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Optimization of Motor and Gearbox for an Ultra Light Electric Vehicle
FISITA2014/F2014-EPT-075

Authors

Isabelle Hofman; Peter Sergeant; - Dept. IT&C, Electrical Energy Research Group, Ghent University
Isabelle Hofman; Peter Sergeant; Alex Van den Bossche; - Dept. EESA, Electrical Energy Laboratory, Ghent University

Abstract

The integrated design of the drivetrain of a single person ultra light electric vehicle powered by batteries is optimized towards high efficiency and low mass. The drivetrain of each front wheel consists of an outer rotor permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), a gearbox and the power electronics with converter and control print. The complete drivetrain is optimized for the New European Driving Cycle and the Federal Test Procedure. For the optimization of the complete drivetrain analytical models are used to calculate the losses and the efficiency. The analytical models are fast, and useful for designing a good PMSM in combination with a gearbox. The optimization of the drivetrain over the driving cycles makes it possible to choose the optimal combination of motor and gearbox for different gear ratios in order to have high efficiency and low weight. Comparing a single-stage gearbox with a two-stage gearbox, a single-stage gearbox has a higher efficiency, but also a higher weight than a two-stage gearbox with the same properties. The optimization of the dynamic behavior of the drivetrain over the driving cycles yields a compromise between the total efficiency and the total mass of the drivetrain. The optimum choice will depend on the intended use of the vehicle (drive cycle).

KEYWORDS - Ultra light, Electric vehicle, Optimization, Drivetrain, Integrated design

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