Usually, thermal, mechanical, and electrical systems are developed separately. It is not until a prototype is built that the systems are considered together, tested, and finally coordinated in the best possible way.
With modern electrified and software-defined vehicles, a rethink must now take place. As the number of functions increases, so do the electrical consumers. In addition, there are more temperature-sensitive components. It therefore seems only logical that the development process must respond to this.
More electrically controlled functions mean more electrical and electronic modules and communication links. This in turn means that the systems increasingly influence each other. The result is that the E/E architecture of vehicles is becoming more complex and detailed modeling of electrical networks is gaining importance.
For electrified powertrains, the thermal conditions in the often very compact vehicle designs must be studied in greater detail. Many of the components in battery-electric, hybrid or even fuel cell-powered vehicles are temperature-sensitive. It is therefore essential for development to know the operating temperatures precisely. Similar sensitivity is found in the air-conditioning of the passenger compartment.
In addition to temperature, the design must take into account solar radiation, humidity, cabin insulation, altitude, and so on. It must not be forgotten that the energy requirements of the HVAC systems have a direct influence on the range. Ultimately, to create the ideal vehicle concept, one question must always be answered. How do the components influence each other and how do they work best together?
Virtual Twins give you the answer. As virtual images of individual components or entire systems, the simulation provides you with all the relevant data for decision-making. Used right from the start, they enable targeted concept creation and support the entire development process right through to integration in the vehicle.
- Reach your targets more efficiently by moving from side-by-side component development to whole-vehicle level development.
- Create detailed models, exact Virtual Twins of all thermal, mechanical and electrical domains in a consistent environment - quickly and easily using a variety of wizards.
- Quickly compare a large number of different operating strategies.
- Make decisions based on data without the need for real prototypes.
The mobility revolution is in full swing. This is not just about developing new, more sustainable propulsion systems. Rather, the entire development process is in upheaval - with simulation taking the lead.
Right now, it's important to understand the challenge that each of us - OEMs and suppliers alike - face when it comes to pushing the boundaries of both our design process and our engineers. As the number of different systems grows, departments and team structures are changing. We understand that. At AVL, we go through these processes as well, because we are not just software developers. We are also engineers and therefore users. We implement our knowledge in intuitive workflows, generators, wizards, and evaluations in our software and projects.
