Recently, the trend of the industry is changing from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles due to stricter regulations on fuel efficiency of automobiles. Accordingly, there has been substantial research on various methods for improving the ...
Recently, the trend of the industry is changing from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles due to stricter regulations on fuel efficiency of automobiles. Accordingly, there has been substantial research on various methods for improving the performance and efficiency of the traction motors for electric vehicles. The performance, efficiency, and durability of traction motors are closely related to the temperature of their parts. In addition, during the operation of electric vehicles, the heat dissipation performance of the electric traction motors is considered an important factor because the output power is limited when the temperature of the motor components reaches its limit. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a design that increases the
cooling performance of the water-cooled traction motor for an electric vehicle.
This study entailed electromagnetic field numerical analysis and thermal fluid computational analysis for the base model of the 120kW watercooled Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor(IPMSM) and for rotor/housing shape change models. The electromagnetic field numerical analysis was performed using the JMAG to derive the motor performance and its loss at a specified operating point. Thermal fluid analysis was performed with FLUENT, a commercial code, to confirm the thermal characteristics of the traction motor based on the derived loss value.
The research model was applied as follows. First, the base model was built in the shape of a classical rotor and housing. Second, in the rotor changed model, the holes of the end plate were aligned with the rotor holes,
and a twist angle was applied to the rotor holes for each sub-assembly stage. Finally, the rotor/housing changed model included a rotor changed model and applied an air path. It was positioned on the housing side to circulate the flow generated by the rotational effect of the twisted hole applied in the rotor change model. A new heat transfer route between air and cooling water was applied by positioning the circulation flow path near the cooling channel. To determine the difference in cooling performance by rotational speed and output power, four operating points were selected: the continuous rated power(60kW at 4,000rpm), maximum rated power(120 kW at 2,300rpm) points and max rotating speed(8,000rpm) 2points(60kW, 120kW). To validate the reliability of the analysis, the test and analysis results were compared at the maximum and continuous rated output operating points of the base model. As a result of the study, the rotor changed model compared to the base model confirmed a temperature reduction of 4°C in the rotor and 5°C in the permanent magnet at the continuous rated power point, and a temperature reduction of 19°C in the rotor and permanent magnet was confirmed for the rotor/housing changed model. By applying the design method proposed in this study, the cooling performance of the water-cooled IPMSM for electric vehicles can be expected to increase.