Comparative Analysis of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines Designed for Electric Power Steering Applications

Plenty electrical machines are used in modern vehicles due to the strong electrification of car auxiliaries required by the intensifying awareness about their safety and comfort features. A typical trend is to replace the classical hydraulic steering systems with those actuated by electrical machines (the so-called electric power steering systems). For such applications, two permanent magnet synchronous machines (with surface and interior permanent magnets) were proposed. In the paper, their design and comparative numerical analysis is detailed.

I. Introduction

Electrical auxiliaries are automotive components, which can network with the main systems and components of a vehicle to support its functionality. They relate to security, comfort, lighting, information and other systems [1]. Most of them, as the power steering, fuel pumps, sunroofs, wipers, blowers, radiator cooling fans, door mirrors and lock, antennas, seat adjusting, power windows, etc. are electrically actuated, and widely used also in common cars (see Fig. 1).