Axial Flux Induction Motor for On-Wheel Drive Propulsion System

Abstract

This paper deals with the design and performance analysis of a new on-wheel induction motor drive for an experimental electric vehicle. The proposed propulsion system includes two axial flux induction motors, where the rotating part of each motor is fitted into the wheel rim and the stationary part is mounted on the frame structure of the vehicle. Such arrangement eliminates any mechanical transmission, leading to a reduction in the total weight and volume of the whole drive system. The designed motors will be compared with a radial flux induction machine in a short-length rotor topology. In this paper, first the computed machine parameters and motor geometry optimization will be carried out by using a developed design program and by using finite element electromagnetic field analysis. Then, to validate the conceived machines, dynamical performance analysis will be achieved by using SIMULINK toolbox within MATLAB environment. Finally, comparison results will be discussed.