What Is A Hub Motor?

Hub motor technology is also called in-wheel motor technology. Its main feature is the integration of the powertrain, transmission and brakes into a single wheel hub, significantly reducing the mechanical components of an electric vehicle. In-wheel motor technology Porsche first made electric cars with in-wheel motors in the front wheels a long time ago, and this technology is used as a mining vehicle in rural areas. In terms of hub-driven engines for passenger cars, Japanese car companies took the lead in developing this technology and are currently in a leading position. International car companies such as GM and Toyota have also invested in this technology. Now own-brand automakers are starting to develop the technology.

The in-wheel motor drive system is basically divided into two structural types according to the type of motor rotor: inner rotor type and outer rotor type. Among them, the outer rotor type is composed of a low-speed outer rotor motor, the motor speed is 1000-1500r/min, there is no reduction device, and the wheel speed is the same as that of the motor; the inner rotor type adopts a high-speed inner rotor motor, equipped with a reducer, and the transmission coefficient is constant. Higher power density, the motor speed can be as high as 10000r/min. With the advent of more compact planetary gear reducers, inner rotor wheel motors are more competitive in power density than lower speed outer rotor models.

Advantages and disadvantages of in-wheel motors

Advantage 1: A lot of vehicle components are omitted, and the vehicle layout is simpler

Advantage 2: A variety of complex systems can be developed

Advantage 3: It is easy to adopt various technologies of new heavy-duty vehicles

Problem 1: Increase the unsprung weight and moment of inertia of the wheel hub, which affects the handling of the vehicle

Problem 2: The performance of electronic brakes is limited because they require more energy to keep the braking system running

After I said this, will you have a certain understanding of hub motors? If not, a more detailed article about in-wheel motors will be published next to make it easier for everyone to understand and digest.