Noise Analysis, Calculation, and Reduction of External Rotor Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor

A detailed analysis of electromagnetic noise in external rotor permanent-magnet synchronous motors is presented in this paper. First, the spatial distribution and frequency characteristics of the electromagnetic force acting on the surface of the permanent magnet are discussed. Then, calculation models for electromagnetic force, structural vibration, and acoustic radiation are developed to predict noise by taking an external rotor in-wheel motor as example. The uneven distribution of electromagnetic force on the surface of the permanent magnet is taken into account by means of loading nodal force into the structural model which is verified by modal test. Through the mode superposition method, the vibration on the surface of the outer rotor is calculated, and the acoustic boundary element method is used to predict the acoustic radiation. Noise test is conducted to validate the simulated noise. It is shown in both simulation results and noise test that the electromagnetic force due to slotting effects contributes the most remarkable component to the overall noise. Finally, slot opening width is optimized to reduce the amplitude of magnetic force close to resonance frequencies, and the overall sound pressure level decreases by 6 dB(A) after optimization.