Design of a segmented switched reluctance drive for a light electric vehicle

Abstract

The light electric vehicle market requires better performance motors with less or even without permanent magnets. Switched reluctance motors (SRM) are among the best placed to meet this goal, despite they have lower power density, higher torque ripple, and are noisier than synchronous permanent magnet motors. Segmented stator switched reluctance motors (SSSRM) can reduce these drawbacks of conventional SRMs due to their modular construction and shorter flux paths. This paper presents a procedure for designing an SSSRM for a light electric vehicle. First, the output torque equation is derived from a simplified non linear energy conversion loop, and then guidelines for its design are given. Once the preliminary sizing of the SSSRM has been carried out, simulation using electromagnetic finite element analysis is performed. Then, the complete drive is simulated and validated using Matlab-Simulink and some results of the definitive finite element analysis (magnetization curves and static torque curves).