According to foreign media reports, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions in Sweden has launched two seals specifically designed for electric vehicles - HiSpin PDR RT and HiSpin HS40. The above two seals can operate at high speeds, helping electric vehicles reach the range of gasoline powered vehicles. Treburg is a manufacturer and supplier of precision seals, bearings, and customized polymer components.
According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global ownership of electric vehicles was 3.1 million in 2017. It is expected that by 2030, this number will grow exponentially, reaching at least 125 million and possibly even 220 million. But it depends on whether there is technology that can make the range of a car's first charge reach the range of a car's first refueling, allowing drivers to break away from traditional cars, and the two seals from Treburg will help achieve this goal.
One of the main technologies of electric vehicles is the electric shaft, which combines an electric motor and a gearbox and is installed in the position of a traditional engine. The motor and gearbox are directly coupled, but to ensure effective lubrication of the gearbox, it is crucial to keep the motor dry, so a highly reliable seal is required between these two components.
Due to the highest efficiency of electric motors operating at high speeds, the requirements for seals are significantly different from the input requirements of fuel engine vehicles. The normal speed of gasoline engines is 2000 to 4000 RPM, while the speed of electric transmissions is usually 16000 RPM, which is 8 times faster than the former, and this speed may be significantly increased in the future
At present, the speed limit of traditional seals on the electric shaft of electric vehicles is 30 meters per second. In theory, the optimal speed of an electric shaft needs to be greater than 60 meters per second to achieve maximum efficiency, which is currently unattainable. Taylor said, "Our goal is to increase the working speed of the new electric seal to 40 meters per second, which can be achieved by HiSpin HS40 and HiSpin PDR RT, which can reach 60 meters per second
Another issue that needs to be overcome is the lack of sufficient lubrication in the system. In the transmission of electric transmission systems, lubrication is very limited, which poses a challenge to sealing. In this case, after stopping operation for a period of time, the rotary seal will be affected by high friction and high viscous sliding force, causing wear, shortening its service life, and causing power loss, thereby shortening the vehicle's range.
The various lubricants used in electric drive systems also pose challenges, as not all sealing materials are compatible with them or can work effectively with other media. In addition, other unknown challenges may arise when water-based, dielectric, and low viscosity media are put into use.
However, HiSpin PDR RT and HiSpin HS40 are suitable for such applications. Both functions are the same, and one can be selected based on the operating parameters and user preferences of the electric drive system.
HiSpin PDR RT consists of two parts: a precision manufactured metal body and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sealing element that is mechanically retained, with customized lip sealing function to improve performance. The operating speed can reach 60 meters/second or higher, and it can work in both high and low temperature conditions. It can withstand pressure, is generally compatible with chemical products, has low friction coefficient, and can run idle.
The HiSpin HS40 has a unique bi-directional liquid powered lip seal function, with almost negligible friction during high-speed operation, providing the best static and dynamic sealing performance. The operating speed can reach 40 meters/second, and it can also idle and be easy to install.
