Automotive power electronics. New challenges for power electronics

The need for the realization of innovative functions and new requirements for better serving conventional functions lead to the increased use of electrical power in vehicles. Electrical power is needed for flexible, fast, precise and highly efficient control of actuators for many functions. Remotely controlled power switches for almost any load have been introduced in many cars, implementing protection besides control. Variable speed fans with electronically commutated motors are among the first applications with “high power” (>600 W) motor control. In particular, the need for further reduction in fuel consumption leads to the development of variable speed pumps for fuel supply, lubrication and cooling. Variable motor valves, electrical turbochargers, electrical power steering and active suspension systems are further examples which rely on power electronics. Although there is a general trend to use electrical power in such applications, the cost of power electronics is the critical aspect which dominates the optimal system configuration. First, this leads to the general goal to make power electronics less and less costly to manufacture in large volumes. On the other hand it is necessary to cooperate closely with other disciplines to find the most cost efficient solution in the sense of an integrated mechatronical approach to serve the needs of the market