Schaeffler can turn the automobile industry upside down by creating the electric motor that is installed in the wheel. What are the characteristics of this new system?
The electric car does not stop growing in the market. Investments made by manufacturers over several years are paying off today. In the vast majority of manufacturers we can already see catalogs that allow us to distinguish at least one palette with options based on internal combustion and another that, on the other hand, is committed to sustainable mobility. The advantages of electric cars over those that run on fossil fuels is causing more and more people to bet for this option.
Even so, it is important to bear in mind that we are facing an industry that is still is introducing important innovations in the matter. In the field of engineering, electric motors have a higher efficiency rate than internal combustion. Even so, the system that will be present in most cars of this class in the future is not yet fully defined. The best example of this is shown by Rivian and the installation of a unit in each of the drive wheels. What innovation has just hit the market?
A new small engine could turn the entire battery-car-focused industry upside down. In order to reduce the weight of this component, the use of smaller parts without losing efficiency. As a result, it has been possible to obtain a product with a great performance capacity and, at the same time, allows its possible installation in any space.
This is the ingenious electric motor that can fit inside a wheel
The new Schaeffler electric hub motors attract attention for offering differential performance and, in the same way, for being coupled inside the rim. In fact, the brake system and, additionally, a transmission can be installed on the same component. This manufacturer is one of the most advanced in the matter. In fact, these curious hub-type motors are already being installed in other means of transport. The objective is increase its range of action in this market due to the multiple advantages that offers.
According to the press release offered by the company, the integration of these systems inside the rim it will improve the performance of cars and, at the same time, a higher response time will be achieved. Something similar will happen with the braking system, which will be able to act immediately to stop the vehicle in a shorter space of time.
The arrangement of the technology on the drive wheel itself will allow there is little energy loss. This, of course, will have a direct impact in terms of autonomy and, of course, benefits. The installation of this unit, moreover, should be accompanied by another element of the same class on the corresponding wheel of the same axle. This would imply a multiplication of total benefits. Now, to what extent will a considerable size be required?
It has only been required that the rim be 14 inches to be able to couple a complete mechanic with a maximum power of 35 CV. It should be noted that if this technology were introduced in a 4×4 vehicle, it would be enjoying a total of 330 CV. In this sense, it is still early for manufacturers to take advantage of all the advantages that this system would already offer today. After all, multiple tests will need to be done before it reaches most cars with electrical mechanics.