Slot opening displacement technique for cogging torque reduction of axial flux brushless DC motor for electric two-wheeler application

Abstract

Introduction. Reduction of cogging torque is the crucial design consideration of axial flux brushless DC (BLDC) motor, particularly for low-speed applications. Aim. The slot opening displacement technique is presented in this article to reduce cogging torque in axial flux BLDC motors suitable for electric two-wheeler applications. Methods. Double rotor single stator configuration of axial flux BLDC motor is the most suitable for such vehicular applications. Initially double rotor single stator 250 W, 150 rpm axial flux BLDC motor is designed with stator slot opening in middle position and considered as reference motor for further analysis. To evaluate the cogging torque profile of the reference motor 3D finite element modeling and analysis are performed. The design is enhanced by dividing all stator teeth into groups and displacing the slot openings of each group in opposite direction with respect to the adjacent group. Results. The influence of slot opening displacement on cogging torque is evaluated with finite element modeling and analysis. As cogging torque is reduced from 1.23 N×m to 0.63 N×m, the slot opening displacement technique is found to be effective in reducing cogging torque of axial flux BLDC motor.