Design and evaluation of highly integrated DC-DC converters for automotive applications

In order to meet the stringent requirements of the automotive market, an approach of increasing the level of integration in power electronic converters by increasing the functionality of their parts is proposed. Multifunctionality is a key issue for reducing the number of construction parts and has a direct impact on the cost and compactness of the converter. Three dc-dc 42V-14V converter concepts are proposed based on increasing the functionality of three different technology platforms. The converters are designed in an integral electrical, thermal and spatial manner coupling the characteristics of the technology platform to the design. The demonstrators are evaluated based on their electrical, thermal and spatial performance and integration level. A method that incorporates all these criteria into a single function in order to choose the best concept is developed.