Ford patents solid-axle hub-motor combo with EV off-roading in thoughts

Ford has utilized for a patent on a solid-axle and hub-motor mixture for EVs remarkably just like what the automaker dismissed as nonviable for its F-150 Lightning pickup truck.

As detailed within the software, which was revealed by the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) Feb. 9, a strong axle related to what’s at present utilized in many present pickups could be teamed with in-hub motors. One hub-motor meeting could be mounted at every wheel, giving the automobile all-wheel drive.

Clutches would management the distribution of torque, enabling 100% of the torque from one motor to be despatched to the opposite on a given axle if solely a single wheel has traction, Ford stated within the software, including that “this can be notably helpful when one wheel is off the bottom resembling throughout rock crawling.” It is also potential to slide each clutches on a given axle, in keeping with the appliance.

Using strong axles and reference to rock crawling suggests some form of truck designed with off-roading in thoughts. However Ford in 2021 stated it had thought-about, after which nixed, in-wheel motors due to sturdiness points, owing to the motors’ extra uncovered outboard place. Efficiency of friction brakes whereas towing was additionally a priority.

This patent software appears to contradict that, and follows the structure championed by Lordstown Motors in its Endurance pickup. The technical structure, which some may see as redundant because it cancels out the packaging class of in-wheel hub motors, pairs a strong axle with hub motors. Lordstown delivered the primary batch of Endurance vehicles in December 2022 following many delays.

Except for the Endurance, although, effectivity has been the primary promoting level of hub motors up to now. Lightyear claimed that the tech enabled essentially the most environment friendly manufacturing powertrainin the world. Aptera can be utilizing them to realize what it claims can be 1,000 miles of vary within the high model of its EV—with efficiency to rival sports activities vehicles.

Lordstown, Lightyear, and Aptera all use motors from Slovenian firm Elaphe, which has been making in-wheel motors for EV makers, with its present era of the design, since 2018.

McLaren Utilized Applied sciences not too long ago stated that it is growing an “in-wheel propulsion system” utilizing Elaphe motors with the UK firm’s inverters for “extremely environment friendly and hyper-responsive electrical autos.”

Ford’s use of strong axles suggests one thing extra rugged, however maybe completely different from the Lightning, an software the automaker deemed hub motors unsuitable for. Or, as is very often the case with automotive technical patents, it could merely be defending mental property with none agency manufacturing plans in any respect.