Automatic Design of PM Motor Using Monte Carlo Tree Search in Conjunction With Topology Optimization

Abstract

A novel automatic design method for permanent magnet (PM) motors using a Monte Carlo tree search is presented. The optimal motor structures are determined through a tree search, in which the motors with different numbers of poles, current phase angles, PM configurations, and numbers of PMs are simultaneously considered. At the leaf nodes, parameter and topology optimizations are performed to obtain the optimal material shape and distribution. The proposed method was applied to the optimization of a 24-slot motor. It was shown to be effective in finding the optimal motor structure and geometry to maximize the average torque while considering iron loss. The proposed method can be applied not only to the design of PM motors but also to many types of electric apparatus and other systems.