Comparative Analysis and Optimisation Design of Flux Reversal Permanent Magnet Machines for In-Wheel Applications

High torque output capability is crucial for electric vehicle in-wheel machines. In order to comprehensively evaluate the performance of different out rotor flux reversal permanent magnet (FRPM) machines, a comparative study of two FRPM machines with different topologies is conducted. Different from the conventional consequent pole FRPM machines (CPFRPM), the FRPM machine with auxiliary teeth (ATFRPM) features a stator tooth with a complete piece of permanent magnet (PM) of the same polarity, whereas the adjacent stator tooth is devoid of any PM. The paper introduces the topology structure of the machine using a 24-slot/22-pole combination and analyses its operation principle. Geometrical parameters are globally optimised to improve torque performance of FRPM machines. Furthermore, the electromagnetic characteristics of the CPFRPM and ATFRPM machines are compared under the same current density. The ATFRPM machine exhibits superior performance in efficiency, power factor and torque density. Finally, an ATFRPM machine prototype is manufactured to verify the theoretical analysis, and the experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the simulation analysis and optimised design.