Development of a High-Efficiency Double Air Gap Axial Flux Synchronous Reluctance Motor for Electric Vehicles: Effect of Magnet Assistance

This study develops the Axial Flux Synchronous Reluctance Motor (AF-SynRM) design with low volume, low loss and high efficiency has been preferred for use in EV. Double air-gap AF-SynRM 2D linear models with different pole numbers (6, 8, and 10) were tested using the Finite Element Method (FEM). The magnet condition was considered (magnet-free, ferrite magnet-assisted, rare-earth magnet-assisted). The models were compared in terms of torque, power, and efficiency. This study aims to address the lack of 2D linear models and reduce the computational intensity in the design process. The 10-pole magnet-assisted AF-SynRM model exhibits a torque/ampere ratio of 1.87, a power density of 4.8 kW/kg and efficiency of 92.75%. This study used 18 different AF-SynRM models in the initial design process, ensuring the optimal model emerges in terms of high torque, power, and efficiency.