Electromobility
The Teaching and Research Area Mechatronics in Mobile Propulsion lies in an area of interaction between mechanical and electrical drive components as well as control algorithms. Led by Professor Jakob Andert, the institute researches innovative, resource-saving vehicle drives and has a special focus on electrification as well as simulation-based development methods.
The automotive sector is currently undergoing a major transformation process, with powertrain electrification gaining enormous relevance as one of the key technologies for reducing or avoiding emissions. In addition, the steadily increasing complexity of drive components and associated control algorithms - regardless of the specific drive technology - means that research into and development of software-intensive embedded mechatronic systems is becoming increasingly important.
Projects
GINI
In the GINI research project, a smart, semi-autonomous mobile charging robot with fast charging technology and an inductive charging interface is being developed. In addition to the function for charging electrified vehicles in urban areas, the charging of e-bike sharing stations as well as data acquisition, pre-processing and analysis in a networked environment will also be enabled. This will enable a significant contribution to the urgently needed expansion of cost-efficient, high-performance and flexible charging infrastructure for electrified mobility solutions.
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HERCET
Achieving the CO2 targets requires reduced fuel consumption through the use of advanced hybrid engine technologies, which must also have the advantage of good vehicle range. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to think beyond the automotive sector. Predictions have shown that even with two-wheelers, the significant reduction of CO2 emissions is possible through the use of hybrid technologies. For example, fuel savings were demonstrated in a prototype of a plug-in hybrid two-wheeler, where a wheel hub motor was used on the front wheel, while the rear wheel was driven by an internal combustion engine. Although hybrid technology is already mature for four-wheelers, the two-wheeler segment is still relatively new due to the high costs and complexity involved.
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ROTAFEM
In the scope of the funding program progres.nrw, the 6-month project deals with the validation of a sensorless rotor temperature determination for permanent magnet excited synchronous machines. This allows the efficiency of electrical machines to be increased by exploiting active field weakening and a higher overload capacity.
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CEVOLVER
The overall approach and concept of the CEVOLVER project comprises the following conceptual elements: a user centric development approach in combination with connectivity and advanced control strategies. Together, this leads to optimal EV powertrain architectures, rightsizing and implementation of new/advanced components and systems and connected control features and functionalities. In terms of consumer’s values, it brings reliability, user confidence and affordability in electro-mobility.
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ALADIN
Real vehicle tests are an elementary part of the development and validation process of automotive software. However, the increasing complexity of the control functions and the driving scenarios covered by these functions lead to constantly increasing test effort. The Vehicle-in-the-Loop (ViL) concept offers a novel solution. By coupling a real vehicle including its control unit with a virtualized environment, ViL represents an additional level between purely simulative tests and validation in real traffic. In addition to the significantly lower effort compared to test drives in real life traffic, this also leads to an increase in safety, since other traffic participants only appear virtually, and additionally ensures a higher reproducibility of the tests.
The aim of the ALADIN research project is to establish the Vehicle-in-the-Loop approach through the exemplary validation of a data-driven driving function previously developed in simulation. For this purpose, a real vehicle is equipped with a real-time simulation system, which takes over the simulation of surrounding traffic and infrastructure. The test drives in the virtual city environment will take place at the secured test site at the Aldenhoven Testing Center.
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