Investigation on Performance Characteristics of IPM for Electric Vehicles Considering Driving Conditions and Pole-Slot Combinations

This paper shows the characteristics of performance for interior permanent magnet machine (IPM) considering driving conditions such as maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) and flux-weakening control especially in terms of harmonic loss. In particular, based on fmite element analysis (FEA), permanent magnet (PM) eddy-current loss and the harmonic iron loss have been computed where the models have been intentionally designed to identify the effects of pole-slot combinations on the loss while maintaining the required power for electric vehicle. From the analysis results, it was shown that the rotor iron loss and PM eddy-current loss of machine employing fractional slot winding are extremely large at load condition. Furthermore, it was revealed that the harmonic iron loss at high-speed operation is mainly distributed over stator teeth and rotor surface, which may aggravate cooling system of the rotor structure in the vehicle.