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Revolutionizing Transmission Technology for Electric Vehicles

Revolutionizing Transmission Technology for Electric Vehicles

The world is rapidly shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs) as a more sustainable and eco-friendly mode of transportation. As this transition gains momentum, exploring and optimizing every component of EVs to ensure their efficiency and performance is essential.

One crucial aspect of an electric vehicle is the gear drive, also known as the transmission. Let us delve into the significance of gear drive in cars, its applications in EVs, and why it is pivotal in establishing leadership in the EV field.

Understanding Gear Drive in Vehicles

Traditionally, gear drive, or transmission, has been employed in combustion engine vehicles to regulate the actual running speed of the vehicle. It acts as an intermediary between the engine and the wheels, optimizing engine utilization and providing a comfortable driving experience.

A typical transmission comprises a set of meshing pinions and gears housed in a gearbox. These components work harmoniously to balance the engine's speed and power, delivering the desired speed and torque for the vehicle under various working conditions.

In the world of EVs, the gear drive assumes newfound importance as an integral part of the electric motor driveline, constituting one of the three critical components of the EV power system, alongside the battery system and the electrical control device. Within this power system, the gear drive seamlessly integrates with the electric motor, yielding a lightweight and compact design.

 

Unlike traditional combustion engine vehicles, EVs operate solely on electric motors, eliminating the noise generated by combustion engines. Consequently, the performance of the gear drive becomes more noticeable, as it can no longer be masked by engine noise. This shift in focus amplifies the importance of gear drive in EVs.

 

The requirements for gear drive in EVs differ significantly from those of traditional transmissions. Consider the following contrasting features:

 

   

Traditional Transmission
(Combustion Engine):

Gear drive for EVs:

Shiftable Ratios

  • Shiftable ratios (i = 5 to 0.6) for engine efficiency
  • High ratio (i ≥ 10) for efficient electric motor design

Idling Engine

  • Requires a clutch during idling
  • No clutch needed

Backing Up

  • Requires rotation change
  • Smooth transition in reverse

Shifting Discontinuity

  • Shifting without traction discontinuity
  • Smooth Shifting

Noise (Low Load)

  • Noise can be critical
  • Noise critical for all loads and speeds

Noise (High Load)

  • Masking noise of the combustion engine
  • Noise remains an issue at high load

 

Gear drive for EV applications requires meeting stringent requirements to achieve optimal performance. The following aspects are of utmost importance for gear drive manufacturers in the market:

 

1.   Noise Reduction and Efficiency: EVs require a noiseless and efficient gear drive to enhance comfort and improve the vehicle's driving range. This necessitates a lightweight gearbox design with high ratios to ensure efficiency in high-speed electric engines.

 

2.   High Torque Gear Design:  Electric engines have unique torque characteristics, requiring gear drive designs that can handle high torque from the drive side as well as during recuperation.

 

3.   Noise Optimization: Gear drive must be designed to minimize noise across all load cases and speeds, given the absence of engine noise in EVs.

 

4.   Lubrication and Compact Design: Adequate lubrication principles must be employed for high-speed gear meshing, particularly in the first stage. Additionally, compact gearbox designs that integrate seamlessly with the electric engine are essential.

With the exponential growth of the EV market, the demand for high-performance gear drive technology is on the rise. However, traditional gear transmission manufacturing processes and measuring instruments frequently fall short of meeting the modern standards necessary for EVs. 

 

This is precisely where industry leaders, such as Klingelnberg, distinguish themselves. 

 

Klingelnberg offers advanced gear measuring devices equipped with high-accuracy resolution and waviness analysis software. 


These tools assist manufacturers in identifying the root causes of noise issues in gearboxes and drive trains. By enabling precise measurement and analysis, Klingelnberg's gear measuring center offers a simple yet effective solution to EV manufacturers worldwide.

 

DKSH China serves as a representative for Klingelnberg AG in the gear manufacturing and measurement industry. The equipment provided by Klingelnberg is vital to the gear manufacturing and measuring process, ensuring the highest levels of accuracy, performance, and reliability in various sectors, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, shipbuilding, the robot industry, machine tools, aviation, and wind power. This is particularly significant given the rapid growth of the EV market in China. 

As the world accelerates towards a sustainable future, gear drives will remain a critical component in shaping the success of electric vehicles and driving the evolution of transportation technology. Find out from us how you can benefit from this growing world of EVs at DKSH Technology.

William Li

About the author

William Li is the General Manager of Gear Machinery at DKSH Business Unit Technology, China. With an extensive background in the gear manufacturing industry, he brings over 28 years of experience in sales and marketing, product management, and business development for the Klingelnberg group in China. He holds a Master’s degree in Machinery from Northeastern University in China.