A design of axial-gap switched reluctance motor for in-wheel direct-drive EV

Switched reluctance motors (SR Motors) attract attention as motor that use no rare earth materials. And it is a candidate technology for electric vehicle application. In addition, axial-gap structure has possibility of effective utilization of in-wheel flat motor space. This paper mainly discusses the design and the characteristics of axial-gap SR motors. This study focuses on the volumetric constrains of in-wheel drive system. First, the results of comparing the axialgap SR motors specification to the radial-gap one at same volume are shown that utilize the available active volume. By the results, a new flat volume axial-gap SR motor for in-wheel direct-drive EV is designed. Finally, a new support link structure is proposed for the large axial direction electromagnetic force of axial-gap SR motor.