Axial flux

[Mario Chabot]

Is the in-wheel motor a radial flux type?

[Paul Schultz]

I’m not sure. But, you can check out the options on the elaphe site. The M700 matches the Aptera specs.

https://in-wheel.com/en/solutions-2/direct-drive-in-wheel-motors/

[kerbe2705]

I’ve found several sources that mention Elaphe as a maker of radial flux motors – it is the most common type for in-wheel mounting.

[John Malcom]

Mario, a good question. I assumed Elaphe made only radial flux motors since their top of the line 1500 is a radial flux. As pointed out, Aptera is using the 700 model. There is a possibility that it is axial flux, but I would bet radial flux like the 1500. Aptera is asking Elaphe to make some modifications to their standard motor for use in the Aptera. It would be unlikely that would include making it axial flux if it isn’t already.

Both configurations have advantages and disadvantages for EV in wheel motors. The Aptera engineers have done extensive research to select a motor vendor and to specify alterations to the standard design to make the most efficient Aptera performance. Many factors, not just the flux design advantages and disadvantages go into the selection of an in wheel motor.

[Paul Evans]

While I understood the conceptual differences between radial and axial flow aircraft engines, I didn’t understand how the different types of electric motors actually worked.

Immediately following the Aptera Makers edition of the “white body” team, YouTube presented a very good basic science tutorial on how the two types of electric motors work, at https://youtu.be/8EEVPVNJHjM

Once again, it confirms that the Aptera team is making great decisions on the car’s design!

[Curtis Cibinel]

Just wondering do these motors have the same limitations which makes towing the vehicle flat unsafe? The aptera would be an ideal companion vehicle for snowbird RV owners if it can flat tow behind. In general towing most EVs requires far more setup and a flatbed.

https://insideevs.com/news/403116/evs-harder-tow-depends-manufacturer/

[John Malcom]

BIG RETRACTION!!!

We found out today, in the J. Leno YouTube video, that the electric motors provided by Elephe are in deed axial flux motors. A major departure for Elephe from their Top of the line motor.

Another feather in the advanced technology cap for Aptera

Thanks Paul for the link to the description of this technology.

The “New Hope” Sounds like a Star Wars movie????

[kerbe2705]

You beat me to it, Uncle John! ????

[John Malcom]

Hmmm mmm mmm. Great minds think alike………..????

[Curtis Cibinel]

Great minds think for themselves. Aptera entire concept is to buck conventional design – first principles design.

[John Reilly]

This means before starting an Aptera, you can go through a pre-start check list that includes, “Axial Flux motor 1, engage! Axial Flux motor 2, engage!” Totally unnecessary, but saying “axial flux motor” may never get old. Note bene, marketing team.

[Carl Knapp Knapp]

The motors control board uses a back to the future Arial Flux Capacitor.

[John Malcom]

can someone tell me who supplies the flux capacitors. I want to buy stock in that company

[Fanfare 100]

Please, please, let’s concentrate on releasing this Aptera first. It’s important that this iteration be delivered on time. Then we can worry about Flux Capacitors for the Aptera 2.0. ???????? Engage!

[MidnightPilot .]

The later model will have a flux capacitor.

(when this baby hits 88mph…..)

[kerbe2705]

I might just change my name to “Axial Flux” – but I’ll pronounce it, “flooz”, to rhyme with “shoes”.

[N. Bruce Nelson]

I just emailed a contact I have at Elaphe regarding the motors used in Aptera and got the following reply:

For IWM’s they are radial flux, very high efficiency, high-torque-density (Elaphe proprietary winding design and active core designed for Aptera’s mission!) = light weight, robust.

Many people make this error, since Axial gets a lot of press lately (for inboard applications). Not the best design for in-wheel applications though, very fragile and quickly loses the benefits if you try to make it more robust…

No axial flux IWM deisgn (sic) has so far came close to the level of robustness, torque, weight or efficiency. Axial is great, but for inboard pancake style… (YASA, etc…). usually requires a reduction gear and CV joints to a wheel, since they are higher speed 5000-6000 rpm.

[John Malcom]

Your reveal does not track with what was said in the Jay Leno YouTube video reported by both me and kerbe2705 in this thread. In that video Chris reported that the in wheel motors would be an Axial Flux design. (28 – 29 min of the video)

[John Malcom]

Bruce, longtime coming but my apologies. Chris misspoke in the Jay Leno video when he identified the hub motors as axial flux. The hub motors for the Aptera are indeed radial flux as you have said. For a number of reasons Elaphe does not make axial flux motors