TABLE OF CONTENTS The modern automobile has an extensive electrical system consisting of a large number of electrical, electromechanical, and electronic loads that are central to vehicle operation, passenger safety, and comfort. Power electronics is playing an increasingly important role in automotive electrical systems conditioning the power generated by the alternator, processing it appropriately for the vehicle electrical loads, and controlling the operation of these loads. Furthermore, power electronics is an enabling technology for a wide range of future loads with new features and functions. Such loads include electromagnetic engine valves, active suspension, controlled lighting, and electric propulsion.
This chapter discusses the application and design of power electronics in automobiles. Section 25.2 provides an overview of the architecture of the present automotive electrical power system. The next section, Section 25.3, describes the environmental factors, such as voltage ranges, EMI/EMC requirements, and temperature, which strongly influence the design of automotive power electronics. Section 25.4 discusses a number of electrical functions that are enabled by power electronics, while Section 25.5 addresses load control via multiplexed remote switching architectures that can be implemented with power electronic switching. Section 25.6 considers the application of power electronics in automotive electromechanical energy conversion, including power generation. Section 25.7 describes the potential evolution...
