Steffen Frei M.Sc.

Kontakt

work +49-6151-16-20624
fax +49-6151-16-20582

Work S3|21 307
Fraunhoferstraße 4
64283 Darmstadt

DE4LoRa is a research project investigating a new, universal traction concept. The goal is to combine ecological and economical attractivity with maximum user acceptance. The DE4LoRa concept can be categorized between long-range battery electric vehicles (BEV) and Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV). The concept consists of a CNG powered internal combustion engine, two identical electric motors, all coupled together through a gearbox.

The idea is to combine all drive concepts to optimize and provide the best driving experience and to maximize efficiency by offering a higher number of possible operating configurations (e.g. running on a single or both electric machines in various gears, parallel or serial hybrid) and selecting the optimal configuration depending on the current driving situation. Part of this concept is a six phase traction inverter based on silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET semiconductors used for operating the two independent permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM).

Mr. Frei is involved in the efficiency modelling of the inverter as well as identifying, simulating and employing efficiency improving measures in the overall traction system. These include using alternative power modules, variable switching frequency and speed as well as interleaving between inverters in order to reduce the AC current components on the DC supply bus. In order to prove the effect of these measures, a standalone six-phase inverter for lab operation is currently under development.