Yes I think your quite right there is a possible repulsion as the stator N drags the rotor S there will be a stator S pushing the rotor S.
It's been 30 years since I sat in the classroom doing DC machines theory but from memory the rotor will align almost perfectly with the unlike stator pole at light loads, (ie N to S) and then is only deflected a small amount under normal loads, so the magnetic field lines closely link the pulling N pole with the S rotor pole being dragged very slightly behind it.
To answer you question, I guess when the PM motor is off the iron stator acts like a "keeper" and helps the PMs retain their magnetism. Then when running there is a very high field strength through the stator and through the rotor from N to S etc, and very little if any opposing of N to N poles. That picture you posted in #17 shows the field path of the strongest magnetic field lines.
Maybe an expert will chime in here as I'm far from being an expert in DC machines!
It's been 30 years since I sat in the classroom doing DC machines theory but from memory the rotor will align almost perfectly with the unlike stator pole at light loads, (ie N to S) and then is only deflected a small amount under normal loads, so the magnetic field lines closely link the pulling N pole with the S rotor pole being dragged very slightly behind it.
To answer you question, I guess when the PM motor is off the iron stator acts like a "keeper" and helps the PMs retain their magnetism. Then when running there is a very high field strength through the stator and through the rotor from N to S etc, and very little if any opposing of N to N poles. That picture you posted in #17 shows the field path of the strongest magnetic field lines.
Maybe an expert will chime in here as I'm far from being an expert in DC machines!