A number of automotive companies have ventured into the development of electric vehicles to solve the problems related to the environment and energy consumption that come with the use of internal combustion vehicles.On the cusp of a technological breakthrough,engineers are working towards optimizing the utilization of these vehicles in practical use.
With the use of traction motors,the torque that is generated from electric motors can be controlled with much more precision and speed in comparison to internal combustion engines.Since the characteristics between the road surface and the tire are highly influenced by the control of the traction motor,engineers are working to improve the stability and safety of electric vehicles to a large extent by appropriately controlling the motor torque.
What are Traction Motors?
Also known as'gear motors',these motors are employed in traction applications such as that of lift trucks,golf carts,locomotives and now electrical carts.They are known to have mounting features,temperature sensors and wiring terminals that aid the mounting of motors in a vehicle.These motors can be brush or brushless DC Motors,AC induction,or AC servo motors.A growing number of locomotives today make use of AC servo motors.
Applications in the Electric Vehicle Industry
Engineers have recently developed a traction mechanism for electrical and hybrid vehicles,which is believed to deliver a higher power density and better efficiency in the vehicle at a much lower cost.The mechanism helps the motor to operate at a peak power output of 55kw.This means that it delivers almost two times the power density,consequently improving the acceleration of the motors of electric vehicles.
This technology has been able to improve efficiency levels by 3-5%since the needed torque is acquired by using a DC motor with a lower bus voltage(that goes as low as 200 volts as against the conventional 650 volts).
More importantly,engineers have been able to make sure that the motor operates continuously at 105 degrees Celsius over a wide speed range of 2,800-14,000 rev/min at 30Kw,and can still be easily cooled with an engine coolant.The abolition of a separate cooling system,which traditionally most electric vehicles relied on,permits the vehicle to be lighter,hereby facilitating greater range.
With the world moving from traditional road vehicles which run on diesel and gas,to a more environment conscious mode of transport with the help of electric and hybrid vehicles,DC and AC Servo motors have been offering a number of benefits.In addition to facilitating regeneration of energy,it has also contributed towards enhancing the overall efficiency of an electric vehicle.
