Design and Optimization for Vehicle Driving Cycle of Rare-Earth-Free SynRM Based on Coupled Lumped Thermal and Magnetic Networks

This study presents a range optimization of a synchronous reluctance motor and a permanent-magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor according to a standard driving cycle, and the solutions obtained are compared. The proposed approach avoids the use of a finite-element analysis during the optimization process, thus greatly reducing the time required to obtain the optimal solution. This paper validates the optimal motors obtained in different domains, since the methodology takes into account a multiphysics design. Using two coupled reluctance and thermal networks, all possible working points in the torque–speed plane are obtained taking into account thermal effects, magnetic saturation, iron losses, as well as voltage and current constraints imposed by the inverter. The proposed approach allows a fast comparison of the solutions attained. The design and optimization methodology presented in this study can be applied to any driving cycle.