NSK has developed an integrated wheel hub drive with a motor, inverter and wireless charging unit. The electric drive can be charged at full speed via coils embedded in the road.
NSK electric drive W-IWM
NSK
Japanese supplier NSK has developed an integrated wheel hub drive for electric vehicles in a joint project alongside the Fujimoto Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, Bridgestone, Rohm and Toyo Electric. As well as the dynamic charging system's receiver coil, the electric drive's motor and inverter are also integrated into the wheel.
The third generation of the wireless in-wheel motor (W-IWM) offers higher motor power than the previous version and can be dynamically charged by induction. The output is 25 kilowatts per drive, while the dynamic charging capacity has been doubled to 20 kilowatts per wheel. The system is aimed at future smart cities where wireless charging systems integrated into the road enable charging during driving and at traffic lights.