Infinitum Electric, the creator of the breakthrough printed circuit board (PCB) motor, announces an agreement with the US automotive supplier to support the development of a hybrid vehicle.
Under the agreement, Infinitum Electric will validate the performance of its IEm Series motor using oil cooling techniques before building a purposefully designed motor for hybrid assist powertrains used for more efficient hybrid vehicles. Twenty-five trillion kilowatt hours of electricity are consumed per year, of which 45 percent is consumed by electric motors.
Significantly improving efficiency
This leaves a significant opportunity for many industries, including automotive, to develop or replace machines using traditional electric motors with ultra, high-efficiency electric motors, which consume far less energy. Infinitum Electric is enabling this transition with its IEm Series of motors.
Infinitum Electric is enabling this transition with its IEm Series of motors
The IEm Series motor was specifically selected to optimize the reliability and range for hybrid vehicles. Designed without heavy iron core and copper windings, the IEm Series of motors offers up to 250 kW power range, up to 25,000 RPM, and power density of up to 12kW/kg.
By replacing the conventional laminated stator core with printed circuit board technology, mass and audible noise are drastically reduced, and the elimination of core losses significantly improves efficiency. Optimized magnetic configurations improve power density further and the core-less architecture maintains high performance at high speeds.
Extending transmission life
Additional product differentiators for this application include:
- Power densities are currently in the 3 kW/kg to 5 kW/kg range with potential to be extended to 7 to 12 kW/kg with active cooling.
- Current densities are in the range of 8 to 10 kA/in2 with the potential to be extended to 13 to 15kA/in2 with active cooling.
- No cogging torque, which helps extend transmission life.
- Motor noise is up to 15 dB lower than a conventional iron core motor.
- High efficiency is constant over a wide range of speeds from 25 percent to 200 percent rated speed, which extends battery life and range.
Enabling quick production
Infinitum Electric motors can also be rapidly manufactured right where they are consumed
Infinitum Electric motors can also be rapidly manufactured right where they are consumed, which streamlines assembly and production processes for OEM customers.
Unlike other motor manufacturers that take months or years to develop new products, the simplicity of Infinitum Electric’s motor technology, along with its AutoFluxTM motor design software, enables quick production and testing for new mobility applications.
Users can easily input application requirements, evaluate design options based on cost and performance and create PCB design files within minutes. “In the wake of the pandemic and increasing international trade tensions, global manufacturers are looking to streamline assembly and production,” said Anand Gnanamoorthy, Industry Principal at Frost & Sullivan.
Printed circuit board technology
Anand Gnanamoorthy adds, “Infinitum Electric’s unique, lightweight design and printed circuit board technology allows OEM partners to more easily source, produce, and assemble these motors near their target market and streamline operations.”
“We’re excited to support the auto industry in a new era of sustainability with our lightweight, power-dense motors for the development of a smarter, ultra-high energy-efficient hybrid vehicle,” said Ben Schuler, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Infinitum Electric, adding “We look forward to helping our customers achieve a new level of operational agility and deliver even more value and range to consumers.”