SUPPLIER INTERVIEW: HOFER POWERTRAIN
FLEXIBLE FRIEND Hofer and Semikron have announced that they have developed a flexible inverter system for hybrid and electric vehicles. The new Semikron SKAI 2 IGBT system, which was first presented in May this year, has just been launched and is available as a custom-specific solution including control hardware, software, and also safety functions from Hofer. The portfolio covers a power range of 600V IGBTs for applications up to 150kVA, and 1,200V IGBTs for up to 230kVA. The custom-specific SKAI systems fulfill current requirements and qualification standards as regards EMC, vibration, IP protection class, safety functions and lifetime in automotive industry. The verified safety functions enable the use of both asynchronous and synchronous motors, and guarantee reliable operation, say the partners. The SKAI modules are also suitable for multi-electrical drive systems.
FAST FACTS… Hofer employees work in 10 companies and some
70% of its staff have technical degree qualifications!
On a mission Key to the early stages of Hofer’s work with clients, which last year resulted in a turnover in excess of US$52m, is to understand the vehicle mission: whether the project is, for instance, a hybrid, an EV, a sports car, a fun car, or a city car. The Italian MD continues, “If there’s a concept available, we go into consulting to understand needs, give a proposal on a system engineering level, do some calculations and simulations, complete detailed system engineering, and then go through component specifications.” That’s then followed by development for all the components of the electric drivetrain on an electrification level, including electric motors, power converters, software, transmissions and other mechanical components for integration purposes. Berger’s team of 100 engineers is currently involved in some exciting projects. These include two high-end sports car projects, both of which are pure electrical vehicles with an approximate range of 160km (100 miles) and capability of accelerating from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in under four seconds. There are also projects for power hybrids and plug-in hybrids of around 80kW of electrical power. In addition, there are also small electric city vehicle projects that promise to bring electric driving to a far greater consumer base.
Top: An integrated solution for bus and truck applications that combines an induction motor with a planetary gear set Above: Belt starter generator (induction motor) Right: Advanced plug-in hybrid module with a permanent magnet motor
Volker Hartmann, director of business development at Hofer Powertrain, says the company is primed to help the industry to push forward to further EV development
“You need the corresponding tools to be able to answer eDrive questions and challenges before you start to optimize components” 100 // July 2012 // Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International
Each new customer, such as those that brought the above projects, provides Hofer with a fresh and exciting challenge. Hartmann says, “There’s not a single answer to the question: what has to be investigated to find the right concept? That’s why our multidimensional top-down system approach works so well and is used to the end of a project.” And finding the optimal concept always depends on what the customer wants. “It will always come down to what the focus of the final product is,” adds the 39-yearold German. “You need the corresponding tools to be able to answer eDrive questions and challenges before you start to optimize components, which means you need to be an expert on all the components that are involved in the transformation of electrical energy into mechanical energy at the end of the process. That’s where we thrive – we are those experts.”