Thermal Management Aspects for Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles
The automotive industry continues to develop new powertrain and vehicle technologies aimed at reducing overall vehicle-level fuel consumption and maximizing driving range. Specifically, the use of innovative drivetrain technologies including plug-in hybrids and fully electrified propulsion systems is expected to play an increasingly important role in helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) meet fleet CO2 reduction targets for 2025 and beyond.
This presentation will initially showcase the use of a systematic process aimed at understanding the influence of operating temperatures of individual components such as electric motor and gear train on overall efficiencies. With an understanding of desired temperature ranges for the subcomponents, a strategy for thermal management can be developed. Development goals include not only the cooling of components as needed to stay below any critical temperatures, but also a quick warm up of the drivetrain components and battery during cold start or cold charging events. In addition, the integration of interior vehicle thermal comfort needs in the context of overall vehicle thermal management for battery electric vehicles will be discussed.
Examples from testing and simulation of state-of-the-art hybrid and battery electric vehicles will be utilized to describe the flow of energy in various portions of the drivetrain and battery, as well as full vehicle systems. The importance of lubrication and cooling fluids on the overall vehicle thermal management and associated industry trends will be shared.
