Experimental test setup and performance tests of a brushless direct current in-wheel motor

This study focuses on measuring and analyzing the dynamic performance of brushless direct current hub motors, which are commonly used in solar-powered vehicles. Previous designed drum-based test rig is revised to improve measurement accuracy and observe the effects of different road conditions, various motor drivers and driving techniques. Unlike conventional shaft-coupled dynamometers, the proposed test rig has a steel drum and road tire to emulate the wheel-road contact, to obtain more realistic load conditions. The collected test data were processed with various filtering methods to identify the motor’s dynamic characteristics. Additionally, the acquired data enables the identification of the appropriate control method and parameters for the motor. Motor characterization and test system validation provide the foundation for next-generation motor development in solar vehicles.