Grin's Ebike Motor Simulator Tutoral: --PART 1-- Basic Overview

Summary

This video introduces the motor simulator tool developed by Grin, originally designed to measure and characterize Hub motors' performance. The tutorial walks users through how to use the tool, from selecting motor components to simulating real-world scenarios like hill climbs and speed variations. By adjusting factors like motor power, battery, rider weight, and more, users can predict motor performance and efficiency. The tool helps answer specific questions about motor capabilities, such as how a system handles different hills or speeds, making it ideal for those seeking in-depth e-bike performance analysis.

Takeaways

• 😀 The motor simulator tool was created to help measure and analyze the performance of Hub Motors, especially when technical data was often inaccurate.
• 😀 It helps predict the vehicle speed, the type of hills the motor can handle, and other motor performance aspects like torque, efficiency, and power output.
• 😀 The motor simulator has become more complex over time, offering a range of advanced features that help users simulate a variety of real-world scenarios.
• 😀 The tool is intended for those who want to deeply understand motor systems, but basic advice can be obtained from the staff for choosing motors without needing detailed analysis.
• 😀 The simulator interface consists of three main areas: motor selection, vehicle parameters (like weight and wheel size), and an output graph showing key metrics like speed, torque, power, and efficiency.
• 😀 Users can select different components for the simulation, including the motor, battery, and controller, as well as adjust parameters like weight and human pedaling power.
• 😀 Human power is crucial to consider in simulations; it helps predict motor performance at higher speeds and during hill climbs, as it supplements motor output.
• 😀 The tool can predict overheating, range, and power consumption based on the user’s chosen components and simulation settings, allowing for realistic projections of battery life.
• 😀 By adjusting riding positions and tire pressures, users can see how small changes can improve motor performance and range significantly.
• 😀 The simulator helps users understand motor behavior on hills, allowing them to model scenarios like towing a trailer or climbing steep gradients, predicting how the motor will perform under different loads.
• 😀 The simulator also offers an 'Auto throttle' feature that automatically adjusts the throttle based on the user’s desired speed, making it easier to visualize performance at various speeds.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the motor simulator described in the transcript?

The motor simulator is designed to help users analyze the performance, efficiency, and capabilities of various hub motors by simulating different scenarios such as speed, hill climbing, and power consumption.

How did the creator initially develop the motor simulator?

The motor simulator was developed in 2004-2005 when the creator needed to assess the performance of hub motors, which had inaccurate technical data. They built a crude dynamometer to measure torque, efficiency, and capabilities, later evolving into the current simulator tool.

Who should use the motor simulator, and who should avoid it?

The motor simulator is intended for users who want to deeply understand motor performance, efficiency, and system capabilities under various conditions. It's not necessary for those who simply want advice on which hub motor to purchase based on basic factors like weight and desired speed.

What are the key components that can be selected in the simulator?

The key components that can be selected in the simulator include the motor type, battery pack, motor controller, wheel size, weight of the rider and bike, and various vehicle parameters like aerodynamic drag and human power output.

How does the simulator display its output data?

The simulator displays its output on a graph, with vehicle speed on the x-axis. It shows four different lines representing motor output torque, efficiency, power, and the required power to move the vehicle. The numeric data below the graph provides detailed information on motor efficiency, current, battery usage, and other parameters.

What factors affect the motor's overheating during use in the simulator?

Factors affecting motor overheating include the chosen vehicle speed, motor power output, hill grade, and whether human power is added. Higher speeds and steeper hills increase power demand, which can lead to motor overheating, especially when running at maximum throttle.

What effect does riding position have on motor performance in the simulator?

Riding position significantly impacts motor performance, especially at high speeds. A more aerodynamic, tuck position reduces power needed to move the bike, preventing overheating and increasing the overall efficiency of the motor system. Conversely, an upright position requires more power and leads to quicker overheating.

How does the simulator handle human power contributions?

The simulator allows users to input human power output, which is factored into the total power required to move the vehicle. This allows for more accurate simulations, especially for scenarios where the rider contributes significant pedaling power, such as climbing hills.

What happens when you simulate climbing a hill in the simulator?

When simulating hill climbing, the simulator adjusts the required power needed to move the vehicle based on the hill's grade. It then calculates the motor's ability to meet this power demand and estimates the likelihood of overheating. The simulation can also factor in human power, which can extend the motor's operating time before overheating.

How does the simulator predict the range of the e-bike?

The simulator predicts the range by calculating the energy consumption per kilometer, based on factors like vehicle speed, motor efficiency, and power consumption. It uses this to estimate how far the e-bike can travel before the battery is depleted.