Ideal Power Inc., the creator and pioneer of the highly effective and widely patented B-TRAN® bidirectional semiconductor power switch, announced today that it has partnered with a fourth global Tier 1 automotive supplier that supplies parts to several of the top 10 global automakers. Ideal Power is collaborating with many engineering teams from this multinational Tier 1 automotive supplier on the possible replacement of electromechanical contactors in electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid EV applications with B-TRAN®-enabled contactors.
“We are pleased to announce the recent shipment of devices to a fourth Tier 1 automotive supplier. It’s exciting to witness the heightened levels of customer engagement and collaboration for solid-state EV contactors. B-TRAN®-enabled solid-state EV contactors are generating strong interest from global automotive OEMs and their Tier 1 suppliers due to the ultra-low conduction losses and inherent bidirectionality of our B-TRAN® technology. This represents another engagement for us with the world’s leading automakers and suppliers as we previously announced engagements with three global automakers, including Stellantis, and three other Tier 1 auto suppliers,” stated Dan Brdar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ideal Power.
In the case of a collision, malfunction, or when the vehicle or subsystem is not operating, an electromechanical mechanism known as a typical EV contactor cuts off electric vehicle subsystems from the battery. In order to regulate high-voltage and high-current loads going to and from the battery, contactors are an essential safety element. In an electric car, the battery is disconnected from loads like the motor drive, heating and cooling systems, and charging systems using a number of contactors, usually five to eight. Solid-state, or semiconductor-based, contactors are being considered by automotive OEMs and their Tier 1 suppliers as a quick-acting, safer, and more dependable alternative to EV contactors. They also provide the advantages of programmability and diagnostic capabilities.
Solid-state contactors with B-TRAN® support provide a number of advantages over electromechanical contactors. They eliminate arcing and increase safety by acting orders of magnitude quicker than electromechanical breakers. They are also more dependable since they don’t have any wear-prone physical connections. Because they are bidirectional and have extremely low conduction losses, they cut the number of switches needed in a solid-state EV contactor in half. They also include integrated safety diagnostics and configurable trip and current limit settings. Additionally, B-TRAN®-enabled contactors are less expensive and offer noticeably lower losses than EV contactors that use silicon carbide semiconductor devices. According to the company, solid-state contactors will overtake electromechanical contactors in the EV industry over the next five years.
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