POWERTRAIN
IN-WHEEL ADVANTAGES
In-wheel motors work in the same way other traditional motors do, but this time in reverse. Where most car axels turn the wheels, within in-wheel motors the body of the motor turns. The motor’s power is determined by the copper coil windings around it, and most also have gears to increase torque. A key benefit to in-wheel motors is
The cassette seal for closed system in-wheel motors
their compact size, as they are smaller than even the tiniest of combustion engines. This not only provides them with good fuel efficiency but also creates additional space in vehicles for other components. In-wheel motors can help achieve weight reduction, as they are generally much smaller than traditional alternatives. A vehicle’s chassis therefore benefits from the weight distribution change, shifting the load away from the centre and onto the wheels. In the move towards net-zero, in-
The V-Seal for open in-wheel motor systems
FLEXIBLE OPTIONS Two different seal designs have been engineered by the company. The first – the cassette seal – is installed in a closed system, featuring a sealing lip and a mating contact surface. Stainless steel and special rubber components are precisely matched to manufacture the materials, while speed ranges and contamination protection can be scaled to requirements. Benefits of the cassette seal option
include its long lifespan and high functional reliability. It can last up to 500,000km with a protection class of IP67. The seal is therefore maintenance-free and self-lubricating throughout its entire service life. This not only improves performance
but also brings down costs, as replacements are no longer required. The second design is the V-seal,
which is suitable for open systems. The V-seal has wear-resistant elastomers with high-performance sliding properties. These features work well for manufacturers as they help to bring down costs and create a plug-and-play solution designed for flexible applications. The two solutions bridge the gap
between requirements for high sealing performance and low friction loss. The seal’s geometry can be scaled up to a diameter of 530mm to meet the installation space and can be adjusted to the respective speed range. Applications include both passenger
wheel motors also have a role to play. E-Traction has released its RetroMotion technology for e-bus conversion by using in-wheel motors, where electric drive technology can be retrofitted to ensure stability for transit buses. Being able to convert fleets rather than replace them contributes to sustainability efforts as well as bringing down costs for operators, making maintenance easier. Adding in-wheel motors allows for shorter lead times, as it’s a faster process than ordering a new fleet of buses. With the savings on metal and
time, it may be more fiscally and environmentally friendly to convert existing vehicles to use in-wheel motors rather than replacing entire fleets. This would limit downtime, lead times, recycling, and would cost significantly less than other routes. This may be the direction we see investment being funnelled as governments push further for clean air in their cities.
cars and commercial vehicles, with Freudenberg available to work with in- wheel motor manufacturers to create a better product. By being involved earlier in the process, manufacturers can ensure the seal is optimised for specific applications. This speeds up the design process and reduces any additional modification down the line.
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