electronica 2012 – On the path to a new mobility

The electrification of traffic by electric cars, e-bikes, electrical transporters and pedelecs is changing mobility. New electric drive concepts are giving rise to innovations in a number of vehicle components. Besides drive units, storage solutions and battery systems, they include interfaces to the battery-charging infrastructure, power electronics and air-conditioning technology. The latest developments will be on display at electronica 2012, which takes place at Messe München from November 13 – 16.

Innovations, from plug connectors to semiconductors
Among other things, the products that the automotive supply company Metalllux will have on display at electronica include the latest power resistors for use in braking systems or for limiting current or voltage. These robust components are already being used in auto racing. The Green Team Uni Stuttgart uses them in its current E0711-3 electric racing car.

The latest developments in the field of battery-charging infrastructure and technology will mean added convenience and improved safety. Kostal Kontakt Systeme will have an innovative inductive charging system via the license plate on display at electronica. The cable-free solution combines a new coil design with state-of-the-art power electronics. The result is a system that is easier to use and is just as efficient as charging the batter by cable.

In many cases, charging the battery will also require a charger cable in the future, as well. Harting has collaborated with the energy company to develop type 2 components for electrical plug connectors that it will have on display at electronica. The new components meet ISO/IEC 62196 standards. The company’s portfolio also includes charging plugs, pre-assembled charging cables and built-in sockets with locking components.

Fleet management and power electronics
The program of events at the automotive Forum in Hall A6 will also deal with the topic of electromobility. Managing fleets of electrical vehicles is a special challenge with existing infrastructures. Thorsten Themme from Phoenix Contact will make a presentation titled “E-Mobility for Fleets – Solutions for Load and Energy Management”.

On Thursday, November 15, the Automotive Application Group of the ZVEI (the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association) will present recent developments on the topic of power electronics with an emphasis on electromobility. An up-to-date schedule of the events at the automotive Forum is also available online.

Market strategies and technical challenges
electronica will be accompanied by the electronica automotive conference on November 12 and 13. On the first day of the conference, Wolfgang Sczygiol from Brose-SEW will make a presentation titled “Strategies of Suppliers in the Markets of Motors and Inductive Charging for Electric Mobility”. On the second day of the conference, Dr. Frank Rottmann will talk about “Swirling Jet-StreamsTM-Technology – New Ways for Power Device Cooling” which, among other things, examines the problem of cooling power boxes in electrical vehicles.

The entire program of events at the electronica automotive conference is available online.