Choice of Energetically Optimal Operating Points in Thermal Management of Electric Drivetrain Components

Increasing the efficiency of electric vehicles is a development focus in the automotive industry in order to reach the range targets set by customer requirements. Thermal management can have a positive effect on the system efficiency of electric vehicles. In this contribution, a simulation model of the drivetrain and cooling system of an electric vehicle has been build up. The aim is to investigate the influence of the cooling system control and resulting component temperatures on the drivetrain efficiency. Thus, energetically optimal target temperatures for inverter and motor can be identified and implemented in the cooling system control.