The requirements of high efficiency, power density, and low price for the motor of electric vehicles (EVs) make the design of the driving motor become a process of multi‐objective optimisation. For purpose of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) used for EVs has the higher efficiency, wider range of speed regulation with flux‐weakening and better cost superiority, a multi‐objective optimisation design approach based on finite element analysis (FEA) and modified particle swarm optimisation (MPSO) algorithm which takes efficiency, flux‐weakening rate, and price as optimisation objectives is proposed in this study. Five PMSMs with different rotor topologies (V‐shape, U‐shape, double V‐shape, delta‐shape, and double tangential‐shape) are optimised by the proposed optimisation method and their performance characteristics, including flux‐weakening ability, efficiency, price, and anti‐demagnetisation ability, are compared. The results suggest that double V‐shape rotor topology has the wider constant power range and double‐layer PMs topology has stronger anti‐demagnetisation ability and wider high efficiency interval, whereas single‐layer topology has lower cost price. Furthermore, a PMSM prototype with V‐shape PMs is manufactured, so that the feasibility of multi‐objective optimisation design approach and accuracy of FEA are verified by prototype experiments.

The electrical machine design method plays a decisive role in electric vehicles (EVs). However, only a few designs consider the coupling of multiple fields simultaneously. This study proposes an improved multi‐physics and multi‐objective optimisation design approach for designing a 75 kW interior permanent‐magnet synchronous machine dedicated to EVs. Five optimal objectives including power density, temperature rise, price, torque ripple, and cogging torque are selected, and the first three objectives are optimised based on the sensitivity analysis of design parameters, where an improved thermal resistance network combining with finite‐element analysis model is developed. Meanwhile, the torque ripple and cogging torque are involved in subsequent design optimisation. The temperature rise and structural strength are recalculated by using commercial finite‐element model software, respectively, for validating the accuracy of optimisation design. Finally, a prototype motor is manufactured; both simulation and experimental results verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed optimisation design method.

Optimizing electromagnetic performance and vibration noise performance simultaneously is important when designing the drive motor for electric vehicles (EVs). This has not been fully explored, and there are only a few relevant studies. To achieve simultaneous optimization, this paper proposes an equivalent structural network (ESN) of stator assembly to calculate the modal distribution and harmonic response transfer functions. Based on the ESN model, the motor’s electromagnetic vibration noise harmonic response, such as acceleration and equivalent radiated power level (ERPL), can be quickly calculated. The feasibility of the established ESN model is verified by structural-field finite-element method (FEM) and modal hammer tests. Based on the modern optimization algorithm and the ESN model, an improved multi-physics and multi-objective optimization design approach is proposed for an optimized design of a 30 kW interior permanent-magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM). The motor’s maximum output torque and ERPL were selected as optimization objectives, and then the ERPL and acceleration were recalculated using structural-field FEM to validate the accuracy of the optimal design. Finally, vibration acceleration tests were carried out on a manufactured prototype motor to verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed optimization design method.

This paper describes a case study of enquiry-based learning to teach problem solving, innovation, group working, and presentation skills for electrical engineering students in electric machinery course at Beijing Jiaotong University. The research project is designed by teachers and students go through three processes: project-based teaching and learning, problem-based derivation and simulation, and enquiry-based presentation. The multidiscipline project is innovated to meet the requirements of engineering education while keeping its traditional effectiveness in driving students to apply knowledge to practice and problem solving. The feedback from students shows positive support for the innovations.

A novel, improved equivalent circuit model of double-sided linear induction motors (DLIMs) is proposed, which takes the skin effect and the nonzero leakage reactance of the secondary, longitudinal, and transverse end effects into consideration. Firstly, the traditional equivalent circuit with longitudinal and transverse end effects are briefly reviewed. Additionally, the correction coefficients for longitudinal and transverse end effects derived by one-dimensional analysis models are given. Secondly, correction factors for skin effect, which reflects the inhomogeneous air gap magnetic field vertically, and the secondary leakage reactance are derived by the quasi-two-dimensional analysis model. Then, the proposed equivalent circuit is presented, and the excitation reactance and secondary resistance are modified by the correction coefficients derived from the three analytical models. Finally, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model is used to verify the proposed equivalent circuit model under varying air gap width and frequency, and the results are also compared with that of the traditional equivalent circuit models. The calculated thrust characteristics by the proposed equivalent circuit and 3D finite element model are experimentally validated under a constant voltage–frequency drive.

The pole phase modulation (PPM) technique is an effective method to extend speed range and torque capabilities for an integrated starter and hybrid electric vehicles applications. In this paper, the five pole-phase combination types of a multiphase induction motor (IM) with 36 stator slots and 36 stator conductors are presented and compared quantitatively by using the time-stepping finite element method (TS-FEM). The 36 stator conductors of the proposed multiphase IM are fed by a 36 leg inverter and the current phase angle and amplitude of each stator conductor can be controlled independently. This paper focuses on the winding connection, the PPM technique and the performance comparative analysis of each pole-phase combination types of the proposed multiphase IM. The flux distribution, air-gap flux density, output torque, core losses and efficiency of five pole-phase combination types have been investigated.