1 1 F o c u s Excellent simulation tools The Coup-e’s entire electronics were developed in different AVL-locations spread all over the globe. AVL offers outstanding simulation tools, particularly suited to this task, which were applied over a range of applications in the Coup-e 800. “AVL CRUISE was employed upfront to create the entire system design; by simulating the whole vehicle it was possible to work out the component dimensions. Even the motor’s power and torque characteristics were simulated. Based on these simulations, the configuration and dimensioning of all components were defined long before we even started designing the first component,” Angermaier explains. Apart from battery development, tasks such as traction motor integration or power electronics development were also completely taken care of by AVL. Another of the prototype’s highlights is the way the electric motor is controlled by means of power electronics. Depending on speed, load or efficiency optimization, the controller developed by AVL checks the accuracy of control up to 10,000 times a second. “Something like this requires not only profound knowledge of the operating system’s real-time behavior, but also perfect optimization of the software with respect to run time,” the specialist in electric drive solutions points out. “Open” power control for customers Yet the technology employed in the Coup-e 800 represents just one application for the components and technologies, which AVL has developed for full electric powertrains. “The fact that AVL has all components and technologies available in-house, means that we are also in a position to provide our customers with open development platforms for their own particular electric drive development. If a customer, for instance, wants to develop their own electric motor control system, we can provide them with AVL control electronics with an “open” software package. The OEM or supplier can then integrate their own algorithms into this environment, for example to give the vehicle its brand-specific features,” Angermaier says, describing the advantages of AVL’s open power electronics control system, which is currently the only one of its kind in the market. Complete in-house development With its prototype Coup-e 800, AVL demonstrates that the customer request for a powerful and sporty vehicle can also be met with an all-electric drive system. Anton Angermaier: “Due to the driving performance demanded by the customers, aiming at higher voltage levels in this class seems to be a step in the right direction. Due to the in-house development capability for all three core components of the electric drive system – electric motor, inverter and HV battery – and its control software, AVL is the ideal development partner – from system configuration by simulation all the way to series production.“ < > The Coup-e 800 was one of the technological highlights at the international AVL conference “Engine & Environment” 2012 in Graz.
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