Source: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
ZF’s new scalable inverter architecture combines advanced inverter design, next-generation power semiconductors, and highly intelligent software algorithms
Global supplier of automotive components ZF Friedrichshafen AG has developed a scalable and modular e-motor inverter architecture that can offer electric vehicle (EV) makers maximum flexibility from 400V to 800V, from silicon to silicon carbide, the company had announced on 4 January 2022. The company said that its innovative inverter combines advanced inverter design, next-generation power semiconductors, and highly intelligent software algorithms, leveraging its expertise in developing the electric drives aimed at enhancing efficiency and power output and shorten development cycles.
“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. 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,” said Stephan von Schuckmann, member of the ZF board of management. Notably, Schuckmann is also responsible for ZF’s electrified powertrain technology division.
According to the company, the innovative 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 said that its new inverter systems are being readied for next-generation e-drives that are expected to go into production by 2025.
Significance: It is understood that the inverters work as the brain of electric drivetrains, managing the flow of energy from the battery to the e-motor, and vice versa. Over years, as powertrain technology evolves to suit the needs of electric mobility applications, inverters have become more efficient and more complex in every development stage. ZF said that the next evolution in this component would be in the combination of the inverter design, next-generation power semiconductors, and highly intelligent software algorithms.
On the semiconductor and software side, ZF said the company has been working toward the transition to alternative powertrain technologies over years and that it has developed a deep expertise and knowledge on the inner workings of e-drives, from the holistic design of these systems to software optimization linked to new power semiconductors.
The efficiency and peak power of an inverter is not only defined by the properties of the power semiconductors, but also significantly defined by software, the company said, adding that the inverter technology and control software alignment are critical and can be achieved by feedback loops, wherein the inverter hardware provides the software a flow of information pertaining to current, temperature, and DC-link voltage, among others. This information 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,” the company said in its note.
ZF further added that its new inverter generation brings hardware and software optimization functionalities to its customers to realize faster power semiconductor switching times, better short circuit protection, and other benefits.
“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,” said Schuckmann.
Copyright © 2024 S&P Global Inc. All rights reserved.
These materials, including any software, data, processing technology, index data, ratings, credit-related analysis, research, model, software or other application or output described herein, or any part thereof (collectively the “Property”) constitute the proprietary and confidential information of S&P Global Inc its affiliates (each and together “S&P Global”) and/or its third party provider licensors. S&P Global on behalf of itself and its third-party licensors reserves all rights in and to the Property. These materials have been prepared solely for information purposes based upon information generally available to the public and from sources believed to be reliable.
Any copying, reproduction, reverse-engineering, modification, distribution, transmission or disclosure of the Property, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of S&P Global. The Property shall not be used for any unauthorized or unlawful purposes. S&P Global’s opinions, statements, estimates, projections, quotes and credit-related and other analyses are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or to make any investment decisions, and do not address the suitability of any security, and there is no obligation on S&P Global to update the foregoing or any other element of the Property. S&P Global may provide index data. Direct investment in an index is not possible. Exposure to an asset class represented by an index is available through investable instruments based on that index. The Property and its composition and content are subject to change without notice.
THE PROPERTY IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS. NEITHER S&P GLOBAL NOR ANY THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS (TOGETHER, “S&P GLOBAL PARTIES”) MAKE ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, FREEDOM FROM BUGS, SOFTWARE ERRORS OR DEFECTS, THAT THE PROPERTY’S FUNCTIONING WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR THAT THE PROPERTY WILL OPERATE IN ANY SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE CONFIGURATION, NOR ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO ITS ACCURACY, AVAILABILITY, COMPLETENESS OR TIMELINESS, OR TO THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE PROPERTY. S&P GLOBAL PARTIES SHALL NOT IN ANY WAY BE LIABLE TO ANY RECIPIENT FOR ANY INACCURACIES, ERRORS OR OMISSIONS REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE. Without limiting the foregoing, S&P Global Parties shall have no liability whatsoever to any recipient, whether in contract, in tort (including negligence), under warranty, under statute or otherwise, in respect of any loss or damage suffered by any recipient as a result of or in connection with the Property, or any course of action determined, by it or any third party, whether or not based on or relating to the Property. In no event shall S&P Global be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees or losses (including without limitation lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs or losses caused by negligence) in connection with any use of the Property even if advised of the possibility of such damages. The Property should not be relied on and is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment and other business decisions.
The S&P Global logo is a registered trademark of S&P Global, and the trademarks of S&P Global used within this document or materials are protected by international laws. Any other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
The inclusion of a link to an external website by S&P Global should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website or the website's owners (or their products/services). S&P Global is not responsible for either the content or output of external websites. S&P Global keeps certain activities of its divisions separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of their respective activities. As a result, certain divisions of S&P Global may have information that is not available to other S&P Global divisions. S&P Global has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain nonpublic information received in connection with each analytical process. S&P Global may receive compensation for its ratings and certain analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of securities or from obligors. S&P Global reserves the right to disseminate its opinions and analyses. S&P Global Ratings’ public ratings and analyses are made available on its sites, www.spglobal.com/ratings (free of charge) and www.capitaliq.com (subscription), and may be distributed through other means, including via S&P Global publications and third party redistributors.