We love answering questions about what we do! Questions are a sign of interest in our technology and there is nothing that excites us more than talking about than our technology. So below is a description that answers the few common questions about eDTS—the most revolutionary among our solutions—what it is and what it does. It’s adapted from a much longer paper, which you can download here, but if you need a shorter, condensed version, read on .
Dynamic Torque Switching™ is our patented magnetic gearing technology. The “e” in its name represents the technology’s flexible nature. It stands for electric, environmentally friendly, economical, efficient, emerging, etc. It’s a truly versatile solution that evades a simple description.
We focus on efficiency and our take on it is very broad and focused on getting more output from the same input, unlike other technologies. More specifically, we use energy more intelligently and economically to deliver superior performance.
The Future of Electric Propulsion
eDTS allows the electric motor to provide high torque at low speeds without drawing high current from the batteries. It also provides high speeds at low torque levels without using deep field weakening and at much reduced winding losses, thereby increasing the efficiencies throughout.
This technique utilizes the motor magnets and the motor windings in a way that improves the overall drive cycle efficiency, allowing the range of the vehicle to increase by at least 15%.
Thanks to eDTS, the speed and torque can be varied inside the motor which allows a single electric machine to dynamically engage several modes, each optimized for different points in the drive cycle.
Most motors’ highest power efficiency is only available in a very narrow band (a small island we refer to as a “sweet spot”) on the power map. This is because conventional technology must make a compromise between torque and efficiency, which is the main reason for limited range. In generic terms, traditional design has only one mode—one “sweet spot”—which is the operating condition where the motor delivers highest efficiency.
ePropelled’s technology provides multiple modes and, therefore, multiple “sweet spots”. eDTS allows vehicles to operate at maximum efficiency at a much wider efficiency band (a very large island) on the power map.
Multiple Motor Modes
eDTS reconfigures the motor modes using hardware and software. Each mode has different characteristics including torque profile, speed range, and constant power range, which means that our single motor can function as if it were multiple different motors, each ideally suited to a desired “sweet spot” on the curve and each area of high efficiency being additionally expanded.
Each mode is optimized to deliver different performance characteristics, such as high torque when starting from a stop and a seamless change to high efficiency at higher speeds. Since these needs change quickly and frequently when driving, our sophisticated software control is an essential aspect of the system.
Our technology allows the magnetic field pattern and other parameters of the electric machine to change, giving it the flexibility to operate optimally when controlled by the adaptive power electronics drive. The control system is designed to allow the transition between the modes to take place seamlessly to deliver optimum torque/speed/efficiency characteristic in real time.
Key Takeaways
Our solution produces a much more energy-efficient method of electric propulsion that increases driving range of the vehicle and life expectancy of the battery pack or allows for smaller batteries for the same range. This is a major improvement to today’s capabilities, and it better meets the expectations of the market, manufacturers, and consumers.
Among other advantages delivered by eDTS, it can:
- Start the vehicle at low current compared to standard machines, increasing the driving range of the vehicle.
- Offer higher starting torque and extended constant power when compared to other machines.
- Take lesser current compared to standard motor.
- Increase the maximum torque and maximum speed of the motor.
- Select the most efficient mode based on vehicle demand, which will save the battery energy and increase driving range.
- Reduce the battery size and cost.
- Implement the cruise mode in vehicle with less current.
