Vitesco Technologies at the CTI: Increasing efficiency as a driver of success for electromobility

Vitesco Technologies, a leading international supplier of modern drive
technologies and solutions for electromobility, presents new
technologies for efficient electric driving at the CTI Symposium in
Berlin from December 5 to 8, 2022, at the booth in hall 2 (C2.1) and
with technical lectures. The exhibited innovations are driving global
trends in electromobility: first and foremost, more efficient driving
and thus greater range, as well as higher integration of single
components into modules. Progress in both areas helps to boost the
success of vehicle electrification worldwide.
With its EMR3 and EMR4 electric axle drives, Vitesco Technologies
is one of the successful pioneers in highly efficient compact
solutions for electric vehicle drives. In an innovation project, the
company has now developed the prototype of the E-axle control
module. The electrohydraulic control module shown for the first time
in Berlin provides several scalable functions: Essentially, it provides
oil cooling for high speeds which makes it possible to utilize the
maximum output of an electric motor to a larger extent than today as
continuous power. On top of that the module can provide oil for
lubrication purposes. Further functions are to be integrated in three
scalable expansion stages with additional actuators: This includes
safety functions for automated driving, and the option to switch to
energy-saving “sailing” without regenerative braking when the
battery is fully charged. Further choices are additional clutches for
torque vectoring and the possibility to utilize the module for
installing a so-called “dry” rear axle with electrically actuated
brakes.

The higher functional integration that we demonstrate with the e-axle control module further increases an electrified vehicle’s
efficiency and makes it easier for vehicle manufacturers to integrate
innovative functions at a competitive cost level,” said Thomas
Stierle, Member of the Executive Board and head of the
Electrification Technology and the Electronic Controls business units
of Vitesco Technologies.
The exhibited thermal management module is a second highlight. It
integrates numerous individual components, such as actuators,
sensors or pumps, within a single and easy-to-install module. In an
exemplary configuration this higher integration level saves 7percent
installation space, reduces the number of components that need to
be assembled individually by 75 percent, and it can save about 10 to
20 percent of cost, depending on the application. The core function
of thermal management is to flexibly distribute all heat flows within
the vehicle thus ensuring that all systems can run at their optimal
temperature. During the winter season, for instance, thermal
management ensures that the battery is pre-heated before charging
so that efficient and fast charging becomes possible at all.
Efficiency is also the focus of the innovative battery management
system, shown in Berlin. It performs essential control functions for
optimizing performance as well as monitoring the safety of the
battery. With a specially developed process in the field of active cell
balancing, further system efficiency advantages can be realized by
the battery management system. There are already customer
projects for both technologies.