This week, P’Chang, Akhom Ruamsuwan gave me homework. What should we write about electric cars? (Call it EV, 100% EV, or BEV, it’s up to you to call it theory, textbook, or marketing trend). We should look at the components of an EV that make it different from an internal combustion engine. as well as vehicles with motors but still carry the engine, such as hybrid vehicles (HEV) or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV). This matter came to fit. So I would like to bring the contents to recompile. Use the language that we speak easily. and borrowed some of his pictures to use as well Thank you for sharing the good news. Let us start the topic today.
First, let’s talk about the body structure. EVs are designed in two ways. Depending on the creator’s approach, the first is a combustion vehicle body structure designed to be EV-capable, of which the current BMW iX3, MG EP, MG ZS EV and the first Mercedes-EQC are the most obvious examples. And the next body structure is a car body structure that was born to be a truly engineless EV, such as the Porsche Taycan, BYD ATTO3 and MG4, which will be priced at the Motor Expo 2022, etc.
in terms of general use You may ask. “What about the differences between the two? Does it actually work? Maybe not, but designing a car is very complicated. The boss of the car company told the engineering team that “This car will only have an electric motor. You don’t have to design for the engine.” It’s not just the engine that’s missing. Other mounting components, electric fan, large radiator muffler These things can be thrown away. Or think about making a four-wheel drive car. If it’s a combustion engine car You need a propeller shaft. There is a recess in the floor of the car for the center shaft and the muffler. In EVs, you can use that space to devote to the full battery. at all
Cars like the MG4 Electric take advantage of combustion by putting the motor behind it. Place the heavy battery on the floor of the car. Equal to all devices that are heavy. will be closer to the ground than combustion vehicles and also rear wheel drive An ancient folk-turtle layout. Applied to the EV structure and the modern car stabilization system, making the EV fun to drive without the space inside the car not being tight. This is a good thing when you use the thinking power of the older generation to solve physics problems with the technology of the new generation.
Let’s talk about the structure first, because soon when the design of the car does not take into account the engine and components. You’ll see a lot of things change in use. The front of the car will be shorter. The glass will slope up. the car floor will be smooth Both front and rear bonnets have storage space. and much more than we can ever imagine. As the world no longer needs engines In other components That is the basis of an EV car is as follows.
First is the motor. Of course, without the motor you’re just a pretty wagon. That’s it. is the hero who comes to do all the work instead of the combustion engine The beauty of the motor over the combustion engine is It can generate thrust quickly. It releases 100% power faster than combustion vehicles of the same horsepower, which is useful when carrying loads, going up steep hills, and swiftly overtaking. This kind of force transmission characteristics make EV cars not need a reduction gear like a combustion vehicle. still able to create an acceleration at which the mother-in-law would have a heart attack when the motor itself is small gears don’t have to be The space that used to have to be allocated for the propulsion system is also less, but if anyone says EV doesn’t have gears, don’t forget to check the Porsche Taycan first. That guy has a 2 gear ratio. The second set of reduction gears will be used to allow the motor to freeze 200 without having to rotate too much. Telling how powerful a motor is It can be seen from horsepower and torque just like a combustion car. But the character of the electric motor usually has less horsepower but enormous torque Can you imagine taking the engine of a ten-wheeler to make it lighter and put it in a sedan car? How hungry will it be?
In addition, the goodness of the motor is Quiet…Some racing drivers hate it because it lacks excitement and lacks passion (me too). You’ll be a late night racer. With your feet full throttle, no one wakes up because of you. Just don’t kill someone because of an accident. Now, the car with the pipe decoration and the EV car.. are definitely equal.
Subsequent elements is a high-voltage power system
high voltage electrical system It’s like an EV’s blood vessels and nerves. You have muscles, you have a brain, but neither of them will survive. When it comes to high-voltage power systems will be able to separate sub-components further
High Voltage Battery
when we recharge The electric power is stored in the battery. Compared to a combustion engine, it’s like a gas tank. Inside this battery there are dozens to hundreds of separate battery cells. Most EVs these days are completely powered by lithium batteries because of their good discharge. And the battery weight is reasonable with its power capacity. The battery will have more or less capacity. It is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). EVs mainly drive around in the city. It uses a battery with a capacity of 40-50 kWh. May be around 300 kilometers, as for those with a battery capacity of 100 kWh or more. can run to Bangkok Going to charge again at the area around Lampang Sabai Chit or arriving in Chiang Mai like catching a black card and a red card It’s up to you to choose.
Isn’t the more battery capacity the better? A coin has two sides. The more battery capacity The weight will always be greater. And we’re talking about 100-200 kilograms of weight that the car has to carry around all the time. The next thing is the price. When it deteriorates, if it can’t be divided into individual modules, it will be more expensive. And finally, the price of the car at the time of purchase is also more expensive. I like the idea If people could buy an EV that might be charged and wouldn’t have to run all the way to Chiang Mai. but ask for complete equipment Complete safety as the top model It would be free to choose to pay for what the customer really wants.
Battery Management System (BMS-Battery Management System)
is a system that is like the brain of the battery Which is responsible for monitoring the characteristics of charging, distributing power by checking at the level separately, one cell at a time. In addition, it also has a duty to adjust the operation of the battery system in accordance with the situation that the car is encountering.
BDU-Battery Distribution Unit
It is a device that receives commands from the battery management system (BMS) to control charging. or discharge the charge in each cell appropriately Its internal operation is similar to the relay in the electrical system of an internal combustion vehicle. The battery power supply unit is typically integrated within the high-voltage battery ball.
On-Board Charger (OBC: On-Board Charger)
Acts to convert electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for recharging back into the battery. Or supply high voltage from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) to drive the motor. And the other function is to convert high voltage DC to low voltage DC. to recharge the battery back into the 12 volt low voltage battery
Why is that? Oh, EV cars that some people understand that All the electricity in the car comes from the big battery under the car. In fact, there is also a low-voltage system for general electrical equipment and some computers. I’ve heard that some EVs park and show and walk the lights in the car for customers to play. After several days, the battery ran out. A large battery still has a lot of power. So why can’t the electrical equipment work? Because it has been parked for customers to play continuously for several days, there is no driving there.
Charging System Communication Control Box (EVCC: Electric Vehicle Communication Controller)
It is the main component that serves to “talk” between the cars. with charging station or charging devices The EVCC acts as a gateway to exchange data through communication between the external charger and the car’s ECU, which receives data from various sensors around the car to be processed.
The fact that some car models are used to charge with some chargers causes problems. It’s from the EVCC box, since the EVCC acts as an interpreter. Talk to the charging dock The car’s control box says “Then I don’t charge” These things are not easy. Bringing a model of EV to sell in Thailand. The manufacturer therefore has to test the charger with different models / types of chargers. Or talk to the company responsible for those chargers. so as not to cause problems during charging When you want to use technology This is one of the tasks that must be completed before the bad luck visits the customer.
High Voltage Wiring Harness
Serves to convey high-voltage electrical energy to various parts of the car. High-voltage wires can be observed easily. is the orange wire Well insulated and clearly identifiable warning labels If you don’t have knowledge about cars, electric things or even having knowledge. But don’t have any business, don’t take it off, don’t mess with these orange wires.
low voltage electric power system
It is the basic electrical system of a car in general. With a voltage of about 12-14 volts, it is mainly used in the body’s electrical system, such as the comfort system in the cabin. in one electric car Various facilities It uses electricity from a 12-volt low-voltage battery. Which the convenience system of each car will vary depending on the brand, price and technology. that the manufacturer will put in Whether it’s a voice command system Multimedia system, electric seats, electric windows, which the system will work separately with the large battery that delivers power to the drive system. The care and inspection of the battery must be done in both systems. People who specialize in EV cars will know this point. But whoever doesn’t know yet, just be careful not to park and turn on the electrical equipment for several days without driving.
But if parked and turned on the air conditioner to sleep.. really sleep In the event that you get a lightning move order, such as “Sleep outside your room tonight”, don’t worry. Many EVs, European or Tesla, have already passed a lot of support for men who have moved to sleep in the car.
And here it is Is the main component of an EV car in parts that will be different from the internal combustion vehicles that we have been using for decades, but some parts, such as the central brain system control the operation of electrical equipment and coordination between systems such as air conditioning systems with engine operating mode Lighting system ahead with a camera to detect park cars Of them, newer internal combustion vehicles already exist and their performance characteristics are almost no different. Just change from communication to the engine to the motor, to the battery management system, that’s it.
It can be seen that if you start learning from scratch at the same time, EVs have less parts to understand than combustion vehicles. If you understand how the system works when a problem arises We can analyze by ourselves preliminary which system it originated from. Or if you don’t think you’re that unlucky Let’s think that knowing it won’t hurt. because from today onwards The ratio of EVs will only increase. For those who think they’re going to use those cars, knowing that is a good thing. For those who still like the internal combustion engine It’s not a sin if we don’t use EV today, but if the day we change our minds And we have a lot of knowledge about it. can adapt faster.