Hyundai and Kia introduce a unique 'Uni Wheel' drivetrain for EVs
Hyundai and Kia have collaborated to showcase the 'Uni Wheel,' a revolutionary globally adaptable drivetrain system that seeks to alter personal as well as commercial transportation. The 2 South Korean automobile giants claim that the Universal Wheel Drive system, or Uni Wheel for short, is to be a paradigm-shifting vehicle drive system that will revolutionize the design of future mobility devices.
Uni Wheel is a fully integrated wheel drive system that significantly increases available space inside an electric vehicle (EV) by relocating the major drive system components to the wheel hub's free area. Hyundai Motor and Kia have devised an entirely new drive system structure as a result.
How does the Uni Wheel work?
Internal combustion engine cars' power is carried from the engine to the gearbox, then to the wheels via drive shafts and constant velocity (CV) joints. The engine and gearbox are replaced in electric vehicles by a motor and reduction gear, but the process of power transfer to the wheels remains the same.
When compared to ICE automobiles, electric motors are more compact and, when paired with flat EV platforms, have created a lot more interior room within the same vehicle footprint. Those motors, however, continue to take up space in the front and/or back of an EV.
The Uni Wheel aims to change this by moving an EV's reduction gear within the wheel hub and then installing 'compact' individual motors closer to each wheel. When compared to traditional drive systems, the method frees up substantially more internal space, allowing future mobility solutions customized for specific uses, such as Purpose Built Vehicles.
Uni Wheel employs a unique planetary gear system that includes a sun gear in the middle, four pinion gears on each side, and a ring gear around this arrangement. The motor's power is supplied to the sun gear, which engages the pinion gears to rotate the ring gear. This is linked to the steering wheel and is used to propel the vehicle.
Uni Wheel's pinion gears are linked to create two links, and this multi-link system allows Uni Wheel's multi-axis movement to provide for a wide range of suspension articulation.
Uni Wheel Benefits and Adaptability
As a result, there is greater platform space and, as a result, more internal space in an EV, including cargo capacity and larger trunks and 'frunks'. This technology also opens up new design possibilities for non-traditional seating layouts within the cabin, which might be beneficial as we continue to develop and incorporate additional autonomous driving systems into our vehicles.
Uni Wheel is also very adaptable to various sorts of EVs, including standard passenger and high-performance EVs. Uni Wheel may be adapted to different forms of mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, bicycles, and delivery robots, in addition to vehicles of various sizes. Uni Wheel may also be scaled to operate with wheel diameters ranging from 4 inches to 25 inches or more.
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