Ultra-efficient motors improving cordless consumer-appliance performance
BY LISA EITEL
25 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity are consumed globally per year — of which 53% is consumed by electric motors. So replacing traditional electric motors with ultra-high-efficiency electric motors in all sorts of industries could significantly reduce energy wasted to noise and heat — and increase the performance and cost effectiveness of motor-driven designs in the process.
The motors traditionally used in household appliances might offer the most room for efficiency improvement. That’s why Infinitum Electric, creator of the silicon-stator electric motor, is now developing its first IEh-series motor for a consumer-appliance application — more specifically, an energy-efficient cordless vacuum.
IEh-series motors deliver premium performance for quieter and more efficient consumer appliances with greater durability and connectivity. The silicon-based stator produces the same power as a comparable traditional iron-core and copper wire stator assembly … but has a far more compact design. To illustrate: A traditional 15-hp electric motor (sans drive) is about 6,000 in.3 and 300 lb. Infinitum Electric’s 15-hp motor is only 1,200 in.3 and 70 lb — including the drive. In some cases, total motor weight is 50% lighter than traditional electric motors. In addition, the IEh-series motors feature:
• Quiet operation — generating less than 45 dB for some applications. That’s because there’s no cogging torque or magnetic force between the rotor and stator to cause noise.
• High speed and wide operating ranges — from 0 to 110,000 rpm
• Durability: The silicon stator has a 10x longer life than conventional coils and uniform temperature distribution prevents thermal stresses on windings.
• Ultra high-efficiency: With an efficiency rating of greater than 90% for any power rating, stator core losses are eliminated due to the coreless construction.
• Low vibration: With vibration levels of less than 0.25 mm/sec, simple structure prevents rotors from shifting due to thermal or mechanical stresses.
• Connected design: Integrated electronics and embedded IoT circuitry allow the motor to stay connected to the outside world and with other smart home applications.
“The market for global smart home appliances is anticipated to reach $92.72 billion by 2027, according to a new report by Grand View Research … and expanding at a CAGR of 14.1% from 2020 to 2027. IMARC Group predicts that global electric-motor use in the household- appliance sector will reach a value of US $8.19 billion … and growing at a CAGR of 5.04% from 2018 to 2023.”
“Manufacturers are exploring new ways to incorporate IoT to deliver ecofriendly designs and support digital transformation goals,” says industry principal at Frost and Sullivan Anand Gnanamoorthy. “Infinitum Electric’s motors are designed with total efficiency in mind and integrated electronics and IoT circuitry pack a punch, making smart home appliances even smarter.”
Bringing everyday household consumer appliances into a new era of sustainability with the ultra-high efficiency IEh motors is exciting, says Infinitum Electric founder and CEO Ben Schuler. “Consumer appliance manufacturers have an opportunity to make an impact on the environment by designing their products in the most energy-efficient way possible. We look forward to helping more design engineers gain a competitive advantage with differentiated products that decrease carbon footprint, improve performance, reliability and costs.”
