In the iteration of rail transit technology, high-speed motors serve as the core power components, and their performance directly determines the operational efficiency, energy consumption level, and safety stability of trains. Unlike ordinary industrial motors, high-speed motors used in rail transit need to adapt to high loads, frequent start stop, complex working conditions, and other scenarios. Currently, they have been widely used in train traction systems, auxiliary power supply systems, and braking energy recovery systems, becoming a key support for promoting the development of rail transit towards high efficiency and low-carbon direction.
In the train traction system, high-speed motors play the role of the "power conversion core". When the train receives a running command, the traction converter converts the high-voltage AC power input from the power grid into DC power, and then inverts it into AC power suitable for motor operation, driving the high-speed motor to run; After the motor reduces speed and increases torque through the gearbox, it transmits power to the wheelsets, ultimately achieving the starting, acceleration, and uniform speed operation of the train. For different rail transit scenarios, the design of high-speed motors needs to be differentiated and adapted: for example, high-speed trains require motors with high power density to meet continuous power output at speeds of over 300 kilometers per hour; Urban subway trains, on the other hand, place more emphasis on the motor's start stop response speed, adapting to the operating mode of frequent stops and short distance acceleration. At the same time, this type of motor needs to have strong anti-interference ability and be able to work stably in high-pressure, humid, and electromagnetic radiation environments inside tunnels, avoiding the impact of working condition fluctuations on power output.
The application of high-speed motors in auxiliary power supply systems is key to ensuring the comfort and functionality of trains. The auxiliary equipment such as air conditioning, lighting, passenger information system, and control system of the train require stable power supply. Some rail transit trains adopt a "traction auxiliary integration" design, where high-speed motors drive the train while also driving auxiliary generators through shaft end belts or couplings, converting mechanical energy into low-voltage AC power, which is rectified and filtered to supply power to auxiliary equipment; Some trains are also equipped with independent high-speed auxiliary motors, which are directly driven by traction inverters to ensure that the auxiliary system and traction system do not interfere with each other. This design simplifies the train power supply architecture, improves energy utilization efficiency, and avoids the space and weight burden caused by separately configuring large power supply equipment.
In addition, the application of high-speed motors in braking energy recovery systems provides a technological path for low-carbon operation of rail transit. When the train brakes, the wheelsets drive the high-speed motor in reverse through the transmission system, causing the motor to switch to generator mode and convert the train's kinetic energy into electrical energy; After being processed by the inverter, a portion of this electrical energy is fed back to the grid for use by other trains, while another portion is stored in onboard energy storage devices (such as supercapacitors) and released again when the train starts. This process not only reduces the wear and tear of mechanical braking, prolongs the service life of braking components, but also recovers about 20% -30% of braking energy, significantly reducing the energy consumption of train operation and meeting the green development needs of rail transit.
In summary, the application of high-speed motors in the field of rail transit runs through the entire process of power output, auxiliary support, and energy recovery. Its technical characteristics and adaptability to different scenarios not only promote the improvement of train operation performance, but also provide the core driving force for the efficient and low-carbon development of rail transit. In the future, with the upgrading of motor materials and control technology, its application scenarios and functional value will be further expanded.