Hyundai Mobis is going all out to demonstrate its electrification-centric vision for the automobile industry, seeking to grow dramatically as a leading innovator and manufacturer of powertrain and other systems for electric vehicles. A permanent-magnet in-wheel motor with associated control system is a key technology being developed to reach new levels of torque and steering performance.
Shown above, the company’s e-Corner System demo car demonstrates “crab walking” which lets all four wheels turn 90 degrees to perform parallel movement. It enables anyone to parallel park in narrow spaces. The system also features “zero turn”, rotating front wheels inside while rear wheels turn outside to perform 360 degrees idle turn, allowing the driver to easily turn the direction of a vehicle in a limited space with minimum movement. “Diagonal driving” mode rotates all four wheels to the same direction at 45 degrees, helping to avoid obstacles or vehicles on the road smoothly. “Pivot turn” lets the driver choose any point for central axis to rotate the vehicle accordingly, like drawing a circle using a compass.
The in-wheel system, which the company recently announced that it has succeeded in developing in-house, lets the motor control each wheel directly. Hyundai Mobis says it stands as the latest technology with no record of being mass-produced anywhere in the world.
It is among more than 20 production-ready advancements in electrification and automotive components that the company plans to showcase beginning with the IAA Mobility 2023 Show, running from September 5-10 in Munich, followed by other top automotive shows taking place this fall including the Tokyo Mobility Show and Detroit Auto Show.
It will also unveil its next-generation e-CCPM (Electric Complete Chassis Platform Module) that integrates core electrification innovations into a versatile aluminum frame, enabling the creation of diverse purpose-built vehicles) without necessitating distinct platform developments and offering an all-encompassing solution for electrification.
Hyundai Mobis began developing the in-wheel system in 2010 in response to the emering electric car market. In-wheel motor requires a complex design process to place a powertrain on wheels. It is seen as a technology that needs to overcome a series of challenges, including securing of drive performance and durability. The system maximizes drive efficiency without the need to install a separate power transmission component such as a drive shaft.
It provides efficient torque distribution for each motor in a wheel, enabling optimum turns and body control. Hyundai Mobis reportedly improves the turn movement and power efficiency by approximately 20% or more through efficient torque distribution in all four directions. Unique features like crab walking and zero turns are also available with the in-wheel system. The motor is the key technology of the e-corner system which is an integrated solution that combines electronic steering, braking, and suspension technologies centered around the in-wheel motor. Hyundai Mobis is currently developing the system by installing it in real cars with a goal of completing the development within the next five years.
Oh Heung-sub, executive vice president, Head of Electrification, Hyundai Mobis, said, “We plan to complete the development of this technology that is both durable and reliable so that we can begin mass-production of the in-wheel system by the end of this year. We will continue to idealize the technology to ready ourselves for the future of mobility.” For more info, see www.mobis.co.kr.
