A Comprehensive Sensitivity Analysis of Thermal Aspects for a Water-Cooled Traction Motor

This paper investigates the thermal management of electric motors, specifically for automotive traction applications in hybrid and electric vehicles (HEVs and EVs). Addressing the need for high specific power density to reduce fuel consumption and extend range, the study evaluates passive and active cooling strategies to enhance performance. The paper benchmarks established performance targets and engages in a multi-variate thermal sensitivity analysis. Thermal modeling employs the analytical lumped parameter thermal network (LPTN) method due to its efficiency in predicting component temperatures. The study explores the impact of material, geometric, and cooling design variables on motor temperature, highlighting the significance of fluid flow rate in active cooling and the role of design choices in passive cooling. Variance-based methods assess the impact of these variables on model outputs, with findings validating the importance of thermal management strategies for motor performance and longevity.