Uni Wheel drive system set to transform vehicle design
13 December, 2023
Kia Corporation and sister company Hyundai Motor Company have unveiled the Universal Wheel Drive System, call the Uni Wheel. This paradigm shifting vehicle drive system is set to revolutionise the design of future mobility devices. Uni Wheel is a functionally integrated wheel drive system that dramatically improves available space inside an electric vehicle by moving the main drive system components to the vacant space within the wheel hub. By doing so, designers have proven a completely new structure for the drive system.
A conventional drive system using a regular CV joint suffers from a decrease in efficiency and durability as the angle of the driveshaft deflection increases when travelling over bumpy undulating surfaces. Uni wheel can transmit power with almost no change to efficiency regardless of wheel movement, ensuring high durability and ride comfort.
When combined with electronic air suspension that can adjust ride height according to the driving situation, ride height can be increased to stabilise the vehicle on rough roads or decreased for high-speed driving to improve power and stability without any effect on the drive system.
By moving the reduction gear to the wheel hub, Uni Wheel’s high reduction ratio delivers a significant torque output and allows for a more compact electric motor. With independent control of up to four efficient electric drive units, Uni wheel also allows for unprecedented levels of torque vectoring to boost dynamic ability and deliver high levels of steering and driving stability.
More efficiency, more interior space Another big advantage of the Uni Wheel concept is that it frees up space within the vehicle that was previously unavailable thanks to the relocation of many of the drive system components to the wheel hub. The availability of space and the removal of underbody drivetrain components makes it possible to move away from conventional seating arrangements designed around the driver, making new interior layouts and designs possible in the era of autonomous driving.
Utilising the extra space to improve battery capacity can also lead to improved driving range, meaning users can benefit from the range of a large EV without the additional physical size of the vehicle needing to expand.
Optimised battery packaging will also mean minimal intrusion on interior space which also offers significant advantages for purpose-built vehicles. The flat-floor platform enabled by the Uni Wheel system allows for strong flexibility and scalability of these types of vehicles by enabling the design of various body types depending on the intended use case.
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