On 25/04/14 17:08, Johny B Good wrote:
I'm totally aware of the detractions of "Unsprung mass" but a modern
pancake electric motor is surprisingly light for its power output and
a lot of the structural mass of the wheel can form the major
components of the motor. Properly integrated, a 'Power Wheel' need not
have to weigh any more than a cheap pressed steel wheel in common use
today.


+1

take away a massive steel disc brake cos regenerative braking absorbs
most of the power, take away a bloody great axle to transmit power and
you have pretty much made up for the weight of the motor. Or at least
those bits that go beyond the 'rim' needed to encase the motor and hold
the tyre.

Manufacturing costs are more what might throw you: a several hundred
pole motor needed for starting torque will be fussier than a 2-3 pole
and a reduction gear.




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