Fast simulator with inverter temperature estimation for traction eDrives in vehicles subjected to driving cycles

Abstract:
Accurate estimation of the losses and of the junction temperature of power devices is a well-known problem in the design of traction inverters. Very often the inverter design must be validated before the prototyping, using specific operating conditions that must be properly simulated using digital twins of the powertrain. This paper presents a fast simulation model of a traction eDrive providing an accurate inverter temperature estimation. The proposed model is implemented in Matlab/Simulink and uses inverter efficiency maps obtained with PLECS simulation environment. The model is extremely useful when the eDrive is subjected to long driving cycles. The eMotor model requires the motor flux maps, without being dependent on the specific eMotor torque control strategy. The proposed model has been simulated using the flux maps of a commercial traction motor and the loss data of a SiC three-phase inverter power module.