Abstract
Electrical and electronic distribution systems (EEDSs) are increasingly becoming the keystone of energy optimisation strategies in modern vehicles.
New demands for power consumption are changing present design requirements pointing out to new power supply specifications. Among different alternatives, car suppliers and OEMs agreed to increase the system operation voltage up to 42Vdc. However, the transition to a 42Vdc system will be gradual through a dual 14Vdc/42Vdc system. In this system, in turn, new challenges appear when feasibility, reliability, cost efficiency and safety are analysed in detail, i.e., when performance improvement is required with low extra cost.
A multidisciplinary working team is formed in Lear Corp. with experts from different areas-Terminals & Connectors, Smart-Junction Boxes, Electronics, and Systems- to cope with the new challenges of the whole EEDS system. The University Rovira i Virgili (URV) of Tarragona, cooperate with the working team in the specific area of Power Generation and Conversion.
One of the main tasks in this activity is the technical assessment of the DC Dual Voltage
System from vehicle configuration down to components design, including system and components specification.
As a previous step we have carried out the evaluation of the impact of the 42 V bus in current systems and components.
The design and prototyping of a specific bi-directional DC/DC converter for high power (1kW) key component for a Dual Voltage architecture- is one of our main activities and presently, a low power prototype (500W) is already available.