US semiconductor manufacturer Texas Instruments has developed the TMCS2100-Q1, an electric current sensor designed for electric and hybrid vehicles, aimed at improving the precision of energy delivered to the motor — thereby increasing efficiency, smoothing the driving experience, and potentially extending vehicle range without the need for larger batteries.
According to the company, an electric vehicle's range does not depend solely on battery capacity. Motor performance, the inverter, software, and other components also influence how much energy is effectively utilised. It is in this context that the new sensor seeks to make a difference, reducing losses during energy conversion and distribution.
The TMCS2100-Q1 uses the Hall effect to measure electric current without interrupting the circuit. The technology detects current intensity through the magnetic field it generates. One of the component's key features is its ability to take bidirectional measurements, allowing it to compensate for minor displacement caused by vibrations or variations during vehicle assembly.
Texas Instruments states that the sensor maintains an error margin of less than 1% even when subjected to a displacement of up to 0.4 millimetres. The manufacturer also claims that its precision can be up to 20 times greater than that of conventional Hall sensors in the same category.
Greater measurement precision allows the inverter to control more rigorously the amount of current delivered to the motor. In practice, this can help reduce energy waste and improve the efficiency of the drivetrain, although the sensor alone does not represent a significant increase in range.
The technology may also deliver comfort-related benefits. According to the manufacturer, more precise current control can reduce minor fluctuations in the operation of the electric motor, helping to decrease noise and vibrations experienced by vehicle occupants.
Another notable feature is the component's compact size. Smaller sensors can contribute to the development of more compact and lightweight traction inverters — a characteristic particularly relevant for electric vehicles equipped with 800-volt electrical architectures, increasingly used in higher-performance models with fast-charging capabilities.
Although the TMCS2100-Q1 is already available for volume production, its presence in commercial vehicles will not be immediate. The incorporation of new components in the automotive industry depends on manufacturers' development cycles, which can span several years between technology selection, testing, and a model's arrival at dealerships.
The solution represents another example of how incremental technological advances can contribute to improving electric vehicle efficiency. Rather than necessarily increasing battery size, manufacturers and suppliers are seeking to reduce energy losses at various points within the system in order to extract greater range from the same resources.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=537091
