A reconfigurable structure electronic commutator for a dual BLDC motor EV drive

An electronic commutator that can drive a PM BLDC motor either in the full bridge or half bridge configuration has been developed. This commutator allows increasing the motor speed over the nominal value, hence the motor is able to operate within a wide constant power speed range. An application of the commutator with a reconfigurable structure for the double drive of a small electric vehicle Elipsa has been presented. The driveline consists of two independent commutators feeding the motors coupled by gears with rear wheels of the vehicle. Both commutators are controlled by a common control system based on a signal microcontroller. The results of road tests indicate new areas of BLCD motor drives application. The fact that the BLCD motor work in the second speed range does not require any changes in the motor construction and at the same time does not significantly deteriorate the drive efficiency is an indisputable advantage of the presented solution.