Renault recently selected Maplesoft’s Maple software for use in the design of a new motor. In the early phases it was used to perform first-order approximations of the rotor. This gave engineers an insight into how components would behave within different parameters and under different operating conditions, enabling an accurate choice to be made for the motor’s main dimensions.
After analyzing this first set of results, engineers understood which topics demanded higher fidelity and from there they further developed in Maple the corresponding mathematical models based on the physical equations.
One particular issue solved with Maple was the slot wedge, which holds the rotor wire in place ensuring reliability over both maximum loads and long-term operation. By modeling wedge deviation under centrifugal and thermal loads, the engineers determined a simple rule based on flexural stiffness; by taking into account competitors’ data, they selected the appropriate thickness and material for the wedge.
May 15, 2015
