Revolutionizing EV design: The radical Uni Wheel system

Inside each wheel hub is a reduction gear. It consists of a central “sun gear” that is turned by the drive shaft, and which is connected via articulated linkages to four outlying pinion gears.

Those pinions are in turn meshed with ha single large “ring gear” that runs around the circumference of the hub.

The photo shows the sun gear (center, with shaft) and the linkage-connected pinion gears.

On each Uni Wheel unit, the motor turns the driveshaft, which turns the sun gear, then turns the pinion gears, ring gear and eventually the wheel.

The photo shows a close look at one of the Uni Wheel modules, which engages an outer ring gear.

With the pivot points in the linkages, which allow them to flex as the gears are turning, power transmission from each motor to each wheel stays efficient and consistent even as the wheel moves up and down while going over bumps in the road.

Other advantages of the system include increased durability and torque, and the ability to independently control torque at each wheel for better handling.

Additional space is also available as most of the drivetrain is moved into the wheels, allowing more seating, cargo capacity or for reconfigurable interiors.

The sequential images show how the linkage allow for continuous power transmission even as the wheel moves up and down.