Introduction to Hybrid Vehicle System Modeling and Control

Chapter 4: Power Electronics and Electric Motor Drives of Hybrid Vehicle

The hybrid vehicle is a complex electrical and mechanical system. In all system configurations, a hybrid vehicle has two energy flow paths—electrical and mechanical. Mechanical energy flow is through a conventional powertrain, while the electrical powertrain provides a path for electric energy flow. In hybrid electric vehicle systems, the task of the electric motor and power electronics is to process and control electric energy flow to meet the vehicle demand power with maximum efficiency under various driving situations.

Power electronics generally combine electronic components, electric power, and control methodology. Their performance not only affects overall vehicle fuel economy and drivability but also makes up a major portion of the material cost of the vehicle. Depending on the type and configuration of a hybrid vehicle system, electric motor and power electronics can make up more than 25% of a hybrid vehicle material cost, which is almost equal to the expense of the energy storage system. Since DC electric energy conversion is implemented by power electronic circuits and the conversion efficiency is one of the most important performance considerations in hybrid vehicle system design, this chapter presents the basic principles of commonly used power electronics in hybrid vehicle applications.

4.1 Basic power electronic devices

Power electronic devices, or power semiconductor devices, deal with the control ...