Automotive e-motor bearing electrical discharge phenomena: An experimental and numerical investigation

Electrically instigated bearing wear phenomena such as electrical discharge machining are a common cause of failure in electrical machines such as electrical vehicles. To reduce the prevalence of this failure mode an enhanced understanding of physical interactions that take place at the rotor bearings is required. This paper demonstrates a novel combined experimental and numerical methodology to enhance understanding of electrical discharge wear. The combined approach highlights the capability to produce controlled electrical failures and understand their electro-mechanical origins. The modelling approach provides a valuable tool to enable mitigative design of both bearings and lubricants.