Danfoss Power Solutions
The CLM 8 S motor is for machines with chain drives.

Danfoss Thorx Cam Lobe Motors Provide Improved Performance in Smaller Package

Jan. 12, 2023
The Thorx cam lobe motors feature a compact design and 5% higher efficiency to benefit construction equipment with chain drives.

Danfoss Power Solutions has launched the Thorx family of cam lobe motors. The motors are designed for use in construction equipment with chain drives, such as skid steers. The first available model is the CLM 8 S motor. 

Key features of the cam lob motors include: 

  • compact design
  • two-speed technology
  • 70% shock reduction when shifting speeds
  • improved starting efficiency
  • integrated parking brake. 

Compact Design and Improved Efficiency

With the two-speed technology utilized in the Thorx motors, smoother speed changeovers are possible. Shock is reduced 70% when shifting speeds compared to other cam lobe motor designs. The motor provides consistent and quick response time during speed changes, even at low temperatures, to improve machine handling and operator comfort. 

Less noise is emitted by the motor when shifting, further enhancing operator comfort. 

To achieve a more compact design, Danfoss integrated the parking brake into the motor instead of bolting it to the rear as is traditionally done. This shortens the motor's length by 33%. The more compact package size eases integration for OEMs as well as allows use of larger, longer lasting chains. 

The  integrated parking brake is durably designed to provide a long service life. It has been optimized to withstand 100 dynamic emergency stops over the course of a machine's lifespan. According to Danfoss, this is 20-25 times more than what is provided by competitive cam lobe motors. 

Efficiency of the Thorx motors is 5% higher than that of other options in the market due to its improved starting efficiency and performance at low rotations per minute. The motor features improved mechanical efficiency at high speed as well. Because of the motor's higher efficiency, machine operators can travel at faster speeds or use less power to travel at the same speed without wasting as much energy due to excess heat.

About the Author

Sara Jensen | Executive Editor, Power & Motion

Sara Jensen is executive editor of Power & Motion, directing expanded coverage into the modern fluid power space, as well as mechatronic and smart technologies. She has over 15 years of publishing experience. Prior to Power & Motion she spent 11 years with a trade publication for engineers of heavy-duty equipment, the last 3 of which were as the editor and brand lead. Over the course of her time in the B2B industry, Sara has gained an extensive knowledge of various heavy-duty equipment industries — including construction, agriculture, mining and on-road trucks —along with the systems and market trends which impact them such as fluid power and electronic motion control technologies. 

You can follow Sara and Power & Motion via the following social media handles:

X (formerly Twitter): @TechnlgyEditor and @PowerMotionTech

LinkedIn: @SaraJensen and @Power&Motion

Facebook: @PowerMotionTech

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