Vehicles are intrinsically linked to our lives. This book covers all technical details of the vehicle electrification process, with focus on power electronics. The main challenge in vehicle electrification consists of replacing the engine-based mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic ancillary energy sources with electrical energy processed through an electromagnetic device. The book illustrates this evolutionary process with numerous series-production examples for either of body or chassis systems, from old milestones to futuristic luxury vehicles.
Electrification of ancillaries and electric propulsion eventually meet into an all-electric vehicle and both processes rely heavily on power electronics. Power electronics deals with electronic processing of electrical energy. This makes it a support technology for the automotive industry. All the automotive visions for the next decade (2020-2030) are built on top of power electronics and the automotive power electronics industry is expected at 15% compound annual growth rate, the highest among all automotive technologies. Hence, automotive power electronics industry is very appealing for recent and future graduates.
The book structure follows the architecture of the electrical power system for a conventional engine-based vehicle, with a last chapter dedicated to an introduction onto electric propulsion. The first part of the book describes automotive technologies for generation and distribution of electrical power, as well as its usage within body systems, chassis systems, or lighting. The second part explores deeper into the specifics of each component of the vehicle electric power system.
Since cars have been on the streets for over 100 years, each chapter starts with a list of historical achievements. Recognizing the engineering effort span over more than a century ennobles the R&D efforts of the new millennium. Focus on history of electricity in vehicle applications is another attractive treat of the book.
The book fills a gap between books targeting practical education and works sharing advanced academic vision, offering students and academics a quick tour of the basic tools and long-standing infrastructure, and offering practicing engineers an introduction on newly introduced power electronics-based technologies. It is therefore recommended as a must-have book for students and early graduates in automotive power electronics activities.
Chapter 01 Architecture of an Automotive Power System
1.1 Architecture of the automotive power system
1.2. Voltage used for electrical distribution system
1.3. Thermal challenges for electrical components
1.4. Abnormal voltages – sources and device ratings
1.5. Requirements for the Electrical Energy System Design
1.6. Distribution of electrical energy
1.7. Representation of the electrical circuit
1.8. Conclusion
References
Chapter 02 Batteries
2.1. Functions of the Storage Battery
2.2. Construction of a lead-acid cell-type battery
2.3. Hydrometer readings
2.4. Voltage Level Test
2.5. Capacity
2.6. Battery Chargers
2.7. Electrical characteristics of lead-acid batteries
2.8. New technologies for sealed and maintenance free batteries
2.9. Other possible storage of electrical energy
2.10. Conclusion
References
Chapter 3 Starter-Alternator
3.1. Alternator’s role
3.2. Construction of an alternator
3.3. Electronic Controls for alternator
3.4. Other electrical machine technologies
3.5. Starter systems
3.6. Starter Construction
3.7. Inertia starter
3.8. Pre-engaged starters
3.8. Permanent magnet starters
3.9. Typical torque characteristics
3.10. Integrated starter-alternator
3.11. Conclusion
References
Chapter 4 Body Systems
4.1. Introduction to Body Systems
4.2. Power Window (electrical windows)
4.3. Power lock doors
4.4. Soft top convertible
4.5. Hard top convertible
4.6. Power seats
4.7. Electric sun-roof
4.8. Electric mirrors
4.9. Cruise control
4.10 Climate-Control
4.11. Shape memory alloy actuators
4.12. Conclusion
References
Chapter 5 Power Converters used in Body Systems
5.1. Electrical Motors used in body systems
5.2. Integration of power electronics
5.3. Power converters
5.4. Integrated circuits for motor control
5.5. Sensors
5.6. Conclusion
References
Chapter 6 - Chassis systems
6.1. Electrification of transportation
6.2. Brake systems
6.3. Electronic Control of Power Steering
6.4. Automotive suspension
6.5. Conclusion
References
Chapter 7 - Lighting systems
7.1. Automotive light sources
7.2. Conventional Lighting Circuits
7.3. Gas discharge lamps and their electronic control
7.4. LED Lights and their Electronic Control
7.5. LASER lights
7.6. Conclusion
References
Chapter 8 dc/dc Converters
8.1. The Role of dc/dc Power Converters
8.2. Direct Conversion (without galvanic isolation)
8.3. Isolated dc/dc converters
8.4. Auxiliary power
8.4. Conclusion
References
Chapter 9 Feedback Control of Power Converters
9.1. Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems
9.2. Implementation within Analog-Mode Power Supply Circuits
9.3. Design of feedback control systems
9.4. Case studies: feedback control for various power supplies
9.5. Analog-mode feedback control solutions
9.6. Design process from constraints to component selection
9.7. On the use of conventional PI/D controllers.
9.8. Conversion of analog control law to digital solutions
9.9. Control system influence on power electronics hardware
9.10. Conclusion
References
Chapter 10 Automotive MOSFET transistors
10.1. Power MOSFET in Automotive Applications
10.2. The Ideal Switch
10.3. Enhancement mode and Depletion mode MOSFETs
10.4. Operation Principle
10.5. Safe Operation Area
10.6. Gate driver requirements
10.7. Using P- channel MOSFET devices
10.8. Parameters used in MOSFET selection
10.9. Synchronous Rectification
10.10. Advanced FET devices
10.11 Conclusion
References
Chapter 11 Fuses and Relay Circuits
11.1. Intelligent Switch versus Solid-State Relay
11.2. Electromagnetic relays
11.3. Solid-state relays
11.4. Introduction to Fuses
11.5 Circuit breakers
11.6. Automotive Varistor and TVS
11.7. Solenoids
11.8. Conclusion
References
Chapter 12 Small motors
12.1. Principle of electrical motors
12.2. Design of low-power DC motors
12.3. Applications: Fans, Blowers, Pumps
12.4. Design Issues related to the DC distribution bus
12.5. Motor design: Inertia matching
12.6. Motor design: Torque requirements
12.7. Ultrasonic motors (piezoelectric motors)
12.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 13 Power Integrated Circuits
13.1. Integrated Circuit Technologies
13.2. Architecture of Analog or Mixed-Mode Power IC
13.3. IC design considerations
13.4. Digital IC Solutions
13.5. Conclusion
References
Chapter 14 Propulsion Systems
14.1. Propulsion architecture
14.2. Induction Motor Drive – Converter system
14.3. Brushless DC Motor Drive
14.4. Switched Reluctance Motor Drive
14.5. High-Voltage Energy Storage
14.6. Conclusion
References
Biography
Dorin O. Neacșu is an Associate Professor with Technical University of Iasi, Romania and was a multi-year Visiting Associate Professor with Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
