Bored with listening to about enterprise offers, “stonks,” and the private lifetime of Elon Musk? Me, too (hopefully it’s not simply me). Whereas these issues might be necessary at instances, that’s the type of stuff bean counters love. Me? I’m an old-school automotive lady. Whereas the bankers and accountants amongst us have been doing no matter they did in highschool, I used to be spending my spare time turning wrenches and modifying air intakes and such with my associates and cousins. In school, I obtained into pictures and journalism, however since then, I’ve nonetheless achieved most of my very own automotive work, helped associates modify stuff, and most just lately, helped my brother and pop convert a traditional Ford Bronco to electrical energy.
Should you’re not like me, and also you’re into all of the enterprise stuff, that’s cool. We’d like enterprise individuals on the planet and I admire you guys. I don’t have the persona for that, and I do know you all have my again. However, aren’t you a bit of inquisitive about how your Tesla works? If that’s you, stick round and we’ll watch some enjoyable movies about that!
Again in 2019, I shared a video from WeberAuto, the YouTube channel of Weber State College’s automotive program in Layton, Utah. In it, the teacher gave us a deep, deep dive on what makes the Chevy Bolt’s drive unit run. Since then, they’ve torn down a bunch of different autos, and have made equally fascinating and informative movies. At present, I’m going to share their video on the modular drive models that propel the Tesla Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y (article/commentary continues after embedded video).
The actually cool factor about Weber’s movies is that Professor John Kelly makes the inside workings of EVs extraordinarily accessible to anyone involved in how they work. As an alternative of going by a bunch of boring math and diagrams, he actually lays the elements out on the bench with picket helps and exhibits you ways they work collectively. He does get into necessary math, however you don’t should be a math main to see for your self the issues that make us go.
One factor I observed in regards to the modular Tesla motors instantly is that they’re fairly much like what’s within the Bolt. Whereas some EVs use planetary gears to scale back the gearing (make the motor flip sooner than the wheels) and multiply the torque, each the Bolt and Tesla drive models use a less complicated set of gears to get the differential transferring.
As soon as he has all of it laid out and transferring, he even exhibits the fundamental factor that makes a everlasting magnet motor flip: magnetic fields. He takes a strong magnet and pushes the rotor manually, after which makes use of the motor to make the magnet tumble in his hand. After we have been all youngsters, we performed with magnets and felt the drive of magnets, and the way they’re pushing us into our seats after we stomp on that skinny pedal. (there are many good movies on YouTube that specify how an electrical motor makes use of electro-magnets to make the rotor flip in the event you’re inquisitive about this on a deeper degree)
Let’s Speak Differentials
The ultimate step within the gear set is the differential (inside the most important gear). He doesn’t get into how that works on this video, however in brief, it sends the facility out to the axles and to the wheels. You’ll be able to be taught extra in a brief video about how differentials work right here, or watch Weber’s for much longer video right here, however an necessary factor the professor mentions is that Tesla drive models are geared up solely with a easy open differential.
This may sound like they’re cheaping out, however fashionable traction management methods largely negate the necessity for a limited-slip differential (they will hit the brake on a slipping wheel as wanted), and Tesla is definitely engineering a less complicated and extra dependable drive unit this fashion. Restricted-slip differentials are superior, however they’ve clutch packs or different extra elements in them like an automated transmission, they usually can put on out over time. Plus, as our courageous Technoking says, “The perfect half isn’t any half.” Having extra elements means there’s extra to go incorrect. Additionally, brake jobs are so much simpler than tearing a drive unit aside to repair a busted differential, so traction management wins on that depend, too.
It’s value noting that when individuals use salvaged Tesla drive models to transform traditional autos to electrical, there are aftermarket suppliers promoting limited-slip differentials. Traditional vehicles don’t have traction management methods that may hit the brake on the slipping aspect, making these additional elements the very best method in that area of interest software. Additionally, for some off-roading functions (and driver preferences), the extra proactive method of the limited-slip differential or a locking differential is superior to the reactive method of traction management, however the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y should not supposed for off-road driving, so Tesla once more wasn’t within the incorrect to skip it.
In any case, again to the Weber video!
Why They Name Them Modular Drive Models
One other cool factor the professor factors out is that many of the elements in a Tesla 3 or Y drive unit are the identical. The one factor that adjustments is the motor itself. This helps save Tesla cash, as a result of it might probably order the elements for the drive models in bigger portions, and there’s actually no draw back.
It’s potential to place a everlasting magnet motor, an induction motor (makes use of electr0-magnets for each rotor and stator), and motors of various sizes and energy outputs in what’s mainly in any other case the identical drive unit. Each the rotor (the half that strikes) and the stator (the half that doesn’t spin) can constructed into the identical primary case, making for fewer elements that Tesla must construct or purchase to make the completely different drive models. Completely different inverters might be bolted to the skin of the identical case, too.
For the enterprise majors, this protects Tesla appreciable cash and simplifies enterprise operations. However, DIY swappers in all probability wouldn’t discover it to be a easy job, because the stators and cooling drain are completely different for entrance and rear drive models.
Cooling & Lubrication, Housing
The entire meeting is cooled and lubricated by automated transmission fluid. That is pumped across the case and cooled or warmed by a warmth exchanger (through the multi-way valve within the coolant system). It additionally has an exterior filter the fluid is pumped by, which ought to defend the gears inside from any unfastened steel that collects because the drive unit wears.
It is a a lot less complicated system than the professor exhibits us for the Bolt household of autos, which ought to imply extra value financial savings for Tesla. It may also be simpler to rebuild some drive models that fail, as a result of the primary a part of the case may not should be opened if one thing is incorrect with a rotor or stator.
All in all, the entire system could be very easy, and it’s half of a bigger effort to maintain issues easy inside Tesla. Prices are decrease, help is less complicated, and adjustments are simpler to make to manufacturing strains. All of this makes for a extra nimble and environment friendly automotive manufacturing course of, which is what Tesla is thought for.
Featured picture: a screenshot from the above video, exhibiting among the guts of a Tesla drive unit.
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