Electric Car Wheel Radius Layout for Lower Axial Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive wheel designs do not prioritize fuel efficiency, particularly in electric vehicles, where axial friction dominates battery charge usage, leading to reduced travel distance for the same energy loss.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates electrically driven motors, a battery pack, motor control electronics, and wheels with a larger radius for the rear wheels, allowing for differential wheel speed control and smart torque allocation to optimize energy efficiency and travel distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional wheel designs are used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but fuel efficiency is poor and travel distance is reduced due to axial friction
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel system is divided into multiple wheels with different radii (front wheels with smaller radius, rear wheels with larger radius). This segmentation allows each wheel to be optimized for specific functions: front wheels for steering and maneuverability, rear wheels for propulsion and energy efficiency, thereby improving overall fuel efficiency without requiring complete redesign of all wheel components
Solution Approach 2:
Different wheel radii are assigned to different positions (front vs. rear) based on local functional requirements. The rear wheels have larger radius to reduce axial friction and improve energy efficiency during propulsion, while front wheels maintain smaller radius for steering agility. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and structural simplicity
2Duration of action of moving object
If larger radius wheels are used, then travel distance increases for the same energy loss, but vehicle stability and control become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle employs asymmetric wheel configuration where rear wheels have larger radius than front wheels. This asymmetry is deliberately designed to place the larger, more efficient wheels at the driven rear position while keeping smaller steering wheels at the front, thus achieving both extended travel distance and maintained stability through strategic asymmetric placement
Solution Approach 2:
The motor control electronics dynamically adjust torque distribution to the individually controlled wheels based on real-time sensor feedback. This dynamic control compensates for the stability challenges introduced by different wheel radii, allowing the system to maintain optimal stability and traction across varying driving conditions while benefiting from the energy efficiency of larger rear wheels
3Loss of energy
If differential wheel radius is implemented, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to independent motor control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control electronics perform multiple functions simultaneously: they control torque distribution to individual wheels, process sensor data from multiple sources, implement traction control, and manage the differential wheel radius configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated control systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving reduced energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors provide real-time feedback on wheel rotation, vehicle speed, and road conditions to the motor control electronics. This feedback loop enables the system to dynamically optimize torque distribution and maintain optimal operation of the differential wheel configuration, ensuring that the energy efficiency gains from larger rear wheels are maximized while the control system remains responsive and efficient
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables electric vehicles to travel a greater distance for the same axial friction energy loss compared to vehicles with smaller wheels, while maintaining stability and control through advanced motor control and traction systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least two electrically driven motors; motor control electronics, wherein said motor control electronics are connected to said at least two electrically driven motors
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical passenger car, the electrical passenger car including: a battery pack; motor control electronics; a communication control unit; at least one electrically driven motor; wheels, where the wheels are connected to the at least one electrically driven motor; and sensors, where the sensors are connected to at least the motor control electronics, where the wheels include a first wheel and a second wheel, where the second wheel has a radius at least 7% greater than a radius of the first wheel, where the battery pack is mounted in the electrical passenger car frame such that the battery pack could be moved forward or backward, where the communication control unit is designed to communicate the motor control electronics with a cloud AI server, and where the electrical passenger car is designed to be driven on a paved road.