Reduce vertical load on wiper motor = more power efficient??

Since I might have to extend my wiper motor axle this made me think about how to reduce the extra vertical axle load this will generate because most likely my motors would wear a lot faster.

Came up with the idea of placing an extra mount with a ball bearing (e.g. from a skateboard, they are M8 just like the motor axle) to support the axle extension:


fig 1: Standard / fig 2: extended axle with extra support with bearing

Logically this will move the vertical load (from the weight of the sim) from the motor to the bearing..

Am I correct if I say this would result in the motor's power being used more efficient since it only has to rotate and not carry the weight as well?
So less power is lost in having to cope with the vertical load.

Hope the above makes sense

it should work, only one way to find out! Build it and see.
I know my springs on my sim reduce load for the motors lifting, but an extra bearing may save the gearing, maybe help reduce power consumption for load lifting.
Give it a whirl, thats the fun behind creative ideas here on this forum.

I'm gonna do it anyway, but just thought I'd share my thoughts overhere and see what you guys think of it.

It might just be a cheap solution for more efficiency on wiper motors.

it,s better to use that bearing, but youre system ceapes the same efficiency.
Mechanical losses are comming from worm and wormwheel and not from axis!
regards Ad

I thought it would result in this:

The vertical load on the motor axle puts more strain on the motor which results in the motor having to work harder and thus more current draw.

The bearing takes over this vertical load resulting in less current draw / more current available for rotation = more efficiency.

Edit:
A bit like turning in to a corner with a car: more acceleration = less friction available for turning
In this case: more power needed for compensating the vertical load = less power available for rotation

The vertical load is taken by the 2 existing bearings allready,and a tirth bearing takes only stresses from the 2 bearings out.

The only thing youre having is a better shaft support

What the Heck, build it and see, nothing like some experimentation. I had people say that springs would make no difference - proved them wrong.

Lol, just figured out a way so I don't have to extend my axle, simple but effective and feel pretty blonT for not thinking of this earlier :tape:

If I replace my bolts with countersunk hex socket bolts I win approx. 10mm due to the head no longer sticking out.
Adding a sinlge extra nut on the axle gives me enough extra clearence so the arm can't hit the motor.

It's a common practice (and a good one) not to use motors bearings as load carrying devices. I did not check for what kind of motors you're using but if it's somesort of plastic housing for the gear box, then the load on the axle can twist the shaft out of alignment and the result would be premature wear and not so good power output.

Hmm, good point!

Ah, what the ... I've ordered enough aluminum for the sketched solution so I'll go for that anyway.