October 29, 2024 | Volume 20 Issue 41 |
Manufacturing Center
Product Spotlight
Modern Applications News
Metalworking Ideas For
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Tooling and Production
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metalworking plants
[Image courtesy of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies]
For Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, a global market leader for sealing solutions, the advantages of in-wheel motors (IWM) extend beyond the passenger car segment. The company offers a patented sealing geometry to support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and manufacturers of electric motors ranging from electric cars to commercial vehicles right from the development stage.
In-wheel motors for electric vehicles (EVs) offer numerous benefits: Components such as transmissions, brakes, and suspensions can either move much closer to the point of power transmission or be completely eliminated. The decisive advantages of vehicles equipped with IWM technology include wheel-specific torque control, enhanced comfort, and more design space within the vehicle. Overall, these translate to a better driving experience, greater range, and more flexibility for developers.
In-wheel motors are also interesting for buses, according to Freudenberg, due to their lower center of gravity, tighter turning radius, and higher load capacity. Additionally, they can offer added value as a combined trailer drive for e-trucks or as a generator for refrigerated trailers with an independent power supply.
"The technical challenges for the seal are mainly to ensure reliable protection against dirt and water, while minimizing friction losses," says Freudenberg Product Developer Luca Breusa.
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has showcased its expertise as a development partner for IWM manufacturers for years with a series of innovations, where the seal for IWMs is a particular highlight. At any speed, the seal provides optimal protection against dirt and water. A key feature of the Freudenberg seal is its dynamic adjustment of sealing effectiveness and friction, which adapts according to the rotational speed of the wheel, preventing major friction losses.
The company has developed two significant seal designs.
[Image courtesy of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies]
The cassette seal offers a double sealing lip and mating contact surface installed in a closed system, featuring precisely matched materials made of stainless steel and special rubber compounds. Freudenberg says the required speed ranges and contamination protection can be scaled. The cassette seal stands out for its long service life and high functional reliability. It is capable of achieving a service life up to 500,000 km (over 310,000 miles) and a protection class of IP67. This makes it a maintenance-free, self-lubricating solution throughout its entire service life.
[Image courtesy of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies]
The second design is called a V-seal. It works in an open system. Its particularly wear-resistant elastomers with excellent sliding properties, combined with attractive manufacturing costs, create a plug-and-play solution designed for flexible applications.
With these two solutions, Freudenberg bridges the gap between the requirements for high sealing performance and low friction losses. The seal geometries can be scaled to an installation space diameter up to 530 mm (20.9 in.) and are adjustable to the required speed range. This allows the seals to be used in applications ranging from cars to commercial vehicles.
"Our recommendation to IWM manufacturers is to involve us as their development partner early in the process," says Breusa. "This means that optimal results can be achieved very quickly and prevents additional modification loops."
Learn more about Freudenberg in-wheel motor seals at fst.com/markets/automotive-truck-bus/in-wheel-motors/.
Source: Freudenberg Sealing Technologies
Published October 2024