Lear Introduces PHEV and EV Chargers
08 October 2008
Lear Corporation, a leading global automotive supplier of seating, electrical distribution systems and electronic products, has introduced plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and full battery-electric vehicle (BEV) chargers to its global electrical and electronics product portfolio.
Lear’s battery charging products include an operating range from 1kW to 6kW, the ability to accommodate wall socket input voltages from 110V to 440V, and the capability to interface with electrical systems around the world. The chargers support both standard and quick charge capabilities, and can be customized to interface with different high-power chemistries, including NiMH and Li-ion.
The battery charger performs three electronic functions. FIrst, efficiency enhancing phase adjustments are made to the wall socket’s alternating current. The voltage is rectified to direct current (DC) voltage. The final step is to up-convert the household voltage to approximately 340V&mash;enough to charge a PHEV with 40-mile all-electric range.
William Mattingly, Lear’s recently-appointed Vice President of Global Electrical and Electronics Engineering, says that the company has already won several contracts for the chargers beginning with 2011 model year production.
A priority for Lear is to expand its presence in the global automotive Electrical and Electronics segment, according to Ray Scott, president of Lear’s Global Electrical and Electronics business. Mattingly came from Chrysler, where he had been vice president of Electrical/Electronics Engineering Core since 2003. He also will lead Lear’s new global Center of Excellence for hybrid electric and high-voltage power systems located on the Southfield Campus, as well as the globalization of wireless products, terminals and connectors and smart junction box technology.
What we need to see is a "world standard" voltage and amperage supply for recharge of BEV cars.
Until this is announced, together with a universal standard plug that is available to all cars and all mfg then the lack of standardization will severely limit the introduction of BEV technology, and make proprietary systems that do not integrate become the norm.
As we saw in the early days of computing, it was not until "IBM Compatible" became standard that the computer became viable.
My suggestion is "Tesla Compatible" power sources be considered as the new standard.
Posted by: John Taylor | 09 October 2008 at 10:22 AM
John:
Standardized charging connectors and on-borad charging facilities should accept:
1) 115/220 VAC, single phase, 15/20 Amps, 50/60 Hz for home charging and other slow charging stations.
2) 440/660 VAC, three-phase, 50+ Amps. 50/60 Hz for quick charge stations.
The slow charge connection could be a standard pull out power cord to plug in a standard wall outlet.
The quick charge connector could be a heavy duty fool proof 3-phase quick connect car mounted unit to be used at public charging stations only.
Basically, it is not much of a challenge but more a question of standardization. Chargers can be built to accept multiple phase, frequencies and voltages.
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 October 2008 at 12:00 PM