The new 48V electric motor and inverter developed by Ricardo (Courtesy Ricardo)

Global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy Ricardo, Shoreham-by-Sea, UK, will share details on the development process of its Ricardo 48V electric motor in a paper to be presented at the CTI Symposium in Berlin, Germany, December 3–6, 2018. The e-motor and accompanying inverter were unveiled for the first time in July 2018.

The motor was developed as part of a major European research initiative, the European COmpetitiveness in Commercial Hybrid and AutoMotive PowertrainS (ECOCHAMPS) project. It was designed to incorporate the latest thinking in high-performance, low-cost electrification, which aims to extend the performance of 48V hybrids to offer a more attractive and affordable solution in comparison with today’s higher-voltage hybrid cars.

Ricardo was one of twenty-five collaborating EU commercial and academic partners on this project, the focus of which was to achieve both a 20% powertrain efficiency improvement and a 20% reduction in weight and in volume in comparison with the best-in-class full hybrid vehicles on the market at the start of the project.

The paper to be presented at the CTI Symposium will offer insight into the development of the 6-phase, frameless, permanent magnet motor and its oil-cooled inverter with low thermal resistance. A particular focus of the paper will be on the thermal management work, in particular reducing the thermal resistance – and hence improving the efficiency – of the inverter’s metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).

The solution developed is based on the use of direct oil cooling of the heat sink using the same ATF as used to cool the e-motor. Said to offer both high performance and compact configuration, the e-motor and inverter combination could be the ideal solution for 48V hybrid applications, providing a more cost-effective trade-off than current higher voltage products.

Compact transverse DCT concept

At the accompanying CTI Symposium Exhibition, Ricardo will display its new transverse DCT concept, which has reportedly been developed based on the company’s experience in the design of supercar transmissions. The unit’s dual clutch remains in line with the engine, while the two outputs drive high-speed bevel gearsets respectively delivering torque to the odd and even plus reverse gear sets.

As configured, the Ricardo hybrid transverse DCT concept is approximately 37% shorter in length than its target/reference products, as well as offering better weight distribution, reduced vehicle polar moment of inertia, and ease of integration of an e-motor in a hybrid powertrain solution.

“Ricardo is once again pleased to participate in the CTI Symposium in Berlin, one of the most prestigious events on the European transmission and driveline technology calendar,” commented Martin Tolliday, Director, Passenger Car & Motorcycle Market Sector, Ricardo. “In addition to the high-efficiency, low-cost 48V hybrid e-motor and inverter technology and our new compact, performance DCT concept, we will be showing a wide range of new powertrain and driveline technologies at the exhibition and look forward to what will be a very interesting event.”

www.ricardo.com

www.drivetrain-symposium.world/de/