Comment on Behold The Hyundai Uni Wheel. Transportation May Never Be The Same
ZMonster@lemmy.world 9 months ago
From a mechanical standpoint, the new bearing saves a nearly negligible amount of space. Splitting the motor up and moving it to the notoriously wasted wheel well space is what clears up the center of the frame. Still very cool. It’s basically a single output differential, which is already quite compact. No need to split the rotation for turning since the wheels rotation will no longer be mechanically linked.
brianorca@lemmy.world 9 months ago
But eliminating the long half shaft that accompanies the CV joint is what allows that space to be used.
ZMonster@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I mean you’re not wrong, but without separating the single motor to one at each wheel, you’d still have to translate the power from one point to each wheel. The uni bearing doesn’t provide that benefit. Separate motors DOES. And tuned and articulating short shafts are a new thing. So even without this new bearing as long as you had separate motors for each wheel all you would have is a short CV shaft between the motor and the wheel. Hell why not save all of the space and just incorporate the motor into the hub??? Since BDC motors are more efficient when wider and smaller, it would be very easy to fit them within current day hubs.
meekah@lemmy.world 9 months ago
It directly replaces the CV, so it’s the thing saving the space. Sure, if there was still only one motor, and a shaft connecting the two sides, less room would be available. But the space saving, and the reason why splitting the motor in two makes sense in the first place, is the uni wheel.
ZMonster@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Ah, really good points. Thanks for the perspective. My expertise (if I may do generously call it that) ends at the manufacture and assembly processes. Thanks for the perspective.
brianorca@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Having these gears in the hub instead of a motor would decrease unsprung weight.
ZMonster@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I didn’t think about that. Thanks for pointing it out.
meekah@lemmy.world 9 months ago
The gears are necessary to allow the wheel to move without having to move the input shaft.