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Why can axial flux motors lead a new revolution in electric vehicles? What is their design secret?
In the design and development of electric vehicles, axial flux motors (AFM) are rapidly emerging as a revolutionary technology. The innovative design of this motor gives it significant advantages over traditional radial flux motors in terms of strength, efficiency and overall performance. This article takes a closer look at how axial flux motors will play a key role in the future of electric vehicles and the design secrets behind them.
Basic characteristics of axial flux motor
The axial flux motor is a special motor design. Compared with the common radial flux motor, its magnetic circuit is parallel to the axis of rotation. This geometric structure allows the axial motor to provide a larger magnetic surface and good heat dissipation performance within the same volume.
Compared with radial flux motors, the torque of axial flux motors increases with the cube of the rotor diameter, while the latter only increases with the square of the rotor diameter.
In addition, axial motors are relatively flexible in construction and can be easily assembled on a planar structure (such as a printed circuit board). The planar winding design makes high-current windings simpler.
Design secrets
When it comes to the design of axial flux motors, much of the innovation can be attributed to the flatness of their construction. For example, motors are available in single or dual rotor and single or dual stator configurations. The dual-stator/single-rotor design is suitable for high-power applications, but requires additional iron losses, while the single-stator/dual-rotor design eliminates the need for heavy support and further improves efficiency.
In practical applications, some axial flux motors can be easily stacked to provide higher power output in a modular manner.
For example, YASA's 750 R motor can provide a capacity of more than 5kw/kg with a shaft length of 98 mm, demonstrating its potential and advantages in design.
Sound volume improvement and application
Although axial flux motors have not been widely used in the past, with the widespread availability of powerful permanent magnets and the development of brushless DC motor technology, this type of motor has gradually attracted more and more researchers and automobile manufacturers. of attention. It can be applied to almost all operating principles, including brushless DC, induction, stepper and reluctance motors. Not only that, the shorter and wider design of the axial motor makes it more suitable for use in compact sites.
Innovation in the automotive field
Automakers other than Tesla, such as YASA, a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, have begun to apply this technology in electric vehicles. Their motors have been used in many concept cars, prototypes, and race cars. It’s worth noting that YASA plans to install the motors inside the wheels, as the low mass of axial flux motors won’t have too much of an impact on the vehicle’s non-suspension mass.
YASA aims to develop a 220 kW motor in a 7 kg package, in contrast to Lucid Motors’ current 500 kW, 31.4 kg motor.
This move makes people expect that future electric vehicles will develop in the direction of being lighter and more efficient.
Aviation and general applications
In addition to automotive applications, this motor also shows great potential in the aviation field. Rolls-Royce's ACCEL electric aircraft set a world speed record by successfully using three axial flux motors to achieve ideal propulsion efficiency.
Many companies such as Emrax and Siemens have also launched a series of related products in this field, showing different models of axial flux motors, fully demonstrating their strength in high density and efficiency.
Conclusion
With its unique design advantages, axial flux motors will surely lead the revolution in electric vehicles and other applications. It not only makes electric vehicles lighter, but also has excellent power density and efficiency. In the future development of technology and design, how will such technology further change our travel methods and lives?
