Electric Drive Engineering

Ever heard the expression, “runs like a well-oiled machine?” For many large companies to be successful they must find a way to effectively and efficiently coordinate different teams and their goals, operating with minimal problems.  And anyone who has ever worked at a large corporation will tell you that individual departments have to work together in order for the entire company to succeed. This same principle can be used to describe the disruptive change that is happening currently in the auto industry as automakers (OEMs) and suppliers are entering a new phase in mobility with the electric vehicle (EV).

The internal combustion engine and its design and production now share the stage with new high-performance electric drive systems. Maximizing the performance and lifespan of the electric drive to replace the traditional internal-combustion engine in electric cars requires a multifaceted design and engineering approach. But how do OEMs optimize the design of these new systems so that battery electric vehicles are as capable as the traditional internal-combustion engine? With the help of Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform and the simulation capabilities of SIMULIA, automakers and suppliers can collaborate on one platform to design better electric drive systems.

Achieving high power density is a big challenge OEMs are facing in electric drive engineering. The system, which typically consists of an electric machine and gearbox in a housing, must be optimized across competing disciplines in order for it to perform properly and offer an enjoyable experience for the driver. Additionally, the electric drive must be integrated into the rest of the electrical powertrain – the battery and the power electronics unit – as well as into the full vehicle.

Dassault Systèmes’ simulation solutions allow engineers to analyze:

  • Electromagnetic performance of the electric motor to optimize power density
  • Noise & vibration performance of the full system to offer a better acoustic experience and increase durability
  • Lubrication and cooling performance to improve operating efficiency
  • System-level behavior to understand driving cycles performance and impact on other sub-systems
  • Strength and stiffness performance to ensure the structural integrity of the system

This multi-discipline engineering and optimization approach allows automakers and suppliers to collaborate and design better electric drive systems.

Watch this video to discover the simulation capabilities available for electric drive engineering workflows.

Katie Corey

Katie is the Editor of the SIMULIA blog and also manages SIMULIA's social media and is an online communities and SEO expert. As a writer and technical communicator, she is interested in and passionate about creating an impactful user experience. Katie has a BA in English and Writing from the University of Rhode Island and a MS in Technical Communication from Northeastern University. She is also a proud SIMULIA advocate, passionate about democratizing simulation for all audiences. Katie is a native Rhode Islander and loves telling others about all it has to offer. As a self-proclaimed nerd, she enjoys a variety of hobbies including history, astronomy, science/technology, science fiction, geocaching, true crime, fashion and anything associated with nature and the outdoors. She is also mom to a 2-year old budding engineer and two crazy rescue pups.