The earliest invention of a wheel hub motor can be traced back to the 19th century. Ferdinand Porsche's "Lohner Porsche" car equipped with such a motor was exhibited at the 1900 Paris World Expo.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Applied Materials (IFAM) said they are developing a new in-wheel motor that integrates all the necessary electrical and electronic components, especially the power electronic control system.
As a result, the number and extent of external electronic components and feeders to the motor can be reduced to a minimum. Compared with the in-wheel motors currently on the market, this new motor will have a significant improvement in kinetic energy.
In addition, it has an innovative safety and redundancy design concept to ensure driving safety. In addition to IFAM, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology (IISB), the Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM) and the Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability (LBF) are studying these issues.
For example:
Facing criticism about the negative impact of in-wheel motors on vehicle handling, IFM project manager Dr. Hermann Pleteit responded: The engine is very compact.
The high power and torque density only slightly increases the unsprung mass, but these effects can be effectively compensated by configuring the chassis (such as muffler settings) without affecting the driving comfort.