Design optimization of coreless stator axial flux-switching motor

Abstract

This study aimed to provide the analytical design, optimization, and three-dimensional (3D) simulation through finite element method of a coreless stator axial field flux-switching motor (AFFSM). The motor consists of two indented rotors with a coreless stator between them consisting of a magnet and winding. First of the motor electrical and magnetic design was performed and its basic parameters were calculated. Then, the optimization of the machine was evaluated implementing the Taguchi algorithm in order to minimize the motor cogging torque. Some of the basic motor dimensions, such as the magnet length and width, the rotor tooth width and height, and the back iron thickness, were selected as optimization variables, and the best combination of these variables was obtained by changing them in a certain range to achieve the desired objective. Then, the accuracy of analytical design and optimization was evaluated through forming a 3D finite element method (FEM) of the motor and investigating its performance. Comparison of the optimized and primary motor revealed that the optimal design had a better performance than the initial. Finally, a prototype of the proposed motor was fabricated and tested, which indicated that the experimental results were largely similar to the analytical results.