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Smart Car conversion by Zytek.
Exploded view of the Zytek brushless motor and control electronics utilizing the RENCO encoder. The brushless motor/gearbox is used in retrofitting the Smart Car from a gasoline-powered engine to electric-powered. Afterwards, the vehicle drives much like a normal vehicle except there is no exhaust generated.
DID YOU KNOW...
…that a RENCO rotary encoder, part of the HEIDENHAIN family, is an important part of the Mercedes electric Smart Car gearbox seen on the roads today? This vehicle promises to reduce greenhouse gases since it is powered by an electric motor/gearbox made by Zytek Electric Vehicles. This gearbox replaces the traditional engine and drivetrain found in normal gasoline-powered vehicles.
Zytek designed the motor/gearbox using an 8-pole brushless motor with integrated electronics. With such a high pole count motor, efficiency depends upon the accuracy with which the rotor position is known. To handle the job, Zytek selected the R35i from RENCO Encoders since it provides high resolution feedback for motor commutation and accurate velocity control.
With a maximum line count of 10,000, the R35i encoder met Zytek’s specification for integrated commutation outputs and high resolution performance in a low cost and compact package (outside diameter of only 35 mm).
Zytek’s drivetrain utilizes brushless DC motor technology that integrates electric motor, power and control electronics in a single assembly that requires only three connections – for water and high and low voltage (300V and 12V, respectively).