Design Considerations for Switched Reluctance Machines with Higher Number of Rotor Poles for Solar-Assisted Plug-In Electric Auto Rickshaw

Switched reluctance motor (SRM) technology is a potential candidate for the propulsion systems of hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs and PHEVs). They are robust in harsh operational conditions and have a wide constant power speed range. Conventional SRM configurations have a higher number of stator poles than rotor poles. This paper presents the advantages of a novel SRM configuration with the number of rotor poles greater than number of stator poles. It also investigates different design challenges toward the traction applications in a solar-assisted plug-in electric auto rickshaw. The proposed SRM configuration is based on a pole design (PD) formula. Geometrical design equations and related challenges are introduced and their applicability has been verified on a 3-phase, 6/10 SRM using finite element analysis simulations.