As solutions to environmental problems, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are attracting worldwide attention. Hitachi is one of the very few manufacturers that can provide the whole range of key components of HEVs-namely, motors, inverters, and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. In regards to these products, we are performing extensive research covering new components such as direct-water-cooled power modules and driver ICs, new technologies for cooling and packaging, and sub-systems for control.
The inverter is a core component of sub-systems for controlling drive and power generation by the motor/generator in conjunction with charging of the batteries. To enable the inverter to control switching of high currents of the order of several hundred amperes, a number of challenges related to, for example, electricity, heat, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) must be overcome.
Given those circumstances, we are cooperating with researchers in these various fields and developing new inverters under a project framework.
Our goal is to make key components, starting with inverters, smaller, cheaper, and more powerful than before in order that they can be adopted in a great number of cars.