Power management company Eaton will display technologies to support the zero
emissions journey in the commercial vehicle market Sept. 20-25 at the IAA
Transportation show in Hannover, Germany.
“We are helping our customers around the globe with technologies that solve
some of the toughest challenges throughout the electrified vehicle (EV)
ecosystem,” said Scott Adams, president, Eaton’s eMobility business. “Eaton
provides a vast portfolio of EV technologies for full battery electric, fuel
cell and hybrid commercial vehicles, as well as EV charging infrastructure
solutions.”
Flex Power Distribution Unit delivers safe power for commercial electrified
vehicles
Eaton’s eMobility business offers a new Flex Power Distribution Unit (PDU)
for high-voltage electrified commercial vehicles that is uniquely designed
to handle multiple load requirements.
The Flex PDU integrates Eaton’s BreaktorR circuit protection technology,
which improves vehicle safety and protects components from any level of
overcurrent condition more effectively than traditional circuit protection
methods. The Breaktor circuit protection solution is resettable like a
circuit breaker, enabling reactivation of the device following a
functionality check and reducing cost for both the OEM and consumer.
The Flex PDU also leverages sealed and corrosion-resistant terminals and
connectors from Royal Power Solutions, a global leader in power distribution
and transmission solutions that Eaton acquired earlier this year. Eaton’s
BussmannR series fuses are also integrated to meet the requirements for use
in the latest high-powered electrified vehicles with ratings up to 1,000
volts of direct current (VDC) and 600 amps.
Eaton’s Flex PDU protects vital components and occupants and is also an
intelligent unit that provides the OEM diagnostic information, including
where the most power is being consumed, to maximize performance and
efficiency. Its integrated and optimized design reduces the number of
components, lessening complexity.
Electrified vehicle transmissions, gearing improves performance, range
Eaton’s new 4-speed transmissions provide superior performance on grades and
acceleration for electrified commercial vehicles while offering more
flexible gear ratios compared to competitive technologies. The compact
4-speed transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty electrified commercial
vehicles also improve system efficiency, enabling longer vehicle range and
battery life.
“We supply transmissions for multiple global commercial vehicle
manufacturers, and many more are interested,” Adams said. “With decades of
experience, we continue to build on our heritage as a top supplier of
commercial vehicle transmissions.”
DC-DC converters available in a range of power configurations
Eaton recently introduced a 48-volt DC-DC converter to power accessories
such as antilock brakes and lighting for commercial vehicles with 48-volt
electrical systems. Unlike competitive offerings, Eaton’s DC-DC converters
are operational in ambient temperatures up to 85 degrees Celsius and boast
97% design efficiency.
Eaton’s DC-DC converter portfolio covers a spectrum of power requirements,
ranging from low- to high-voltage systems, depending on customer
specifications. The converters can be tuned for particular duty cycles via
their advanced digital control architecture, enabling flexible control modes
through firmware adaptation.
Green Motion acquisition bolsters Eaton’s vehicle charging capabilities
In March 2021, Eaton acquired Switzerland-based Green Motion SA, a leading
designer and manufacturer of electric vehicle charging hardware and related
software. Eaton’s efficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure
expertise includes the production and operation of charging stations,
designing management software for charging networks, and serving as an
electric mobility service provider.
‘Buildings as a Grid’ strategy expands charging possibilities
Many workplaces host vehicle fleets, such as cars for the salesforce and
vans for deliveries. Fleet managers switching to EVs, either now or in the
future, will want to electrify their fleet while ensuring business
continuity. Eaton’s “Buildings as a Grid” approach helps fleet managers
devise an EV charging strategy that is fast to implement, cybersecure and
scalable so that they can add more EV charging capacity when needed.
The strategy may include EV charging infrastructure at their site or depot,
on-site renewables like solar panels on buildings, and options for fleet
drivers to charge at home and when they are traveling. Eaton’s digital and
physical infrastructure transforms a workplace or depot into an energy hub,
and because it is a gateway to electrifying the entire functionality of the
site, it is also an investment in the energy transition.
Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the
quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. Eaton
is guided by its commitment to do business right, operate sustainably, and
to help its customers manage power – today and well into the future. By
capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and
digitalization, Eaton is accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable
energy, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management
challenges, and doing what’s best for its stakeholders and all of society.
Founded in 1911, Eaton has been listed on the NYSE for nearly a century. We
reported revenues of $19.6 billion in 2021 and serve customers in more than
170 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on
Twitter and LinkedIn.
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