Traction Drive Technology for High Speed Traction Motors in Electric Vehicles

Abstract

By increasing speed, traction motors can be made lighter and smaller, thereby reducing power consumption in electric vehicles. Thus, speed reducers that withstand high-speed rotation of the traction motor are required. Traction drives, a type of power transmission mechanism, are more suitable than gears for silent rotation at high speeds and are expected to be employed in high-speed traction motors. This paper describes operation principles and related technologies in the design of compact, light, and highly efficient traction drives.