First-Hand News?
Obtain news and background information about sealing technology, get in touch with innovative products – subscribe to the free e-mail newsletter.
- Home
- News & Stories
-
Back to
Press Releases
- Higher Speed, Less Friction
24.10.2024 Press Release
Higher Speed, Less Friction
In-wheel motors for electric vehicles 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 include wheel-specific torque control, enhanced comfort and more design space within the vehicle. This results in a better driving experience, greater range and more flexibility for developers.
In-wheel motors are also interesting for buses due to their lower center of gravity, tighter turning radius and higher load capacity. They can also offer added value as a combined trailer drive for e-trucks or as a generator for refrigerated trailers with independent power supply.
“The technical challenges for the seal are mainly to ensure reliable protection against dirt and water while minimizing friction losses,” explains Product Developer Luca Breusa.
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies showcases its expertise as a development partner for IWM manufacturers 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. This prevents major friction losses.
“As a solution, Freudenberg has positioned the sealing lip in such a way that high contact pressure maximizes sealing performance at low rotational speeds. At higher speeds, both the contact pressure and the friction are significantly reduced by the generated centrifugal forces. Depending on the customer’s requirements, the seal can even be fully lifted off the stator, which also eliminates friction, thus significantly increasing the lifetime of the seal,” Breusa says, describing Freudenberg’s innovation.
The company has developed two significant seal designs: 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. 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 up to 500,000 km and protection class IP67. This makes it a maintenance-free, self-lubricating solution throughout its entire service life.
The second design, a V-seal, 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 expertly bridges the gap between the requirements for high sealing performance and low friction losses. The seal geometry can be scaled to an installation space diameter of up to 530 mm and is adjustable to the respective 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. This means that optimal results can be achieved very quickly and prevents additional modification loops,” Breusa says.
Cheryl Eberwein
Director, Corporate Communications
Telephone: +1 734 354 5373
cheryl.eberwein@fnst.com chevron_rightSilke Herzog
Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Telephone: + 49 (0) 6201 960 6385
silke.herzog@fst.com chevron_right
News Service
You can subscribe to the Freudenberg Sealing Technologies news alert service, bringing you the news as soon as they are published. You can always unsubscribe from this service.
Subscribe now! chevron_right
Further Articles With These Taggings
Electric Cars for the Mobility Transition
As of 2035, it will be impossible to register new cars with internal combustion engines in the EU. That's why product engineers are focusing on powertrains like hydrogen engines and fuel cells in addition to electric drives.
Simulation on Test Stands
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies not only offers materials expertise. The company also simulates how effective and efficient its products are with the help of its own high-quality test stands.
Electric Alignment: Collaboration Leads to New Battery Solutions
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies announces three new battery innovations at the 2024 Battery Show in Detroit
Hydrogen Times Two: Seals for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Engines
Hydrogen engines and fuel cells create the opportunity for mobility without CO₂ emissions. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies supports both technologies with the right sealing solutions.
Boosting Battery Cycle Life
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies launches two new product lines for prismatic battery cells.
High Technology in Agriculture
Artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things are turning agriculture into a high-tech industry. And they are bringing food security to future generations.
Revolutionizing Heavy Duty On Road Mobility
Freudenberg Sealing Technology's Innovative Solution
High Flexibility: “Artificial Intelligence as a Service”
Scalability: With Artificial Intelligence as a Service, AI is always available at the level needed for the current data needs or for the number of inquiries to be processed.
Global Materials for Global Challenges
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies offers innovative solutions meeting strict regulations ensuring global compliance and quality for the food and beverage industry.
News Service
You can subscribe to the Freudenberg Sealing Technologies news alert service, bringing you the news as soon as they are published. You can always unsubscribe from this service.
Subscribe now!
Back to Top