Accurate analysis of commutation phenomena in permanent magnet DC (PMDC) motors requires simultaneous consideration of electromagnetic field distribution and armature circuit dynamics. Classical circuit-based models are unable to properly capture transient effects occurring in short-circuited coils during commutation, while purely field-based models neglect the influence of the supply circuit. In this paper, a coupled field–circuit model of a PMDC motor with an innovative magnetic circuit based on rectangular NdFeB permanent magnets is presented. The model combines a two-dimensional finite element electromagnetic analysis with a segmented armature circuit and dynamic commutator switching, allowing the electromotive force to be computed individually for each coil based on the actual magnetic field distribution. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the integration of a non-standard rectangular permanent magnet topology with a coil-resolved field–circuit commutation model, validated on a physical motor prototype. Simulation results are compared with experimental measurements obtained from a laboratory prototype at rotational speeds of 850 and 1000 r/min. The predicted electromagnetic torque shows good agreement with measurements, with deviations below 5%, while the armature current is estimated with an error of up to approximately 20%, primarily due to model simplifications. The developed model provides direct access to transient commutation waveforms and constitutes a practical tool for the analysis and design optimization of PMDC motors operating under dynamic conditions, particularly in cost-sensitive and reliability-oriented applications.
Strączyński et al. (Tue,) studied this question.