At the upcoming IAA Mobility 2021 trade show in Germany, automotive supplier Schaeffler will present an 800-volt power electronics system for electric axle applications in high-performance vehicles. The system enables continuous outputs of up to 330 kW and short-term peak outputs of up to 500 kW. The achievable power density can reach 70 kW per liter.

Schaeffler’s scalable power electronics system enables continuous outputs of up to 330 kW and short-term peak outputs of up to 500 kW. The company says the achievable power density of up to 70 kW per liter enables small housing dimensions and consequently advantages in integration. Schaeffler uses silicon carbide wide-bandgap technology, which it says will significantly reduce power losses compared with conventional silicon IGBT technology, and enable efficiencies of over 99 percent in defined load ranges.

Schaeffler’s 3-in-1 electric axle combines the electric motor, transmission and power electronics in one system. Signal processing and control of the drive are performed by proprietary Schaeffler software. The system features a modular structure, and can be used for various vehicle platforms.

The Schaeffler thermal management system integrates two electric water pumps, the central electronic unit for the pumps and valves, and a refrigeration circuit interface in a central control unit. The company says that this reduces the required installation space by up to 60 percent compared with conventional, non-integrated systems.

Source: Schaeffler