Overview of multi-machine drive systems for electric and hybrid electric vehicles

This paper presents an overview of multi-machine drive systems for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), with a particular focus placed on the different system architectures and their key technologies. Some typical configuration topologies such as two-machine system for HEV, wheel drive system, multi-motor drive systems and compound-structure integrated machines system are investigated in this paper. Some fundamental technologies for multi-machine drive systems are discussed, with emphasis on machine structures, operation modes, and control strategies. Then, comparisons are made among various multi-machine drive systems and a new multi-machine drive system topology is reported, namely the modular cascade machines (MCM) drive system.