AVL Focus - Issue 2024

Evaluating, understanding,

and optimizing the propulsion

system with the Virtual Twin, a

simulation model that captures

the physical behavior of the

system, can significantly reduce

development time and costs.

everal aspects of propulsion system behavior can be

investigated with the Virtual Twin, but this article focuses

on e-drive durability and NVH.

In the e-motor – the key component of the e-drive – strong

electro-mechanical interaction between rotor and stator

results in dominant excitations, namely rotor and stator torque

and radial forces. The conventional approach, where these

excitations are pre-calculated for a few discrete operating points

assuming perfect sinusoidal current and without consideration

oJ tLe control system, is not sYƾcient Jor tLe :irtYal 8win.

Advanced Simulation with AVL EXCITE™ M

Our simulation solution AVL EXCITE™ M integrates an e-motor

control into the dynamic simulation model, which considers

the pulse width modulation of the inverter and thus uses real

e-motor currents. In addition, EXCITE M internally calculates

the motor excitation for any operating condition based on

pre-calculated motor characteristics. The advanced e-motor

approach in EXCITE M allows the investigation of the radial

offset and tilt of the e-motor rotor and takes the rotor skewing

into account.

Transmission Components and Bearing Dynamics

Besides the e-motor, the Virtual Twin model of the e-drive

includes transmission components such as shafts, gears,

Simulating E-Drive Transient

Driving Conditions with the

Virtual Twin

ding,

opulsion

al Twin, a

captures

of the

ntly reduce

costs.

bearings, and the housing. For the gears, EXCITE M provides a

detailed slice contact model that accurately captures the gear

dynamics that affect NVH. In terms of bearings, rolling element

contact to the bearing race is resolved, while the typical e-drive

JeatYre oJ ƽoating ring Fearings can Fe easily introdYced and

defined in )<'-8)ɸ1.

Transient Operating Conditions

% YniUYe asTect oJ edrives is tLat a significant Tortion oJ

their operating time is spent in transient conditions, where the

operating speed or load is changing. Therefore, understanding

the dynamics of transient operating conditions is key, especially

from the perspective of NVH and durability of the e-drive.

When operating under transient conditions, especially when

changing the torque direction of the e-motor, the gears and

Fearings will e\Terience imTacts, e.g., in tLe gear ƽanOs. 8Le

imTact level can Fe greatly inƽYenced Fy tLe settings oJ tLe

e-motor controller. EXCITE M, which resolves dynamics in the

time domain and incorporates advanced modeling capabilities

including control systems, is a unique and ideal solution

for investigating e-drives not only in stationary but also in

transient dynamic conditions.

Thus, the EXCITE M model can also be used as a Virtual Twin

for controller testing in real-world operating conditions.

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