The steering wheel base is the core component of force feedback systems, where motor design directly determines the realism and responsiveness of the simulated driving experience. Below is the technical solution for professional-grade racing simulator wheel base motors.
Older technology, simpler control
Lower cost but with brush wear issues
Less precise force feedbac.
Current industry standard for high-end wheels
Higher efficiency and torque density
Longer lifespan without brushes
Requires more sophisticated control electronics
Highest-end solution with no gears or belts
Provides most direct force feedback
Requires substantial power and cooling
Large physical size and weight
Industry Standard Choice: High-precision brushless servo motors (e.g., Maxon EC series)
• Torque Output:
♦ Entry-level: 5-10Nm (continuous)
♦ Competition-grade: 15-25Nm (continuous)
♦ Peak torque up to 3x continuous torque
• Speed Range:
♦ Base speed: 1000-4000RPM
♦ Must support instantaneous reversal (<10ms response)
• Force Feedback Bandwidth:
♦ Professional requirement: >50Hz feedback frequency
♦ Top-tier systems: Up to 100Hz
• Power Supply:
♦ 24V systems common for mid-range
♦ High-end systems may use 48V or higher
♦ Consider power supply stability and ripple
Diagram
Code
graph TD
A[Motor] -->|High-stiffness coupling| B[High-resolution encoder]
B -->|Harmonic reducer| C[Torque sensor]
C --> D[Steering shaft]
D --> E[Quick-release mechanism]
Core Components:
► Harmonic drive (3:1-5:1 reduction ratio)
► 24-bit absolute encoder
► 6DoF torque/moment sensor
Transmission Options:
► Belt drive (common in mid-range)
► Gear drive (higher noise but compact)
► Direct drive (best fidelity but highest cost)
Continuous operation temperature control:
• Winding temperature <90°C (Class H insulation)
Cooling solutions:
• Forced air cooling (IP54 protection)
• Liquid cooling (high-end models)
# Simplified force feedback control logic
def force_feedback_loop():
while True:
telemetry = get_game_data() # Receive data from sim software
motor_torque = physics_engine(telemetry) # Physics engine calculation
current_control(motor_torque) # Current loop control
if emergency_stop(): # Safety check
engage_brake()
Control Hierarchy:
► Position loop (500Hz)
► Velocity loop (1kHz)
► Current loop (20kHz)
• Dual hardware limit switches
• Dynamic overload protection
• Emergency brake circuit (<5ms response)
• Real-time temperature monitoring
|
Model |
Continuous Torque |
Peak Torque |
Response Freq. |
Encoder Resolution |
|
Fanatec DD1 |
20Nm |
60Nm |
50Hz |
16bit |
|
Simucube 2 Pro |
25Nm |
75Nm |
100Hz |
24bit |
|
DIY Solution |
6-15Nm |
15-45Nm |
30-50Hz |
17-20bit |
→ Integrated direct-drive motor designs
→ Multi-motor cooperative force feedback
→ Haptic feedback fusion technology
→ AI-based adaptive damping control
Design Recommendations:
⇒ Prioritize outrunner brushless motor solutions
⇒ Implement dual-encoder redundancy design
⇒ Develop dedicated FOC control algorithms
⇒ Optimize mechanical backlash (<0.1°)
This design solution meets force feedback requirements from entry-level to professional competition-grade systems, delivering reliable continuous operation while ensuring performance. Special attention should be paid to the compatibility between motor control algorithms and mainstream racing sim software protocols (e.g., iRacing, Assetto Corsa) during actual development.
Would you like a specific Racing Simulator Motor Design? Contact with our engineer team.
