Mechatronic Components
A key research area of the junior professorship are mechatronic systems at combustion engines. We investigate new mechatronic components to further optimize the operation of the combustion engine by replacing or enhancing conventional mechanical systems.
Electric Supercharging
A major development trend for combustion engines is “downsizing”, meaning a reduction in engine displacement and also in the number of cylinders. Drawbacks in performance and driving comfort are very challenging, particularly the reduced low-end-torque and the trube-gap are considered to affect acceptance by the driver. Typical countermeasures include the use of complex variable supercharging systems, which entails higher cost and increased complexity. As an alternative to turbochargers with variable turbine geometry or multi-stage supercharging, electrically supported charging systems offer additional degrees of freedom in design and new opportunities, e.g. the use of energy recuperation systems to improve engine efficiency.
Electric variable valve trains
Electric variable valve trains allow to optimize valve timing for each operation point of the combustion engine. Gasoline and diesel engine can significantly be improved in terms of efficiency, output power and emissions. Additionally, new degrees of freedom can be used for research on new, innovative combustion technologies (e.g. gasoline auto ignition). Precise and ultra-fast control of electric actuators offer significant advantages in comparison to conventional, mechanical systems.
Publications
Influence of Sensor and Communication Setup on Electric Cam Phaser Control Quality
Range Extender Module Transmission Topology Study
NVH Optimization of Range Extender Engines by Electric Torque Profile Shaping