A fuzzy logic based efficient and robust control of EVs with open end winding induction motor drive (FLEVOEWIM)

Efficiency is an essential aspect for any electrical vehicle.  Among the various traction motor configurations, induction motors are preferred for EVs due to its ruggedness in construction, low initial cost, maintenance-free operation, self-starting, operated at harsh conditions, durability, and low operating cost. However, IMs have poor starting torque and high-inrush currents, but multilevel inverter fed drive configurations gave a kick start to control IMs effectively. The present-day drive configurations may require high-rated power supplies, bulky DC-link capacitors, high power switches in rectifiers/inverters, less switching redundancies and higher power loss in the switching devices, which accounts for poor efficiency and uneven control. 

There is a need to develop an efficient drive system for EVs with fast, smooth, robust, and reliable control; hence an Open-End Winding Induction Motor (OWEIM) drive configuration is proposed in this project. In this connection, this project proposes to achieve the following objectives such as developing a FOC based controller for two OEWIM drive system using three three-phase inverters in contrast to the conventional drives using four inverters.

The proposed configuration can be used for a 4-wheel driven EV. Since the number of inverters is only three compared to the conventional four inverters, the cost is reduced. Further, the main advantage of OEWIM drive is that the size of DC link capacitors and ratings of the switches are reduced to half, which in turn reduces the overall cost of the entire drive system. The proposed configuration has several other advantages which include reducing in carbon foot print, reduction in noise and reduction in the bulkiness of the entire drive system.