D print and fully machined parts have been made to ensure that function, performance and production friendliness are taken care of. The whole house is now cast in an aluminum part and a plastic part - and it works!
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We are incredibly proud of the result, and can say that this is the best trailer in its price range you can buy, regardless of fuel!
Without prototypes and test - no top product. Below you see pictures from 3D printing and machines for tools have been launched.
Battery development
After many years of experience with batteries from the car industry, we know to be skeptical. There is no reason to believe everything you read! Everyone is talking about longevity - what does it mean? What few talk about is the storage time of the batteries, combined with voltage and temperature. How many discharges can they withstand? Batteries are difficult and demanding, but most of all a big compromise. we have worked with all these parameters to bring out the optimal battery system for this application.
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We wanted a light battery adapted to dinghies and inflatables, but maybe something for the cabin and caravan in the long run. Mobility, easy to use and light weight. Concept sketches were also developed here with Eker Design. At NPT, we are still in the final development of the battery solution and technical data are preliminary. However, we believe we have succeeded in producing a battery that contains a lot of energy (3 kwh) and weighs less than 15 kg. This is an industry leader and something we have achieved thanks to good knowledge of the battery manufacturers in Asia and Europe. Furthermore, a close collaboration with several of Norwegian battery integrators for electric ferries has helped us. Our production partner has perhaps the best cells on the market. This is an NMC chemistry (Nickel Manganese Cobalt), similar to what you find in the best electric cars. Combined with good mechanical and electrical "packing", we are confident in the solution we have chosen and the end product.
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The cells are optimized with the latest generation of NMC cells of 58 ah. The entire system is integrated in extruded and punched aluminum and plastic for low weight and corrosion protection. The package is thermally insulated and optimized to be able to deliver enough power without overheating.
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Our partner supplies automotive, marine and energy storage. The cells have been tested very thoroughly and we believe we have the market's best integrated packages for outboard engines. Below you can see a small selection of the comprehensive test program that has been run.
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The package will be ready for delivery no later than 01.04.2021.
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