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Vehicle Traction Motors

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Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology

Definition of the Subject

The traction motor of EVs is responsible for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy in such a way that the vehicle is propelled to overcome aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance drag, and kinetic resistance.

Some engineers and even researchers may consider traction motors kindred or similar to industrial motors. However, traction motors usually require frequent start/stop, high rate of acceleration/deceleration, high-torque low-speed hill climbing, low-torque high-speed cruising, and very wide speed range of operation, whereas industrial motors are generally optimized at rated conditions. Thus, traction motors are so unique that they are deserved to form an individual class. Hence, the general requirements of traction motor are significantly different from those of industrial motors. Their major differences in load requirement, performance specification, and operating environment are...

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Abbreviations

AC motor:

An electric motor driven by an alternating current. There are two types of AC motors, depending on the type of rotor used. The first is the synchronous motor, which rotates exactly at the supply frequency or a submultiple of the supply frequency. The magnetic field on the rotor is either generated by current delivered through slip rings or by a permanent magnet. The second is the induction motor, which runs slightly slower than the supply frequency. The magnetic field on the rotor of this motor is created by an induced current.

Armature winding:

The conducting coils that are wound around the armature in which voltage is induced, causing it to rotate within a magnetic field.

Brushless DC motor:

Also called electronically commutated motors. Synchronous motors powered by direct current supply and having electronic commutation system, rather than mechanical commutators and brushes. The current-to-torque and voltage-to-speed relationships are linear.

CVT:

Continuous variable transmission is a transmission which can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that only allow a few different distinct gear ratios to be selected. The flexibility of a CVT allows the driving shaft to maintain a constant angular velocity over a range of output velocities.

DC motor:

An electric motor that runs on direct current (DC) supply.

DTC:

Direct torque control is a method used in variable frequency drives to control the torque of three-phase AC motors based on stator flux control in the stator fixed frame using direct control of the inverter switching. It involves estimating the motor’s magnetic flux and torque based on the measured voltage and current of the motor.

emf:

Electromotive force is the force that pushes electrons through a conductor.

Field winding:

The electric circuit is usually a number of coils wound on individual poles and connected in series, which produces the magnetic field in a motor or generator.

FOC:

Field-oriented control, also called vector control, is a method used in variable frequency drives to control the torque (and thus finally the speed) of three-phase AC motors by controlling two orthogonal current vectors.

Generator:

A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by magnetic induction.

ISG:

Integrated starter/generator, an advanced electric machine controlled by electronics and is designed for integration with internal combustion engines. It replaces the conventional starter motor and alternator, which are the two indispensable electric units for almost every engine.

mmf:

Magnetomotive force, also known as magnetic potential, is the property of certain substances or phenomena that give rise to magnetic fields. Magnetomotive force is analogous to electromotive force or voltage in electric field.

Motor:

A machine that converts one form of energy, such as electricity, into mechanical energy or motion.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Room 601, Chow Yei Ching Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China

    Prof. C. C. Chan

  2. School of Electrical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China

    Dr. Ming Cheng

Authors
  1. Prof. C. C. Chan
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  2. Dr. Ming Cheng
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. C. Chan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. RAMTECH LIMITED, Larkspur, CA, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

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Chan, C.C., Cheng, M. (2012). Vehicle Traction Motors . In: Meyers, R.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_800

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