Design considerations of a multitasked electric machine for automotive applications

• Accessories are important components in conventional and hybrid electric vehicles.
• A centralized power source has been proposed as opposed to drive by wire system.
• Unique configuration allows simultaneous mechanical and electric power sourcing.
• Cost and volume advantages of the proposed system may be appealing for automakers.
• Proposed electric machine has also high and competitive efficiency figures.

This paper introduces a new electric machine for Front-End Accessory Drive (FEAD) of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). The novelty of the electric machine lies in its ability to perform multitasking. Besides the independent motor or independent generator operation like any other electric machine, the proposed machine is able to run as motor and generator simultaneously. A dual winding electric machine forms the core part of the proposed system. Windings of the electric machine are concentrated type so that electrical and magnetic isolation is maintained. This allows simultaneous motoring and generating operation in the single housing of electric machine. Design considerations of the proposed electric machine have been outlined in the paper. Comparison between proposed and conventional approaches has been made to highlight potential benefits of the new approach. Thermal analyses have been performed to show the suitability and limits of the multitasked electric machine in the HEV applications. Overall performance of the proposed machine is presented by experimental results.