Bangkok--24 Sep--PR & Associates
Continental offers the automotive industry a broad-ranging portfolio in the development of hybrid and electric drives. Scalable systems for the anticipated mix of energy sources, storage units and drive concepts
Regensburg, The development of the modern-day internal combustion engine into the zero-emission electric car of the future will happen gradually and involve a number of individual steps. The international automotive supplier Continental provides auto manufacturers with a wide-ranging portfolio of components and systems for this purpose — from the optimization of internal combustion engines through to components for vehicles powered completely by electric. The transition should be a smooth one. Depending on the application, various drive technologies can be used. This makes it possible to respond to a wide range of different statutory provisions and market requirements. It is therefore crucial to use a modular construction to ensure that the systems are scalable and flexible and that individual components can be networked and controlled. "The stated aim of Continental is to consolidate its leading position as a supplier in this field. With our flexible modular systems for powe r electronics and lithium-ion batteries and our activities in the field of electric motors, we cover all the essential components for hybrid and electric vehicles, thereby emphasizing our market position. Furthermore, we can also offer our customers complete system solutions including integrated powertrain management", stressed Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Chief Executive Officer of Continental AG and Head of the Powertrain Division. In future, drive concepts will differ from each other more substantially depending on the vehicle usage and the required performance and driving style. The company is anticipating there will be around two million hybrid and electric vehicles worldwide by 2012.
Drive concepts adapted for various applications "Our market studies have shown that the vast majority of motorists predominantly travel short distances and in urban traffic, with more than two thirds of them largely driving in urban traffic. Driving electric vehicles will therefore become more important in future, especially in and around towns and cities", said J๖rg Grotendorst, Head of the Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Business Unit, Powertrain Division. Additional opportunities will also arise from the option of incorporating the vehicles into the power grid. Over the years, hybrid vehicles will become more widely used for medium-distance travel. However, here too, there will be a gradual development from vehicles with an internal combustion engine that is supported by an electric drive, towards an electric vehicle with a range extender, a small combustion engine on board that also generates power and thereby increases the vehicle's range. For long-haul vehicles, drives with optimized combustion systems and small, power-op timized engines will play a central role. The key issues in this respect are downsizing, turbocharging and second-generation synthetic fuels.
Hybrid technology will also be introduced in the short term for commercial vehicles.
Goods distribution trucks and buses in densely populated areas will be able to save around thirty percent and more on fuels, as they predominantly travel short distances in "stop and go" traffic in which the advantages of the hybrid drive really come to bear. A few days ago, Continental signed an agreement with ZF Friedrichshafen with regard to a partnership in the commercial vehicle sector for which Continental will contribute the latest generation of lithium-ion batteries.
Scalable modular systems for the electrification of the drive train To ensure the quickest possible market penetration of this ecofriendly technology, Continental Powertrain has developed low-cost, production-ready drive components and complete systems for electrifying the drive train. The core components for this are the accumulator (battery), power electronics and electric motor.
One of the main tasks of the power electronics is to convert the direct current from the battery into alternating current for the electric motor and to control it. During recuperation (energy recovery when braking), i.e. generation of electricity, the process works in the other direction and the recovered energy is stored in the battery.
A DC/DC converter integrated into the power electronics housing converts the voltage of the hybrid battery to the standard on-board power supply and vice versa. In the next generation, Continental will reduce the installation space required for these control electronics, power electronics with DC/DC converter, by a further thirty percent to around five liters, making it even more space-saving. The components will be integrated into a housing about the same size as the alternator that is no longer required by this system, making it far easier to incorporate the components into vehicles. Another development topic is the electric final drive. The compact configuration of the electric drive will enable it to be built into various vehicle platforms more easily and flexibly, in turn creating alternative application options in existing vehicle designs.
The power electronics and lithium-ion battery have a modular structure, so these components can, in certain areas, be adapted to different installation spaces and performance requirements at a relatively low cost. Certain assemblies are also standard. Their number is simply multiplied or the various elements are combined depending on the system application. This makes it possible to cover a broad application area, from stop-start systems, mild and full hybrids through to plugin hybrids, electric and fuel-cell vehicles, while optimizing costs and ensuring high quality.
Today, Continental is already in a position to supply lithium-ion accumulators for applications in hybrid and electric vehicles. In 2008, Continental also became the first manufacturer worldwide to commence series production of lithium-ion batteries for use in hybrid vehicles. In comparison to the nickel-metal hydrid batteries still currently in use, the latest generation of lithium-ion accumulators offer a significantly higher storage capacity.
Electrically-powered ancillary components instead of hydraulics The challenges facing auto manufacturers over the next few years will include stricter emissions standards, not only in Europe with Euro 6, but also in the rapidly growing Asian markets. In addition, auto manufacturers will have to significantly decrease the CO2 emissions, i.e. consumption, of their vehicles in order to avoid severe punitive taxes. For heavy sedans or SUVs these can easily reach four or five-figure sums in euros. As a first step, these conventionally powered vehicles will be equipped with stop-start systems. In order to ensure the on-board power supply, Continental also offers the relevant energy management systems. The electrification of subassemblies such as the power steering or coolant pump, in which conventional, energy-guzzling hydraulics are replaced by an electric drive, will result in further considerable potential for savings.
With sales exceeding ?24 billion in 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. The corporation currently employs approximately 130,000 at nearly 190 locations in 35 countries
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