Baseline Determination for Drive Cycle Performance Analysis of Induction Motors

The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) highlights the importance of performance analysis and efficient motor selection, including Induction Motors (IMs). Induction motors provide enhanced efficiency in the flux-weakening region, leading to increased ranges for EVs, and offering robustness and cost-effectiveness compared to permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). However, it is important to note that IMs experience rotor cage losses at both high and low speeds. Accurate efficiency mapping plays a vital role in facilitating the design of EV motors. Efficiency analysis of dynamic drive cycle operating points is crucial for evaluating vehicle motors. This paper presents a baseline assessment for performance analysis, focusing on enhancing efficiency map accuracy through comprehensive drive cycle analysis using a combination of experiments, analytic modeling, and numerical simulations on a laboratory-scale IM. Analytic and numerical models are created and performance plots are studied for a particular drive cycle covering a wide range of operating points. A dedicated test-rig is set up to examine the transient behavior of the motor during drive cycles, allowing for a thorough analysis of its dynamic performance. The research findings can be generalized to benefit real EV motors.