Delta Electronics Targeting Electric Powertrain Market; Series Hybrid Test Vehicle On the Road
27 November 2009
| The series hybrid system in a cutaway chassis. Photo: Business Wire. Click to enlarge. |
Taiwan-based Delta Group, the world’s largest provider of switching power supplies and DC brushless fans, as well as a major supplier of power management solutions, components, visual displays, industrial automation, networking products, and renewable energy solutions, is entering the electric powertrain market.
Taiwan-based Delta Electronics has integrated existing automation, motor, servo-motor and electrical electronics technologies to develop its own gasoline-electric series hybrid propulsion system—the first gasoline-electric hybrid propulsion system developed by a Taiwanese electronics company. The design includes battery pack, power inverter, power control unit, traction motor and vehicle control unit.
Delta has installed the system in a test vehicle, which is now undergoing road tests.
As supplies of fossil fuels dry up, the energy crisis makes the development of alternative energy sources the most important issue facing us today. Transportation in particular is relatively energy intensive and produces air pollution. Currently all of the world’s car makers are looking at electric or hybrid propulsion vehicles. As Delta Electronics has always been a leading provider of power management and automation solutions, this gives us an advantage when it comes to the design and manufacturing of electric vehicle propulsion systems.
—Delta Vice Chairman and CEO Yancey Hai
The original gasoline engine and transmission system were removed and replaced with a hybrid propulsion system developed by Delta. The engine in the system is not used for propulsion and is only run to charge the 18 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Road tests show that depending on the road and traffic conditions, each liter of petrol used by the engine is sufficient to generate enough power for the car to travel 20 to 30 kilometers (3.3 to 5 L/100km or 47 to 71 mpg US). The prototype system as an output of up to 100 kW (134 hp) and 830 N·m (612 lb-ft) of torque. This level of performance is more than adequate to propel a car weighing 1660 kg (3,660 lbs), according to Delta.
Delta Electronics can provide a complete propulsion system solution whether it is a purely electric, tandem or parallel gasoline-electric hybrid propulsion vehicle, said Simon Chang, General Manager of Delta’s Industrial Automation Business Unit. The system includes:
- Battery Management System (BMS)
- Power Control Unit (PCU)
- Integrated Stator & Generator (ISG)
- Traction Motor
- Vehicle Control Unit (VCU)
- Charger
Delta’s strategy in automobile electronics is based on the pure electric and petrol-electric hybrid vehicles’ propulsion systems described above. The vehicles will then require advanced components such as LED lighting, high-efficiency brushless DC fan cooling systems, electric power steering (EPS), passive keyless entry (PKE) and various types of DC/DC and DC/AC inverters. This naturally includes a Charging Station that no electric vehicle can do without.
Delta Electronics has already accumulated extensive design and manufacturing experience in many automobile electronics components. As we are now a certified supplier for electromagnetic components, cooling management products and stepped motors to the world’s top car makers; this gives us an advantage over the rest of the electronics industry when it comes to the automobile electronics market.
—Simon Chang
This sounds like GM's Voltec technology. If it is, it's a curious direction for an Asian manufacturer since PHEV's running solely on elctric power are considered the better option for their market as opposed to GM's Voltec which gives a vehicle greater autonomy compatible with North American driving patterns. This could be potential technology that will go into Chinese EVs slated for the North American market.
Posted by: digitaljoe | 27 November 2009 at 09:39 AM
More good news for PHEVs.
There are consistent rumors that Delta will form a JV with a large Chinese (mainland) vehicle manufacturer to mass produce PHEVs by 2011/2012 for the Chinese market and worldwide export.
Posted by: HarveyD | 27 November 2009 at 11:31 AM
These type announcements are very good news.
Another electronics group the Chinese BYD and various previously unheard of global automotive and electronics and development company contenders are making a splash.
That 'Left field' sources continue to join in the energy markets could seem a problem for the traditional makers.
The standout Toyota with the top selling Prius and several follow up models show us that any successful company needs to consider its customer base and build a following.
We note Ford announcing the education opportunities offered to its engineers in the mechatronics robotics, electrical fields. While a bit slow, this announcement is important.
The transport industry is 'in' the sweet spot where technologies can and are being dawn from all the sciences and arts.
It is not possible to predict where the relevant future applications will come from.
Countries that are tooled up in the brains dept will be in the best position to develop industries future look.
Posted by: arnold | 27 November 2009 at 12:54 PM
Arnold:
The real challenge to mass produce PHEVs and BEVs is improved battery technology, development and low cost production.
Manufacturing the other electrical/electronics parts and the car body uses very well known technologies and could be mass produced in up to 20 or 30 different countries.
Mass production of, high energy density, quick charge, 2000+ cycles, affordable modular battery packs, is the key behind this new major worldwide industry.
Who will do it first, Asia, Europe or America? The first effective battery packs generation may be built on most continents but consolidation will follow within a decade or two.
Development may take place on one continent with mass production in another. at least until such time as the production people develop their own technologies. Price and quality will eventually determine where batteries come from.
Posted by: HarveyD | 27 November 2009 at 03:16 PM
We will see how the Leaf and other EVs do in the mass market. At present, we do not force people to buy EVs, so the market will tell us what people want. NOT what they NEED, but what they think that they WANT. Even with incentives, which distort the market, I say that the reception will be well below what people are hoping for. It may be a "you first" kind of action...or lack of it.
Posted by: SJC | 29 November 2009 at 09:35 AM
There is already far more than adequate battery technology in the world for plug in hybrid cars. AC Propulsion demonstrated this over ten years ago with lead acid batteries. The energy capacity of the ZEBRA battery system surpasses that of most commercial lithium systems including the cooling, protection and mounting weight.
Firefly's Oasis battery type is more than adequate for series hybrids in terms of life cycle costs. Long distance travel full electric cars are a luxury that the county and the carmakers have no right to inflict upon the public with its high costs.
The cost of the electrical equipment may also be too extravigant to impose upon car buyers. There is no need for high accelerations demonstrated by the TESLA and the cost of such a motor and electronics should be subject to a luxury tax. Perhaps TATA will get involved.
Hydraulic hybrids have already been demonstrated to be highly efficient.
A different way of operating an automobile, enforced by computer control, could save as much energy as some hybrids do. This is especially true if a smaller engine is used.
Small supercharged diesel engines are the present best way to save on fuel use without major modifications of the automobile. Supplementing the diesel with natural gas for the first 40 miles of travel away from home can save vast amounts of imported oil with minor cheap modifications to the vehicle. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 29 November 2009 at 05:00 PM
The concept called Peace-of-Mind is based on existing technology and promises: Noticeable contribution to lower CO2 emissions and less energy consumption. · Improvements for local air quality in urban areas. Taiwan-based Delta Group , the world’s largest provider of switching power supplies and DC brushless fans, as well as a major supplier of power management solutions, components, visual displays, industrial automation, networking products, and renewable energy solutions, is entering the electric powertrain market. www.ordercomputer.com
Posted by: Account Deleted | 12 April 2010 at 02:12 AM