Main parts of electric vehicles
1
Traction battery pack
Traction battery pack is also known as Electric
vehicle battery (EVB) . It powers the electric
motors of an electric vehicle. The battery acts
as an electrical storage system. It stores energy
in the form DC current. The range will be higher
with increasing kW of the battery. The life and
operation of the battery depends on its design.
The lifetime of a traction battery pack is
estimated to be 200,000 miles.
2
DC-DC Converter
The traction battery pack delivers a constant
voltage. But different components of the
vehicle has different requirements. The DC-DC
convertor distributes the output power that is
coming from the battery to a required level. It
also provides the voltage required to charge
the auxiliary battery.
3
Electric motor
Electric traction motor is the main component
of an electric vehicle. The motor converts the
electrical energy into kinetic energy. This
energy rotates the wheels. Electric motor is the
main component that differentiates an electric
car from conventional cars. An important
feature of an electric motor is the regenerative
braking mechanism. This mechanism slows
down the vehicle by converting its kinetic
energy into another form, and storing it for
future use. There are basically two types of
motors DC and AC motors.
4
Power Inverter
A power inverter changes DC power from a battery into conventional AC power that you
can use to operate all kinds of devices
Charge Port
The charge port connects the electric vehicle
to an external supply. It charges the battery
pack. The charge port is sometimes located in
the front or rear part of the vehicle
5
Onboard charger
Onboard charger is used to convert the AC
supply received from the charge port to DC
supply. The on-board charger is located and
installed inside the car. It monitors various
battery characteristics and controls the current
flowing inside the battery pack.
Thermal system(cooling)
The thermal management system is responsible for maintaining an operating temperature
for the main components of an electric vehicle such as, electric motor, controller etc. It
functions during charging as well to obtain maximum performance. It uses a combination of
thermoelectric cooling, forced air cooling, and liquid cooling.
6
Controller
Power electronics controller determines the
working of an electric car. It performs the
regulation of electrical energy from the
batteries to the electric motors. The pedal set
by the driver determines the speed of the car
and frequency of variation of voltage that is
input to the motor. It also controls the torque
produced.
7
Auxiliary batteries
Auxiliary batteries are the source of electrical
energy for the accessories in electric vehicles.
In the absence of the main battery, the auxiliary
batteries will continue to charge the car. It
prevents the voltage drop, produced during
engine start from affecting the electrical
system.
8
Transmission
It is used to transfer the mechanical power
from the electric motor to the wheels, through
a gearbox. The advantage of electric cars is that
they do not require multi-speed transmissions.
The transmission efficiency should be high to
avoid power loss.
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Battery Management System
A BMS monitors the temperatures across the pack, and open and closes various valves to
maintain the temperature of the overall battery within a narrow temperature range to ensure
optimal battery performance.
There Are 2 Types of BMS
1. Monitoring and targeting
systems - designed to monitor
energy use and target areas for
improvement.
2. Continuous commissioning
systems - adjust your heating,
ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC)
and other systems continuously to
meet demand.
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What is Electronics Control Unit (ECU) ?
An electronic control unit (ECU), also known as an electronic control
module (ECM), is an embedded system in automotive electronics that controls
one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a car or other motor
vehicle.
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Modern vehicles have many ECUs, and these can include some or all of the following:
1. engine control module (ECM),
2. powertrain control module (PCM),
3. transmission control module (TCM),
4. brake control module (BCM or EBCM),
5. central control module (CCM),
6. central timing module (CTM),
7. general electronic module (GEM),
8. body control module (BCM), and
9. suspension control module (SCM).
These ECUs together are sometimes referred to collectively as the car's computer though technically
they are all separate computers, not a single one. Sometimes an assembly incorporates several
individual control modules (a PCM often controls both the engine and the transmission).
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Electronic Control Unit
Also Known as Electronic Control Module (ECM) and Powertrain Control
Module (PCM).
Vehicle management is by ECU, which acts as a computer.
Three stages of operation: INPUT-PROCESS-OUTPUT.
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