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Old 02-05-2016, 01:46 PM   #48 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard
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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.
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