Design and Drives Simulation of an In-Wheel Switched Reluctance Motor for Electric Vehicle Applications

This paper presents a design study of an in-wheel switched reluctance motor for electric vehicles. Rotating part of the motor is fitted into the wheel rim and the stationary part is directly connected to the wheel axle. Such a construction not only leads to reduce the total weight and volume, but also increases the total efficiency of the vehicle propulsion system, eliminating the mechanical transmission. Design optimization and magnetic analysis of the motor are carried out by extensive 2D finite element analyses by using ANSOFT-Maxwell2D software. Drives simulation is also realized. Torque profiles and ripple ratios, which are the most important parameters of in-wheel propulsion motors, are studied and compared by simulating different driving conditions of the vehicle. Steady state results show that, designed in-wheel motor performance is sufficient and meets the requirements of a multimotor propelled electric vehicle.