Tesla Drive unit is it a brushless AC motor?

bimmer456 · 11-23-2017, 01:48 AM

Just curious what type of motor it is. I know it is a 3 stage stator motor or something like that? RC electric cars have either brushed or brushless motors, with brushless being the superior technology with no components that wear out and it is more efficient and therefore has more torque/HP from a given energy source (battery). They require a microprocessor in order to work versus a brushed motor just needs current to operate as the brushes insure the correct polarity as the motor operates, but this is done electronically on the brushless motor. Just wondering if this is part of the Tesla secret sauce that allows it to extract more performance from the battery. Also, do the drive units ever wear out or are they supposed to last forever (like the million mile warranty and the semi).

Bongoxxx · 11-23-2017, 08:28 AM

Tesla uses a 3 phase induction AC motor which is similar, but slightly different than a brushless motor.

https://www.tesla.com/en_CA/blog/ind...ushless-motors

bimmer456 · 11-23-2017, 10:21 AM

Cool, thanks! Great article. I'm not an electrical engineer but this seems to explain things a little I may have to read it again.

11-23-2017, 01:48 AM	#1
bimmer456 Major General 3113 Rep 6,089 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	Tesla Drive unit is it a brushless AC motor? Just curious what type of motor it is. I know it is a 3 stage stator motor or something like that? RC electric cars have either brushed or brushless motors, with brushless being the superior technology with no components that wear out and it is more efficient and therefore has more torque/HP from a given energy source (battery). They require a microprocessor in order to work versus a brushed motor just needs current to operate as the brushes insure the correct polarity as the motor operates, but this is done electronically on the brushless motor. Just wondering if this is part of the Tesla secret sauce that allows it to extract more performance from the battery. Also, do the drive units ever wear out or are they supposed to last forever (like the million mile warranty and the semi).
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11-23-2017, 08:28 AM	#2
Bongoxxx Lieutenant 819 Rep 542 Posts Drives: 2018 340 XDrive Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Courtice, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Tesla uses a 3 phase induction AC motor which is similar, but slightly different than a brushless motor. https://www.tesla.com/en_CA/blog/ind...ushless-motors
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11-23-2017, 10:21 AM	#3
bimmer456 Major General 3113 Rep 6,089 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	Cool, thanks! Great article. I'm not an electrical engineer but this seems to explain things a little I may have to read it again.
	Appreciate 0