HEV Architectures - Power Electronics Optimization through Collaboration Sub-topic: Inverter Design and Collaboration

As the automotive industry quickly moves towards hybridized and electrified vehicles, the optimal integration of power electronics in these vehicles will have a significant impact not only on the cost, performance, reliability, and durability; but ultimately on customer acceptance and market success of these technologies. If properly executed with the right cost, performance, reliability and durability, then both the industry and the consumer will benefit. It is because of these interdependencies that the pace and scale of success, will hinge on effective collaboration. This collaboration will be built around the convergence of automotive and industrial technology. Where real time embedded controls mixes with high power and voltage levels. The industry has already seen several successful collaborations adapting power electronics to the automotive space in target vehicles. However, going forward the push for lower system cost and higher vehicle volumes will constrain the design freedom of past systems. We will discover that the previous collaboration levels will not be as effective in the future. This paper will explore how the optimization of Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)/ Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)/ Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) architectures will be built on collaborations that are focused on power electronics. Some of these collaborations will be quite traditional Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to Tier I to Tier II. While other may not be traditional at all, and may likely bring new players into the supply chain. We will review the systems level architecture design and development work, and evaluate the complex relationships and activity that must take place, from requirements definition to development and validation of a vehicle. We will discuss the different types of collaboration from the fully vertically integrated, to the highly fragmented approach. We will look at the pros and cons of the different models, and discuss how the industry as a whole might benefit or be challenged when implementing them. This paper will conclude with a vision of an ideal collaborative structure, and what its benefits could be, as well as how to implement it.