Which field of mechanical engineering should one pursue 3

[JerinG]

Same question as is the topic headline.

Let's say that we are in the year 1930. It was great to be in aviation, because it was starting to evolve. At first military and in the 50 and 60 also passenger aviation.

Can we bet what are fields with same potential today? Additive technologies? Renewables? Something else that we don't talk a lot about?

Let's see what others think.

 

[JerinG]

Can anyone comment this sector of electric motors: Wheel hub motor?

One company here is looking for R&D engineer and I wonder what do fellow engineers think about technical aspects of the idea. What are the opinions about future applications of this? Pluses and minuses?

My own opinion is that this could be great for small vehicles like small motorbikes, scooters, etc. It is a little bit more questionable for larger vehicles. First thing that comes to my mind is larger unsprung mass, but I don't know what are losses for common everyday drivers in this area. I know that it matters much in competition driving, but it could be possible that plus points, like space and volume improvements could be more important than perfect driving experience for common every day drivers. Every comment is welcome.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Hydraulic/Hydro-static wheel-hub motors have been used for years in off-road construction equipment, but due to the low speeds, and in many cases, a lack of any sort of traditional suspension systems, the problem of unsprung weight has never been an issue.

With that in mind, at least when it comes to electric over-the-road vehicles, if there HAD been a practical way to overcome the issue of unsprung weight, it would have been done by now and we'd see wheel-hub motors being widely utilized already.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[GregLocock]

I think quite a lot about wheelhub motors as I led the mechanical design of one.

https://renew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/marand_high_efficiency_motor.pdf

So long as you can figure out the durability and strength requirements you are good to go.



Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[CWB1]

Hub motors depend on the application and to a larger extent, the cost. There have been front-wheel-assist electric and hydraulic hubs available for semis for years, modern supercars started exploring the technology ~10'ish years ago, and even the offroad crowd has been playing with it as the ultimate traction control. In many cases however its still cheaper simply to add an electric motor to the standard differential/axle setup so that is the route taken.

 

[ProEpro]

If you like vehicles go for it. The experience on cutting edge R&D will be valuable even if the technology has limited application. Also knowledge of motors and gearing is in demand and can be applied to inboard motors.