Trelleborg Sealing Solutions launches the Stefa HiSpin EV40, an innovative elastomer radial shaft seal equipped with proprietary technology for electric vehicle motors.
Designed to operate at high surface speeds, it sets a new technology standard, providing superior low-friction sealing while offering exceptional performance and durability for EV applications.
In today’s rapidly advancing automotive landscape, electric vehicles are pushing the limits of engineering, with traction motors reaching speeds of up to 20,000 rpm. As manufacturers strive to optimize efficiency and power density, the need for reliable and efficient sealing solutions has never been greater. The Stefa HiSpin EV40 addresses these challenges head-on with cutting-edge technology and superior engineering.
At the heart there is a technological breakthrough: Trelleborg’s proprietary Phase-Shifted-Wave (PSW) technology. By actively pumping fluid back to the oil side during shaft rotation, this patented innovation ensures superior sealing performance even in highly lubricated conditions. The design delivers consistent sealing efficiency while it reduces radial force, decreasing friction and improving powertrain efficiency.
This patented hydrodynamic feature consists of multiple grooves with single-sided waviness, separated by static bands – explains Nino Dakov, Manager Technology Engineering at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.
The shifted waviness between neighboring grooves enables gradual back-pumping from the air to the oil side. This innovative design is the result of finite element analysis, examining the seal assembly across different sizes.
The seal’s symmetrical design simplifies customer validation, and no additional testing is required for the lower-performing direction. In terms of part management, the seal operates equally effectively in either direction so can be employed easily across multiple EV applications.
The Stefa HiSpin EV40 has undergone rigorous testing to validate its superior performance and durability. In a high-speed endurance test, the seal maintains flawless operation at speeds of 20,130 rpm (equivalent to 40 m/s/131 f/s) over a period of 240 hours, without any signs of leakage or wear. An additional 1,000-hour endurance test has demonstrated the seal’s resilience under demanding conditions, confirming its ability to withstand extreme speeds and temperatures without compromising integrity.
The seal’s specially formulated fluorocarbon (FKM) material also has proven compatibility with various electric axle fluids, while its design makes it well suited for high-volume production. Engineered to accommodate shaft run out, the Stefa HiSpin EV40 ensures outstanding sealing efficiency under diverse lubrication conditions, resulting in reliable, long-lasting performance.
As the automotive industry transitions from traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs) to electric mobility, manufacturers face unprecedented challenges.
Historically, automotive development has been an evolutionary process focused on incremental improvements. The shift to EVs, however, demands a complete rethinking of components and performance metrics – says Guillaume Carron, Business Development Engineer at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.
With this new product, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is poised to highlight the importance of developing solutions from the ground up rather than relying on conventional approaches:
We conducted in-depth research to analyze market needs and define the development scope for EV traction motor radial shaft seals. This process involved filtering out niche requirements that could lead to unnecessary overengineering – adds Carron.
The Stefa HiSpin EV40 exemplifies our strategy of engineering from the ground up to optimize performance while minimizing complexity and cost. By adopting a holistic approach to product development, we ensure that our solutions are both practical and innovative – concludes Carron.
Source: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions
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