MARCO SAMEH AMEN

Section 2
Report 1

Electric Scooters

Dr. Khairy Fathy

Electric Drives
Email [Email Here]
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Why the Electrical Scooter?

As the cars are nowadays being replaced with EV so that the scooters are more
preferred now to be electrical and it has been changed from just a toy for children only to
a transportation method used by a wide range of people.

• Electric Scooters’ Motors:

The DC electric motor is the
“powerplant” of your electric scooter. It
determines top speed, acceleration, hill
climbing ability, power consumption,
and performance. All electric scooters
have at least one motor, while high
performance scooters will have two.
An e-scooter consists of a battery,
motor, throttle and controller. And out
of these parts, the battery and motor are
two of the most essential components of
an electric scooter.
When a rider twists the throttle on the handlebar, the controller reacts by commanding
the battery to send electric energy to the motor which is mounted on the hub of the wheels.
The motor uses this energy to rotate the gear which then moves the wheels of the electric
scooter forward.
Like regular kick scooters, some e-scooters need to be pushed off the ground using a
foot while twisting the throttle to engage the motor. They might also need to be
maneuvered using the t-stem handlebars and stopped using brakes. The speed at which
the scooter can go will depend on the throttle.

1- Electric Motor Types:

• Brushless DC Motors: -
Brushless DC motors — also known as a BLDC motor or EC motor (electronically
commutated) — are based on newer technology that performs better than brushed DC
motors. Emerging in the 1970s, BLDC motors are more efficient, have better power-to-
weight ratios, and are more durable. They also tend to run quieter, and are less prone to
overheating. Most quality electric scooters will have a BLDC motor.
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• Brushed DC Motors:
Brushed motors are an older form of motor technology dating back to the 1800s. In
brushed DC motors, mechanical brushes drag along the inside of the motor to alternatively
power different coil phases. Over time, the brushes wear down from friction and that can
cause voltage to act irregularly and be hazardous. In a BLDC motor, this mechanical
component is replaced by digital switching circuitry that alternatively powers different
coils in the motor.

2- How does the motor work?

Most quality electric scooters are powered by a BLDC motor. In fact, we anticipate
that nearly all newer electric scooter brands will come with brushless hub motors going
forward.
Instead of having one motor powering all the wheels through chains and gears, the
motor is integrated directly into the wheel itself, so the electric motor and the wheel are
one and the same thing.
The motor listens to the rider’s input through the controller. When you push the throttle
button on the handlebar, the controller signals the battery to release energy to the motor
to produce movement.
In hub motors, electromagnetic fields are delivered to the static coils of the motor. The
external part of the motor tries to follow those fields, causing the attached wheel to spin.
The amount of power generated by the motor is expressed in Watts (W). Most electric
scooters are rated between 250W and 600W, but higher performance scooters can have
much, much more.
Generally speaking, you can expect around 0.62 mph for every 10-20 Watts of power.
However, in most cases, anything less than 300 Watts will struggle climbing steeper hills.
Keep in mind electric scooters with brushless hub motors are relatively expensive. But
they are quieter and longer-lasting than brushed motor systems. Hub motors are also less
likely to malfunction, which means they require minimal maintenance.
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• Electric Scooters’ Throttle:

The throttle also plays a critical role when
riding an electric scooter. E-scooter throttles
aren’t created equal. Today, there are three main
types of throttles, including a twist throttle, finger
(trigger) throttle, and thumb throttle.

1- Throttle Types:
• Twist Throttle: -
A twist throttle accelerates the scooter when you hold and twist (or roll) the entire
handgrip towards you. It requires that you use all your fingers and thumb. But if needed,
you can still use a couple of fingers to hold and cover the brakes while accelerating.

• Finger Throttle:
The finger (trigger) throttle moves the scooter when you squeeze the throttle down
with a finger. This throttle makes it easier to access and control most performance
settings, including cruise control, display brightness, regenerative braking strength, etc.

• Thumb Throttle:
The thumb throttle accelerates the scooter when you press the throttle inward towards
your palm. Of all throttle styles, the thumb throttle is the smoothest when it comes to
modulating speed. You will find the thumb throttle across most entry-level e-scooters.

2- How does Electric Scooter Throttle work?

The throttle commands the scooter to accelerate at a certain speed. Pressing the throttle
sends a signal to the controller via cables.
The controller then instructs the battery to release more power to the motor. And
finally, the motor responds by propelling the scooter forward.
How fast you want to go will entirely depend on the amount of pressure you apply.
But all in all, throttles come in handy when you want to ride on hilly or elevated terrain,
cruise at different speeds, or save the power of your battery.
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3- How does Electric Scooter Controller work?

The controller is the force behind every function of the personal mobility device. It
allows for the communication between the acceleration, electric brakes, the battery, the
motor, and almost every other control.
An e-scooter controller receives input from the rider and sends it out to the relevant
part. When you twist the throttle, for example, the signal passes through the cables
through the controller, which then notifies the battery to release more or less juice to the
motor.
In the same way, when you engage the electronic brakes, the speed controller cuts the
energy from the battery and alerts the motor to stop working. The controller will usually
have a metal enclosure that serves as a heat sync.
E-scooter controllers are rated in terms of voltage and current being regulated. Those
fitted on more powerful scooters will have a higher max voltage and a higher max current.
Controllers are known to malfunction on poorly designed electric scooters. Failing
controllers can make it unsafe to ride the scooter.

4- How does Electric Scooter Brakes

work?
Electric scooter brakes are meant to do one thing;
ensure the safety of the rider. There are three main
types of e-scooter brakes, including a foot brake,
mechanical brake, and electric brake.

• Foot Brake: -
The rear foot brake is the most basic type of electric scooter braking system. To use
this brake, press it against the rear fender with your foot to create friction and stop the
scooter.
For the most part, the foot brake is the least practical way of braking. Riders have to
hit the rear fender with their foot, often without looking back.

• Mechanical Brake:
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Mechanical brakes have been around for a long time and are a trusted type of electric
scooter brakes. A mechanical braking system can have either a disc brake or a hydraulic
brake.
Scooters with this braking system usually come with a lever on the left handle. Riders
need to press this lever to activate the disc brake on either the rear wheel, front wheel, or
both.

• Electric Brake:
An electric brake is one of the most advanced braking systems available for e-scooters.
It completely stops the motor from producing any movement.
Moreover, this braking system can employ regenerative braking during the ride. What
this means is that it sends power back to the battery each time it’s activated.
It’s important to get an electric scooter with all three brake types. A combination of
disc brakes and electric brakes is great when it comes to safety.

5- How does Electric Scooter Wheels work?

The electric scooter wheels influence the traction, braking performance, and to a lesser
extent, ride quality. Ideally, they’re your connection to the road. There are two popular
types of electric scooter wheels: solid and pneumatic (air-filled).

• Solid Tires: -
Electric scooters with solid tires are puncture-proof and free of wear and tear. You can
ride confidently without worrying about flat tires. Their downside is that they can cause
a shakier and bumpier ride, especially if the scooter doesn't have good suspension.

• Pneumatic Brake:
Pneumatic tires are the opposite of solid tires—they can go flat from time to time and
will have to be pumped. On the upside, air-filled tires cushion the impacts of road
imperfections to provide a more comfortable ride, with or without a suspension system.
Furthermore, air-filled tires have several threads and patterns which provide more
friction against the ground. You can expect these tires to perform well in adverse road
conditions.
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6- How does Electric Scooter Suspension work?

The suspension in an e-scooter works pretty much the same as that in a motor vehicle
or bicycle. The suspension system helps to dampen bumps in the road to improve comfort
and ride quality.
E-scooters can have one of three types of suspension systems: spring, rubber, and
hydraulic or air piston suspension. The best suspension is one that combines spring and
piston. This combination is called coil-over-air or coil-over-hydraulic.
Often, e-scooters with solid wheels will have a suspension system to help absorb
shocks and lessen shaking. A good example is the Unagi Model One E500 electric
scooter. This scooter has a solid rear and front wheel, and the integrated suspension helps
cushion rough surfaces.
Another example is the Segway Ninebot ES4 electric scooter. This model has a shock
absorption system on both the rear and front wheels to increase riding comfort.
Many electric scooters that have large pneumatic tires tend to forgo the suspension
system. Large air-filled tires provide better comfort and ride quality than cheap spring
suspensions.

7- How do Electric Scooter Handlebars work?

The handlebars in an e-scooter are like the
steering wheel in a car. They help you turn and
change the direction of the scooter however you
want.
Good handlebars will usually have rubber or
silicone covers on their edges, where the rider can
hold them. These covers should not be slippery to
ensure a strong grip and make your ride safe.
Moreover, the handlebars in high-performance
scooters are adjustable. You should be able to
customize the handlebar to fit your height.
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At the same time, the handlebars will have a folding mechanism for when you want to
make transport and store the scooter. A built-in folding mechanism helps reduce the width
of the scooter to a portable size.
In most electric scooters, the handlebars will also come fitted with all controls,
including the throttle button (on the right), brake lever (on the left), speed/display settings,
power buttons, etc.
Bear in mind not many e-scooters accommodate left-handed riders. You might want
to preorder the scooter so the throttle function can be fitted on the left and the brake lever
on the right.

8- How does Electric Scooter Frame work?

An e-scooter framework is the structural component that holds all components together. It
can be made of different materials like aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber.

Some electric scooters can come with an optional seat, which is great for when you want to
rest while riding.

It is important to know that the frame takes up the most weight of electric scooters. The
frame alone can weigh as much as 24 lbs. If you’re concerned about your scooter’s weight,
make sure to ask about the scooter framework first before making the purchase.