Avinox guts

[Spiff]

A spanish ebike mechanic has posted a video where you can see the inside of the Avinox motor. It is very interesting, the motor innovation is that it uses a planetary (like in gearboxes) to de-multiply the electric motor RPM.

 

[Straker]

Planetary gears in a bike! Awesome…. Seemed to work well for sturmey archer….. whilst the gears tended to break after the hub had worn out the 1st two owners the planetary’s usually lasted until the rims rusted through.

 

[steve_sordy]

Glaikit, Crabbit & Mingin

All Scottish slang.

 

[cozzy]

Wonder if @Bearing Man has gotten hold of one yet to see if they can be repaired in the future?

 

[Downhillr]

A spanish ebike mechanic has posted a video where you can see the inside of the Avinox motor. It is very interesting, the motor innovation is that it uses a planetary (like in gearboxes) to de-multiply the electric motor RPM.

I thought all of the motors used gear reduction?

 

[cream]

That's a nice build, and the disassembly and assembly seem decent so that's a plus for reparability. Hope there will be a way to source the parts (like on Bafang motors) for a complete repair (not just the seals and bearings).

As for planetary gears, this isn't the first mid drive motor that use them. Mahle also have planetary gears in the motor used on Specialized Levo SL (and others), Brose also used planetary on all their motors except Drive peak/Qore/Specialized 3.1. But hey, Kudos to the "Asians". I like what I saw in the video, can hardly wait to try it out. That thrust bearing on the axle is a nice touch, have seen that in other chinese brands mid drive motors. That would help with sustaining axial load. In contrast, belt driven Brose hates axial load/force applied.

 

[slickrock]

Intrinsically using a planetary gear setup with their motor instead of an orchestration of pinions, DJI is in a much better position to provide an efficient motor gearbox solution in the future, especially with hybrid gearbox approaches. Let's hope that this is exactly what they are up to.

 

[cream]

I thought all of the motors used gear reduction?

Yes, they are. But there are many implementations available, planetary being just one of them. Usually, a mid drive motor will use multiple stages of reduction to get from high rpm/low torque (electric rotor) to low rpm/high torque (chainring drive/pedal axle shaft).

 

[DOCTOR EBIKES]

Here I leave you my latest video. I'm sorry it doesn’t have instant English translation, but if it’s longer than an hour, YouTube doesn’t translate the audio track. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[Albertocsoares]

Thank you for the great information. Do you have any idea why Avinox states in their manual:

"Do not rotate the chainring backward when cleaning and lubricating the chain, otherwise the drive unit and battery may be damaged"

 

[Purple parznip]

A spanish ebike mechanic has posted a video where you can see the inside of the Avinox motor. It is very interesting, the motor innovation is that it uses a planetary (like in gearboxes) to de-multiply the electric motor RPM.

I understood every word he said!

 

[nowayfra]

Thank you for the great information. Do you have any idea why Avinox states in their manual:

"Do not rotate the chainring backward when cleaning and lubricating the chain, otherwise the drive unit and battery may be damaged"

Its because backward rotating the chainring revs up all the cogs up to the motor unit which then acts as a generator, inducing voltage into the system.

 

[Albertocsoares]

Thank you! ChatGPT gave the following answer:

1) Mid-Drive Architecture

In the Avinox system:

• The motor is integrated into the bottom bracket.
• There is a planetary reduction gearbox.
• A one-way clutch (freewheel mechanism) is present.
• Torque and cadence sensors measure rider input.
• Power is transmitted to the chain, cassette, and rear wheel.

These systems are designed to:

Receive torque from the pedals → Add motor torque → Transmit everything forward through the chain.

2) What Happens When You Pedal Backward?

When you rotate the pedals backward:

(A) The one-way clutch may be forced in reverse

It is designed to disengage during coasting, not to transmit reverse load under chain tension.

Reverse loading may:

• Stress the retention mechanism
• Apply unintended loads to internal bearings
• Create micro-impacts inside the gearbox

(B) The planetary gearbox may receive reverse torque

Reduction gears (often helical or composite) are dimensioned primarily for torque in one direction.

Reverse torque under load may:

• Cause internal misalignment
• Accelerate tooth wear
• Introduce play or noise

(C) Potential reverse electrical generation (back-EMF)

If internal components are forced to rotate in an unintended way, the rotor may generate voltage.

Even minimal generation could:

• Produce unexpected voltage spikes in the controller
• Stress the power electronics (e.g., MOSFETs)

Immediate failure is unlikely, but repeated occurrences may reduce long-term durability.

 

[nowayfra]

Anybody an idea exactly what type/brand of grease avinox is using here?

 

[TheSnowShark]

Verboten !! Top Secret !