TY - BOOK
T1 - A study on the implementation of in-wheel motors in a VW Lupo
AU - George, A.D.
A2 - Nijmeijer, H.
A2 - Besselink, I.J.M.
N1 - Traineeship report. - DC 2011.032
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - This report presents the results of the study on the implementation of an In-Wheel Motor
(IWM) propulsion system and the design of a rear suspension for such a system for a Volkswagen
Lupo. Previous research has been conducted at the Eindhoven University of Technology
on the impact of in-wheel motors on the ride comfort of electric cars. The study shows that
addition of unsprung mass reduces ride comfort and can increase suspension travel and dynamic
wheel loads. But additional sprung mass, due to batteries in an electric vehicle in
fact improves ride comfort. The study also concluded that improvements to the suspension
system can mitigate the issues caused by unsprung mass. Designing and implementing the
IWM propulsion system in an already existing ICE vehicle like the VW Lupo 3L would need
further study with respect to the suspension design and its kinematics.
The University is currently converting a VW Lupo diesel to a battery vehicle which uses
a conventional front wheel drive system, i.e. a centrally mounted motor powers the wheels
via drive shafts and a single reduction gear. It is called the Lupo EL, with EL being the
abbreviation for Electric Lightweight. The technical specifications of several electric cars are
studied to get an idea of the common design solutions of several manufacturers, especially in
the area of battery capacity and motor specifications. These specifications, including others
such as the vehicle mass and range gives an idea of where the Lupo EL stands in comparison
to the electric vehicles on the market today.
In order to design an IWM propulsion system for a car, the application of the car has to
be understood. Based on the application, a set of performance requirements for the car
are formulated. The electric motor specifications are then calculated for these requirements.
Since the University is already working on converting a ICE VW Lupo 3L, the specifications
of the Lupo EL are used to make a first estimation of the range that the IWM propelled car
can achieve. The car will be called the Lupo EL2, with the two in-wheel motors at the rear.
Furthermore, the design and layout of the Lupo EL’s battery compartment and rear suspension
is described in this report. The current suspension system is not a feasible solution for
the Lupo EL2. Initial simulation results of a SimMechanics multibody model of the Lupo
EL2 shows that the car would lift considerably while accelerating forward. Also, assembling
the IWM’s in this current configuration is found to be difficult. Hence,a new battery box
design and several rear suspension designs have been proposed. The proposed designs are
only preliminary and further simulations will have to be conducted.
AB - This report presents the results of the study on the implementation of an In-Wheel Motor
(IWM) propulsion system and the design of a rear suspension for such a system for a Volkswagen
Lupo. Previous research has been conducted at the Eindhoven University of Technology
on the impact of in-wheel motors on the ride comfort of electric cars. The study shows that
addition of unsprung mass reduces ride comfort and can increase suspension travel and dynamic
wheel loads. But additional sprung mass, due to batteries in an electric vehicle in
fact improves ride comfort. The study also concluded that improvements to the suspension
system can mitigate the issues caused by unsprung mass. Designing and implementing the
IWM propulsion system in an already existing ICE vehicle like the VW Lupo 3L would need
further study with respect to the suspension design and its kinematics.
The University is currently converting a VW Lupo diesel to a battery vehicle which uses
a conventional front wheel drive system, i.e. a centrally mounted motor powers the wheels
via drive shafts and a single reduction gear. It is called the Lupo EL, with EL being the
abbreviation for Electric Lightweight. The technical specifications of several electric cars are
studied to get an idea of the common design solutions of several manufacturers, especially in
the area of battery capacity and motor specifications. These specifications, including others
such as the vehicle mass and range gives an idea of where the Lupo EL stands in comparison
to the electric vehicles on the market today.
In order to design an IWM propulsion system for a car, the application of the car has to
be understood. Based on the application, a set of performance requirements for the car
are formulated. The electric motor specifications are then calculated for these requirements.
Since the University is already working on converting a ICE VW Lupo 3L, the specifications
of the Lupo EL are used to make a first estimation of the range that the IWM propelled car
can achieve. The car will be called the Lupo EL2, with the two in-wheel motors at the rear.
Furthermore, the design and layout of the Lupo EL’s battery compartment and rear suspension
is described in this report. The current suspension system is not a feasible solution for
the Lupo EL2. Initial simulation results of a SimMechanics multibody model of the Lupo
EL2 shows that the car would lift considerably while accelerating forward. Also, assembling
the IWM’s in this current configuration is found to be difficult. Hence,a new battery box
design and several rear suspension designs have been proposed. The proposed designs are
only preliminary and further simulations will have to be conducted.
M3 - Report
T3 - D&C
BT - A study on the implementation of in-wheel motors in a VW Lupo
PB - Eindhoven University of Technology
CY - Eindhoven
ER -