A brand new in-wheel motor for electrical automobiles (EVs) delivers an enormous quantity of torque in a light-weight bundle, its builders say.
The motor — which was made by YASA, a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz that additionally gives motors to Ferrari — weighs solely 28 kilos (12.7 kilograms) however can ship as much as 1,000 horsepower directly or a sustained 469 to 536 hp for longer durations. This new mark breaks YASA’s personal earlier unofficial file, a 29-pound motor that yielded 738 horsepower, firm representatives mentioned in a assertion.
The power to pack a lot energy into such a compact, light-weight motor is due partly to YASA’s axial flux know-how. Conventional radial flux motors are longer, tube-like constructions, with a stator — the stationary a part of a motor that creates a magnetic area used to provide movement — surrounding a cylindrical rotor. A magnetic area is handed perpendicularly to the shaft by way of the cylinder to spin the rotor.
Against this, an axial flux motor is extra like a pancake, with a disc-like rotor and stator. Magnetic flux passes alongside the axis parallel to the shaft (therefore the identify). The axial flux tech permits for a lot smaller designs than conventional radial designs, in keeping with YASA.
A lot lighter EVs sooner or later
The corporate emphasised that the design is scalable and does not depend on any uncommon or unique supplies to operate.
The design additionally opens up a pathway for enormous weight discount in EV design. YASA mentioned that deploying the in-wheel motors in lieu of a standard energy and drivetrain might save round 440 kilos (200 kg). And for automobiles designed from the bottom as much as incorporate the brand new motor, the financial savings may very well be nearer to 1,100 kilos (500 kg).
That is partly as a result of the system additionally incorporates superior regenerative braking, the method by which electrical automobiles seize power that may usually be misplaced as warmth throughout braking and put it to use to recharge the battery.
As an alternative of energy being shunted from the battery to spin the wheels, power from the wheels is captured to spin the motor, which generates electrical energy moderately than consuming it. The motor resists the rotation whereas producing power, thereby slowing the automotive and powering up the battery. YASA says environment friendly regenerative braking might cut back the necessity for conventional friction brakes, saving each weight and house.
Whereas the present iteration is clearly geared towards high-performance EVs and supercars, axial flux motor know-how opens the door for longer-range electrical automobiles able to producing extra energy with fewer, lighter parts. The discount in house required for conventional powertrain parts additionally gives producers a possibility to streamline aerodynamics or present extra inside house for cargo or passengers.
