European Business
  • HOME
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • INVEST
  • MARKET
  • PARTNERSHIP
  • INNOVATION
  • PEOPLE
  • INSIGHTS
No Result
View All Result
European Business
  • HOME
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • INVEST
  • MARKET
  • PARTNERSHIP
  • INNOVATION
  • PEOPLE
  • INSIGHTS
No Result
View All Result
European Business
No Result
View All Result
Home < INDUSTRIES Automotive

ZF Supercharges the Electric Future through Scalable Architectures and Intelligent Software

by Marie Weil
January 5, 2022
A A
Share on LinkedinShare on Twitter
  • ZF has developed a scalable and modular e-motor inverter architecture that allows OEMs maximum flexibility from 400V to 800V, from Silicon-to-Silicon Carbide
  • Combines advanced inverter design, next generation power semiconductors and highly intelligent software algorithms
  • Leverages ZF’s deep experience in electric drives to increase efficiency, peak power and shorten development cycles

The inverter is the brain of electric drivetrains. It manages the flow of energy from battery to e-motor and vice versa. Inverters have become more efficient and more complex with every development step. The next evolution is the combination of the inverter design, next generation power semiconductors and highly intelligent software algorithms.

“The combination of greater scalability and modularity with increased efficiency, peak power and affordability of e-motors is the key to success within the e-mobility market,” said Stephan von Schuckmann, member of the ZF Board of Management and responsible for the Electrified Powertrain Technology division. “The inverter is also where development cycles from the software industry and semiconductor innovations meet automotive hardware and integration expertise. This is where future differentiation will happen.“

Modular and scalable inverter architecture

ZF has developed a highly scalable and modular inverter architecture that allows OEMs maximum flexibility in both 400V and 800V voltage classes.

The modular inverter platform is not dependent on predefined semiconductors and is designed to support vehicle manufacturers in bridging the Silicon-to-Silicon Carbide transition while also being prepared for future semiconductor trends.

ZF semiconductor and software innovation

ZF has been working toward the transition to alternative powertrain technologies for decades and has gained deep knowledge on the inner workings of e-drives, from the holistic design of e-drive systems to software optimization linked to new power semiconductor generations.

Efficiency and peak power of an inverter is not only defined by the properties of the power semiconductors, it is also significantly defined by software. Inverter technology and control software alignment is critical and can be achieved by several feedback loops, in which the inverter hardware provides the software a flow of information (current, temperature, DC-link voltage, etc.) which is used to optimize pulse patterns and switching strategies in real time to improve efficiency and peak power. Especially for Silicon Carbide based systems, ZF has found a solution optimizing the link between the power semiconductor boundary conditions and control software in order to gain the full potential from the semiconductor configuration.

As highlighted earlier the inverter contains the brain controlling the complete e-drive system. As with the human body you can train muscles and the brain to react more efficiently than normally, for example in sports or playing music. This is also what an inverter does – it flexes the e-drive in the most proficient and fastest way.

The control board within an inverter is the home of the inverter software – where the vehicles power demand is translated into the different digital control signals for the driver board that drives the power semiconductors according to the control signals. It is one of the key components of an inverter, because the gate drive technology is responsible for safety features, performance, efficiency and total range of the EV that can be squeezed out of the power semiconductors.

Our new inverter generation brings these hardware and software optimization functionalities to our customers to realize faster power semiconductor switching times, better short circuit protection and much more. ZF has built up significant knowledge in this area both independently and with strong partners such as WOLFSPEED.

Besides a highly scalable approach in terms of voltage and semiconductors, the clever usage of software and semiconductor advancements for inverters are key enablers of the ZF “Modular eDrive Kit” that can reduce the development time for new e-Drives by up to 50 Percent. This world first bundles the entire expertise of ZF’s e-mobility team for system solutions, components, and software controls in a flexible and modular platform.

Experts in the path to electrification

“As the industry moves rapidly toward an electrified future and the goals of zero emissions to enhance our environmental future, ZF has the expertise and owns proprietary software and gate drive functions to accelerate the transformation. From significantly faster and safer short circuit protection to gate drivers realizing the absolute maximum performance of power semiconductors, ZF is well-positioned to fulfill the needs of the industry and society,” emphasized von Schuckmann.

These inverter innovations are already being readied for next-generation e-drives that will be ready for production by 2025.

Tags: < Innovation

Related Industries

Automotive

Efficient and high-performing vehicle architecture: Cooperation of Continental and Infineon

March 14, 2023
Automotive

Infineon and UMC extend automotive partnership with long-term agreement for 40nm eNVM microcontroller production

March 8, 2023
Automotive

Yvonne Bettkober to be Head of Organizational Development and Transformation for the Volkswagen Group

March 7, 2023
Automotive

Leasys and Free2move Lease Consolidation: New Top Leadership Announced

March 3, 2023
Automotive

Introducing the Aygo X UNDERCOVER

March 3, 2023
Automotive

SGS Signs Agreement to Sell its Automotive Asset Assessment and Retail Network Services Operations to Macadam

March 3, 2023

Carlsberg Group appoints new Chief Executive Officer

March 17, 2023

...

EY and IBM Collaborate to Address Complex ESG Challenges and Drive Value-Led Sustainability

March 9, 2023

...

Yvonne Bettkober to be Head of Organizational Development and Transformation for the Volkswagen Group

March 7, 2023

...

Amazon named as a “Top Employer 2023” in Europe

March 1, 2023

...

Leasys and Free2move Lease Consolidation: New Top Leadership Announced

March 3, 2023

...

Bayer driving innovation in radiology with new research across the portfolio presented at ECR

February 23, 2023

...

Volkswagen Appoints Nicole Mommsen as Head of Global Communications and Sustainability at Group Technology

March 1, 2023

...

Interview with Vincent Graziani, CEO, IDEX Biometrics

March 2, 2023

...

Infineon and UMC extend automotive partnership with long-term agreement for 40nm eNVM microcontroller production

March 8, 2023

...

default

Voith Hydro opens new center of competence for generator components

March 8, 2023

...

Asia Pacific Business Asia Pacific Business Asia Pacific Business

EUROPEAN BUSINESS is a premier source of corporate news, business information and insights across broad spectrum of industries in Europe and worldwide.  We are one of the members of the Business World Network.

RESOURCES

  • HOME
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • INVEST
  • MARKET
  • PARTNERSHIP
  • INNOVATION
  • PEOPLE
  • INSIGHTS

CONTACT US

EDITORIAL:     editor # european-biz.com

PARTNERSHIP:     partnership # european-biz.com

HUMAN RESOURCE:     hr # european-biz.com

* (replace # with @)

  • Official Site

Copyright © EUROPEAN-BIZ.COM All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • INVEST
  • MARKET
  • PARTNERSHIP
  • INNOVATION
  • PEOPLE
  • INSIGHTS

Copyright © EUROPEAN-BIZ.COM All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist