Behind the usual emblems are hiding the electric motors and high-voltage networks, which are still unusual
Behind the usual emblems are hiding the electric motors and high-voltage networks, which are still unusual. Behind the usual emblems are hiding the electric motors and high-voltage networks, which are still unusual.
The spa town of Baden-Baden is in no way associated with the auto industry and with industry in general. Here are all sorts of therapeutic baths - another thing. Maybe that is why at the end of autumn they like to hold all kinds of seminars, congresses, conferences. Well, let’s listen to specialists in auto electronics, we’ll see what they brought to the “internecine” exhibition. Before entering the congress hall, participants are greeted by electric cars. And here are the developers …
- Did you come here directly to them?
- Well what are you! There are about 280 km of travel, and there is nowhere to recharge and for a long time. Therefore, look - these are our latest developments in the field of charging stations …
Really interesting. To begin with, automakers seem to be able to agree on a common standard for sockets and connectors. Impressive forks are the size of a fueling gun. And the cable is no thinner than a hose. Moreover, different voltage is applied to different legs of the connector. Variables that enter the battery through a rectifier built into the electric car can be charged at least at home. But this will be delayed: with a power of 2.3 kW, recharging a charge from 20 to 80% will take six to seven hours. But the street express charging column, which produces a constant current of 200 A at 500 V, is enough for 18 minutes.
The inscription on board the electric car: "The socket is looking for a plug."
The inscription on board the electric car: "The socket is looking for a plug." The inscription on board the electric car: "The socket is looking for a plug."
I try to “refuel” - no spark, no click. It turns out that everything is not so simple. After attaching the cable, you need to press the button on the “ignition key”, then the electric car will firmly grab the plug, turn on the current supply and block the engine: it will not work to leave, breaking the wire. You can disconnect only at the end of the process - with the same button. Another question revolves in my head:
- You say 18 minutes. But you know that batteries do not like such forced charge modes!
- Nothing wrong. We checked - it will lose only two percent of the resource.
Two percent each time? But…
ELECTRICS
So, what kind of batteries will come in cars and electric cars in the near future? To say that lithium-ion is, it turns out, is too generalized. Even with them, work is going on in seven areas. A variety of elements are added to lithium: cobalt, nickel, aluminum, manganese, iron, titanium, and in different combinations. And if today the storage for 1 kWh of energy costs $ 800–1000, then by 2020 this figure should triple.
It is from these lithium-ion batteries that batteries for electric vehicles are recruited
It is from these lithium-ion batteries that batteries for electric vehicles are recruited. It is from these lithium-ion batteries that batteries for electric vehicles are recruited.
Do not disregard the on-board network of conventional cars. The idea is stubbornly advancing to increase the voltage in it, and not up to 42 V, as they thought before, but up to 48 V! It is possible and more, but there are safety laws, and they require at a voltage of more than 60 V to take measures to protect against electric shock. Although, speaking of 48 V, the developers mean a range from 36 V at startup to 52 V when the battery is fully charged. And he, by the way, will be a rather rare episode. In BMW, for the sake of fuel economy, they intend to continue to charge the batteries only when braking - due to recovery. At the same time, energy consumers become more than a year old: air conditioning compressor, power steering, oil and water pumps (not to mention fuel pumps) - all of them refuse drive belts and switch to power supply. In addition, the “start-stop” system will also become ubiquitous in the near future, but it also requires a lot of energy for frequent starts of internal combustion engines.
Audi, in full accordance with its ideals, is thinking about replacing copper in aluminum wiring. With the same electrical conductivity, the cross section of the aluminum cable will be 1.6 times larger, but it will be twice as light and one and a half times cheaper. So far, it is supposed to replace copper in conductors with a cross section of more than 2.5 mm2, and thin wiring with a cross section of 0.13 mm2 should be made of a copper-magnesium alloy. Say, aluminum is oxidized and therefore crimping the tips is not suitable for it? So we will not only compress it, but also weld it with a laser!
ELECTRONICS
Here Her Majesty the Number reigns today. And it allows you to take a fresh look … at least at the instrument cluster. The Fujitsu company has brought an impressive example of its creativity.
“Instrument cluster” “Fujitsu” can draw any image
“Instrument cluster” “Fujitsu” can draw any image. “Instrument cluster” “Fujitsu” can draw any image.
One small example: instead of a little car symbol with open doors, a whole view unfolds in front of you. It seems a little more - and I will see myself behind the door ajar in the electronic space. Interestingly, although the display of the new “instrument cluster” is common, each image on it can have its own resolution and its frame rate.
The Ford Research Center shared a new vision for the development of accident prevention systems. Now, such devices first give the driver a warning signal and only in the absence of his reaction activate the brakes. But precious time is lost here, and now it is decided to pay attention to avoiding the collision with a maneuver. The main problem - an unexpected automatic rearrangement can interfere with other participants in the movement. Serious work is being done to resolve this contradiction.
