Comparison of Different Demagnetization Models of Permanent Magnet in Machines for Electric Vehicle Application

The knee point in the B-H curve of a permanent magnet (PM) is considered crucial in electric motor applications. In the case of severe fault conditions, such as overheating or a short circuit in electric motors, the working point might fall below the knee point causing irreversible demagnetization of the PM. Hence, the remanence flux decreases and the motor operation would be reduced or stalled. In this paper, two demagnetization models of PMs are investigated, i.e., a linear model and an exponential model. Demagnetization curves for NdFeB were measured at temperatures varying from room temperature to 180 degrees C. It was found that all the parameters in the exponential model, including Br, H-jc, mu(r), and the fitting parameter K-1, are temperature dependent. Therefore, an exponential model can be developed as a function of temperature which allows a more efficient implementation within electric motor applications using PMs. However, comparison of the exponential and linear models indicates that the latter has a better accuracy near the knee point for the demagnetization curves of NdFeB magnets.