View Single Post
Old 02-05-2016, 01:46 PM   #48 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard
Master EcoModder
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 7,907

Mica Blue - '05 Scion xA RS 2.0
Team Toyota
90 day: 42.48 mpg (US)

Forest - '15 Nissan Leaf S
Team Nissan
90 day: 156.46 mpg (US)

Number 7 - '15 VW e-Golf SEL
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 155.81 mpg (US)
Thanks: 3,475
Thanked 2,950 Times in 1,844 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5 View Post
Why does the motor need a differential? It powers both wheels right, so shouldn't it just turn at the speed it turns?

Can I get a layman's interpretation for what you just said. I think you are saying it doesn't have multiple or adjustable gearing...
I don't think the Bolt EV has variable or multiple gears. Unless it had two motors, it needs a differential.

The motor shaft is a tube. The output is on the left end, and it has a reduction gear to a shaft just behind the motor, and then another reduction gear driving the ring gear on the differential. The differential is concentric with the motor - and so the two half shafts that drive the front wheels are also concentric with the motor. The right side half shaft passes through the motor tube/shaft. So the motor and gear box are centered between the front wheels, and the two half shafts between the u-joints and CV joints are equal length.

Here is a semi-transparent image:



Of the gears they show, I cannot see where this could be variable. The caveat is the portion of the gearbox housing behind the transparent bits.
__________________
Sincerely, Neil

http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to NeilBlanchard For This Useful Post:
aerohead (02-06-2016)