Virtual Prototyping: Accelerating Traction Motor Development for Commercial Electric Vehicles

This paper presents the virtual prototyping of traction motor in commercial EV to make an early prediction of the performance parameters of the machine without spending an enormous cost in building a physical structure. A 48/8 slot-pole configuration of IPMSM is used to demonstrate the electromagnetic and thermal co-simulation in ANSYS MotorCad. The key dimensions were calculated on the basis of the permanent-magnet field theory, and the 2D finite element method (FEM) model of the IPM motor using Ansys MotorCad electromagnetic simulation tool. The influence of geometrical parameters on the performances of traction motor are evaluated based on FEM. The temperature distribution of the motor under rated operating condition and the condition of maximum speed were also analyzed. Alongside, the effects of saturation, demagnetization analysis, and the impact of PM flux linkage on inductances are also considered in this paper. At last, the simulation and analytical results of the IPMSM motor have been compared to verify the suitability of the motor for the commercial electric vehicular application.