Summary
- Freudenberg Sealing Technologies offers a sealing geometry for electric motor manufacturers
- In-wheel motors for EVs provide wheel-specific torque control and other benefits
- The seal protects against dirt and water, and adjusts dynamically to prevent friction losses
- Freudenberg has developed two seal designs: cassette seal and V-seal
- The seals offer long service life, high functional reliability, and customizable features
Article
Germany-based company Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed a sealing geometry to assist electric motor manufacturers during the development phase. This design is specifically intended for in-wheel motors used in electric vehicles, providing benefits such as wheel-specific torque control, increased comfort, and more design space within the vehicle. These motors also contribute to a lower center of gravity, tighter turning radius, and higher load capacity for electric buses, while offering additional value as a combined trailer drive for e-trucks or as a generator for refrigerated trailers.
Freudenberg’s seal is designed to protect against dirt and water while dynamically adjusting according to the wheel’s rotational speed in order to prevent significant friction losses. The company offers two distinct seal designs for different applications. The cassette seal features a double sealing lip and mating contact surface in a closed system, utilizing materials like stainless steel and rubber compounds. This seal can be scaled to fit an installation space diameter of up to 530 mm and is adaptable to various speed ranges, offering a long service life and high functional reliability with a potential range of up to 500,000 km and a protection rating of IP67.
In addition to the cassette seal, Freudenberg offers a second seal design known as the V-seal, which operates in an open system. This seal is equipped with wear-resistant elastomers with good sliding properties, making it suitable for a variety of applications with attractive manufacturing costs. The V-seal is a plug-and-play solution that is flexible and easy to use. Freudenberg has strategically positioned the sealing lip of their seals to maximize sealing performance at low rotational speeds by applying high contact pressure. As speed increases, both contact pressure and friction are reduced by centrifugal forces, and depending on the customer’s requirements, the seal can be entirely lifted off the stator to eliminate friction, thus significantly extending the seal’s lifespan.
Overall, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is at the forefront of providing innovative sealing solutions for electric motor applications. Their seals are designed to meet the unique challenges presented by in-wheel motors in electric vehicles, offering benefits such as protection against dirt and water, dynamic adjustment to prevent friction losses, and a range of seal options to suit different installation spaces and speed ranges. By leveraging advanced materials and engineering expertise, Freudenberg has developed seals that provide long service life, high functional reliability, and efficient performance to support electric motor manufacturers in optimizing the performance of their vehicles.
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