Comparison of Two Magnetizing Fixture Designs to Achieve Radial Magnetization Profile for Isotropic-Bonded Neo Magnets

Abstract

The requirement of stringent environment and fuel efficiency target on automotive demand the use of lighter, smaller and efficient motors. The advantages like higher magnetic properties than ferrite, near net shape magnet production, and no use of heavy rare earth elements makes the use of bonded neo magnet in an automotive accessory motors very attractive. The isotropic nature of bonded neo magnets offers a feasibility to obtain wide range of magnetization profiles. The magnetization of the magnet influences the air-gap flux distribution and hence the motor performance 1. The performance of permanent magnet motors using isotropic bonded neo magnet can be improved by optimizing the air-gap flux profile using magnetization. Based on the magnet circumference touching the motor air-gap and the desired magnetization profile, an appropriate magnetization fixture needs to be designed. In an external rotor permanent magnet brushless (PMBL) DC motor and brushed DC motors, the inner circumference of the magnet touches the airgap and hence the magnet is magnetized using an inner-only fixture which has magnetization coils next to the inner circumference of the magnet. When the radial magnetization is desired, a double sided magnetization can also be used to magnetize bonded neo ring magnets 2. The use of double sided magnetization helps in enhancing the motor performance 3. To ensure that the bonded neo magnet is fully saturated a minimum magnetizing field of around 3T is to be generated throughout the magnet thickness 4. Considering this required magnetizing field, a fixture each offering inneronly and inner-outer magnetization (double sided magnetization) is designed using Finite element analysis (FEA) to achieve the radial magnetization. The simulation based results on the performance comparison of two fixtures is summarized. Figure 1 shows the simulated mid airgap flux density when magnet is magnetized with inner-only and inner-outer magnetizing fixtures. From this figure it is observed that, compared to inner-only fixture, the inner-outer fixture results in flat topped radial wave shape of flux density. Both designed fixtures are fabricated and the measured performance is used to validate the simulation results. It is observed that the peak magnetizing current and the energy required to achieve the magnet saturation in an innerouter fixture is 19.8% and 26.5% less respectively compared to inner only fixture. The reduction in peak magnetizing current and magnetization energy requirement will lead to reduced thermal stress and improved fixture reliability. It will also help in reducing the magnetization cycle time due to better heat dissipation in inner-outer fixture. During magnetization of the magnet, the effectiveness of the inner-outer fixture depends highly on the alignment of the inner and outer magnetization coils. The alignment and hence the performance of the fixture is influenced by the fabrication tolerances 5. Even a small misalignment between the coils on either side of the magnet will result in flux waveform distortion and reduction in magnetic flux. Considering the manufacturing tolerances, the effect of the various misalignment angles between the inner and outer magnetization coils on the magnet flux is arrived at using the FEA based simulation. The magnetization result is also measured by creating various misalignments between the inner and outer magnetization coils in the fabricated inner-outer magnetization fixture. Table I gives the measured magnet flux integral for various misalignment angles. It is observed from Table I that the $\pm 2 ^{circ}$ mechanical misalignment between the coils will not result in significant change in magnet flux and higher misalignment angles will result in considerable reduction of flux per pole. It is also observed that the misalignment effect is symmetric about the aligned position and higher degree of misalignment causes drooping wave shape on one side and a hump on the other side in any given pole depending on the direction of misalignment.